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There is a _lot_ you can achieve in 4/5 months. And if the Mac is used for work, I'm sure it could generate $129 in just saved time, efficiency, hassle et al.

The difference in money is not simply $129 for the retail box. The retail box of OS X does not include iLife. That's another $80. If you buy a new Mac, it will have iLife programs installed and ready to go.

I had this problem about 3 months ago when I bought Tiger. I had lost my original Panther DVD disc that came with my iBook, so I tried to backup the Garage Band application folder onto a firewire HD (it was really the only iLife program I cared for). That didn't work because it needed certain files that were installed into the Library folder, I didn't realize this so now I don't have GB anymore. Bummer.

$80 just to get Garage Band? I'll just wait until October and get it all done in one go.

Not to mention that the longer you wait, the better the specs are likely to be (including possible LED backlighting and therefore better battery life across the whole lineup).

$80 just to get Garage Band? I'll just wait until October and get it all done in one go.

While you make a valid point, GarageBand is worth $80 or even more, when you compare it to other entry-level DAWs.

Will there be an iLife07?

Basically what you have to ask yourself, is having a new laptop for 4 month worth $120 to me? For most people in the need of a new laptop the answer to that question is easily yes. I mean it's not as if 10.4 is useless or anything, or that upgrading is is either hard or expensive (compared to the price of the laptop).

If you expected that there would be a $100 price drop in 4 month, would you also put off buying the new computer?

Clanger or not: it is standard Apple practice. There comes a point where sales decline ahead of a new OSX edition. At which point they agree to provide the new edition at minimal cost as part of the deal.

It would appear to be at strategy that allows a smoother, calmer pattern of demand which is easier to supply and better for cash flow.

My G4 PB was bought just before 10.3 came out ... timing was the key. So if there is a clear reason to buy now then do it. If your existing kit will stretch a bit longer then do that.

At october the hardware is older and not worth as much money instead so.. then you better wait to next hardware update aswell.

For those with a Core 2 Duo 2.33 GHz MacBook Pro there isn't anything really special about the 2.4 GHz model. I'll be more impressed when Apple can release a more improved MacBook Pro for professionals. Such as having a 17 inch HD display which uses L.E.D., has a minimum 200 GB HDD @7200 RPM, upgradable SLI graphics (i.e.: dual NVIDIA Geforce 8600M), Dual Layer HD superdrive, upgradable Core 2 Duo processor, OS X Leopard, internal memory card reader (handy for photographers), dual firewire ports, 3 MP camera, iChat which supports Audio/Video chat with MSN Messenger and Yahoo users not just Mac users for increased client/colleague networking.

Depends if you are going to need every last ounce of speed.

If you're doing 3D renders that are going to take days, then yes. If you're doing heavy video editing, possibly - as long as your disk is 7200rpm as well.

Otherwise generally, no.

thanks for the reply; but I'm a typical technology nut; going for the highend product (17" is too big).

I'm not going to use it for video editing regularly, but maybe here and there; but I wonder if 256MB video memory is going to the minimum for video editing 2 years down the road; since I'm planning on keeping it for about 4 years.

Agreed, I think what we need is a Dell XPS laptop running OS X to be the ideal laptop really in terms of shear graphics horsepower. That thing is a beast.