Mac Buyer's Guide: Know When to Buy Your Mac, iPod or iPhone

Welcome to the MacRumors Buyer's Guide.

See also: Buyer's Guide (time-ordered)

This page provides a product summary for each Apple model. The intent is to provide our best recommendations regarding current product cycles, and to provide a summary of currently available rumors for each model.

Extra information and recommendations are available for each product on their individual Buyer's Guide pages, which are linked to at the top of that product's section on this page.

Disclaimer: This page is based on rumors and speculation and we provide no guarantee to its accuracy. We take no responsibility for purchase decisions made based on this information.

1 iPod
2 Desktop Macs
3 Portable Macs
4 iPhone
5 Other Apple Products
- 5.1 Apple Cinema Displays
- 5.2 Xserve

iPod

Main article: iPod Buyer's Guide

The iPod is Apple's highly successful MP3 player range, which includes:

iPod classic (high end, hard disk, screen)
iPod touch (flash memory, touch screen)
iPod nano (mid-range, flash memory, screen) - this replaced the hard disk based iPod mini
iPod shuffle (low end, flash memory, no screen)

iPod classic

The iPod classic is the hard drive based iPod; it was previously simply known as the iPod.

Recent Releases

???

9/2009

9/2008

9/2007

9/2006

10/2005

6/2005

7/2004

9/2003

4/2003

7/2002

3/2002

Product	iPod classic
Recommendation:	Buy - Product recently updated
Last Release	September 09, 2009
Days Since Update	74 (Avg = 262)
Recent Rumors

11/19: Apple Researching Methods for 'Pushing' User Interfaces to Accessories from Media Devices
10/28: No TomTom Car Kit Compatibility for iPod Touch? [Updated]
10/13: Apple Developing FM Radio Application for iPhone and iPod Touch?
10/05: 'Leaked' 3rd Gen iPod Touch Cases (with Camera Holes) For Sale in U.S.
09/15: iPod Touch Speed Tests Confirm Apple's Claims of 'Up to 50% Faster Performance'
09/12: Leaked iPod Touch with Camera Photos Were Real
09/11: Apple Still Planning Camera in iPod Touch?
09/11: Third-Generation iPod Touch Teardown Reveals 802.11n-Capable Wi-Fi Chip, Empty Space for Camera
09/11: Apple Releases New 'Get a Mac', iPod Touch, and iPod Nano Ads
...more...

iPod touch

Recent Releases

???

9/2009

9/2008

2/2008

Product	iPod touch
Recommendation:	Buy - Product recently updated
Last Release	September 09, 2009
Days Since Update	74 (Avg = 245)
Recent Rumors

iPod nano

The iPod nano is Apple's midrange iPod; it was previously known as the iPod mini

Recent Releases

???

9/2009

9/2008

9/2007

9/2006

2/2006

9/2005

2/2005

Product	iPod nano
Recommendation:	Buy - Product recently updated
Last Release	September 09, 2009
Days Since Update	74 (Avg = 296)
Recent Rumors

iPod shuffle

Recent Releases

???

9/2009

3/2009

9/2008

2/2008

9/2007

1/2007

9/2006

2/2006

Product	iPod shuffle
Recommendation:	Buy - Product recently updated
Last Release	September 09, 2009
Days Since Update	74 (Avg = 213)
Recent Rumors

Desktop Macs

Mac mini

Main article: Mac mini Buyer's Guide

The Mac mini is Apple's low end desktop.

Recent Releases

???

10/2009

3/2009

8/2007

9/2006

2/2006

9/2005

7/2005

Product	Mac mini
Recommendation:	Buy Now! - Product just updated
Last Release	October 20, 2009
Days Since Update	33 (Avg = 249)
Recent Rumors

11/20: iFixit Launches Nearly 250 Repair Manuals for iMac and Mac Mini
10/22: New Product Teardowns Continue: iMac, Mac Mini, Magic Mouse
10/20: Apple Updates Mac Mini and Adds Server Option
10/20: BusinessWeek Details Apple Hardware Updates
10/20: Rumored Product Introductions Today: Mac Minis, iMac, AirPort, Time Capsules? [Updated]
10/19: Rumors of New Apple Hardware Tomorrow Swirling
10/14: Apple Releases Performance Update 1.0 to Address Hard Drive Stalls
10/03: Online Ad Evidence of Imminent iMac, Mac Mini and MacBook Updates?
10/01: Resellers Offer Additional Details on Mac Supply Constraints
09/30: Low-End Mac Mini Shipping Date Slips Slightly, Additional Reports of iMac Shortages Surface
...more...

iMac

Main article: iMac Buyer's Guide

The iMac is Apple's all-in-one form factor desktop.

Recent Releases

???

10/2009

3/2009

4/2008

8/2007

9/2006

1/2006

10/2005

5/2005

8/2004

11/2003

9/2003

2/2003

Product	iMac
Recommendation:	Buy Now! - Product just updated
Last Release	October 20, 2009
Days Since Update	33 (Avg = 221)
Recent Rumors

11/20: More Quad-Core iMac Benchmarks Show Substantial Performance Gains
11/20: iFixit Launches Nearly 250 Repair Manuals for iMac and Mac Mini
11/14: Core i7-Based 27" iMac Benchmarks Show Significant Improvements
11/11: Core i7-Based 27" iMac Now Shipping, 3% Discount at MacMall
11/09: Intel Core i5 Quad-Core iMac Begins Shipping
10/30: Apple's New 27-Inch iMacs Experiencing Performance Issues?
10/22: New Product Teardowns Continue: iMac, Mac Mini, Magic Mouse
10/20: Hands-On Impressions and Other Tidbits From Today's Releases
10/20: Apple Releases Updated iMac Models With 21.5- and 27-Inch LED Screens
10/20: BusinessWeek Details Apple Hardware Updates
10/20: Rumored Product Introductions Today: Mac Minis, iMac, AirPort, Time Capsules? [Updated]
...more...

Mac Pro

Main article: Mac Pro Buyer's Guide

The Mac Pro is Apple's high end desktop; it was formerly known as the Power Mac.

Recent Releases

???

3/2009

1/2008

4/2007

8/2006

10/2005

4/2005

6/2004

11/2003

6/2003

1/2003

8/2002

Product	Mac Pro
Recommendation:	Don't Buy - Updates soon
Last Release	March 03, 2009
Days Since Update	264 (Avg = 236)
Recent Rumors

10/14: Next-Generation Mac Pro to Receive Temporary Exclusive of Six-Core 'Gulftown' Processor?
09/13: Apple Officially Adds Support for Up to 16 GB of RAM on Quad-Core Mac Pro
09/11: Prototype Mac Pro and Intel PowerBook Spotted
08/28: A Closer Look at Snow Leopard's Wake on Demand Feature [Updated]
07/13: New GeForce GTX 285 Drivers Available Now, Offering Up to 20% Better Gaming Performance
06/12: GeForce GTX 285 Appears in Apple Online Store
04/30: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285 Mac Version Due in June
04/20: NVIDIA Announces Quadro FX 4800 Graphics Card for Mac Pro
04/01: Snow Leopard in September, Xserve in June, Mac Pro Speed Boost, and More?
03/30: Quad-Core Nehalem Mac Pros Support 16GB RAM
...more...

Portable Macs

MacBook

Main article: MacBook Buyer's Guide

The MacBook is Apple's consumer laptop; it was formerly known as the iBook.

Recent Releases

???

10/2009

5/2009

10/2008

2/2008

11/2007

5/2007

11/2006

5/2006

7/2005

10/2004

4/2004

10/2003

4/2003

11/2002

Product	MacBook
Recommendation:	Buy Now! - Product just updated
Last Release	October 20, 2009
Days Since Update	33 (Avg = 194)
Recent Rumors

10/21: MacBook Teardown Images Reveal a Number of Additional Minor Changes
10/20: Hands-On Impressions and Other Tidbits From Today's Releases
10/20: MacBook Updated with LED Display, Multi-Touch, 7 Hour Battery
10/20: BusinessWeek Details Apple Hardware Updates
10/19: Rumors of New Apple Hardware Tomorrow Swirling
10/14: Apple Releases Performance Update 1.0 to Address Hard Drive Stalls
10/03: Online Ad Evidence of Imminent iMac, Mac Mini and MacBook Updates?
10/01: Resellers Offer Additional Details on Mac Supply Constraints
...more...

MacBook Pro

Main article: MacBook Pro Buyer's Guide

The MacBook Pro is Apple's professional laptop; it was formerly known as the PowerBook.

Recent Releases

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6/2009

10/2008

2/2008

6/2007

10/2006

4/2006

1/2006

10/2005

1/2005

4/2004

9/2003

1/2003

11/2002

Product	MacBook Pro
Recommendation:	Buy only if you need it - Approaching the end of a cycle
Last Release	June 08, 2009
Days Since Update	167 (Avg = 200)
Recent Rumors

11/14: Intel to Launch New Mobile CPUs (Arrandale) in January?
10/25: Unreleased MacBook Pro 6,1 and 6,2 Referenced in Mac OS X 10.6.2
10/14: Apple Releases Performance Update 1.0 to Address Hard Drive Stalls
10/01: Resellers Offer Additional Details on Mac Supply Constraints
09/11: Prototype Mac Pro and Intel PowerBook Spotted
08/30: OpenCL Benchmarks and Support for Both MacBook Pro GPUs
08/28: A Closer Look at Snow Leopard's Wake on Demand Feature [Updated]
08/19: Apple Releases Fix for MacBook Pro Hard Drive Issues
08/12: Apple Releases AirPort Client Update for MacBook and MacBook Pro
08/11: Apple Again Offers Matte Display Option on 15" MacBook Pro
...more...

MacBook Air

Main article: MacBook Air Buyer's Guide

The MacBook Air is Apple's ultrathin portable. It was originally introduced at Macworld San Francisco 2008.

Recent Releases

???

6/2009

10/2008

Product	MacBook Air
Recommendation:	Neutral - Mid product cycle
Last Release	June 08, 2009
Days Since Update	167 (Avg = 255)
Recent Rumors

iPhone

Main article: iPhone Buyer's Guide

The iPhone is Apple's new mobile phone.

Recent Releases

???

6/2009

7/2008

2/2008

9/2007

Product	iPhone
Recommendation:	Buy only if you need it - Approaching the end of a cycle
Last Release	June 08, 2009
Days Since Update	167 (Avg = 178)
Recent Rumors

11/20: Game Developers Scaling Back Android Efforts as iPhone Continues to Dominate
11/19: AT&T Faces Initial Setback in Verizon Ad Spat, Rolls Out Response Ad
11/18: Qualcomm Looking to Supply Chips for iPhone?
11/18: Google-Branded Phone Coming Early Next Year? [Updated]
11/17: Chinese App Store Growing Amid Challenges
11/17: Nearly 4,000 iPhones Disappear in $3 Million Heist
11/17: 'The Truth Hurts': Verizon Zings AT&T in Advertising Spat
11/16: Retail Roundup: Apple to Release 'Concierge' iPhone Application? Nashua, NH Store Opening?
11/16: Apple Considered Purchasing AdMob?
...more...

Other Apple Products

Apple Cinema Displays

Main article: LCD Buyer's Guide

The Apple Cinema Displays are Apple's range of LCD monitors.

Recent Releases

???

4/2007

8/2006

3/2006

10/2005

4/2005

1/2005

6/2004

1/2003

Product	LCDs
Recommendation:	Don't Buy - Updates soon *
Notes	* Despite the release of the 24" LED Cinema Display, unless you are buying that specific monitor, we'd recommend waiting if you are in the market for a different size.
Last Release	April 04, 2007
Days Since Update	963 (Avg = 230)
Recent Rumors