Apple Adding Last MacBook Pro With CD Drive to Vintage Products List

[jowaju]

Does Open Core support the optical drive? Dosdudes patcher killed support for the optical drive for DVD Player in the MacBooks I tried it on.

You need the GVA patch for the older 9400m and 320m based MacBooks / MacBook Pros. DVDplayback works through 3rd party apps, but not the built in Apple DVD player unless you replace the Framework. There is a link in this post to download a script, you will need to adjust the script if using it on Catalina or Monterey since it was written to work on Mojave.

macOS 10.14 Mojave on Unsupported Macs Thread

I have a MacBook6,1, with SSD and 8Gb RAM, and I successfully updated it from High Sierra to 10.14.3 thanks to the dosdude patcher. Thank you very much. Everything works as well as on High Sierra. The problem of artifacts of the light theme was safely solved by the transutil script. Macbook 6.1...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[Larsvonhier]

Does Open Core support the optical drive? Dosdudes patcher killed support for the optical drive for DVD Player in the MacBooks I tried it on.

Two minor corrections. One for me posting that dosdude gave in. Only partly correct: He transitioned to writing the GUI version of the OC legacy patcher.
One for the lack of optical drive support: It´s not killed by the patches, but not brought back yet on all machines that Apple dropped completely. In particular, old P-ATA drive(rs) dont work any more (i.e. on Mac Pro 3,1 - but here they can be replaced by S-ATA types easily).
I use CDs/DVDs regularly on various machines with OCLP/Monterey, so it should not be a systematic problem with the patches...

 

[IndigoQuack]

Ah, so my trusty old MBP enters the 'vintage' category. Count me in as another avowed fan of this stalwart of the Apple laptop lineup!

I've been a Mac addict for over two decades and have enjoyed every machine I've owned (well, except perhaps for the first-edition white MacBook 1.83Ghz Core Duo that I impulse bought... definite buyer's remorse on that one! My Performa 405/LCII was also pretty flawed, if anyone here remembers that one!)

Anyway, of all the Macs I've loved, the 13" mid-2012 MBP on which I'm currently typing will always hold a special place in my heart.

It's rocking 16Gb RAM with a 525Gb SSD, and running macOS Monterey 12.1 thanks to OCLP (yes, entirely at my own risk - which I accept!) According to Coconut Battery, it looks like it'll need its second replacement battery soon, and I figure that's probably still a worthwhile investment as I'm hoping to get at least another year out of this baby.

After that? Who knows... I'm a computer enthusiast, but I guess I'm definitely not in the "power user" category anymore, so even an entry-level M1 MacBook Air would likely be sufficient at this point. Besides, I have a work-supplied Dell laptop for my serious productivity stuff - the Mac is my escape from all of that!

 

[lfaa]

I echo what other folks have said above: these machines are perfectly capable of handling most people's needs, particularly if you install an SSD. No complaints whatsoever for my purposes as an academic.

Indeed a 1Tb SSD on my 2010 MB was worth replacing the original 500GB HD which had signs of aging. I'm using this robust backup 2010 MB right now, as my 2019 MB has been sent to California to fix a touchbar issue hahaha

 

[rölli]

I think the mid-2012 is going to be fine for at least next 5 years for regular use, although lack of support with newer macOS versions is unfortunate. Upgraded with SSD & 8GB RAM even the i5 model has been absolutely great budget laptop for a student, no performance problems and always a joy to browse materials with the fantastic touchpad. Definitely not going to upgrade any time soon although the M1 seems neat.

 

[DouglasCarroll]

I agree with this. I upgrade MacBook 2012 machines that I find in the recycle bin at work to Catalina and then I've already started replacing Apple programs which will soon be unsupported (Mail, Safari) with open source SUPPORTED programs (Thunderbird, Firefox) on these models and I feel perfectly fine gifting them to people.

 

[VivienM]

Did this end up happening? I am not seeing the mid-2012 MacBook Pro on the vintage/obsolete list...

 

[DD88]

I don’t think I own a single CD/DVD at my house. Do you?

Probably about 50 I’d say? But I took them out of their dvd covers , binned the covers and have them in a wallet type storage. I have over 200 4K UHD discs though as the quality is just so superior to streaming services and I also own the content forever

 

[DouglasCarroll]

Probably about 50 I’d say? But I took them out of their dvd covers , binned the covers and have them in a wallet type storage. I have over 200 4K UHD discs though as the quality is just so superior to streaming services and I also own the content forever

Not to mention the thousands and thousands of cd’s available at the local library…

 

[Scubanutta]

I've got two. SSD drives replaced the spinners. Batteries replaced. Recently the hard drive cable for one went "out of spec" and the drive became nearly unusable. Replaced the cable, better than new. Meet 95% of my needs. (The odd time I render out a video I think about upgrading.) Really love these.

Hello. I had to get an account, find the original article, find you comment and I finally go here to ask the question. I do hope you respond.

I have a mid 2012 MacBook Pro and I want to replace the drive for an SSD and replace the battery. I would really appreciate any advice you can give me, part numbers and a heads up about the ‘out of spec’ cable I might need for the hard drive. I see the value of my old macbook and I don‘t want to replace it. Just could do with it working without a power socket and working faster (SSD). Any help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks

 

[Scubanutta]

Believe it or not, there are a lot of professional musicians, educators and performers, who still use CDs (And hate dongles 😂). Even in 2022, this can still be a wonderful computer for those people because:

1) The 2012 is highly upgradeable and repairable. With Maxed out ram, an SSD, and a new battery if needed, this baby will still fly.

2) macOS Catalina is still supported for about one more year, and this machine natively runs Catalina.

3) With Open Core Legacy Patcher, this machine will run macOS Big Sur perfectly, and as of right now macOS Monterey is still possible on this machine with a bit of post-install patching.

I will probably use the 2012 models for the rest of my life because I have about 500 CDs/DVDs in my house. I have no intention of selling them, they are a part of my life and my memories. ❤️

Hello. I’m looking to swap out the hard drive for an SSD, change the battery and get it running faster to pass to my son to play CDs and use as his laptop for DVDs too. Would you be willing to contact me to offer some advice of parts I’ll need and where to get them? I also might need some help with OS. Many thanks in advance.

 

[DouglasCarroll]

Hello. I’m looking to swap out the hard drive for an SSD, change the battery and get it running faster to pass to my son to play CDs and use as his laptop for DVDs too. Would you be willing to contact me to offer some advice of parts I’ll need and where to get them? I also might need some help with OS. Many thanks in advance.

Hello,

You didn't mention if you had a 13" or a 15" mid 2012 but either way but your upgrades are super easy. You can get everything here at OWC...

13" hard drive cable...

Apple Hard Drive Cable for 13-inch MacBook Pro (Mid 2012)

Replacement hard drive cable for Apple P/N(s): 923-0104, 923-0741, 821-1480-A, and 821-2049-A

eshop.macsales.com

15" hard drive cable...

Apple Hard Drive / SSD Cable For 15-inch 2012 MacBook Pro

Apple Hard Drive Cable For 15-inch MacBook Pro (Mid 2012). Replacement hard drive / SSD cable for Apple P/N(s): 923-0084

eshop.macsales.com

13" battery...

Batteries for MacBook Pro 13" 2009 - Current Non-Retina Models

NewerTech NuPower 74 Watt-Hour Replacement Battery for all Apple MacBook Pro 13.3-inch 2009-Current non-Retina Models models. 1 Year Limited Warranty.

eshop.macsales.com

15" battery...

Batteries for MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2011 - 2012 Models

NewerTech NuPower 85 Watt-Hour Replacement Battery for all Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch Unibody Early/Late 2011 & Mid 2012 models. 1 Year Warranty.

eshop.macsales.com

SSD (either 13" or 15")...

OWC SSD Upgrade Kits For MacBook Pro 2012

Get everything you need to upgrade your 2012 MacBook Pro SSD for a total system performance and capacity boost. All OWC SSDs backed by a lifetime warranty.

eshop.macsales.com

ALL of the above parts are in stock and ALL have "how to install videos" so it is very easy.

I have the fastest version of the 13" mid 2012, the i7, and it is still a really great machine!

Good luck!

 

[Scubanutta]

Hello,

You didn't mention if you had a 13" or a 15" mid 2012 but either way but your upgrades are super easy. You can get everything here at OWC...

13" hard drive cable...

Apple Hard Drive Cable for 13-inch MacBook Pro (Mid 2012)

Replacement hard drive cable for Apple P/N(s): 923-0104, 923-0741, 821-1480-A, and 821-2049-A

eshop.macsales.com

15" hard drive cable...

Apple Hard Drive / SSD Cable For 15-inch 2012 MacBook Pro

Apple Hard Drive Cable For 15-inch MacBook Pro (Mid 2012). Replacement hard drive / SSD cable for Apple P/N(s): 923-0084

eshop.macsales.com

13" battery...

Batteries for MacBook Pro 13" 2009 - Current Non-Retina Models

NewerTech NuPower 74 Watt-Hour Replacement Battery for all Apple MacBook Pro 13.3-inch 2009-Current non-Retina Models models. 1 Year Limited Warranty.

eshop.macsales.com

15" battery...

Batteries for MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2011 - 2012 Models

NewerTech NuPower 85 Watt-Hour Replacement Battery for all Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch Unibody Early/Late 2011 & Mid 2012 models. 1 Year Warranty.

eshop.macsales.com

SSD (either 13" or 15")...

OWC SSD Upgrade Kits For MacBook Pro 2012

Get everything you need to upgrade your 2012 MacBook Pro SSD for a total system performance and capacity boost. All OWC SSDs backed by a lifetime warranty.

eshop.macsales.com

ALL of the above parts are in stock and ALL have "how to install videos" so it is very easy.

I have the fastest version of the 13" mid 2012, the i7, and it is still a really great machine!

Good luck!

That’s so kind of you to provide all those links. It’s a 13”. What’s the most recent version of OS I should have installed that it will run, once I’ve upgraded the RAM and SSD?

 

[Scubanutta]

Also, I’m in the UK. Will I definitely need the cable for the SSD?

 

[Scubanutta]

I’m confused about the kit. What’s the enclosure for?

 

[DouglasCarroll]

You don’t need a hard drive cable unless your existing cable is defective, these are just the replacements IF you need one.

Catalina is the last official OS without using another option such as open core.

You don’t need to purchase an SSD with an enclosure unless you want to put the old hard drive you remove into an enclosure to use as an external drive, just buy the “bare drive” option if you don’t want the enclosure.

 

[MBAir2010]

i'm typing this on that model now.
(hopefully I didn't post here yet)

the MacBook Pro 13" 2012 is still great, Monterey works perfect and the second drive is Mojave.
im using 16GB of RAM and OCLP to run Monterey, even the newest version.

the screen is good, sports a great graphic card and I can sync anything old and new with this MacBook.

I purchased a dvd drive enclosure on eBay for $8 bucks last month
instead of the fixit option for almost $40 with shipping
they are the same part!

If you see one at a great price, GET THAT MBP!