I've been diving into the MacBook theme, experimenting. Recently, I bought a wonderful 2012 Retina model, but it became clear that I need a more powerful tool. I've been exploring used devices and came across 2017 model in good condition with a healthy battery - an i7 @ 2.9GHz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Radeon 560 with 4GB VRAM for $465. I'm considering purchasing it and selling my 2012 model. However, concerns about flexgate and the keyboard have been bothering me. Is flexgate an unavoidable issue? If I avoid fully opening the screen wide, will I be safe? As for the keyboard, if I keep it clean and use compressed air, will that be sufficient for ensuring its longevity?
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MBP 2017 should I go in?
- Thread starter vorob
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Absolutely not.
You're in the same price range as a used M1 MacBook Air - a machine which would demolish that i7 in processing power, have better battery life, be able to run a current version of the OS, etc, etc.
M1 MacBook Air new for $650 is almost as fast as M3. I'd ditch Intel as soon as possible and make the leap over to Apple Silicon.
Thirded. If you're looking for longevity you should not be shopping for an Intel Mac at this point.
Fishrrman's rules for used MacBook buying:
DO NOT BUY:
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)
ALL of these have the disastrous "butterfly keyboards" that are highly-prone to failure. Although Apple has a free replacement program running for 4 years "from new", when that time expires YOU will pay for the repair.
And it's NOT CHEAP -- $750 for even a single key gone bad.
That's because the entire top case has to be replaced... even for a single key failure!
DO BUY:
MacBook Pro 13" -- 2020
MacBook Pro 16" -- 2019 and later.
These have the new "magic" (scissors) keyboards, as did the 2015 and earlier MBPs. These keyboards have been very reliable.
Also:
MacBook Pro 14" or 16" -- 2021
DO NOT BUY:
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)
ALL of these have the disastrous "butterfly keyboards" that are highly-prone to failure. Although Apple has a free replacement program running for 4 years "from new", when that time expires YOU will pay for the repair.
And it's NOT CHEAP -- $750 for even a single key gone bad.
That's because the entire top case has to be replaced... even for a single key failure!
DO BUY:
MacBook Pro 13" -- 2020
MacBook Pro 16" -- 2019 and later.
These have the new "magic" (scissors) keyboards, as did the 2015 and earlier MBPs. These keyboards have been very reliable.
Also:
MacBook Pro 14" or 16" -- 2021
I just retired a MacBook Pro 15" (2018). Top of the line Core i9 32GB RAM 2TB SSD but with that funky display line with no physical ESC key.
Anyway, keys failed on the laptop. Apple replaced the keyboard for free. It is now way past that time. And of course some keys work maddeningly intermittently. The worst was the M key.
I figured it was time to return it in exchange for a much less powerful i3 MacBook Air (2019), the keyboard seems okay with the Air.
It was given to a high school.
Anyway, keys failed on the laptop. Apple replaced the keyboard for free. It is now way past that time. And of course some keys work maddeningly intermittently. The worst was the M key.
I figured it was time to return it in exchange for a much less powerful i3 MacBook Air (2019), the keyboard seems okay with the Air.
It was given to a high school.