2020 Intel Macbook pro

[Spike77777]

Seen a local classified with a 2020 intel i7 MB pro with 32gb ram and 512 SSD for $650. Is this a good buy or is the M1 for more a better choice?

 

[sam_dean]

I'd only buy it if you have an Intel-only app that needs the last Intel Mac to run on.

2+ years old and it is now $650. I hope the seller's making lloads more by switching to Apple Silicon.

 

[Spike77777]

I'd only buy it if you have an Intel-only app that needs the last Intel Mac to run on.

2+ years old and it is now $650. I hope the seller's making lloads more by switching to Apple Silicon.

I can see your point, M series is probably a better choice.

 

[sam_dean]

I can see your point, M series is probably a better choice.

TBH I wish I never bought any Intel laptop whether it be a Mac or or Windows after 2015.

Should have stayed on my 2011 & 2012 Mac then upgrade those 120+ months later.

Especially when my use case has not changed since 2015.

 

[Spike77777]

TBH I wish I never bought any Intel laptop whether it be a Mac or or Windows after 2015.

Should have stayed on my 2011 & 2012 Mac then upgrade those 120+ months later.

Especially when my use case has not changed since 2015.

Funny you should say that, I still use daily my two 2012 mac minis i5 and i7 along with my 2013 mbp. They all still run great on Mojave. Figured it's time to upgrade but now might wait awhile.

 

[sam_dean]

Funny you should say that, I still use daily my two 2012 mac minis i5 and i7 along with my 2013 mbp. They all still run great on Mojave. Figured it's time to upgrade but now might wait awhile.

I learned to replace computers/tablets/watches after the final Security Update was released if use case did not dramatically change during that time period. Or else follow Apple/Intel replacement cycle.

Software Updates that introduces new features with security patches has little value to upgrade. Simply because I do not find the macOS I am using has any missing quality of life improvements. What I'd want is security patches, bug fixes resulting in making the Mac snappier or faster by code optimization. Similar to what Steve decided to do with macOS Leopard to macOS Snow Leopard.

Those Macs you pointed out received its final Security Update for 2019 macOS Catalina more than 6 months ago.

If I could have a redo I'd have wanted

- 2011 MBP 13" 32nm > 2021 MBP 16" 5nm
- 2012 iMac 27" 22nm > 2023 iMac 27" 5nm if one were to come out by June

Other push OLCP to run patched copies of macOS that may have missing functionality when ran on obsolete/vintage hardware. I'm not in that situation and I like preventive maintenance even when my use case does not change.

 

[maflynn]

I can see your point, M series is probably a better choice.

Do you want to spend 650 dollars or 3,000 dollars?

The ARM based Macs are excellent and I'm not taking anythign away from that, but consider the price of entry into the world of ARM based Macs.

The 2020 MBP is a nice machine and depending on your use case, could very well be an excellent buy, especially at 650 dollars.

 

[TheRdungeon]

Funny you should say that, I still use daily my two 2012 mac minis i5 and i7 along with my 2013 mbp. They all still run great on Mojave. Figured it's time to upgrade but now might wait awhile.

I went from a 2012 15 inch unibody that was running Mojave and upgraded to the limit (including AC wifi etc) to the machine in my signature, was the only time since I bought the 2012 that I felt compelled and trust me its definitely worth it now. I would buy an Apple refurbished M1 MacbBook Air if you're in that budget range, had one of those before i returned it for this but the Air is an amazing machine and will run rings around those machines you're currently using. the M chips are a game changer