2019 Macbook Pro Buying Questions

[dta]

I have an early 2011 Macbook Pro and I am seriously considering getting a new 2019 model. My 2011 model laptop is slow, has a failed GPU, failed wireless (I am using a USB modem to connect), blown speaker, and a dying battery.

I know that the new laptops are coming with a 4 year warranty on the keyboards. If I have a problem at year 5, approximately what would be my out of packet repair cost? Also, when do you think this model will be declared vintage and be refused for any repairs?

Would 4TB hard disk worth it? Or in other words, what would be the disadvantage of me getting a 2TB hard disk and use an external drive? Are the external drives reliable these days, or do they broke very often?

 

[baypharm]

I have the 2019 MBP and love it. There is nothing wrong with using a Samsung X5 SSD for your work. I routinely use one for a variety of data read/transfer.

 

[mroy16]

Frankly, I can't think of any reason to get a 4TB internal drive. If you're routinely working with big enough files and intense enough workloads that NVMe speeds matter for >1TB, you'd benefit far more from a workstation desktop. For anything else, external storage is a great alternative.

I think the keyboard replacements are running somewhere in the $200-$300 range. Given a 4 year warranty and no guarantee of failure, I think the 2019 is definitely a safe bet.

 

[globalmatt]

I think the keyboard replacements are running somewhere in the $200-$300 range.

More like $700+.

 

[cb911]

I got a new 15" MBP recently as well and love it the same as baypharm. Eventually you get sick of trying to "make do" with busted/dying hardware...

As far as 4TB storage - wow that's pretty crazy!! Would you really pay an extra $3k for it!!?? I have the standard 500GB SSD and honestly coming from an iMac with 3TB HDD the perceived lack of storage made me hesitant. But in reality I will almost always have an external HDD with me for backups anyway - just use external storage it's not a big issue especially with the cost of external SSD coming down in price so much these days. $3,000 will buy you a heck of a lot of external storage..!

 

[maflynn]

in the $200-$300 range

Nope, much higher, as noted above its much higher, and some poor souls back in 2017 were on the hook for paying that. The keyboard repair, includes a new topcase which is why it's so expensive. Apple mentioned that they changed how they're doing repairs and its possible the newer procedure may be cheaper but I don't know the details.

Given a 4 year warranty and no guarantee of failure, I think the 2019 is definitely a safe bet.

The problem for me is not whether its covered (though that is a big thing), but losing out on your machine for a period of time, and if you have to deal with multiple replacements, that gets old. We have members here that had 3 if not 4 keyboard repairs. If the workload is high you could be waiting two weeks for a repair and for some people that's too much especially if the laptop is the one and only computer.

 

[dta]

Thank you all! The new rumor that there will be a September model with 16 in display, made me to think waiting a bit more. I think I am certainly let go the max hard drive option and use externals when the computer gets full. Is it reasonable to assume vintage is declared after 5 years of last sell date?

 

[maflynn]

Thank you all! The new rumor that there will be a September model with 16 in display,

That rumor is definitely gaining momentum - waiting if possible is preferred at this stage.

 

[jerryk]

I have an early 2011 Macbook Pro and I am seriously considering getting a new 2019 model. My 2011 model laptop is slow, has a failed GPU, failed wireless (I am using a USB modem to connect), blown speaker, and a dying battery.

I know that the new laptops are coming with a 4 year warranty on the keyboards. If I have a problem at year 5, approximately what would be my out of packet repair cost? Also, when do you think this model will be declared vintage and be refused for any repairs?

Repair cost for a keyboard should be up to $199. Just tell them you want the battery replaced. The keyboard, battery, trackpad, and Aluminum case containing keyboard and trackpad are a single replaceable unit. The cost for out of warranty battery replacement is $199 (less on 13 inch models).

See https://support.apple.com/mac/repair/service
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Is it reasonable to assume vintage is declared after 5 years of last sell date?

Thought is was more like 7 years

 

[Howard2k]

Frankly, I can't think of any reason to get a 4TB internal drive.

Ignorance?
Stupidity?
Money laundering?
Want to feel like you've made a worthwhile contribution to Tim's new car?

Not a knock on those who have a 4TB system, but IMO Apple's rates are completely absurd. I use a NAS and external drives. I don't need to carry that much data with me at all times.

 

[sosumi99]

The problem for me is not whether its covered (though that is a big thing), but losing out on your machine for a period of time, and if you have to deal with multiple replacements, that gets old. We have members here that had 3 if not 4 keyboard repairs. If the workload is high you could be waiting two weeks for a repair and for some people that's too much especially if the laptop is the one and only computer.

This. The lost time and aggravation are worth far more to me. My laptop is my business machine, and if I have to take it into a shop and lose the use of it for several days while making do with some other device, then it's costing me a lot of lost productivity even if no out-of-pocket funds. Apple, eeliability isn't achieved by saying "we'll fix it when it breaks"; make a keyboard that doesn't fail!

 

[BuCkDoG]

I honestly think this is a great to buy finally buy one of these 2019 MBPs. Apple has had many years in attempts to fix that keyboard and I personally just went into the Apple Store the other day to test it out and I finally like it. The adjusted metal dome switch and the nylon material make it more "mushier" to type on and it makes the typing experience more enjoyable for the butterfly generation. I personally still prefer the scissor switch generation along with the majority of everyone else however, we no longer will have that option moving forward so you either adopt or don't. I personally have chosen the don't route since the reliability has been so bad with my personal experiences, but given the amount of attention the keyboards have had, I truly do think they have made it "good enough" to purchase even though its listed on the keyboard replacement program right from day one. That would also make my purchase decision that much more comfortable though since they will replace the keyboard for 4 years regardless. I personally would order the 2.3 8 core CPU, 32 GB RAM, Vega 20, and 1TB SSD. Unless you need it right now, I also would wait another 2 months or so not only for the rumored 16" MBP, but also until the Apple Certified Refurbs hit the store so you can save 15% and an additional 5% if you have someone in the military so a total of 20% off the retail price. Saving 20% on a $4,000+ machine is nothing to laugh about and assuming your investing that kinda money into it, your keeping it for a long time hence the savings. Hope this helps you!