Have to buy a new MBP - need suggestions

[FyerFyer]

Hi guys

about four years ago I bought a 2nd hand MBP mid 2012. I maxed out the ram and bought an ssd and it has been unbelievable! But the screen has now cracked and the battery is on the way out.

I can’t afford a new one, so I’m looking to buy a cheaper and older model I can mod when I have some spare cash.

can anyone recommend a good model to go for that can be upgraded pretty easily and is a decent machine?

 

[Fishrrman]

You can't "upgrade" newer MacBook Pros.

RAM is soldered in these days, absolutely no way to upgrade it.

SOME of the MBP's have internal SSDs that can be replaced, but this involves using an adapter. And once the factory drive has been changed out, some of these may no longer do software upgrades properly (such as firmware updates).

Here's my advice re buying used MacBook Pro's:
DO NOT BUY:
MacBook Pro 13" -- 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
MacBook Pro 15" -- 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
ALL of these have the disastrous "butterfly keyboards" that are highly-prone to failure. Although Apple has a free replacement program running for 4 years "from new", when that time expires YOU will pay for the repair.
And it's NOT CHEAP -- $750 for even a single key gone bad.
That's because the entire top case has to be replaced... even for a single key failure!

DO BUY:
MacBook Pro 13" -- 2020
MacBook Pro 16" -- 2019 and later.
These have the new "magic" (scissors) keyboards, as did the 2015 and earlier MBPs. These keyboards have been very reliable.

One other comment:
If you can find a 2015 MacBook Pro 13" in good shape, that might be a good choice.
I have one and it's still doing fine in 2021...

 

[calliex]

I agree with Fishrrman 100%. I have a 2012 r 15 MBP that is still hanging in there. I think a decent 2015 would probably be your cheapest option. Last MBP with all the ports. I plan a new Mx MBP hopefully in the fall.

 

[FyerFyer]

Thanks guys

The 2015’s look quite cool. I’ll keep investigating and see what I can find and report back.

 

[lasloduncan]

2012 mbp 15 i just put in an ssd sata cable and battery ..works like a champ...maybe get another 2012 .i dont know about screen replacement /..possible to get one and replace you already have the ram and ssd....they say those sata cables go bad due to age...8 bucks I think...and 30 min to put in.

 

[calliex]

2012 mbp 15 i just put in an ssd sata cable and battery ..works like a champ...maybe get another 2012 .i dont know about screen replacement /..possible to get one and replace you already have the ram and ssd....they say those sata cables go bad due to age...8 bucks I think...and 30 min to put in.

What battery did you get? I have been looking but many reviews are bad for replacement batteries

 

[lasloduncan]

gosh I dont know now amazon....rayhorn ....58 bucks a1286 mbp model

 

[lasloduncan]

amazing. amazon wont let me copy and paste to here...thanks jeffie.

 

[bingow]

Not an expert here, but I'm happy with OWC's "NUPOWER" battery for my 2012 13" non Retina, A1278. Seven months, 80 cycles, 101% health (new, was 102%). $80 at the time. They have a caution note if buying for a Retina.

 

[DogHouseDub]

2013 15” MBP here. Have had newer MBPs through work. Haven’t found any I consider superior to the 2013-2015 model. Keep looking for an excuse to upgrade but the rationale isn’t there. Great keyboard, useable ports for everyday needs (USB, HDMI), plenty of speed for what I do (scientific computing).

 

[Madhatter32]

You can't "upgrade" newer MacBook Pros.

RAM is soldered in these days, absolutely no way to upgrade it.

SOME of the MBP's have internal SSDs that can be replaced, but this involves using an adapter. And once the factory drive has been changed out, some of these may no longer do software upgrades properly (such as firmware updates).

Here's my advice re buying used MacBook Pro's:
DO NOT BUY:
MacBook Pro 13" -- 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
MacBook Pro 15" -- 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
ALL of these have the disastrous "butterfly keyboards" that are highly-prone to failure. Although Apple has a free replacement program running for 4 years "from new", when that time expires YOU will pay for the repair.
And it's NOT CHEAP -- $750 for even a single key gone bad.
That's because the entire top case has to be replaced... even for a single key failure!

DO BUY:
MacBook Pro 13" -- 2020
MacBook Pro 16" -- 2019 and later.
These have the new "magic" (scissors) keyboards, as did the 2015 and earlier MBPs. These keyboards have been very reliable.

One other comment:
If you can find a 2015 MacBook Pro 13" in good shape, that might be a good choice.
I have one and it's still doing fine in 2021...

I would add mid to late 2014 MBPs as a reliable inexpensive alternative to tide one over. I think the only difference is the trackpad. Not sure how long the 2014 and 2015 MBP will be supported though.