Is $1200 Macbook Pro 2017 good deal?

[markovchain]

Recently, I came across open box MacBook Pro 2017 15” at USD 1200. The configuration is i7 quad core 2.8gHz 16GB Ram 256GB SSd.

This is a shop demo model and the warranty is expired.

I’ve been using my mba 2013 11” 8gb 512gb ssd but find the screen a bit small for outside use.

My worry is that MBP 15” 256gb ssd a bit small for software development. Currently, I am using about 180GB out of 512 gb in mba.

$1200 for MBP 2017 quad core is not bad!

Decision. decision!

 

[CheesePuff]

Great price, I would get it. You can always get an external SSD or thumb drive to offload less used data.

 

[macjunk(ie)]

Recently, I came across open box MacBook Pro 2017 15” at USD 1200. The configuration is i7 quad core 2.8gHz 16GB Ram 256GB SSd.

This is a shop demo model and the warranty is expired.

I’ve been using my mba 2013 11” 8gb 512gb ssd but find the screen a bit small for outside use.

My worry is that MBP 15” 256gb ssd a bit small for software development. Currently, I am using about 180GB out of 512 gb in mba.

$1200 for MBP 2017 quad core is not bad!

Decision. decision!

Buying a MBP nowadays without an extended warranty is asking for heartbreak later on.

 

[CheesePuff]

Buying a MBP nowadays without an extended warranty is asking for heartbreak later on.

Why? Apple has its own program to fully support any keyboard failure for 4 years from purchase date. That's the only failure point that there has been.

 

[Painter2002]

Buying a MBP nowadays without an extended warranty is asking for heartbreak later on.

I have to agree with @CheesePuff, there is no reason to be concerned as the extended repair program will ensure that the 2017 MBP that OP is asking about is covered on keyboard issues though summer of 2021.

@markovchain, I would get that 15" if it is still for sale, but if possible, meet at an Apple store so that a Genius Bar employee can run a quick diagnostics on it before you buy to ensure that there aren't any hidden issues that the seller isn't being honest about.

 

[macjunk(ie)]

Why? Apple has its own program to fully support any keyboard failure for 4 years from purchase date. That's the only failure point that there has been.

That is the only one they cover. This forum also highlights cases with the laptop just refusing to turn on, graphical artifacts, loose USB ports etc. You could argue that the laptop OP might get will never suffer from any issue (including keyboard ones) but it is a risk. We all know Apple's QC is not up to the mark in recent years.

 

[AppleHaterLover]

I don’t know, the price seems kinda low?

 

[Painter2002]

That is the only one they cover. This forum also highlights cases with the laptop just refusing to turn on, graphical artifacts, loose USB ports etc. You could argue that the laptop OP might get will never suffer from any issue (including keyboard ones) but it is a risk. We all know Apple's QC is not up to the mark in recent years.

So are you suggesting a full boycott of all MacBooks? If that is so then that's fine for you, but honestly there are plenty of people with no issues.

Any piece of technology are at risk for failure. I haven't seen an overwhelming amount of complaints of other issues that are beyond the normal amounts we have seen on previous gens, besides the keyboard of course.

I would say that the price is low, and I would have it checked out at the Apple store before finalizing the purchase (as I stated in my previous comment), but if everything checks out, that isn't a bad deal.

 

[macjunk(ie)]

So are you suggesting a full boycott of all MacBooks? If that is so then that's fine for you, but honestly there are plenty of people with no issues.

Any piece of technology are at risk for failure. I haven't seen an overwhelming amount of complaints of other issues that are beyond the normal amounts we have seen on previous gens, besides the keyboard of course.

I would say that the price is low, and I would have it checked out at the Apple store before finalizing the purchase (as I stated in my previous comment), but if everything checks out, that isn't a bad deal.

Wow! Where did I suggest a full boycott of all Macbooks? All I said was buy with extended warranty.
The drama....

 

[Painter2002]

Wow! Where did I suggest a full boycott of all Macbooks? All I said was buy with extended warranty.
The drama....

I apologize for the exaggeration on my end (or drama, however it comes across), but that seems to be the message of most everyone who complains of all the issues that the current gen MacBook Pro lineup has. I respect your view but I don’t see it on the same level.

My point is more that sure there are issues on this current lineup, but outside of the keyboard, there aren’t any other deal breakers that are any worse than the years before.

I agree AppleCare is advisable, but it really kind of always is a risk buying a MacBook Pro without extended warranty. Almost every gen has had their issues, and if you dig through the forums, every mode year has one or more threads of MacBook pros not being bootable, or failed graphics, failed harddrives. Every piece of technology has a risk of failure, it’s just more noticeable on a MacBook that costs $2k than it does on a 800-$1000 Dell or Lenovo.

 

[markovchain]

@CheesePuff @macjunk(ie) @Painter2002, thank you very much for your advice.

I almost take it but a few non-money issue hold me off:
- the need for bigger screen is not strong enough. I should do serious work only with my 27" monitor.

- I believe I could/should wait Cannon Lake with AVX 512 instruction sets, hopefully in 2019/2020
Then we may see 10nm cooler 4-core and 6-core CPUs

- when I tried it yesterday, I found 15" a bit unwieldy to use in this part of the world i.e. In the top densely populated city I am living.
The touch bar is quite awkward as well. I might end up with no choice, but at the cost of re-tuning my muscle memory of programming shortcuts.

- @CheesePuff, thumb drive is good, however I find the smallest one very slow in write time < 100MB/s. I know I could have used Samsung T5 ... BUT my obsession (for the smallest) is stopping me.

- @macjunk(ie), I agreed with you the overall MacBook Pro quality. That's why I already decided to keep MacBook Pro as office suite and development front end, and save money for Dell Precision Linux workstation.
At the same time, I also think @Painter2002 is right, at this price level and Apple extended keyboard warranty, the main risk is already mitigated. If not for those technical reasons, USD 1200 MacBook Pro 2017 is too good to be missed!!!

 

[Naimfan]

Why? Apple has its own program to fully support any keyboard failure for 4 years from purchase date. That's the only failure point that there has been.

You might note the numerous reports of loose USB ports also, which require replacement of the logic board (IIRC). That is an expensive repair, and while not as common as keyboard failures is still something to consider, particularly on a demo model.

Probably worth doing, but be aware the keyboard is not the "only" failure point.

 

[AppleHaterLover]

You might note the numerous reports of loose USB ports also, which require replacement of the logic board (IIRC). That is an expensive repair, and while not as common as keyboard failures is still something to consider, particularly on a demo model.

Probably worth doing, but be aware the keyboard is not the "only" failure point.

I'd probably be more weary of 1000's of greasy McSundae-drenched hands having gone over my laptop.

 

[smbu2000]

You might note the numerous reports of loose USB ports also, which require replacement of the logic board (IIRC). That is an expensive repair, and while not as common as keyboard failures is still something to consider, particularly on a demo model.

Probably worth doing, but be aware the keyboard is not the "only" failure point.

For loose usb-c ports they would replace the I/O ports on the MBP. That’s what Apple did on my 2016 15” MBP. The I/O port boards are separate from the logic board.

As far as the person worried about a grubby KB, if something happens to and you have a KB problem(which Apple covers for 4 years) then Apple will replace the topcase which gives you a new keyboard along with a new battery.

 

[macjunk(ie)]

....
As far as the person worried about a grubby KB, if something happens to and you have a KB problem(which Apple covers for 4 years) then Apple will replace the topcase which gives you a new keyboard along with a new battery.

You are right. The only issues with this are:
- you are without your laptop for at least a week during the repair
- the replacement does not guarantee the issue will not repeat again. They are not replacing the broken keys with a redesigned keyboard. So you might be without your laptop multiple times in its lifetime.
- After 4 years, in case you still want to use your laptop and then this problem re-occurs, you will have to shell out $$$ to get it fixed

While I am glad Apple fessed up to this (took them 3 lawsuits to acknowledge the problem), in my view, the warranty program does not solve the problem. All Apple is doing is to kick the can down the road - until the 4 years is up.