5 Ways to Justify Buying the New MacBook Pro

Have you seen the ads for the new MacBook Pro? They're pretty incredible and will make you want to trade out your current computer as quickly as possible. The coolest looking feature is the new Touch Bar, which replaces the old function keys and allows for seemingly endless customization and functionality.

But with a price tag starting at $1,799 and going all the way up to $2,799, most people will have trouble forking over the cash.

Five Ways to Justify the Purchase

While you may not need the new MacBook Pro, you definitely want one. But how can you possibly justify the purchase? Here are a few tips and ideas that will make you a smarter customer.

1. Know When to Buy

Patience is a virtue when it comes to buying a new MacBook. Knowing when to buy can mean the difference between paying full price and saving a few hundred dollars. With that being said, one of the best resources on the internet is the MacRumors Buyer's Guide. This page provides a detailed product summary for every Apple model and provides recommendations regarding when to purchase based on a number of factors. These factors include the number of days since the last release, rumors about new product releases, and potential sales.

2. Don't Purchase from the Apple Store

Unless you have a reason to purchase directly from the Apple Store (or the online store) – such as a college student discount – you're probably better off shopping with one of the company's authorized retailers. For example, Amazon tends to offer MacBooks for $50-$100 less than the Apple Store or Best Buy.

3. Live Below Your Means for a Few of Months

One of the smartest pieces of money advice – regardless of whether you're trying to buy a new MacBook Pro or save for retirement – is to live below your means. If you spend time reviewing your budget and removing non-essential monthly expenses, you should be able to stash away an extra couple hundred dollars per month. Do this for three or four months and you'll have a big chunk of change set aside to justify spending on something you'll use – like the new MacBook Pro.

4. Purchase a Refurbished Mac

If you can wait a few months, you may find that the greatest savings are available when you're able to purchase a refurbished MacBook Pro. Typically, Apple sells refurbished products for 15-20 percent less than the normal price. Assuming this holds true, the entry level MacBook Pro with Touch Bar would likely be discounted from $1799 to between $1439 and $1529. While you aren't getting a brand new device, they are tested and guaranteed by Apple to work just as well.

5. Give it Time

The last piece of advice is to give it time. While you may have the money to go out and purchase the new MacBook Pro right now, conventional wisdom says that it's best to wait two or three months. Over this time, reviews will begin to accumulate and a clearer picture will be painted as to whether it's worth the investment. This buffer also gives you time to make sure you aren't making a purchase solely based on emotions.

Make a Smart Choice

At the end of the day, remember the difference between a need and a want. Not to sound like your mother, but the new MacBook pro falls into the latter category. You could always purchase an older version at a steeply discounted price, so you don't technically need the new one.

However, who wouldn't want one? Keep these tips and pointers in mind as you attempt to justify the purchase.