How many people still use the 2012 MacBook Pro (non-retina)

[antisomnic]

How many people use the 2012 13" MacBook Pro (non-retina with superdrive) as their regular laptop? I own this model and a PC laptop and have recently went back to using it regularly. I upgraded the memory from 4gb to 8gb and installed an SSD and with macOS Sierra it runs extremely smoothly. I am also using QuickRes to scale the resolution a little higher than native. Just wondering if I'm missing out on anything amazing on the newer models.

 

[keysofanxiety]

Just wondering if I'm missing out on anything amazing on the newer models.

Thinner, lighter, faster, better battery life, better trackpad, better display. But you've got a fine machine – no need to upgrade if it still works for you.

 

[chevelleguy3]

I just gave my girlfriend a 2011 model that has 8gb ram and a 256gb ssd in it and it runs just fine. It even has the high-res anti glare screen on it.

 

[Bending Pixels]

Are you looking for a precise number, or just an approximation?

 

[cmcclure88]

I did until about an hour ago. I'm now typing this on my brand new 2017 MBP w/ Touch Bar.

 

[Audit13]

I just gave my girlfriend a 2011 model that has 8gb ram and a 256gb ssd in it and it runs just fine. It even has the high-res anti glare screen on it.

Is it the 15.4" with amd gpu? I'm asking because I just gave a late 2011 15.4" with the 1680x1050 screen to my brother after I had the gpu replaced. It's a nice machine but too heavy to carry too far.

 

[chevelleguy3]

Is it the 15.4" with amd gpu? I'm asking because I just gave a late 2011 15.4" with the 1680x1050 screen to my brother after I had the gpu replaced. It's a nice machine but too heavy to carry too far.

Yes it's the 15.4" with AMD 6770m GPU. Late 2011 model. Apple had just replaced the logic board right at the end of the warranty extension program and they ended up replacing the LCD and battery as well because they sent it off to the depot which everything got fixed. The LCD had the typical colored lines that randomly popped up. It's like a brand new machine now. My girlfriend doesn't carry it around much, it's more of just a mobile house computer. From the couch to the bed every now and then.

 

[hajime]

.

 

[simonsi]

I still run on my mid-2011, its been upgraded to 16GB and has two onboard 1TB SSDs...even the original battery is still showing 87% capacity after 6yrs 2mths of daily business use...only problem in that time has been the HDD cable.

 

[jerryk]

Plus side

• Much better display. When I used a 2011 13" I always thought there was something wrong with my eyes. When I started using a retina display I realized the issue was the old display.
• Much lighter machine. 13" 2012 weighs the same as the 2012-2015 15" retina, and 1/2 pound more than the 2016/2017 15". Also 1.5 pounds more than a 2016/2017 13" MBP.
• Speed. The new systems have much faster SSDs and faster CPUs

Minus side

• Expandability. While you can make some upgrades, sort of, it is best to consider the retina MBPs a closed system.
  
• With 2016/2017:
  • New Keyboard - its a love it or hate it thing
  • USBC and dongles

That is the basics for me. I am sure others have their items.

 

[hallux]

Posting from my 15" 2012 non-retina with memory and SSD upgrades.

 

[tigerinexile]

I am! A 13" i7 2012 model.

Upgraded it to 16GB of RAM, 1TB SSD.

There's lots on the newer models, but the old model has a nice set of features. Driving two Thunderbolt Displays with it, too.

I imagine I'll get a 15" MBP in like 2019 or 2020 with all the new bells and whistles, but they're so darned expensive. Maybe get a 2017 model in 2019?

 

[antisomnic]

Yeah I find that this thing runs smooth as butter with a memory upgrade and an SSD. The only thing that sucks is the low resolution (at least on the 13") but like I said I use an app called QuickRes which simulates higher resolutions, and like some of you I hook up an external monitor when I use it at my desk.

 

[sareece]

I am in the process of selling my 2011 15" pro w/ 1TB hard drive and 16gb ram. to go to a smaller 13' platform for travel for work. Just figuring out a skin / sleeve / shell? at this point. I already have a Waterfield bag that I will use.

 

[robvas]

Just got rid of my 2012. Screen was getting old (so nice to look at a Retina these days) and it was a little thicker than I'd like to carry around. Ran fine though.

 

[janitor3]

Still using my 2011 MacBook Pro almost daily. I have 8GB ram and 250GB SSD installed. I also removed the SuperDrive and put in a 1TB spinner for extra storage. Only problem I have is the L button sticks sometimes.

 

[antisomnic]

So not too many people still with a 2012 macbook pro?

 

[hajime]

I am still using my 2010.

 

[addamas]

And there is me who just bought MBP 13" late 2011 with 128GB SSD and 16GB RAM... which works 5-6 hours on web browsing... And had to buy a freaking dongle Thunderbolt to VGA / HDMI / DVI so don't cry to use dongles nowadays

 

[MC6800]

Typing this on a 2011 17" (with all the upgrades). Works great. Yeah it's heavier, but good exercise. Are people getting weaker?

 

[MacInTO]

I have two, a 15" i7 2.3 with the high res matte screen and the 13" i7 2.9. Both are maxed out on RAM and have SSDs installed. I generally have the 13" hooked up to my stereo and projector. It's my media centre.

The 15" I use less and less because I have an iPad Pro which I use most of the time.

 

[nitephox]

I still use a mid 2012 15" with 2 SSDs and max ram
It's still my main machine as a student in uni. Still works great

 

[antisomnic]

Once you put a solid state drive in and upgrade the memory it runs super fast!

 

[cr2]

I have 2011 base with 16GB memory and 1TB SSD. Works great, just upgraded to High Sierra. However, has been my primary computer has been an iMac. I don't know if I can sell it and get some money for it. Would love to get the new MBP but 1TB + 16Gb would be seriously expensive and I can't justify it.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I upgraded the memory from 4gb to 8gb and installed an SSD and with macOS Sierra it runs extremely smoothly. I am also using QuickRes to scale the resolution a little higher than native. Just wondering if I'm missing out on anything amazing on the newer models."

If it's still doing fine, just keep using it for now.

I'd be holding out for a 2018, or perhaps even a 2019.

I kept my own (upgraded) 2010 MacBook Pro 13" going for 7 years, and it STILL runs fine (even though it's now just maintained "in storage as a spare")...