Average Life Span of a Macbook Pro

[sunapple]

Here we have a stock MacBook Pro 15" 2010 running perfectly fine at 6 six years old.

That's not bad, but there's more:

It survived liquid damage. A full glass of Ice Tea over the trackpad, keyboard and into the machines vent openings between body and screen. It was turned off immediately, taken apart and dried for a few days. Although the hard drive was sticky, the motherboard stayed nearly clean. That was probably why it is still working today.

My dad got a 2011 model after the incident and that one is also working fine. Did have a graphics problem if I recall correctly, but this was solved via a recall from Apple.

 

[OllyW]

Early 2006 still working fine. I am just fed up with buying new batteries, so time for an upgrade to a Macbook.

I've still got mine and it's also missing the battery after the last one failed.

 

[Joelburman]

My early 2011 is running El Capitan fine with a 850 EVO SSD and 8gb RAM. Only issue is battery time getting shorter (battery has +1300 cycles on it) so I'm contemplating putting in a new battery and try to stick out for a next next gen Macbook Pro instead of jumping on Skylake when its released which was my initial plan.

 

[sunapple]

I've done the math a few times, not quite sure yet, but would it make a big difference between holding on to your old computer, upgrading it, or just buying a new one every two-three years? Taking to account the resale value of the old machine?

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

I've done the math a few times, not quite sure yet, but would it make a big difference between holding on to your old computer, upgrading it, or just buying a new one every two-three years? Taking to account the resale value of the old machine?

That really depends on your financial status and what you do with it.

 

[mortenjensen]

My mbp late 2011 is faster than ever with 16 gb ram and 500 ssd 840 evo besides el cap. I would estimate it to twice as fast now than when I got it. Being my first Mac it is such a new feeling coming from the Windows world

One thing though is the graphic issue which has been fixed under warranty so far.

If it holds out then I don't see my self upgrading the next 3-4 years

 

[bobr1952]

My 2012 MacBook Pro runs today as well as it did when it was new so I would expect 5 years to be the minimum. More likely 6-8 before you really need to think about upgrading. Not a laptop, but my 2008 iMac is still going strong although a bit slow with only 2GB of RAM running El Capitan--but it upgraded to the latest OS without issue.

 

[XboxMySocks]

I have a MacBook Pro that is coming up on 4 years old soon, and it has bee through SO much **** with me it's just finally starting to give out now. Absolutely amazing machine.

 

[Joelburman]

Everyone should always switch to an ssd before buying a newer model. That helps a lot! Laptops shouldn't be sold with HDDs.

 

[mlovergaard]

I only just updated my Mid 2009 to a 2014 model, my 2009 is stilling running strong, and I am now using it at work along with the horrible Thinkpad they have provided me with.

 

[maxsix]

My late 2002 Titanium PowerBook G4 is performing just as it did when it was new. Yes... I know that might be hard to believe but it's a fact. Being one of my favorites, I chose to keep it.

Conversely I upgrade my work MBP at each new release, primarily because I need all the speed and resources available for the demands work computing puts on it.

I've enjoyed amazing durability from the Ti PowerBook, now on its 5th replacement battery, that's all I've ever had to replace. These days I enjoy using it for my Writing and Web research just to keep it from sitting and deteriorating. I'm just surprised the original hard drive is still quiet and fault free.

It's Apple Laptops that are the best Apple products I own and use daily.

 

[Fishrrman]

A friend is still using an old white g4 "iBook".
With an upgraded hard drive, still runs ok!

 

[iUseMacBooks]

The oldest Mac I now have is a 2012 non-Retina MBP. It still runs well, not as good as new, but it's certainly good for most tasks. It could use a RAM upgrade (only has the stock 4 GB) but it's a good computer. I'd love to get one of the white core 2 duo unibody MacBooks lol that'd be fun to have

 

[simon lefisch]

I have a late 2011 15" MBP (bought in March of 2012) that's runs great. 2.2GHz, 16GB RAM (upgraded from 4GB), just upgraded the HDD from 750GB 7200rpm to 1TB SSD, runs like a champ! Already had the board replaced back in July/August due to graphics issue. If it happens against while in the warranty then I'll get it replaced again. If it happens out of warranty then I'll send it in to get reballed with lead solder. I'm sure I can get another year or 2 before upgrading. I also open up the bottom and clean any dust every few months. If you take care of it, should last a while.

 

[Czo]

I'm still using my Early 2008 17" MacBook Pro (1920x1200 matte screen) with some upgrades (6G RAM/SSD).

 

[MBP13]

I'm currently using a mid-2010 MBP that was purchased new as my main machine, and it's currently on its last legs for sure. It's got an astonishing 1,432 cycles on the battery, and so the battery lasts only about 2 hours or so even though I'm doing light work like word processing and internet browsing. There is also a pinched wire somewhere in the MBP that causes the screen to change colors whenever the screen is touched, and it's annoying as can be.

As soon as the new models of the MBP come out, I'll be upgrading. I need a reliable machine for school and this one, as great of a run we've had since 2010, just can't do the job anymore. Having a laptop of any kind last thing like is an accomplishment. Hopefully this one will last a few more weeks! I do have a 2007 iMac which is still plugging away pretty well. It's still a good computer.

 

[Count Blah]

The misses is using a 2008 15" MBP with 8 gig of ram and SSD.
I'm using a 2012 15" cMBP, with 16 gig ram and SSD.

Both are doing fine, thank you very much.

No gaming on either machine, so no real problems.

 

[m1z0n00]

I have a mid 2012 MBP. I installed a new SSD and dropped my optical drive. Moved the original 500GB drive into a caddy. 8GB RAM. It FLYS!!! later this summer i am going to get a new battery as mine is loosing a bit of charge and bump it up to 16GB RAM.

No issues whatsoever with the system. And I am the second owner of it.

 

[audicat]

I just wanted to know how long a Macbook Pro would last through regular use, such as putting it in and out of bags, having it on most of the day for word processing, Photoshop, video editing and so on,

As well as knowing if anyone who has an old Macbook Pro from 2006/2008, how are your Macbooks running after a few years, are they still as good as when you brought them or has anything changed?

I'm new to Macs, and I'm thinking of buying a Macbook Pro 15" for my media degree in a few weeks, but I want to make sure I'm 100% sure I need a mac and also make full use of it, and if it will last longer than all the laptops I've had in the past.

Thanks for your time,

My 2009 Pro is still going, works great. The battery life is about 3 or 4 hours. If you want your laptop to last a long time, go for a Mac.

 

[rosiel122]

I am still using my Late 2008 15" MacBook Pro. I replaced the battery once, get a new power brick, and upgraded to a SSD and 8 Gb of RAM. I did the upgrades in 2013 when it was crashing constantly (HDD was failing). It feels as "fast" the last few years as it was when it was brand new. My battery only lasts 1-2 hrs however, so it is almost time to replace that again. My wife has a 2011 13" MacBook Pro that I have done the same updates to when the hard drive was showing signs of wearing out a few months ago. So it seems a HDD only lasts about 5 years before it becomes a headache.

I used to do a fair bit of gaming on it (mostly Civilization, Mass Effect, and Skyrim) but performance on modern games is... lacking... so I pretty much stopped.

Also Handbrake is agonizingly slow. It takes 18 hours to convert one of my Blu-rays, my newer desktop PC does it in 2-3 (which is about the time it takes for a 2013 rMBP).

Since I use it for mostly simple word processing now, I foresee this machine lasting a few more years of regular use before I really need to upgrade. I will just earmark the 2K needed to buy a new machine in case something happens in the meantime.

 

[case2001]

I have been out of the loop for a while but have there been big problems with the retina MacBooks a dGPUs recently.?

 

[helpseeker]

Hello
I bought a MacBook Pro from an Apple shop in 2009 in Belgium (OS X version 10.6.8. Processor: 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo. Memory: 4 GB 1067 MHz DDR3. Boot drive: Machintosh HD.

I used only once the CD drive to install the Mac Office CD, which I bought later from that Mac shop. Office was successfully installed. When I tried to put a CD in my laptop for the second time two years later, it didn't worked. The shop said: it's defect and cost you €250 to get it repaired, because your 2 years guaranty period is just expired last month. December 2015 I went to the shop again to ask why my laptop is running so slowly. They guy checked it his USP stick for a minute and told me, your H drive is defect. It cost you €250. Otherwise soon it will stop running.
[doublepost=1458890318][/doublepost]

I am still using my Late 2008 15" MacBook Pro. I replaced the battery once, get a new power brick, and upgraded to a SSD and 8 Gb of RAM. I did the upgrades in 2013 when it was crashing constantly (HDD was failing). It feels as "fast" the last few years as it was when it was brand new. My battery only lasts 1-2 hrs however, so it is almost time to replace that again. My wife has a 2011 13" MacBook Pro that I have done the same updates to when the hard drive was showing signs of wearing out a few months ago. So it seems a HDD only lasts about 5 years before it becomes a headache.

I used to do a fair bit of gaming on it (mostly Civilization, Mass Effect, and Skyrim) but performance on modern games is... lacking... so I pretty much stopped.

Also Handbrake is agonizingly slow. It takes 18 hours to convert one of my Blu-rays, my newer desktop PC does it in 2-3 (which is about the time it takes for a 2013 rMBP).

Since I use it for mostly simple word processing now, I foresee this machine lasting a few more years of regular use before I really need to upgrade. I will just earmark the 2K needed to buy a new machine in case something happens in the meantime.

How much did it cost for you to get yours repaired?

 

[rosiel122]

Hello
I bought a MacBook Pro from an Apple shop in 2009 in Belgium (OS X version 10.6.8. Processor: 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo. Memory: 4 GB 1067 MHz DDR3. Boot drive: Machintosh HD.

I used only once the CD drive to install the Mac Office CD, which I bought later from that Mac shop. Office was successfully installed. When I tried to put a CD in my laptop for the second time two years later, it didn't worked. The shop said: it's defect and cost you €250 to get it repaired, because your 2 years guaranty period is just expired last month. December 2015 I went to the shop again to ask why my laptop is running so slowly. They guy checked it his USP stick for a minute and told me, your H drive is defect. It cost you €250. Otherwise soon it will stop running.
[doublepost=1458890318][/doublepost]
How much did it cost for you to get yours repaired?

From what I recall:

new power adaptor - $80
128Gb SSD - $100 (they are a lot cheaper now)
8Gb ram - $60

Still ticking 2 years later.

 

[e93to]

I'm still using my 15" MBP that I purchased brand new in Feb 2010. It still operates and performs like the first day. And I'm not exaggerating... It's still very quiet, fast (I'm on 10.6.8) and smooth.

 

[BallparkDreamer]

My 2012 15" cMBP Pro is still solid. I think I need a new hard drive though, because it's been slowing down. I also would want some more ram, and a new battery. Probably gonna get a 13" MBP when they're refreshed though since they're a lot more portable. I'd just keep the 15" at home, and treat it like a desktop.