You'd be surprised.
I don't personally use one of those, but in the PowerPC section here there are many members who do use older Macs like this. They may be able to help.
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How long do you keep your MBP?
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I don't personally use one of those, but in the PowerPC section here there are many members who do use older Macs like this. They may be able to help.
You'd be surprised what you can still get batteries before. Even on the off chance a new replacement isn't available, the batteries in those old 'Books are fairly easy to recell.
Either way... I still have a vast library of 68k software that I still use on a somewhat frequent basis. Those old Macs still have a ton of use. Nothing makes for better distraction free writing than a 68k Macintosh running System 6 and Word 5.
That'd be cool - it would purely be for vanity, of course - and I still have some floppy drives to try out - but I'm curious what would appear on the screen, other than the smiley Mac face.
I keep meaning to take it into my local Apple store - I think the (mostly) youngsters who work there might get a kick out of my Mac brick. That rollerball!
Handed down my 2010 MBA to my daughter in all its tamper proof, unibody, mostly un-upgradeable glory. She loves it. If my rMBP died today, I would pick it back up and use it as my primary machine. I don't see any reason that these unibody generation machines can't last for at least 7-8 years, easily.
Still using my mid 2009 15" MBP after 5 years and 7 months. Wanted to upgrade to newer retina model, but it has gotten too expensive ($2500 for base 15" in Canada).
I am still running an early 2009 MBP 17in unibody, 2.93GHz. Doubled the RAM and switched in a faster-spinning, massive hard drive a year or two ago -- there actually wasn't anything wrong with the old hard drive, other than I wanted more capacity, but I was getting afraid it might fail at any moment, so got a new one in an (?over-)abudance of caution.
I really like this MBP, and Apple has not produced anything yet that I am really interested in buying, at the prices they charge.
The display on this laptop still looks better than 99% of the displays on other laptops in the stores (excluding retina displays, which I haven't looked at), and it's 17 inches, which you can't get anymore!
There are only 3 issues that have me considering an upgrade:
(a) I'm still stuck with USB2, and it would be great to have access to USB3! (I can't see that Thunderbolt would make any practical difference in my life.)
(b) My RJ45 port died several years ago, so my ethernet connections are via a USB2 adapter. But that works adequately.
(c) The MAIN issue I have is that Apple no longer provides security updates or any other support for Snow Leopard, which is what I am running. And with the increasing attacks on OS X, I really miss have full security support.
I tried upgrading last year to a more recent OS X version, but it was way too slow and buggy and I've already invested in addon software and devices that weren't compatible with later OS X versions.
I would like to get into more software development as a hobby, but it doesn't seem to be possible to even get the basic tools now to be able to do that while working under Snow Leopard. So for that I pretty much work on Windows computers. But I'd rather be able to do some of that programming for my MBP.
I really like this MBP, and Apple has not produced anything yet that I am really interested in buying, at the prices they charge.
The display on this laptop still looks better than 99% of the displays on other laptops in the stores (excluding retina displays, which I haven't looked at), and it's 17 inches, which you can't get anymore!
There are only 3 issues that have me considering an upgrade:
(a) I'm still stuck with USB2, and it would be great to have access to USB3! (I can't see that Thunderbolt would make any practical difference in my life.)
(b) My RJ45 port died several years ago, so my ethernet connections are via a USB2 adapter. But that works adequately.
(c) The MAIN issue I have is that Apple no longer provides security updates or any other support for Snow Leopard, which is what I am running. And with the increasing attacks on OS X, I really miss have full security support.
I tried upgrading last year to a more recent OS X version, but it was way too slow and buggy and I've already invested in addon software and devices that weren't compatible with later OS X versions.
I would like to get into more software development as a hobby, but it doesn't seem to be possible to even get the basic tools now to be able to do that while working under Snow Leopard. So for that I pretty much work on Windows computers. But I'd rather be able to do some of that programming for my MBP.
imo the issue with rMBP is when you have a fault after 3+ you're bound to think of getting a new unit. You can't exactly fix it by opening and replacing any components by popping them out due to most being soldered on and what not. Getting anything fixed after AC from Apple on rMBP is ridiculous priced.
I use all my Macs until they are no longer useful due to performance or until they can no longer be used securely (i.e. no more OS updates). In many cases even then an old Mac can be locked down and repurposed. Realistically though, we all want newer, faster, tools every few years.
still new to Mac, bought a used Mid-2010 13" MBP(running Yosemite)from a friend; upgraded the RAM and installed a SSD. great improvements with the added gear.
and just recently bought a used Mid-2011 13" MBA, had a bad wifi card and replaced it and now it runs Yosemite. this thing was a steal, excellent condition(only flaw is a small bend in the corner)and only had a 155 battery cycle count.
i know they're both old, hopefully i will get some good uses from them before their time comes.
and just recently bought a used Mid-2011 13" MBA, had a bad wifi card and replaced it and now it runs Yosemite. this thing was a steal, excellent condition(only flaw is a small bend in the corner)and only had a 155 battery cycle count.
i know they're both old, hopefully i will get some good uses from them before their time comes.
Old? They are both fine machines and should run just fine for quite a while. I would still have my old clamshell ibook indigo if my son hadn't stepped on the screen.
I feel like my MacBook with the SSD in it now is just as fast as a new Mac. There's literally no difference for most apps opening. I can't justify the expense of a new MacBook with this thing rocking as much as it is.
Last time I had an Apple laptop was the 17" Powerbook, I got 5 years out of it. Looking to to buy another Apple laptop in the very near future, probably the 15" rMBP and hope to get the same. Not sure if I'll by new or refurbished.
My 2009 13 inch MBP is finally on it's last leg after a ton of hard falls and liquid spills. But it lasted better than any PC laptop I had, and I had plenty. Now I'm waiting for a refurb 2015 15 inch MBP to be shipped to me.
Heh. I'd worry if I were using a Windows XP machine, but I'm on 10.6 and not too worried about getting a virus. I'm pretty good about what sites I visit and what Google search links I click on, though.
My Mac has lasted 8 years, but I'm finally considering getting a new one. Speed and portability have been my main concerns over the past few years. It's not so much that these old machines can't do what they were designed to do, but my demands of them have increased. Having 20 tabs open in Firefox isn't too much to ask on my SSD Windows PC, but on this old laptop it slows things down. Especially with a virtual machine running in the background. Both my home mac and my work mac hate virtual machines.
This is the only laptop I've ever owned and it still runs, so the thought of buying a new one seems both exorbitant and bourgeois… but I suppose sometimes you just gotta admit when things aren't gravy.
Mid-2009 13" still going strong. I think the key to keeping a laptop working for a long time is getting the highest spec computer you can afford. The older computers have upgradeable internals such as memory and HD, but with the new models, you are stuck with what you buy from the beginning.
Even if you don't think you will need the large HD, if you can afford it, buy it. You many find yourself in the position where you are using your computer for different tasks from when you buy it, and if you don't get a larger HD, you may be stuck lugging a removable around with you, or worse yet, upgrading because you don't have adequate memory.
I don't even have the desire to buy a new computer. I am getting a SSD soon, and I already have 8 gigs of memory, but other than that, my computer does everything I want it to with ease.
Even if you don't think you will need the large HD, if you can afford it, buy it. You many find yourself in the position where you are using your computer for different tasks from when you buy it, and if you don't get a larger HD, you may be stuck lugging a removable around with you, or worse yet, upgrading because you don't have adequate memory.
I don't even have the desire to buy a new computer. I am getting a SSD soon, and I already have 8 gigs of memory, but other than that, my computer does everything I want it to with ease.
It's a fact that technology is constantly outdated as soon as it arrives on the market. I've usually tried to be keep recent with technology by buying new and selling just before the new updates are released so if I bought a Macbook for 1800 and sell for 1400 after 2 years of use and buy a new one for 1800 I think that's a pretty decent exchange for some of the latest tech features.
At the moment I'm less likely to do that.. for those who follow tech closely you'll have heard about Ticks and Tocks. All the newest Intel and Nvidia and such has been so incremental I don't feel its as worth it to upgrade often. It feels less revolutionary the more tech 'advances'
That said my lifestyle has changed a fair amount as well. I'm starting to think more mobile, I don't want to be tied down but things anymore and travelling, I'm happy with less power for more mobility. I was seriously considering the iPad Pro before it was even confirmed, seemed like an awesome deal and it would be if not for the immense cost of the thing. At this point I'm leaning more towards the iPad Air 3 whenever that arrives on the scene.
At the moment I'm less likely to do that.. for those who follow tech closely you'll have heard about Ticks and Tocks. All the newest Intel and Nvidia and such has been so incremental I don't feel its as worth it to upgrade often. It feels less revolutionary the more tech 'advances'
That said my lifestyle has changed a fair amount as well. I'm starting to think more mobile, I don't want to be tied down but things anymore and travelling, I'm happy with less power for more mobility. I was seriously considering the iPad Pro before it was even confirmed, seemed like an awesome deal and it would be if not for the immense cost of the thing. At this point I'm leaning more towards the iPad Air 3 whenever that arrives on the scene.
3-4 years is the right answer for me.
It usually retains a good resale value (the way I keep it).
Just switched from a late 2011 to an early 2015.
Have had three MacBooks within a year. Sold my rMBP 15 to get a rMBP 13, then sold the 13" to get a rMB. I sometimes lack the power, but most of the time the added portability beats 1-2 seconds waiting time in PS.
Almost never use my desktop or connect it up to an external monitor.
Almost never use my desktop or connect it up to an external monitor.
My mid 2009 13" mbp bought in december 2009 is hitting her 6th birthday and I'd say she's almost as good as new. Yes, I've done some changes and she doesn't support everything the new osx's have brought along. I upgraded to 8gb ram fairly quickly after purchase and am now on my 3rd harddrive, a 256 gb ssd. And I've had the battery replaced in 2012. Right now I'm waiting for the 2016 upgrade/-date. No hurry
I've never had any issues with her and never ever the feling of meeting the wall like I had with my other laptops. I surely hope that the new models are as 'durable' as the older ones. For that case I will be keeping her alongside with an eventual newer sibling
I've never had any issues with her and never ever the feling of meeting the wall like I had with my other laptops. I surely hope that the new models are as 'durable' as the older ones. For that case I will be keeping her alongside with an eventual newer sibling