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I've got a mid 2012 MBP with an i7. 750gb HDD has been upgraded with a 256gb SSD, it is super fast but freezes and shuts off whenever you move it or type too hard on the keyboard. Purple/multicoloured squares also appear on the screen when this happens.. Not sure it's going to be lasting much longer...

This sound like the Apple's always returning GPU soldering problem: https://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues/
 
This sound like the Apple's always returning GPU soldering problem: https://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues/
Yes, Apple has had issues with the dGPU dating back to 2008, but I think they finally have thigns sorted out (hopefully). Btw, that program that you linked too ended in 12/31/2016 so I don't believe (at least in the US) Apple has any current replacement program going on for the GPU.

The replacement program wasn't really a repair program because they replaced your failed computer with a refurbished logic board that would eventually fail. Not the sort of thing I would want.
 
I have a Mid 2012 MacBook Pro (non retina), working great today aside from optical drive. I upgraded the ram to 16gb and threw in a ssd so it performs perfectly fine for email and web browsing it's used for. I do notice it is alittle stutters scrolling down longer webpages, I'm sure new ones would be smoother no doubt as even my iPad Air 2 seems to be slightly more responsive scrolling around webpages. Im considering upgrading once the 2017 MacBook Pro release this autumn
 
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My mid-2010 15" MBP is still going strong and hasn't had any upgrades or repairs. Granted it has become quite slow but hasn't had any issues whatsoever. It's still my primary machine
 
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I've got a mid 2012 MBP with an i7. 750gb HDD has been upgraded with a 256gb SSD, it is super fast but freezes and shuts off whenever you move it or type too hard on the keyboard. Purple/multicoloured squares also appear on the screen when this happens.. Not sure it's going to be lasting much longer...
You could make a video of the issues, and take it into an Apple Store for a free diagnosis.
 
My mid-2010 15" MBP is still going strong and hasn't had any upgrades or repairs. Granted it has become quite slow but hasn't had any issues whatsoever. It's still my primary machine
Have you upped the ram and thrown an SSD in there yet? I did that last year on my 2010 and it's a whole new world. I'll get a few more smooth years out of it now.
 
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Have you upped the ram and thrown an SSD in there yet? I did that last year on my 2010 and it's a whole new world. I'll get a few more smooth years out of it now.
I haven't but I've thought about getting it done many times. I think it's time I actually get it done - thanks for your input :D
 
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I haven't but I've thought about getting it done many times. I think it's time I actually get it done - thanks for your input :D

I wasn't sure when I did it but it ended up being so worth it. I doubled the ram and got a 500gb Samsung 850 evo SSD. Got the battery replaced as well. If I recall correctly I dud all of this for a little over $200 and couldn't be happier with the results. My 2010 MBP just could not handle the operating systems anymore and I couldn't handle the lagging. Smooth sailing now.
 
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I have a late 2011 base MBP that I got in May of 2012. 5 years later, its still running with no problems. It's slow and the battery life isn't great, but otherwise it runs perfectly. I haven't had any repairs or upgrades at all.

I haven't been gentle with it. It has some scratches and dents. It's fallen a few times, been tossed around a bit, been taken in and out of my bag multiple times a day for the past year, and is on all the time, and yet, like I said, it still runs perfectly fine with no upgrades or repairs needed or any problems with it whatsoever.
 
I have a late 2011 base MBP that I got in May of 2012. 5 years later, its still running with no problems. It's slow and the battery life isn't great, but otherwise it runs perfectly. I haven't had any repairs or upgrades at all.

I haven't been gentle with it. It has some scratches and dents. It's fallen a few times, been tossed around a bit, been taken in and out of my bag multiple times a day for the past year, and is on all the time, and yet, like I said, it still runs perfectly fine with no upgrades or repairs needed or any problems with it whatsoever.
If you put in a ssd and 8gb of ram you'd be amazed
 
I'm sure that'd make a huge difference. I'm waiting on the Kaby Lake MBPs though. I need a larger, higher resolution screen, and I'd prefer a bit of a lighter laptop. This thing is a tank, but I'm ready for a new machine. :)
Same situation for me, despite the fact that I have swapped the HDD with a SSD and doubled the original RAM to 8GB. Its running perfect, but I really miss the capability to use two external devices with it and as you've said, the 2011 MacBook Pro is a tank - way to heavy!
 
I have a back-up MacBook Pro 13" 2012 non-Retina model, base specs (2.5 GHz dual core Intel Core i5). Upgraded the HDD with a Samsung Evo 840 500GB SSD, still going strong. Only battery needs to be replaced in the near future.

So I think MacBook Pro's easily last 5 years without compromises. Higher spec models may even last longer.
 
This sound like the Apple's always returning GPU soldering problem: https://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues/

Looks like it might be... The laptop is obviously way out of warranty and I have taken the whole thing apart to check for corrosion on headers etc but was still doing the same thing after reassembly, so that might be the problem...
edit: Forgot to say- Mine is a 13 inch which according to the article on apple you linked to is not affected.. Doesn't mean it's not the GPU solder issue affecting mine tho
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You could make a video of the issues, and take it into an Apple Store for a free diagnosis.

Thats an idea.. Do you think they'd have a look at it considering it's had various parts replaced, been taken apart etc
 
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Do you think they'd have a look at it considering it's had various parts replaced, been taken apart etc
Yeah, I think so. They looked at (and fixed) my 2011 last December with a new SSD in it, even though I pointed out that I had changed it. But you don't need to point that out up front!
 
Yeah, I think so. They looked at (and fixed) my 2011 last December with a new SSD in it, even though I pointed out that I had changed it. But you don't need to point that out up front!

Yeah, I've made an appointment with apple tomorrow so will see how it goes.. Might end up getting expensive and might not be worth it though
 
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Yeah, I've made an appointment with apple tomorrow so will see how it goes.. Might end up getting expensive and might not be worth it though
If it's the cable, word is there's a silent recall and it will be replaced for free. If it's the dGPU itself, yes, expensive. Good luck.
 
If you put in a ssd and 8gb of ram you'd be amazed

I'm looking forward to doing that on our mid 2012 (non retina) MBP

Its still stock specs, 4GB ram and 500GB HDD

Looking to switch that to 16GB and 512GB SSD later this summer

Otherwise the thing looks and runs like new, albeit long boot up times and occasionally the HDD slows down a bit. Its amazing though, how almost 5 years later it still works like this.

(I hope the current line of iPhones and iPads can have similar longevity now that the A9 and A10 have comfortably taken mobile chips into laptop power territory)
 
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I'm looking forward to doing that on our mid 2012 (non retina) MBP

Its still stock specs, 4GB ram and 500GB HDD

Looking to switch that to 16GB and 512GB SSD later this summer

Otherwise the thing looks and runs like new, albeit long boot up times and occasionally the HDD slows down a bit. Its amazing though, how almost 5 years later it still works like this.

(I hope the current line of iPhones and iPads can have similar longevity now that the A9 and A10 have comfortably taken mobile chips into laptop power territory)

It's amazing how much the upgrade improves the performance- my 2012 mbp non retina now has a 256gb ssd and 8gb ram and almost runs like the brand new 2016 macbook.. Sad to drop it off for repair at the store today though :(
It'll boot to login in about 7 seconds with an ssd :)
 
I'm looking forward to doing that on our mid 2012 (non retina) MBP

Its still stock specs, 4GB ram and 500GB HDD

Looking to switch that to 16GB and 512GB SSD later this summer

Otherwise the thing looks and runs like new, albeit long boot up times and occasionally the HDD slows down a bit. Its amazing though, how almost 5 years later it still works like this.

(I hope the current line of iPhones and iPads can have similar longevity now that the A9 and A10 have comfortably taken mobile chips into laptop power territory)
Your going to love it although I'm becoming very tempted by the new lighter MacBook Pro
 
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The SSD, extra ram, and new battery I put in my base model 2008 aluminum MacBook have kept it feeling svelte and capable until today. I'm going to get that new MBP at some point, but it's annoying that the reason I've had my current MacBook for 8.5 years (and counting) is that is was upgradable. It's an 8.5 year old computer that is still alive because its brain is only two years old. I'm fairly certain I will not be able to keep my next computer around for nearly as long. Also - I bought the cheapest model in 2008! To get an upgrade from what I have now in my next computer, I'm going to have to buy an expensive mid-range computer.

That 2008 MacBook is an incredible beast.

Postscript: Bought 2017 MBP as replacement in August, when the laptop described above was 8 years, 10 months old. There was no real reason to replace the old one, other than the screen being crappy compared to my phones. It still works great and I'm a little embarrassed to have retired it before its time. I should bring it to work, I guess.
 
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The SSD, extra ram, and new battery I put in my base model 2008 aluminum MacBook have kept it feeling svelte and capable until today. I'm going to get that new MBP at some point, but it's annoying that the reason I've had my current MacBook for 8.5 years (and counting) is that is was upgradable. It's an 8.5 year old computer that is still alive because its brain is only two years old. I'm fairly certain I will not be able to keep my next computer around for nearly as long. Also - I bought the cheapest model in 2008! To get an upgrade from what I have now in my next computer, I'm going to have to buy an expensive mid-range computer.

That 2008 MacBook is an incredible beast.
I can't think of anything in the newer ones that would hold it back they are built fairly future proof.
 
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