Apple Begins Selling Refurbished 2018 15-Inch MacBook Pro Models in United States and Canada

[jlc1978]

Except you had to fork over extra money for things that adapt your devices that are not USB-C to work. It’s the same thing man. My issue is not with “dongles” so to speak but with this mandatory usb-c only world apple thinks everyone lives in.

Yes, it costs money but that is different from your original claim that 99% of devices require a dongle; when in fact most of them don't and many that do also require one for older MBs as well. I agree Apple has a tendency to go their own way which may not be in step with the current conditions in the computer world.

Honestly I don’t care enough anymore at this point to go on. I won’t be buying one of these laptops for a number of reasons and I hope all that do enjoy their extra adapter and cable purchases.

Fair enough. Everyone has their own view on what they want and ultimately it is up to them to decide what they will do. In the end, it's what works best for them that count.

 

[ignatius345]

Yea, I replaced a 2011--or, am in the process of replacing it--with a 2015. The performance of my 2011 is completely fine, and I really don't need anything better.

I have to say, this is where I'm at too. The most taxing thing my MacBook sees is syncing Mail and iCloud stuff if I haven't used it in a bit, maybe opening Photos once in a while. My iMac 5K handles any heavy lifting for my graphic design work and any video or audio editing I take on.

For portable use, I just need a reasonably zippy Mac laptop with a good keyboard and decent battery life. Apple doesn't seem to manufacture such a laptop right now so I'm just nursing my old machine along while I assess my options. Who knows, maybe they'll rediscover how to make a normal laptop keyboard. Not holding my breath, but maybe!

 

[jlc1978]

I have to say, this is where I'm at too. The most taxing thing my MacBook sees is syncing Mail and iCloud stuff if I haven't used it in a bit, maybe opening Photos once in a while. My iMac 5K handles any heavy lifting for my graphic design work and any video or audio editing I take on.

For portable use, I just need a reasonably zippy Mac laptop with a good keyboard and decent battery life. Apple doesn't seem to manufacture such a laptop right now so I'm just nursing my old machine along while I assess my options. Who knows, maybe they'll rediscover how to make a normal laptop keyboard. Not holding my breath, but maybe!

A refurbished 2015 would be perfect for that. I had one until a few weeks ago when Apple replaced it due to an ongoing problem they couldn't fix; the right USB port would not recognize devices such as an iPhone. It wasn't serious just annoying but after several attempts to fix they just decided to replace my machine.

Had that not been the case I'd still be using my 2015 and loving it. It ran Mojave just fine, was plenty fast with 16GB of ram; the only thing I would have done is put in a 1TB SSD. 500GB was plenty but 1TB would hav allowed me to take more movies on trips.

As for keyboards, the 2018 one isn't bad once you get used to it. My biggest gripe is the TB has the esc key on the left where I often rest n=my hand and press it by accident. the TB is beginning to grow on me, especially the word suggestion feature.
Now, if Apple just made a MagSafe -> USB C power adapter I'd be able to use the half dozen MB power bricks I have laying around.

 

[wjdavis]

I have to say, this is where I'm at too. The most taxing thing my MacBook sees is syncing Mail and iCloud stuff if I haven't used it in a bit, maybe opening Photos once in a while. My iMac 5K handles any heavy lifting for my graphic design work and any video or audio editing I take on.

A refurbished 2015 would be perfect for that. I had one until a few weeks ago when Apple replaced it due to an ongoing problem they couldn't fix; the right USB port would not recognize devices such as an iPhone. It wasn't serious just annoying but after several attempts to fix they just decided to replace my machine.

Have to agree about the refurbished 2015. I am still configuring the new 2015 I picked up--probably will start using it Friday when I travel for work--but the difference in speed from a 2011 is noticeable, and certainly appreciated. Both macOS and Windows 10 run smoothly so far. I don't think you can go wrong with a 2015, new or refurbished. And even if I do run into issues, I also have a desktop--an overkill Mac Pro 5,1--which is where I do the majority of my work anyway.

 

[jlc1978]

Have to agree about the refurbished 2015. I am still configuring the new 2015 I picked up--probably will start using it Friday when I travel for work--but the difference in speed from a 2011 is noticeable, and certainly appreciated. Both macOS and Windows 10 run smoothly so far. I don't think you can go wrong with a 2015, new or refurbished.

I hear you. Apple had replaced, all covered by AC, the display for dead pixels, and the keyboard due to a bad key, the USB daughterboard due to it not connecting to USB devices, and finally the MB/battery after I started getting kernel panics (a major pain) after the daughterboard repair. After the Mobo repair I essentially had a brand new 2015 Mac; unfortunately the USB issue reappeared; at with point Apple replaced it with a 2018 model.

It may sound like I had a lemon but the machine was pretty much rock sold except for the USB issue.

And even if I do run into issues, I also have a desktop--an overkill Mac Pro 5,1--which is where I do the majority of my work anyway.

I am jealous. I hope the new mini is an affordable alternative although I really don't need a second Mac, I just want one.

 

[wjdavis]

I hear you. Apple had replaced, all covered by AC, the display for dead pixels, and the keyboard due to a bad key, the USB daughterboard due to it not connecting to USB devices, and finally the MB/battery after I started getting kernel panics (a major pain) after the daughterboard repair. After the Mobo repair I essentially had a brand new 2015 Mac; unfortunately the USB issue reappeared; at with point Apple replaced it with a 2018 model.

It may sound like I had a lemon but the machine was pretty much rock sold except for the USB issue.



I am jealous. I hope the new mini is an affordable alternative although I really don't need a second Mac, I just want one.

You're making me think harder about AppleCare!

I haven't heard of any of these issues with the mid-2015s, but then again I wasn't looking specifically for them, either. The repair history you laid out sounds much like my 2011: two logic board replacements (for the defective GPU), including one logic board replacement where they replaced the bottom case and something else I can't remember, two batteries, and probably 3-4 power adapters. One of the USB ports is a little flakey, though not what you described.

 

[jlc1978]

You're making me think harder about AppleCare!

I haven't heard of any of these issues with the mid-2015s, but then again I wasn't looking specifically for them, either. The repair history you laid out sounds much like my 2011: two logic board replacements (for the defective GPU), including one logic board replacement where they replaced the bottom case and something else I can't remember, two batteries, and probably 3-4 power adapters. One of the USB ports is a little flakey, though not what you described.

I'm not so sure it is emblematic of an overall issue; despite these issue mine was very reliable over 3 years, only out for about 2 weeks in total. I don't think they are problematic. The only issue I have heard with 2015 is USB issues, especially the right port which was what was problematic on my machine.

I had 2 dead pixels after 2+ years so the replaced the screen. Most of the repairs stemmed from the USB issue, which cropped up after I installed High Sierra. I always get AppleCare but as I use my machine for business I do so to know what any repairs will cost, and can get service at any Apple store or authorized repair center when I go abroad. I went with + for the accidental damage since its marginal cost and repair is less than my insurance deductible. I also get priority tech support by phone so I can reach a tech 24/7. In addition, Apple hasn't jerked me around about warranty repair as opposed to horror stories I have heard from others about long repair times or being told "Oh, that's not covered" with other company's extended warranty.

It's the only extended warranty I buy, based on my experience with Apple's customer service.