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Failed 2012 13" MBP. What to replace it with?

M

m1maverick

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Nov 22, 2020
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Recently I posted about a dead 13" MBP within the forum. It appears the repair is to replace the system board which, at least at the current time, doesn't make sense when I can just purchase a fully functional 2012 13" MBP for about the same cost. However I'm not sure I should replace it with the same model. I've been giving some thought to a later model Mac and I wonder if it makes sense to replace this one like for like. Here is what I have considered:
  • Replace this one with the same model. This is the lowest cost option and leaves me no different than where I was a few weeks ago. One thing I like about this option is the ability to run older versions of OS X.
  • Buy a 2016 13" MBP. This is a little more costly but not too much. This is the new generation with the butterfly keyboards (I have a 12" MacBook so I know what they're like to use). This is a more capable system but has the disadvantage of not being able to run as old of versions of OS X.
  • Buy one of the new M1 14" MBPs. I've been considering this for a few weeks now but have been holding off to see what Apple will announce, if anything, in the upcoming weeks. This is a purchase I've been contemplating before the failure of my 2012 but I figure if I am going to do this should I even bother with a replacement for the 2012. Big negative here is it only runs the current version of macOS, no backwards ability here.
The 2012 was a semi use / test system where I could try things with it (for example I had intended to use it to test a mail migration from Catalina to Monterey). This is where having the ability to install older versions of OS X comes in handy.

Thoughts?
 
If you are making do with a ten year old MacBook Pro then I think it would be silly for you to buy a 14” MacBook Pro. I would say the 13” MacBook Air but wait to see if perhaps a more updated (14”?) version comes out in a few weeks.

Of course consider that what software you’re using and will it work on Apple Silicon? If you can make that transition then I’d say go for it because it’s a significant improvement. If not then just find a used 13” MacBook Pro for cheap
 
m1maverick said:
Thoughts?
Click to expand...

If it were me, I'd pick up another 2012 13" MBP as they're fairly inexpensive these days with the knowledge that the failed machine can be used as a donor for non-logic board related parts in the future and I'd have a look for an M1 - which will give you the best of both worlds.

There's bound to be people who've bought one, discovered that it hasn't lived up to the advertising hype, to their expectations or have financially overstretched themselves and are eager to offload it for a quick sale. :)
 
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Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I decided to move forward with another 2012 13" MBP as a direct replacement. A fully functional with some minor cosmetic issues can be had for around $100. If I am unhappy with the overall condition of the new system I'll just transplant the system board into the failed system (which is in pristine condition).
 
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My replacement MBP arrived today and I have to say for $120 it's in very good condition. Some minor scuffing and some uneven lighting of the backlite keyboard (the Y, H, and N keys are brighter than the rest) are the only issues I could find with it. Glad I decided to replace the original with the same model, it's a great model.
 
bobesch said:
Good decision!
Unbelievable, how the arrival of Apple-Silicon-books made prices of good-old intel-books fall into abyss.
Time to go shopping! (e.g. a mid2012 15" model /w high-res display)
Click to expand...
I know time has marched on since I bought the first one but I think I paid about the same for this fully functional one than I did the original (sold as-is as it was water damaged) which I had to build up. The original didn't have many parts: Memory, battery, hard disk, and even the screws / mounting hardware for the HD. I think when all was said and done. At the time I rebuilt the original I saved money by having done so.
 
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