The Current: and now, the tension mounts ... buy now or later?

Posted by Daniel East Dec 27, 2006 at 6:21am

Whew! Now that we’ve made it through the holiday buying season what else could there be? Ahhh, yes … MacWorld in less than two weeks! For we Mac faithful, this annual festivus is almost as exciting (more for some, I’m sure) than the usual year-end holiday season. Sure, those that received shiny new MacBooks and iPods for Christmas are still glowing and settling into their new Apple devices, but what about the others … you know who I’m talking about!

YOU! Yes, you! The one that gritted your teeth through the past few weeks of shopping frenzies to successfully resist the temptation to plunk down some cash in the Apple Store. I know why you fought that urge to drag a new Apple toy—‘er, I mean, Device Of Absolute Necessity – back home. Of course! The same gnawing reason here too brothers and sisters, I feel your pain! You are waiting to get your hands on “The Next Big Thing.”

Most people are—and very well should be—perfectly happy with the Mac or iPod that they recently received. Excellent world-class products that are in no fear of becoming obsolete in the next few moments. I mean, even if you bought a new Mac today, you would still have years of use and enjoyment to look forward to. So why do some of us wait? Haven’t we all been down this road at some point? We buy the very day a new product is released only to wind up back in the same technolust a few months or years later? Where does that sheen of the last ‘Latest and Greatest’ go after a few months anyway?

Well, these can all be nagging questions but it is always best, if not at times difficult, to ask yourself other more important questions. Such as, how will the current machine fit your needs today? What are your true and actual expansion plans over the course of ownership? And very importantly, can you end up saving some serious money by buying a current or prior generation model which, for all practical purposes, meets or exceeds your realistic demands?

While it is fun to play the waiting game, many have found that the new product they waited for turned out to simply be a mild speed bump or other minor revision. The time they could have saved while enjoying their new Mac a few months earlier cannot be regained. But then again, this can work in reverse. You can also be stunned if you buy today and in 31 days a radically new and more powerful replacement comes along. The other wild card is in dealing with potentially brand new products instead of updates. This is not as much a waiting decision but an absolute requirement. You ain’t getting “it”—whatever “it” may be—until Big Uncle Steve says so. See how this one is a lot easier?

So, if you have been stewing over what to do RIGHT NOW about buying a new Mac, just take a deep breath, sit down with pen and paper and make a list of what you truly and honestly need out of your machine now and in the coming months. Chances are there is something available right this minute that will do the job. Plus, no Rev. A blues if the model has been out a while! For example, I have bought a number of Macs for myself from Apple’s ‘Special Deals’ store and I have to tell you, I have saved a bundle and never been the slightest bit disappointed in my product. My rationale is that these items are going to be in excellent condition, with all the same-as-new pack ins. And with a full Apple warranty there are no worries with this unit that I wouldn’t have with a non-Special Deals buy. Another plus is that I usually end up getting more machine for the same money that I would have spent for a lesser equipped new/retail model.

So there we have it. A few different viewpoints on what, why and how. Even though there is no absolute bet way to go as that depends on your individual wants and needs, the best consolation is that no matter if you buy a new Mac or iPod today or wait for the new releases after any huge Mac event (if there are any!) you will still be getting an insanely great product that you can enjoy using for quite a while, or until the rumor mill starts grinding again …

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