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mid-2010 Macbook Pro dead, what to buy now?

A

asbefore

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 25, 2015
15
2
hi folks,

my mom's mid-2010 Macbook Pro finally gave up, and she needs to buy a new computer urgently -- but it seems like Apple hasn't refreshed notebooks since 2012. (Is this really true? Have there been no new processors since then?)

If you needed to buy a Macbook Pro now, which one would you get and why?
Would you buy refurbished?

Thank you!
 
asbefore said:
my mom's mid-2010 Macbook Pro finally gave up, and she needs to buy a new computer urgently -- but it seems like Apple hasn't refreshed notebooks since 2012.
Click to expand...

Only for the non-Retina 13" MacBook Pro. The Retina ones were last updated May 2015.

Apple refurbs are as good as new. Nothing wrong going refurb. Also worth looking into educational discounts.

I'd get the 15" personally, as that's still an absolute workhorse and an all round great machine. But if it's just for your mother, why not save some $$$ and go for a MacBook Air?
 
Your mom doesn't need the latest and greatest. I'd say find a deal on a 2013-2015 13" rMBP on the used market
 
asbefore said:
but it seems like Apple hasn't refreshed notebooks since 2012. (Is this really true? Have there been no new processors since then?)
Click to expand...

As someone else has already pointed out, Apple has updated the 13" and 15" retina MacBook Pro, the MacBook air and introduced the retina MacBook since 2012. The 13" MacBook pro(non-retina) has not been updated since 2012, but people keep buying it so I imagine Apple will keep selling it.

If you needed to buy a Macbook Pro now, which one would you get and why?
Click to expand...

I'd buy the 13" rMBP that I bought early last year. But that doesn't necessarily mean that is what your mom should buy. What are her needs? What software does she run? Does she need something portable, or is her computer stationary most of the time?

I'd suggest looking at MacBook airs and retina Macbooks.

Would you buy refurbished?
Click to expand...

Sure. Refurbs can help you save some money. But at this point, shop around. You can find some really good deals on new Macs, possibly even better deals than you could find on a refurb.
 
OP wrote:
"my mom's mid-2010 Macbook Pro finally gave up"

Why don't you tell us a little more about what's going on with it?
It might be as simple as changing out the internal hard drive for a new one (such as an SSD).

It could also be the internal drive ribbon cable -- a cheap and easily-changed part.

Or, it could be the battery -- again, easily changed out for a new one.

What, exactly, happens when you press the power-on button?
 
Fishrrman said:
OP wrote:
"my mom's mid-2010 Macbook Pro finally gave up"

Why don't you tell us a little more about what's going on with it?
It might be as simple as changing out the internal hard drive for a new one (such as an SSD).

It could also be the internal drive ribbon cable -- a cheap and easily-changed part.

Or, it could be the battery -- again, easily changed out for a new one.

What, exactly, happens when you press the power-on button?
Click to expand...

Well the hard drive has to be replaced; the internet stopped working (not sure how).. the whole computer is a bit slow. I'm not sure if refurbishing a mid-2010 computer is really worth the trouble or the cost, seeing as it'll still be out of warranty, will not be able to run the latest OS with any decency....
 
MacBook Pro 13 is using components from 2014. MacBook Pro 15 is using components from 2013. MacBook is using 2015 components (Kaby lake parts are out now). All are using old components. I'd go on the used market rather than buying new old computers.
 
OP:
Pay attention to post 8 above.
There is your answer on what to do.

Replace internal HDD with SSD ($100)
Add RAM.

Install a clean OS and move old apps, accounts, and data over.

The 2010 MacBook will then run BETTER THAN NEW.

You won't understand until you've actually done it.
 
Fishrrman said:
OP:
Pay attention to post 8 above.
There is your answer on what to do.

Replace internal HDD with SSD ($100)
Add RAM.

Install a clean OS and move old apps, accounts, and data over.

The 2010 MacBook will then run BETTER THAN NEW.

You won't understand until you've actually done it.
Click to expand...
Hmm but I also need to replace the battery as the original battery is no longer charging.

So let's say replacing HDD with SSD ($100 + labor)
Replacing the battery ($100 + labor)
Upgrading the RAM -- probably $100 + labor)

so altogether probably $500 to upgrade a 6 year-old computer which will still be out of warranty and unable to run the latest OS. You think this is worth it?

Thank you!
 
If your mother doesn't do a whole lot of extensive activity with her computer -- that is, she is happy checking email, surfing the web, participating in a few online forums, listening to music and watching the occasional downloaded movie and such, probably she would do just fine with one of the current retina MacBooks, which are up-to-date and which should remain so for a while..... If she doesn't need to plug in a lot of peripherals, this machine could be just the thing for her. It comes in several flavors: m3, m5, m7......
 
asbefore said:
Hmm but I also need to replace the battery as the original battery is no longer charging.

So let's say replacing HDD with SSD ($100 + labor)
Replacing the battery ($100 + labor)
Upgrading the RAM -- probably $100 + labor)

so altogether probably $500 to upgrade a 6 year-old computer which will still be out of warranty and unable to run the latest OS. You think this is worth it?

Thank you!
Click to expand...
HDD to SSD ($60)
Upgrade battery via Amazon ($40)
Upgrade ram ($50)

All these are easy to do yourself. Looking at 150 in component costs, not 500

Also, should be able to run the latest OS.
 
dukebound85 said:
HDD to SSD ($60)
Upgrade battery via Amazon ($40)
Upgrade ram ($50)

All these are easy to do yourself. Looking at 150 in component costs, not 500

Also, should be able to run the latest OS.
Click to expand...
what if I'm not as handy to do it myself? Apple Store can't help with this, right?
 
asbefore said:
what if I'm not as handy to do it myself? Apple Store can't help with this, right?
Click to expand...
They can or any computer store

However, trust me when I say that all of these are dead easy to do

Here are the ifixit guides
All guides
https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Pro_13"_Unibody_Mid_2010

Battery
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Unibody+Mid+2010+Battery+Replacement/4300

HDD
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Unibody+Mid+2010+Hard+Drive+Replacement/4305

Ram
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Unibody+Mid+2010+RAM+Replacement/4319
 
asbefore said:
Thank you. Think I'll still take it to a store for an upgrade.
Click to expand...

Make sure that they give you a quote before you commit to it. I very much doubt that it will be worth it. Stores will usually try to charge you extra for components, and then there is labour on top. You will pay hundreds, but still have an old, outdated computer with high risk of hardware failure. I would recommend you to buy a new or refurb rMBP 13", its a better way to spend money longterm IMO.
 
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Reactions: Samuelsan2001
I agree with leman abov, at 6 years old any money sunk into your current computer is money wasted. If you want a new rMBP on a budget then refurb is a good way to go.
 
Fishrrman said:
OP: Pay attention to post 8 above. There is your answer on what to do. Replace internal HDD with SSD ($100) Add RAM. Install a clean OS and move old apps, accounts, and data over. The 2010 MacBook will then run BETTER THAN NEW. You won't understand until you've actually done it.
Click to expand...
I did that with a 2010 white MacBook in the spring when my iMac died, to bridge me to this fall. Then last week the macbook's old logic board failed so I've had to get a cheap Mac mini to bridge me until the new Mac releases hopefully come out. Throwing good money after old hardware.
 
If it's just web stuff why not a Chromebook*










*lowendlinux has chromebook religion right now because he just got one
 
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