It’s nearly Macworld time, and once again we get articles asking whether consumers should buy now or wait until Macworld before plonking down their hard earned cash.
The answer to ‘wait’ is obvious – who wants to part with several hundred – or several thousand dollars – only to find that their shiny new purchase is now last season’s model – especially when Macworld is so close?
Anyone who desperately wanted Apple gear by now would likely have purchased it in the last few weeks of 2007 – not in the first two weeks of 2008.
The previously linked article lists Apple products deemed ‘safe’ to purchase pre-Macworld, and products that are likely to be updated, but the simple truth is that “expecting the unexpected” is the best policy when dealing with Apple.
The items listed as safe include iPods, Mac Desktops, Apple Displays and Apple software, while ‘questionable’ items include the iPhone and MacBooks.
iPods are listed as ‘safe’ because they were only recently updated – but if a 32GB iPod Touch emerges anyone buying a 16GB model now will surely be disappointed.
Mac Desktops can always be updated with faster processors, more memory or other features for the same price, so there’s no certainty there, especially with quad-core and more-core chips threatening to relegate dual-core chips into the dustbin of history. Might we see a quad-core iMac launch at Macworld? Anything is possible...
Apple’s displays are getting a bit long in the tooth, with competing models from Dell and others offering many more features for the money, so new Apple displays are definitely coming, although whether they will arrive at Macworld or not is another matter.
Certainly, if they don’t, buying someone else’s cheaper, higher resolution and more featured packed display will be the best course of action – unless you must have technology emblazoned with a bitten silver Apple logo!
Apple’s software has gone through many updates in 2007, and while patches and updates will flow throughout 2008, virtually all of Apple’s major software is already up-to-date.
Indeed, it’s Microsoft software that some Apple users are waiting for, with Mac Office 2008 due to make an appearance in the first quarter of this year.
So, what about the iPhone, new MacBooks, the Apple TV and the Mac Mini? Please read onto page 2 for the conclusion...
Wanna buy Apple gear? Of course you should wait!
With Macworld less than two weeks away, only those with an unstoppable
urgent need for new Apple gear will be 'brave' enough to buy anything
Apple before Steve Jobs permanently changes the Apple landscape yet
again.
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One of Australia’s best-known technology journalists and consumer tech experts, Alex has appeared in his capacity as technology expert on all of Australia’s free-to-air and pay TV networks, including stints as presenter of Ch 10’s Internet Bright Ideas, Ch 7’s Room for Improvement and tech expert on Ch 9’s Today Show, among many other news and current affairs programs.
