Bought a MacBook Pro Just Before the New Ones Came Out?

Question

I'm just going to put this out there since every time Apple refreshes a product, we get the same questions:
+*1) I just bought my MacBook Pro a week ago. Can I exchange it for a new 2011 one?*+
In the U.S., Apple has a 14 day return policy. You may return your product at any point during that 14 day period. Apple's official policy is to charge a 10% restocking fee. However, they have been known to waive the fee... especially after a product refresh. There is no guarantee that they will do this however.
+*2) I'm so mad!! I just bought my machine in January and it's already obsolete! Now I feel like I have been cheated by Apple.*+
This comment comes up every time there is a product refresh. It can be frustrating when an updated version of something you spent a considerable sum of cash on is released shortly after your purchase. Just remember, at the time you made the purchase, you decided that the product you bought offered what you wanted at a price you were willing to pay. You haven't been cheated out of anything. You received exactly what you expected at the price you agreed to. Your machine does not become obsolete just because a newer model comes out. If the machine you purchased met your needs when you bought it, it will continue to meet your needs regardless of whether or not an updated version was released. If you are within the return period per #1 above, you may return your machine and purchase a new model.
+*3. It's not fair that Apple doesn't tell us that they are updating their machines. I would have waited had I known updated machines were coming out. I asked the guy at the store if there were any updates on the way and he said he didn't know.*+
Very few manufacturers make announcements about updates to their products. For computers, new processors, video components, chipsets, etc. are released at a blinding pace. It is expected that computer manufacturers will update their products regularly. If they don't, they simply won't be competitive. It tends to be more obvious when it comes to Apple products as there are only a few basic models (vs. the tens to hundreds offered by companies like HP, Asus, Toshiba, etc). Frankly, from a business standpoint, it also doesn't make sense to pre-announce updates as they will cripple sales of existing stock. Generally, before a product refresh, there are lots of rumors. A little research ahead of time will usually make it clear if an update is at least expected. Neither Apple store employees nor employees at other Apple Authorized Resellers have any advance knowledge of new releases. They may know about the same rumors that you'll find online, but they have no more concrete information than anyone else until an official announcement.

Answer 1

Joey, you can also always quote my user tip:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1502615&tstart=0