Apple's got new MacBooks to sell – but who's buying?

Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:43AM EDT

See Comments (18)

It's not that I don't want a sleek new MacBook that's been lovingly carved out of a single block of aluminum—I do. But, ah ... have you seen the stock market lately? Let's hope the rumors of a sub-$1,000 MacBook pan out.

I'm sure you know by now that Apple is holding yet another event Tuesday in San Francisco, at 10 a.m. sharp—it's third such event in five months. This time, as the media invite proudly declares, "The spotlight turns to notebooks."

Indeed, short the iPhone, Apple's laptops—be they the old iBooks, PowerBooks, or the newer MacBooks—are the sexiest products in the company's already sexy lineup.

Rumors about the "Brick"—now widely thought to be a new, "revolutionary" manufacturing process that allows Apple to carve its MacBook shells out of a single piece of aluminum—are everywhere, not to mention a truckload of leaked photos.

Fortune's Apple blog has a rundown of predictions, including thinner, redesigned MacBook Pros with updated specs and gesture-based trackpads, as well as a pumped-up (if not wildly different) MacBook Air. (No tablet Macs, according to an analyst quoted in the Fortune story.)

But the big news that may come out of Apple's event Tuesday could be a new, aluminum-clad MacBook—with a price tag in the $899-$999 range.

That'll be the headline (if the cheaper MacBooks do, indeed, come to pass), because ... well, you know why.

Seriously—I'm the Gadget Hound at Yahoo! Tech, and I'm thinking of putting that $179 Slingbox Solo I've been eyeing on the back burner, much less a new laptop.

So, tell me, I'm curious: Given our current (and apparently ongoing) market meltdown, how many of you are actualy considering buying a new laptop—Apple or otherwise—in, say, the next six months or so? Would an $899 MacBook do the trick? Or are you (like me, frankly) holding off?

Update: Wow—from looking at the comments so far, looks like we've got a bunch of bulls in the house (or at least plenty of gadgeteers who want a new MacBook, come heck or high water). Am I the only bear? Keep the posts coming.

Related:
Apple schedules laptop event for Oct. 14; leaked photos abound [TUAW]

Comments on Apple's got new MacBooks to sell – but who's buying?

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  • 6 Posted by jhschlak on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    I too have been holding off after constantly hearing rumors of a refresh, let's hope it comes with a less expensive price tag. But I doubt it.

  • 7 Posted by libby90292 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:50PM EDT Report Abuse

    My Dell PC (only 3 years old) is driving me crazy!! S-l-o-w and so noisy (the fan)! I want a MacBook, and will treat myself to one in the very near future.

  • 8 Posted by vanmo92 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    I just bought a macbook (in july), so I am not really in the market for one. BUt If I was still on the PC side I would definitely be heading to the apple store next tuesday.

  • 9 Posted by chaps_3 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    I too have put all purchases aside due to the economic conditions. You don't know if you still have a job from one day to the next and I don't need to spend money on anything that is not a necessary purchase. The trick in this type of economy is to stay cash away, pay down your debt and wait. That is what I will be doing. If I lose my job tomorrow I don't want to think about that notebook I bought two months ago.

  • 10 Posted by raidergreg3079 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    This is great news for people who dont want macs. Now Dell, HP, and others will lower prices.

  • 11 Posted by bigkidd532 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:07PM EDT Report Abuse

    Just bought mine in May. Not going to get a new one now.

  • 12 Posted by bdjohn06 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:04PM EDT Report Abuse

    Can't wait! I wouldn't be to surprised if the normal macbooks start coming with better video cards than the current Intel Integrated ones. I love macbooks but seriously for what I do the integrated card barely passes.

  • 13 Posted by alan_r_cam on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    If Apple were to release OSX for other machines, like my Dell Vostro, I'd consider it. If only to kick Microsoft in the groin for foisting Vista on me. But- new software AND hardware, when my savings are melting before my eyes? You're Dreaming, pal.

  • 14 Posted by philipberne on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:09PM EDT Report Abuse

    Actually, my company will buy two, and we just bought a brand new Macbook Pro a month ago. Some times improved productivity and the ability to perform new tasks with potential new features outweighs the disadvantages. But if you want to stop by and play with my new machine, let me know and I'll let you take a look :-)

  • 15 Posted by alex_aguilar1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:50PM EDT Report Abuse

    ill do it ive been wanting to do the PC to mac. transition because well security issues viruses.. etc are less comon on macs and main thing i do is web browser and download so im good thing is i know alot about PC's that i learned by screwing around so im going to have to do that to the mac to get to know it better

  • 16 Posted by alex_aguilar1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:50PM EDT Report Abuse

    ill do it ive been wanting to do the PC to mac. transition because well security issues viruses.. etc are less comon on macs and main thing i do is web browser and download so im good thing is i know alot about PC's that i learned by screwing around so im going to have to do that to the mac to get to know it better

  • 17 Posted by nhanscome on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:37PM EDT Report Abuse

    i wouldnt buy it first i hate apple and second for 900-1000 dollars i could buy 2 relativly decent laptops or a higher end and a netbook

  • 18 Posted by danny_acosta10 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    I am on my way to upgrading my current MacBook and purchasing the new MacBook Pro!

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