How to Get New MacBooks [updated]

Many people have been wondering how to get new MacBooks without losing the current promotion (free iPod). The printer one is always going on, however, the iPod isn’t. And how can you without having to worry about waiting for the next update when for all we know it could just be a new processor? Well, you can’t have a new MacBook and the iPod, but this will help you pick. 

On September 15th, the last day of the promotion, get a MacBook and iPod and don’t open either nor file for the rebate. Now, wait until September 29th. Chances are you’ll know what the update will include, and if you don’t feel it is worth losing your iPod, then return your computer for no restocking fee. If you think it’s just something stupid, open it up and enjoy your new computer . Even if you don’t need the iPod, if you sell it on eBay or Craigslist, you can get $250 off of your new Mac in addition to the 50-200 off the educational discount. 

Personally, I should be buying a new MacBook tomorrow with a free iPod (not even going to worry about the printer, I could get one on black friday for less than the sales tax here). I mean, the printer deal sucks isn’t exactly worth it, but the iPod deal is awesome, how could anyone resist a free touch? 

Assuming all goes well, I’ll post pics of my new MacBook and touch tomorrow as well as an OS X Genius exclusive how-to-get-the-cash-for-a-mac guide.

An update: Most of you could probably careless, though my craigslist buyer didn’t pull through, though nonetheless, I’m having someone come over and look at it tonight. Assuming that they are interested and buy my older PowerBook, I should have a new MacBook tomorrow, otherwise I’ll have to repost it and find someone else. Either way, tomorrow or not, I should have one before the end of August. 

When I do buy it, expect some cool pictures and such. I’ll be keeping my other PowerBook, but the older one has to go. It will be a pretty cool experience, I have been considering it every year, but kept thinking, oh, my PowerBook is fine for what I need to do, but with the rebate being online, I’m finally giving it. 

iPod and MacBook, here I come

Filed under: Macbook/Macbook Pro

MacBook Release Date: September Hinted

Well, remember the “there will be no MacBooks in September” speculation that was going on? This new source seemed to have ended it by examining the stocks of items that are being shipped from Apple and this letter had started the MacBook and iPod drought:

More specifically, the Cupertino-based company in recent days issued an advisement bulletin to some of its channel partners hinting at a manufacturing ramp down of iPods and certain Mac notebook models, which will result in limited supplies of those products in the coming weeks.

To best address this situation and assure ample supplies for new customer orders through August, Apple “strongly suggested” that resellers bring in — or place immediate lump orders for — approximately 4 weeks worth of their top selling iPod models. Supplies of the players would start to become extremely limited in the next seven days, the bulletin said.

Similarly, the company also advised resellers that it would be in their best interest to place at least 3 weeks worth of orders for existing Mac notebook models. In this part of the communication, Apple is said to have specifically identified 13-inch MacBooks and 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pros, but made no mention of the MacBook Air.

Based on past experiences and knowledge of their own inventory sell-through, those resellers who received the bulletin believe the notice is a strong indicator that Apple will begin introducing its holiday consumer electronics and Mac offerings sometime in early to mid-September.

Indeed, recent anecdotal evidence has suggested Apple is readying new models of both the iPod nano and the iPod touch. A report from AppleInsider earlier this week also provided an update on the company’s redesigned MacBook and MacBook Pros, noting that shipments were unlikely for at least another 6 to 8 weeks.

Source

So what does this mean? Are new MacBooks coming in September with new and redesigned features? Of course Apple is going to release new iPods, every single year at September there is always, always, always a new release.

If the best thing happens, we’ll have a new MBP with a newer and more functional design and a new MacBook as well with an aluminum case and a glass trackpad. To be honest, I don’t want to see aluminium taken over to the MacBook simply because I love the design on it currently.

Worst, we just get a small update 5% of Mac users will notice.

One thing I didn’t bring up that I did want to talk about was in the PowerBooks and in current MacBooks, to remove the battery you need a coin. Unfortunately, Apple removed this from the Pro reverting back to normal latches. The coin system was wonderful making the battery almost impossible to fall out of the computer if you trip a latch by a mistake or if you let a kid use the computer and you’re afraid they might pull a latch or something, making the battery fall out.

Another thing, wouldn’t a MacBook that weighed a little less be nice? I mean right now, they’re 13 inches, though another pound off of them would make a small difference. They’re a lot more heave than you think.

Finally, how about a 12″ MacBook Pro for $1499? Most of us miss the old 12″ PowerBook, and my brother still has his. I always ask him why he doesn’t upgrade and he loves the sleek metal design on it. It’s broken down twice and I fixed it for him every time, and I’m sure I’m not alone and a good percent of us who use Mac’s know someone that won’t upgrade. Of course so it doesn’t take sales from the BlackBooks, make it a little less powerful, but with a dedicated graphics chip. It was really the PowerBook (MacBook Pro at the time) that most people did buy just instead of the iBook (the MacBook at the time Apple killed to get PowerBook sales).

Hmm… anything else? Of course. I’m not too big of a fan when it comes to major changes and really, it’s rare for Apple to do that, not even in the PowerBook/iBook -> MacBook/Pro transition was there really any major changes. I just like little things that make a big difference Webcams! Yes, those little black things on the top of the screen, hopefully Apple will improve them a bit setting a higher standard for other companies.

If Apple keeps plastic, hopefully it will get even more stronger. The PowerBook -> Pro did bring in stronger aluminium, and MacBooks plastic has been changing, though we all still hear of and replace the plastic that cracks on the MacBooks due to the latch. Now, I’m not an an expert here, though could Apple place multiple latches on them and just lower the power to make the computer less likely to crack due to the strong pull between the two magnets? Maybe even a few of the same that are pushing each other apart with very, very little power, but just enough to slow down the case slightly if slammed for example. Okay, I’m going a little crazy there, I’ll admit that, though something should be done to reduce cracks in the casing.

Heat has always been a huge issue the MacBooks all the way back to the TiBooks. They don’t stay cool and do heat up, just feel the bottom of one in the Apple Store. While the MacBooks do stay cooler than the Pros, maybe we could use a few more powerful fans to cool it down or additional vents?

Well, that’s what I hoping for at the MacBook revision, though doubt it will happen.

Filed under: Macbook/Macbook Pro

New MacBook Release Date: Are you Serious?!?!

As I hinted in my “fun” blog, I have been hearing some interesting things about Apple’s upcoming line of portable computers. The talk amongst insiders on the new MacBooks is kind of scattered but here’s a summation of what I’ve heard:

• The new models are thinner than current MacBook and MacBook Pros and slightly more rounded, taking design cues from the MacBook Air.
• The trackpad is glass, multi-touch and uses gestures. The screen isn’t multi-touch.
• The body is manufactured out of one piece of aluminum. Eco-friendly, yet sturdy. Manufacturing process is completely different.
• Release Date: Last week(s) of September.

There are some other things that I can infer but have heard nothing about in the next versions of the MacBook/Pros:

• They will most likely have Intel Centrino 2 platform chips.
• 16:9 screens which come in slightly bigger sizes: 14 inch and 15. 6 inch with different resolutions, obviously.
• The Macbook Air line should get a 45nm processor (Atom?) to help with that battery life.
• I have no idea if this will be called MacBook Touch or if they will keep their current monikers.
• It will be the best thing since sliced bread…

So, if the rumormill is correct, will these updates be enough to keep you from buying a Mac laptop for the next two months?

Source

I am honestly very upset about the release date that he’s stated, but the features aren’t bad. A glass touch pad would be nice, likewise would a computer made out of aluminum.

I mean, all college kids go back in August, yet they aren’t releasing it until September? My advice right now is if you need it and don’t have another computer to use, or want a stable, bug free computer with a free iPod and printer, buy it. If you think a one piece aluminum case or a glass touch pad would be nice, and would really be mad if you didn’t wait and then they updated the line completely, and don’t want a free iPod, then I’d suggest waiting if you can.

Do keep in mind Apple has never released a computer in which the first series didn’t have issues. The first series of MacBook Pro’s and MacBook’s had extremely high logicboard failure rates. The first 15″ aluminum PowerBooks had an error where “white spots” would appear on the screen.  Even later editions had battery recalls. If you buy a first edition of a computer, you’re bound to run into problems, so if you do need a good computer with most bugs ironed out, I’d suggest going for the MacBook/Pro. If you think that’d you’d like to take the chance, make sure you get AppleCare. LogicBoards and Displays are not cheap to replace, and being an AppleGenius most people who come in with them leave with a new computer instead.

Filed under: Macbook/Macbook Pro

MacBook “Leak”

Two days ago, two pictures were released of the rumored  new MacBooks I wrote about in my last entry. Below are a few of the pictures rumored, but are they for real? Take a look for yourself before you read my opinion…

Now looking at the photos, from my opinion being around Apple computers all day at work, it looks like a painted MacBook Air. To be completely honest, the design posted isn’t creative at all and we already saw it this year with the Air and it would be pathetic if it was real, in which I’m almost sure it isn’t. 

First off, it was to see this and was asked how they made it, my first though would be a photoshopped version of the MacBook Air, and as for the second picture, well…

 

That photo you see above was taken directly from Apple’s MacBook Air section of the website. 

So in conclusion, the photo’s fake. Apple isn’t one to leak, forcing us to go on rumors and in fear of buying something that may become obsolete tomorrow, so if you’re looking for a MacBook and reading this, if you can wait for the first two weeks in August, wait. If you can’t, get it now.

Filed under: Macbook/Macbook Pro, News

Rumored: New MacBook/Pro Design, July 29th

Well, that’s all that’s leaked out so far unfortunately leaving many customers without a clue of what’s to come next. New aluminum MacBook and MacBook Pro designs are rumored to come out as well as other MacBook Pro/Air features leaking down such as multi-touch, LED backlights, and backlit keyboards. When are they expected? Rumor has it quarter three, but some guesses lead to July 29th, 2008.

I personally would look forward to seeing aluminum casing on the MacBooks the most due to number of cracks on the cases due to pressure between the magnetic lock and the “cheap” plastic, however, I’d like to see a LED backlit display as well. Assuming the mini is revised, all of Apple’s products would have successfully transformed to aluminum, potentially creating a new standard for all Apple products and quite possibly may be seen in new Windows Based PC’s.

Now we all know that the mini has basically been ignored, and are there any rumors about it? Yes, two of Apple’s desktops, the Mini and the Pro are due for updates as well the Cinema displays. The mini and display are far out of the average update cycle, and the Pro is out of it too in just a week.

As if all of these weren’t enough, some rumors has been presented that Apple may even lower prices to compete with consumer laptops (the new prices would be similar to the student discounts should the rumor be correct).

Well, there’s a lot of stuff there, and we all know the best of rumors are always wrong, so I’ll be saying from me knowing Apple what I think will actually happen:

MacBook Pros

A complete design? I can’t see it happening. I can expect some minor changes to the design, but I honestly believe that most changes will be hardware based. Blue-ray drives and SSD will probably end up being added with a few minor design changes and that will be the end of it. This hasn’t been touched much, but I believe that a black keyboard may be added similar to the one on the MacBook Air as they are easier to type on and look a lot better when typed on and just go with the laptop. 

MacBooks

Macbooks are very hard to say, but a few things that Apple may end up doing, LED backlit displays were talked about a lot and the current displays on MacBooks are really lacking in quality compared to the MacBook Pro’s, so it’d only be fair to assume they’d be added. Backlit keyboards, why not? The Air and the Pro had them, and I can’t see a reason why the MacBook shouldn’t. Multi-touch, maybe. It was added to the Air and the Pro and I can’t really say if it will be added or not, though my thoughts aren’t too definite. Aluminum casing, I can’t see that happening, but you never know…

Mac Pros

I don’t see too many design upgrades here. If anything, new Blue-ray drives, more powerful components, stuff on the inside and not the out. 

Mac Mini

Now these have been left untouched for a long time and need to get a decent update. First off, the hardware inside of them is pathetic. They need bigger hard drives and more ram by default as well as a better video card.

Displays

I honestly have no idea here, I rarely use Apple Displays, but love the way they look and can’t imagine what they may add on to them. 

The Big One: Price Drops

Prices do fall overtime. For example, when the first G4 PowerBook was released in 2001, it went for about $3000. In 2003, the 17″ PowerBook was about $3200 (not 100% sure on this one). Now, not even the 17″ MacBook Pro will cost you that, so yeah, Apple has changed their prices and they don’t stay the same for too long.

But one thing that hasn’t changed that much is the price of the iBook/MacBooks. They were one thousand dollars before, they still are today. In my honest opinion, MacBooks should be lowered to $850, but I doubt Apple will go for it, and if anything, they’ll go down $100.

Anything else, I can’t see or expect too much of a change price wise, but should MacBooks get all of the rumored features, it would be extremely hard to even imagine a change at that point.

Well, any comments or new rumors floating about? Feel free to post below.

Filed under: General, Mac Pro, Macbook/Macbook Pro, News