Advise needed on early 2015 MacBook

[capathy21]

Hello all, I've been Mac free for several years now. I changed jobs in 2016 and haven't needed a computer. My iPhone and iPad have been more than enough for me. However, I have a new gig where an actual computer would benefit me. I am making do with my iPad Air 3/Smart Keyboard combo, but it's just uncomfortable for longer work sessions with a lot of typing. I want something light and portable, and Retina display is a must. I'm on a limited budget, and will definitely be buying second hand. I found an early 2015 base model retina MacBook locally for $450 USD. It seems like a great deal. My workload (if you can call it that) is as follows.

-Tons of emails and document writing.
-Extremely light content creation such as creating 15-30 second photo collages with music.
-Basic media consumption music, movies, Netflix
-Typical daily usage stuff like iMessage, notes, etc.

It seems to me like pretty much any Mac in the last 5 or so years would handle what I do just fine. I just wanted to get some advice from those who may still own this model. Is it till a good deal in 2020, especially considering the price?

 

[objektør]

depends on battery health, keyboard issues etc.
I'm still using my day one 12" rMB. Never had any issues. I get around 2 hours use on battery but use it mostly on mains or take a usb-c power bank (with PD) with me. 830 cycles.
I get the beachball every now and then but not irritating.
I don't think I would ask $450 for it because of the battery.

 

[capathy21]

I know the seller personally so I have tested out the keyboard and it's perfect. The cycle count on it is 324.

 

[mj_]

I know the seller personally so I have tested out the keyboard and it's perfect.

Unfortunately that doesn't mean anything. The keyboard can be perfectly fine one day and broken beyond repair the next. I'd rather get an older MacBook Air instead. Much more reliable.

 

[capathy21]

Unfortunately that doesn't mean anything. The keyboard can be perfectly fine one day and broken beyond repair the next. I'd rather get an older MacBook Air instead. Much more reliable.

I considered an Air but the low resolution and terrible viewing angles of the display were a non starter. I went ahead and rolled the dice and got the 12 inch macbook. So far so good. We will see how the keyboard holds up.

 

[jazz1]

I just got a 12" MacBook back from my kid (got her a 2020 Air). It's battery only lasts 40min. It was originally mine. Updating the OS now, but even with my brief time with it today, I can see why I liked it so much. The question now is do I spend $300.00 to get the battery replaced? Will this run Big Sur?

Refurbished on Apple.com are incredibly expensive for this oldie but goodie laptop. Same specs. as mine 512GB, 8GB memory. Apple wants $1,359.00 for the one in their refurb. store!

 

[capathy21]

I just got a 12" MacBook back from my kid (got her a 2020 Air). It's battery only lasts 40min. It was originally mine. Updating the OS now, but even with my brief reuniting I can see why I like it so much. The question now is do I spend $300.00 to get the battery replaced? Will this run Big Sur?

Refurbished on Apple.com are incredibly expensive for this oldie but goodie laptop. Same specs. as mine 512GB, 8GB memory. Apple wants $1,359.00!

I would definitely do it. As long as everything else is good, you’re basically getting a new one for $300.

 

[jazz1]

Yes, I'm going to take it in to an Apple Authorized repair place on Monday. I've heard some people get it done for $200.00. I haven't been able to find a place offering that low price. It is a bear to replace the battery. I watched a 45min. You-Tube video. I'm surprised it can be done at all. I've said it before, and I'll say it again...I miss the days when we could replace hard drives, RAM, and even batteries on Apple products. I know, weight and thinness rule. I can't have it both ways

 

[mj_]

Take it to Apple, not an AASP. Apple will charge you no more than $200 for a brand-new original battery, see here: https://support.apple.com/mac/repair/service

AASPs can basically charge however much they want to install that exact same battery as long as they don't charge less than Apple does.

 

[jazz1]

Thanks!

 

[jazz1]

Thank you "Don't Panic"! I chatted online with Apple and they ran a diagnostic remotely. At he wanted me to bring it in to an Apple Store. Well my local one is closed due to the Pandemic. Anyway, the diagnostic did confirm an issue. In the end it was about $40.00 less than my local Apple Authorized third party. I'm not sure if the third party quote included tax. If it didn't there would be a little more savings.

I have a little more peace of mind dealing with Apple on this. I'm in no big rush as I have an iPad Pro and iMac so shipping and repair time isn't critical. My only fear now is my spouse is going to steal it from me. Well, unlike the iPad, we can at least have two separate user accounts on the MacBook

I should have asked what kind of warranty was on the Apple repair. I wouldn't expect much of a warranty, maybe 90 days?

One thing that kind of surprised me was that you could not just send it in, have them do an in person diagnostic, and then tell you if there was something that came up that would cost more. But, I guess they would just run the same diagnostic.

I don't know if I mentioned it, but it has been almost two years since I had my hands on an Apple laptop. I've been using my iPad Pro, now with an MK iPad folio. I will say I like the big trackpad on the MacBook vs. the iPad.

I'll always have an Apple iPad, but now I also think I should always have an Apple laptop. When Apple comes out with their own CPU laptop, hopefully with built-in cellular, "TAKE MY MONEY"!

So, I hope all goes well and the Apple repair has a happy ending!