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MR.Gapters

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 29, 2020
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Hello,

I have laptop MacBook Pro 2012.
I'm pretty happy with it: it's durable and works well, but it's time to get more power, for new software.

On the other hand, I have heard recommendations that raise my concern about the durability of the newly produced Mac laptops, as well as the number and usability of external ports.

What is the quality, of the MacBooks of the last years really is?
Thanks
 
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There's of course a lot of talk and issues regarding the butterfly keyboard, which is a thing. But it doesn't happen to all of them. I have a 2017 15" Pro that's still going strong after three years. Never had any issues with it. And the same can be said about three other identical Pro's that we use at work, in quite harsh conditions.
 
Just a suggestion, I was fortunate enough to get my hands on, thanks to my best friend, a mid 2012 MacBook Pro a1278, threw 16gb Crucial RAM and swapped the 500gb Hitachi HDD for a 500gb internal Samsung 860 Evo SSD...Works like a dream and has the other most desirable hardware to boot. that's why it's still the best MacBook Pro to this day! IMO
 
In fact, my question is,

which old MacBook, would you buy for yourself to get the least defects, with possible modernity
 
In fact, my question is,

which old MacBook, would you buy for yourself to get the least defects, with possible modernity

I'd consider the most desirable machines to be the 15" mid-2015 macbook pro's. You get a semi-moden quad core chip, the reliable legacy chassis/keyboard design, and easy upgradability with NVME-SSD adapters so you can use cheap, commodity PC drives for storage. You can buy a cheap 256GB model and add 1TB of fast flash storage for ~$100.

I personally wouldn't touch any of the 15" machines that followed, until the newest 16" macbook pro. Main reason being - the faulty keyboard design, but also the soldered SSDs.
 
Hello,

I have laptop MacBook Pro 2012.
I'm pretty happy with it: it's durable and works well, but it's time to get more power, for new software.

On the other hand, I have heard recommendations that raise my concern about the durability of the newly produced Mac laptops, as well as the number and usability of external ports.

What is the quality, of the MacBooks of the last years really is?
Thanks
I have a 2017 and love it, has zero issues, is fast for what I need it for, probably will upgrade when this one craps out. My one before was a 2011 Macbook and I still have a 2007 iMac laying around so yeah....they last.
 
Fishrrman's buying guide for late-model used MacBook Pros:

DO NOT BUY:
MacBook Pro 13" -- 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
MacBook Pro 15" -- 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
All of these have the disastrous "butterfly" keyboards that have a high likelihood of failure. An out-of-warranty repair on these will run $700, minimum. For just ONE key...

DO BUY:
MacBook Pro 13" -- 2020
MacBook Pro 16" -- 2019
m1 MacBook Pro -- 2020
All of these have the proven "scissors" keyboard similar to the one used on 2015 MBP's and earlier.
 
In fact, my question is,

which old MacBook, would you buy for yourself to get the least defects, with possible modernity

2015 MacBook Pro 15 inches, AMD graphics.

I'm typing on it right now. I bought one two years ago as a backup to my 2014 MacBook Pro. It has 2.5 Ghz CPU, AMD graphics and 512 GB of storage. The case was pretty banged up but it works just fine. I paid $1,100 for it.
 
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How do you use the system? Do you do anything that would preclude you from considering the M1 Macs?
 
Thank you for all the answers!

MAC 2015
as bellow seems good - so far as you recommend it, it is great. I would prefer 32 GB, but i have heard but, this technology doesnt work good fro this 5 year old computers.

I seems that it is a direction, which will be choosen

www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook_pro/specs/macbook-pro-core-i7-2.8-15-dual-graphics-mid-2015-retina-display-specs.html

Apple Model No: A1398 (EMC 2910) Model ID: MacBookPro11,5

Apple Subfamily: Retina Mid-2015 15"

Introduction Date: May 19, 2015
Processor Speed: 2.8 GHz Processor Type: Core i7 (I7-4980HQ)
Standard RAM: 16 GB Maximum RAM: 16 GB
Video Card: Radeon R9 M370X* VRAM Type: GDDR5*
Built-in Display: 15.4" Widescreen Native Resolution: 2880x1800
Standard Storage: 1 TB / 2TB SSD
 
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Thank you for all the answers!

MAC 2015
as bellow seems good - so far as you recommend it, it is great. I would prefer 32 GB, but i have heard but, this technology doesnt work good fro this 5 year old computers.

I seems that it is a direction, which will be choosen

www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook_pro/specs/macbook-pro-core-i7-2.8-15-dual-graphics-mid-2015-retina-display-specs.html

Apple Model No: A1398 (EMC 2910) Model ID: MacBookPro11,5

Apple Subfamily: Retina Mid-2015 15"

Introduction Date: May 19, 2015
Processor Speed: 2.8 GHz Processor Type: Core i7 (I7-4980HQ)
Standard RAM: 16 GB Maximum RAM: 16 GB
Video Card: Radeon R9 M370X* VRAM Type: GDDR5*
Built-in Display: 15.4" Widescreen Native Resolution: 2880x1800
Standard Storage: 1 TB / 2TB SSD

There was a thread on this forum asking about demand for a service to upgrade the RAM in 13/15 2015 MacBook Pros. I would love to have 32 GB of RAM in my 2015 MacBook Pro myself.
 
All of my Macs with the exception of one have needed major service that was covered under Applecare. My Macbook Pro 2016 required service after Applecare expired but I still got it serviced free thanks to the keyboard replacement program. Definitely would not buy a Mac without Applecare.
 
All of my Macs with the exception of one have needed major service that was covered under Applecare. My Macbook Pro 2016 required service after Applecare expired but I still got it serviced free thanks to the keyboard replacement program. Definitely would not buy a Mac without Applecare.

I've never purchased AppleCare and have purchased 7 MacBook Pros, a PowerMac g5, a Mac Mini and an iMac.
 
2015 MacBook Pro is a good choice for a used Mac.
They represent the best of "traditional MacBook Pro design", and have many usable ports...
They are getting a bit long in the tooth as performance goes these days.
 
the comment "definitely dont buy mac without apple care" is telling us something about the product quality :D
 
2015 MacBook Pro is a good choice for a used Mac.
They represent the best of "traditional MacBook Pro design", and have many usable ports...
I might get one in the 700 $ range because the new M1 are great, but not for my software and what i need from a notebook. I admire your Excellent advice on buying the macbook pros!
 
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In fact, my question is,

which old MacBook, would you buy for yourself to get the least defects, with possible modernity
Seems like the 2015 model (pre butterfly) is the most desirable. If you're looking for anything newer, might as well get the M1 machines (or wait for the M2/M1X models this year).
 
Still running my MBP 2015, the M370X config. Running strong with Mojave, great combo. Had the immense fortune that both display and battery had been replaced end of 2019 before I bought it, so leaving the logic board side, the unit is still like new. I have a great keyboard, useful ports instead of dongle-madness, no flexgate, no T1 concerns. Fisherrman summed it up correctly. Either go for a rock-solid, albeit a bit older 2015 model (but with replaced battery/screen) or one of the >2019 models. The ones in between should be avoided.

The M1 hype keeps me rather cold for now. Yes, future, amazing, fast, silent, etc. some ignorant sheep here laughed at me albeit I never questioned that, I know it's bringing many advantages, but silicon alone doesn't define a great eco-system. I am not an instant-transition labrat, so I decided to rather wait 1-2 years and see how good software support truly gonna be then, while I stick with my 2015 MBP. Ditching 32bit, OpenGL/CL and Intel/x86 within such a short period of time was a bit too radical for my liking, I am reliant on several software, drivers and plugins when it comes to 3D/rendering, Audio/DJing and Image/Drawings, plus Bootcamp. Should it become necessary, I gonna switch back to Win (probably XPS15 then, once they sort out some minor issues), albeit I would like to stick with macOS.
 
Last edited:
Still running my MBP 2015, the M370X config. Running strong with Mojave, great combo. Had the immense fortune that both display and battery had been replaced end of 2019 before I bought it, so leaving the logic board side, the unit is still like new. I have a great keyboard, useful ports instead of dongle-madness, no flexgate, no T1 concerns. Fisherrman summed it up correctly. Either go for a rock-solid, albeit a bit older 2015 model (but with replaced battery/screen) or one of the >2019 models. The ones in between should be avoided.

The M1 hype keeps me rather cold for now. Yes, future, amazing, fast, silent, etc. some ignorant sheep here laughed at me albeit I never questioned that, I know it's bringing many advantages, but silicon alone doesn't define a great eco-system. I am not an instant-transition labrat, so I decided to rather wait 1-2 years and see how good software support truly gonna be then, while I stick with my 2015 MBP. Ditching 32bit, OpenGL/CL and Intel/x86 within such a short period of time was a bit too radical for my liking, I am reliant on several software, drivers and plugins when it comes to 3D/rendering, Audio/DJing and Image/Drawings, plus Bootcamp. Should it become necessary, I gonna switch back to Win (probably XPS15 then, once they sort out some minor issues), albeit I would like to stick with macOS.

I bought my 2015 in early 2018 and, as far as I'm aware, it's stock. Runs fine and I'm typing on it right now though it's actually in a cluster with two other systems.
 
Really Nice,
thank you for all your answers,
you made me confident, that among MBPs, 2015 is the only one which i would like to have,

With the wishes of best successes in the new year,
yours Gapters
 
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How do you use the system? Do you do anything that would preclude you from considering the M1 Macs?

I use it clustered with two other systems, one a Mac and one Windows. It's just used for office stuff. I could get an M1 Mac but I don't need one as the 2015 meets the needs that I have assigned to it.
 
If your budget works and the applications you use are available consider a M1 based system like a MB Air. The performance is impressive and the system is silent.
 
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