MBP 1,1-10,2 I now have a MBP 2012!

[Haemoglobin]

Hey everyone

It's been a while since I was last on here, but I thought I'd pop in as I recently had a new addition to my collection of old Apple computers. Though this has to be the newest and quickest Apple I own and boy is it shiny!

My partners brother gifting me his old pristine 2012 MacBook Pro as he no longer had use for it and knew I was in to Apple devices. I have to say as a rule, I have both feet firmly stuck in the PPC bucket. Albeit with the exception of my white (crumbling) intel MacBook, but that runs snow leopard, so I use it like an iBook on steroids, running all the software on my iBook, but just faster

So I'm posting today, just to ask you guys for a little insight, such as the pro's and con's of the 2012 MBP, I've get to use an Apple product that didn't have some issue. Be it GPU failures, flickering screens, LCD letter boxing etc. I read on everyman that the battery isn't removable? Is that true? This unit seems to hold a decent charge, though I've yet to take it out to my local Costa for a spin.

In addition, I've notice some of the apps in the App Store won't install as they expect a newer version of Mac OS, how do you guys tackling finding software for High Sierra? Because Snow Leopard runs all my old PPC software, I've never had much of an issue finding software, as I have everything I need on CD. But the MBP seems to be in this area, where it's just a little to old but a little to new lol. I was relieved to find a copy of Openoffice that works, which will fit all my writing needs. My main use for this will be writing and light browsing, it has been suggested to me that I whack a distro of Linux on it, which I might do. At least then I'll be using an up to date web browser, making things a little more secure. Right now, I'm using Palemoon in MacOS.

Anyways, that's enough of me rambling

 

[davigarma]

I've been using it for years; I don't need anything else. You can change the battery, hard drive, RAM, and DVD drive. It's one of the latest, or the latest one where you can change everything. The latest OS X Apple released is Catalina. With updated browsers (Firefox, Orion), it continues to work without problems.

 

[Haemoglobin]

Can I update to that for free?
I thought the CPU was soldered on?

 

[davigarma]

Can I update to that for free?
I thought the CPU was soldered on?

What is free update? Any component can be replaced if needed, some by changing a few screws. Starting with this MacBook 9.1, Apple no longer made it easy.

 

[jhoncena]

Can I update to that for free?
I thought the CPU was soldered on?

CPU soldered but ram SSD all upgradeable

Hey everyone

It's been a while since I was last on here, but I thought I'd pop in as I recently had a new addition to my collection of old Apple computers. Though this has to be the newest and quickest Apple I own and boy is it shiny!

My partners brother gifting me his old pristine 2012 MacBook Pro as he no longer had use for it and knew I was in to Apple devices. I have to say as a rule, I have both feet firmly stuck in the PPC bucket. Albeit with the exception of my white (crumbling) intel MacBook, but that runs snow leopard, so I use it like an iBook on steroids, running all the software on my iBook, but just faster

So I'm posting today, just to ask you guys for a little insight, such as the pro's and con's of the 2012 MBP, I've get to use an Apple product that didn't have some issue. Be it GPU failures, flickering screens, LCD letter boxing etc. I read on everyman that the battery isn't removable? Is that true? This unit seems to hold a decent charge, though I've yet to take it out to my local Costa for a spin.

In addition, I've notice some of the apps in the App Store won't install as they expect a newer version of Mac OS, how do you guys tackling finding software for High Sierra? Because Snow Leopard runs all my old PPC software, I've never had much of an issue finding software, as I have everything I need on CD. But the MBP seems to be in this area, where it's just a little to old but a little to new lol. I was relieved to find a copy of Openoffice that works, which will fit all my writing needs. My main use for this will be writing and light browsing, it has been suggested to me that I whack a distro of Linux on it, which I might do. At least then I'll be using an up to date web browser, making things a little more secure. Right now, I'm using Palemoon in MacOS.

Anyways, that's enough of me rambling

2012 doesn't have GPU problems only 2011 has that
You can run newer macos with opencore legacy patcher

 

[Haemoglobin]

Thank you for the info! Good to know!

 

[ToniCH]

You didn't tell us which 2012 MBP you have out of the 10 models made that year...

So, this applies to Unibody models without Retina display:

Mid 2012 MacBook Pros can all run up to 10.15 Catalina as is, no patchers needed. Going above that would need the OCLP. They can also take most modern Linuxes.

They are pretty much problem free in the tech side of things. Best of the Unibody line.

What was said about upgradeability above is correct. Very good on that front.

And most models are even faster than the 2012 Mac Pros in single and 4 core performance.


The Retina models have little less of upgrade possibilities. I think RAM is non upgradeable and the SDD is not the usual 2.5" SATA -type like the others but needs a special blade drive. The display might lose its anti reflective coating.

 

[Haemoglobin]

You didn't tell us which 2012 MBP you have out of the 10 models made that year...

So, this applies to Unibody models without Retina display:

Mid 2012 MacBook Pros can all run up to 10.15 Catalina as is, no patchers needed. Going above that would need the OCLP. They can also take most modern Linuxes.

They are pretty much problem free in the tech side of things. Best of the Unibody line.

What was said about upgradeability above is correct. Very good on that front.

And most models are even faster than the 2012 Mac Pros in single and 4 core performance.


The Retina models have little less of upgrade possibilities. I think RAM is non upgradeable and the SDD is not the usual 2.5" SATA -type like the others but needs a special blade drive. The display might lose its anti reflective coating.

About this mac says Mid 2012

 

[Haemoglobin]

Hey guys, i was going to install Catalina but it popped up saying quite a few of the applications i've installed will cease to work.

 

[ToniCH]

About this mac says Mid 2012

I am pretty sure it says something more too. Take a screenshot and post it here so we can see what we are dealing with. Or spell out what it actually says - I mean more than just the "mid 2012".

Hey guys, i was going to install Catalina but it popped up saying quite a few of the applications i've installed will cease to work.

Of course, you need to check what app versions work and what do not. And then upgrade them if possible.

 

[DeltaMac]

Hey guys, i was going to install Catalina but it popped up saying quite a few of the applications i've installed will cease to work.

Can you give us some examples?
You may be able to get some of your old apps in 64-bit versions, as Catalina drops support for 32-bit apps
Also, there is a 13-inch and a 15-inch Mid 2012.
Maybe you could open the System Information app, and look for the Model Identifier (on the first page of System Information, in the Hardware Overview)

 

[Haemoglobin]

It's a 13" model

Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro9,2
Processor Name: Intel Core i5
Processor Speed: 2.5 GHz
Memory: 4 GB

Ah dropping 32bit might explain way it's reporting some of my apps wont work, i might hold off updating as i know some of those apps don't have a 64bit version. I recently got hold of WoW and was going to try playing on a free server, thats one of the apps it's reported i need to update.

 

[DeltaMac]

If your only issue is 32bit apps, you could also consider going to macOS 10.14 Mojave (and not upgrading to Catalina), so you can continue with 32bit apps.
I recommend upgrading the RAM to 16GB
Is the hard drive upgraded to an SSD? That's another great upgrade if it has not been done yet.

 

[Haemoglobin]

The way i figure, it's more useful to me if it can run some of my apps.

My logic might be flawed but this is how I'm thinking. If I don't hack the laptop and I just install the latest official OS for this machine, it will still be several releases out of date and I'll still have websites telling me to update my browser. The only difference being, I'll now be running an OS that won't run any of the programs below and I'll be a little more stuffed. Where as right now, I have OpenOffice working, found a copy of Toast that works, so I can backup data. This has also been the first time I have a Mac fast enough to run WoW. I've wanted to try out the Macintosh Gardens free server for a while, as I used to play WoW with my late father and going back will bring back some lovely memories.

A friend has recommended I setup a partition and install Linux, so I have a modern up to date OS for going online and the older Mac OS for running my productivity apps.

The same friend said he might have a stick of ram, so I think there's a memory upgrade in this laptops near future. The hard drive will most likely be the original, I'm pretty sure I can hear spinning rust. I've already been thinking about upgrading my PS4 to an SSD, looks like I'll be buying another! Ouch! this months getting expensive.