Finally Ready To Upgrade - From 2012 uMBP

[vr4playa]

I have been lucky since I got my 1st MB in 2006 that I've gone through 2 other models in the past 14yrs. To top it off I've been able to sell my old one for a decent price before it became completely useless('06 model sold for $550 in 2012 and '08 model sold for $400 in 2015). Now that I am typing this on the last of the "user upgradeable" models, the late 2012 uMBP, I'm a little lost as to which model to upgrade. It looks like the 4th gen consists of models from late 2016+

I currently have a 2.5gHZ dual core i5, 16GB RAM and 500GB SSD. I would like to have the same RAM and same or more GB storage.

Since I mostly spend time on my iPhone8 and iPad4 the only real criteria I have is that the new(er) MBP runs VM Fusion seamlessly for my small tax biz(which I need Windows for the software) and as I do motorcycle track days and would like to be able to do some basic film editing.

That said, are there any issues to look out for in the 2016-2018 4th gen models? Also, what is a good price to pay for what I need? This current one cost $700 + $200 to upgrade to the 500 GB SSD so I'd like to stay around $1k max.

 

[profcutter]

Most people will warn you to stay away from 2016-2019 models. I’d agree. If you want a big one go with the 16” model. Otherwise, lots of folks are waiting for a 13” revamp.

 

[Jack Neill]

I would love a user upgradeable mac again. I love that my 2012 has a 2TB SSD and 16Gb ram without breaking the bank with a Apple tax. Shipping 128 in 2019/2020 should be illegal.

 

[profcutter]

Agreed. It still sticks in my craw that you can’t upgrade anything on any machine post 2016. It wasn’t easy on the retinas but at least it’s possible.

 

[Jack Neill]

Agreed. It still sticks in my craw that you can’t upgrade anything on any machine post 2016. It wasn’t easy on the retinas but at least it’s possible.

I can't even upgrade the ram on my 2012 MB Air. It runs fine with only 4Gb tho. But still..

 

[profcutter]

I think you could at least upgrade the drive right? New ones don’t even let you do that!

 

[Jack Neill]

I think you could at least upgrade the drive right? New ones don’t even let you do that!

With an adapter I think you can use a normal m.2 flash in the 12-17's

 

[Massy1989]

Are you rocking a 13” or 15” right now?

I’d either get a 2015 15” used if you still want upgradability and don’t have any need for TB3...
Or save up for the base model 16” and snag a good sale price on Google Shopping. Expect to pay over $2k and a $379 cost for AppleCare. If you pay with  Card for warranty you get 5-6% back since it counts as an  purchase.

 

[profcutter]

I think that is sound advice.

 

[vr4playa]

Are you rocking a 13” or 15” right now?

I’d either get a 2015 15” used if you still want upgradability and don’t have any need for TB3...
Or save up for the base model 16” and snag a good sale price on Google Shopping. Expect to pay over $2k and a $379 cost for AppleCare. If you pay with  Card for warranty you get 5-6% back since it counts as an  purchase.

Ended up going 2015 15" rMBP 2.2 i7 QC/16/512SSD from AppleXchange, a local Apple reseller and certified Mac tech.

Paid $995, a little high, but comes w/ 1yr warranty.

Turned out my old one had the issue of no HD space thanks to "purgeable" memory(I ran into it with the "new" one too before I left out some large video files to keep space on the HD).

In fact when they scanned the old one, the only "issues" on the '12 13" uMBP were:

1) it needed a new cable to connect to the SSD.
2) battery was at 70%(after 8yrs!!!).

I got $200 for trade-in, would've got $250 if I would've been patient with the file transfer, but needed it done that day and knocked $50 off to keep my 500GB SSD as a "spare"/backup drive.

 

[profcutter]

Wow! Well done. I’d say you came out ahead on that one.