Discrete GPU in the 2010 MBP refresh

You won't be able to switch out the chip anyway, it's soldered onto the logic board. On that note there isn't any discrete video "card" to switch out in the first place.

 

Simple answer is no... Unless you are an electronics genius.
However, I have no doubts that 2010 MBP will easily last 4 years with decent performance.

 

The computer itself will easily offer decent performance in 4+ years, but the GPU is already outdated and on the low end . That said, as long as the OP doesn't plan on playing games in high res or with high detail settings, it will be just fine.

 

Tell him to think of it this way: he can either spend $700 for a new PC now, plus $350 for upgrade parts in a year, then probably another $700 for a new PC two years down the line, plus another $350 parts in upgrades your senior year, and then when you graduate it'll be time to upgrade the whole thing again.

Or, he can spend $2000 now and in four years, you'll still have a mac that's still worth something in resale value when it's time for you to upgrade.

The MacBook Pros from 3 and 4 years ago are no slouches. I probably wouldn't have upgraded from my 3 year old MBP if I hadn't been forced to.

 

Or you can just ask him for a $950 MB instead of a $700 PC. You know, since he trades his time for money.

 

Not a bad idea actually. If the OP can do without the larger screen, the 13" pro is still pretty good in terms of performance. Plus let's face it, you're not buying a Mac for gaming, so the 320m would likely be plenty.

Heck, if you were worried about gaming, you could built a gaming pc AND buy a 13" macbook for less than the 15" MBP.

 

There are people who are still running PowerBooks with no issues at all. It all depends on your needs. Worst case scenario, if your 15" i7 isn't cutting it in the next year or two, simply sell it (great resale value on these macs) and upgrade to the latest and greatest.