Keep my Late 2013 15" MacBook Pro or upgrade?

[ACE_350]

I bought a refurbished Late 2013 15" MacBook Pro from the Apple refurbished store two years ago. Being as its a late 2013, the model is going to be 5 years old. I've personally had mine almost 3 years, I'm just wondering if this is still a good machine. Computing wise, I don't really do any extensive tasks on it to be honest, I just use it for web/e-mail, social media, paying bills, and some light video streaming off YouTube, music streaming, word processing and excel on a light level. I don't do any kind of coding or video editing, or picture editing. It's pretty much just used as a all around computer. It stores my files and media, I honestly use my iPhone 8+ for a lot of things these days, but I still feel like it's proper to have a good working computer, this is also my desktop replacement, I don't travel a lot with it, and sometimes I go days without using it, and I'll leave the lid closed in sleep mode for 3-4 days on end. But for some reason.. I don't want to get rid of it. I'm in a position where I won't have the money I did in the past to drop on one of these.

But is it getting old? How much longer will it hold up? I know compared to the 2015 MBP it's the same exact processor. I have 8GB of RAM in mine, and a 256GB SSD. I don't really require a lot of space, I have a 2TB external I plug into it sometimes, and a 128GB SD Jet drive that stays inserted in it.

It's mechanically running perfectly. No issues, and it's in excellent condition. Just some minor keyboard wear from typing, everything else is pristine.

I really don't like the 2016/2017 MBPs much. I feel like the design on the previous generation Retinas are timeless.

But just knowing the processors are several generations ahead now, I can't help but wonder how long this will hold up, given my usage and everything. I'm wondering how a Haswell CPU compares to a Kaby Lake of today and such.

Any advice on what I should do is appreciated, if I ever did consider another machine, it would probably just be a 13" of some kind. I don't really use the extra space or screen real estate to its fullest extent. Don't get me wrong, it's nice that it's there, but I can do without it.

I appreciate any replies and advice.

 

[ISKOTB]

2013 isn't old and I personally buy a new laptop when my current one is about to die. If your keyboard is too dirty you can try this method to clean it or buy a new one

 

[Sterkenburg]

The MBP you have is probably one of the best models Apple has produced, and should be more than enough for your usage for another 2-3 years at the very least. All in all, I'd say you have no compelling reason to spend money on an upgrade anytime soon.

Take your sweet time and see what Apple will be offering in, say, a couple years from now. At that point a baseline 13" model, which by then will likely be a quad-core machine, could be the right computer for you.

 

[redheeler]

But just knowing the processors are several generations ahead now, I can't help but wonder how long this will hold up, given my usage and everything.

If the 2013 is working fine for you, then there's really no compelling reason to upgrade. In fact, based on the usage you described, another three years with your 2013 Mac should be perfectly doable.

 

[Miltz]

I bought a refurbished Late 2013 15" MacBook Pro from the Apple refurbished store two years ago. Being as its a late 2013, the model is going to be 5 years old. I've personally had mine almost 3 years, I'm just wondering if this is still a good machine. Computing wise, I don't really do any extensive tasks on it to be honest, I just use it for web/e-mail, social media, paying bills, and some light video streaming off YouTube, music streaming, word processing and excel on a light level. I don't do any kind of coding or video editing, or picture editing. It's pretty much just used as a all around computer. It stores my files and media, I honestly use my iPhone 8+ for a lot of things these days, but I still feel like it's proper to have a good working computer, this is also my desktop replacement, I don't travel a lot with it, and sometimes I go days without using it, and I'll leave the lid closed in sleep mode for 3-4 days on end. But for some reason.. I don't want to get rid of it. I'm in a position where I won't have the money I did in the past to drop on one of these.

But is it getting old? How much longer will it hold up? I know compared to the 2015 MBP it's the same exact processor. I have 8GB of RAM in mine, and a 256GB SSD. I don't really require a lot of space, I have a 2TB external I plug into it sometimes, and a 128GB SD Jet drive that stays inserted in it.

It's mechanically running perfectly. No issues, and it's in excellent condition. Just some minor keyboard wear from typing, everything else is pristine.

I really don't like the 2016/2017 MBPs much. I feel like the design on the previous generation Retinas are timeless.

But just knowing the processors are several generations ahead now, I can't help but wonder how long this will hold up, given my usage and everything. I'm wondering how a Haswell CPU compares to a Kaby Lake of today and such.

Any advice on what I should do is appreciated, if I ever did consider another machine, it would probably just be a 13" of some kind. I don't really use the extra space or screen real estate to its fullest extent. Don't get me wrong, it's nice that it's there, but I can do without it.

I appreciate any replies and advice.

Honestly, after reading what you wrote, keep it. You don't need a new laptop.

 

[shardey]

I just traded a 960M 6700HQ 16GB ram MSI apache for an early 2013. Technically, there is a lot I downgraded, but I can tell you this laptop feels just as fast as the one I was using in non graphical intensive applications. My former laptop was the 2820QM (2.3ghz 8mb cache) early 2011 17" MBP that I still dearly miss due to the dual 2.5" ssds I could run. This laptop is going to get an m.2 512GB upgrade when I get this adapter in since Apple decided to use a proprietary port.

First thing I did was apply Prolimatech PK-3 thermal paste which really helped out on the temperatures. Next I applied 1mm Phobya thermal pads all along the heatsink to bridge the gap between the heatsink and bottom case. It definitely heats up the bottom case more, but it helps expelling much more heat when I put this laptop under heavy load.

Honestly, unless you want to play games at a higher FPS and spend money, I would hold off on upgrading. What I said in the previous paragraph in regards to thermal paste, that will help prevent your CPU from throttling which will actually improve your performance.