Best Macbook Pro Model for Modifications

[astojazz1]

I own an early 2011, model identifier MacBookPro8,2, with a 2.2 GHz quad-core and an Intel i7 Sandy Bridge processor. I would like to upgrade to another model but I'm looking for one that I can easily modify without having to worry about parts being glued in or having to take it into an Apple store, etc. I know I could build a Hackintosh but I would like to stay within Mac because, well.... I just like them, they're nice computers (modifying is really cool and fun, you all know this). I know this is a stretch but what are my possibilities in terms of modifications with a MacBook Pro and all its models at or after early 2011. I am eyeing the 2016 models when the are released but seeing as how Apple is staying the route of having to bring the laptops in for any modifications (unless I am way off and just ignorant) I would like to check my options first before possibly shelling out a ton of cash and I don't necessarily need to have the latest and greatest as long as I can upgrade the internal workings of me computer. So any and all information would be greatly appreciated!

If this has already been covered in another thread please feel free to point me in that direction or move this thread/question over, admins.

Thanks Peeps!

 

[Samuelsan2001]

The only other macbook pro that is newer that has upgradeable parts is the 2012 and that will be just about the same as what you have.

Apple have moved to a solid unit where you buy the spec you need and that will not change now, so it's either move to another computer maker or accept that you need to buy the spec you need from apple.

This is not the chore you think it is the only things you could ever upgrade were the RAM and Hard drive and the 15 inchers come with 16GB which is the max they will do and you just have to buy the SSD size you wish and if you get the one with the dGPU that is 512GB of the fastest 4 lane PCIe storage you can buy. The only real upgrade option is 1TB and that is very expensive but other than that they are pretty fairly priced.

 

[maflynn]

but I'm looking for one that I can easily modify without having to worry about parts being glued

You're out of luck, the rMBP which rolled out in 2012 started having things glued or not being upgradable. If you want to modify/upgrade the laptop then the MBPs are not the machine for you.

 

[MagicBoy]

You're screwed. There's the minor update to the 2012, then you in the territory of non-upgradeable retina MacBook Pros.

 

[vbedia]

The thinner we get the less manually upgradable are these laptops. Gone are the days when you could upgrade them by yourself.

 

[astojazz1]

So then is it possible, as long as I know what I am doing, to gut, say, a 2011 or 2012 MBP and upgrade to fit the specs of a 2015 rMBP or at least get it as close as possible; I mean, you know, adding retina to a 2011/2012 MBP would be impossible, right?

 

[brand]

So then is it possible, as long as I know what I am doing, to gut, say, a 2011 or 2012 MBP and upgrade to fit the specs of a 2015 rMBP or at least get it as close as possible; I mean, you know, adding retina to a 2011/2012 MBP would be impossible, right?

If you did know what you were doing then you would know that it would not be possible to "gut, say, a 2011 or 2012 MBP and upgrade to fit the specs of a 2015 rMBP or at least get it as close as possible."

 

[hobsgrg]

What you want is simply not possible! You either have to accept that a new machine will have no user replaceable/upgradable parts or buy a non Apple laptop.

 

[MagicBoy]

So then is it possible, as long as I know what I am doing, to gut, say, a 2011 or 2012 MBP and upgrade to fit the specs of a 2015 rMBP or at least get it as close as possible; I mean, you know, adding retina to a 2011/2012 MBP would be impossible, right?

No. The logic boards are custom parts. You can upgrade the 2012 with up to 16GB RAM and a SATA SSD using the original logic board.

 

[snaky69]

So then is it possible, as long as I know what I am doing, to gut, say, a 2011 or 2012 MBP and upgrade to fit the specs of a 2015 rMBP or at least get it as close as possible; I mean, you know, adding retina to a 2011/2012 MBP would be impossible, right?

You can replace the RAM and hard drive/optical drive in the 2012 machine.

That's it.

On any retina MBP, everything is soldered onto the mainboard, except for the SSD. No third party makes upgrade SSDs, so even if it is removable, it is not technically upgradable apart from pulling a bigger one from another machine.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

If you want the speed and perks of a new MacBook or MacBook Pro, you'll have to live with "what Apple gives you" for the life of the machine.

It's "buy it and be happy with what you've got" ...

That's about it.

Aside:
The internal SSDs on the new units are still "removable", but no 3rd-party replacement SSDs exist and it's unlikely that any may appear on the market.

 

[T5BRICK]

So then is it possible, as long as I know what I am doing, to gut, say, a 2011 or 2012 MBP and upgrade to fit the specs of a 2015 rMBP or at least get it as close as possible; I mean, you know, adding retina to a 2011/2012 MBP would be impossible, right?

If you want a computer with specs close to a 2015 rMBP, then you have to buy a 2014, 2015 or 2016 rMBP.

Newer portable Macs are not upgradeable. And I don't mean that they're not user upgradeable, they flat out are not upgradeable. The RAM, CPU and GPU are soldered in and cannot be replaced(the CPU and GPU haven't been replaceable in Macs for years though, this isn't new). The battery is glued in and incredibly difficult to replace. The SSD is a proprietary format, and while it is actually replaceable, 3rd party replacement parts still aren't available on the market.