Yes, I own and definitely would recommend a 2012 cMBP.
If the caveat that at about 2 1/2 years in it suffered major maladies with motherboard, etc. which necessitated a repair visit to Apple; it would have been otherwise expensive, but fortunately still under extended warranty, so not one cent in cost to me. Then more recently a few keys on the keyboard would not register; so off again to Apple repair, but as out of warranty a couple hundred dollars I had to fork out. In some recompense, the keyboard remains, as ever, a pleasure to type on.
Otherwise I am quite happy with this computer. If never as exactly sharp as a Retina model, its screen has always been lovely, without incident (well, other than that one aforementioned time.) Nor have I suffered the seemingly long list of maladies possible with some Retina models. Overall it seems rock solid and reliable.
Part of that is due the operating system, with one significant advantage this model's hardware being capable of running an older OS, such as Mountain Lion (10.8). Refurbished units purchased through Apple are likely to include a newer OS, which they will revert to if restoring. However if one should have a Time Machine backup of 10.8, then restoring to that will work flawlessly. The Retina models do not have the drivers or something to allow this.
Obviously not everyone will want to rock the older OS (despite a number of distinct advantages since lost), but the good news is that one can as readily run the very latest version of Sierra.
In this regard it may be advisable to purchase a model with the fastest possible processor, which can still put to shame some newer MacBook Pros. As well, why not? By more modern standards this isn't the lightest thing around, and if just wishing something on campus a MacBook would in many regards make more sense. But even if outclassed by most desktops and some laptops, this can have some serious power for projects requiring it. Apple built this to work.
Which includes, not coincidentally, most all the ports one might be wanting. Beginning with the MagSafe power adapter which Apple never should have abandoned. You'll need a dongle for USB-C, but certainly not USB-A. Ethernet there as well. You'll need an adapter for HDMI, but do have an older Thunderbolt port. Even the curiosity of a perfectly functional internal read/write CD drive.
Since designed to be user serviceable, it is simple and relatively inexpensive to max out the Ram and put in a proper SSD.
Time does pass and even now one would probably want to purchase a 2012 cMBP with an eye towards the future. Given Apple's track record, there will come the day when this computer is made effectively obsolete. They no longer support, in example, Safari on Mountain Lion. Which is lamentable and inconvenient, if one does of course have the option of running the latest OS. If doing so will remind one of how once great Apple was, and now at best questionable in some respects. Nevertheless, one will not have a 2016 MBP, which is a fine start.
Truly, the 2012 cMPB is a still solid laptop which in some respects marks the epitome of Apple's art and vision. Depending upon one's needs one could definitely do worse, and when all considered have a challenge to do better.
