Need a new replacement for my 09 MBP

[biggiet4jets]

Hi everyone, I have, well had a late 2009 13" core 2 duo 2.26ghz Macbook pro that recently stopped working. I did upgrade a few times with 8GB of ram and a 256GB Samsung SSD. I have one year of college left and have around $2000 saved up for a new computer. I'm not sure if I want to spend that entire amount on a new laptop or not but I want something that will last as long as my 2009 did (more than 7 years).

What I use the laptop for: Web surfing, e-mail, Microsoft office (mostly excel and word). The problem with my last laptop is that every time I would open a multi-tab excel file, it would freeze. I usually have a few tabs within the excel files. I also use NetBeans and Axure RP 8, VM Ware which I run Ubuntu. I also had my mac dual booted with Windows 7. I want my new laptop to be able to run Windows 10 so I can use Access, Visual Studio, and other windows apps. I do not do any Photoshop or video editing but on occasion, I will play around with Logic Pro X.

I have been looking at 2015 15" refurbished mbp's and the new 2016 13" or 15" ones. Just want to get some suggestions and a newer mac lol.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Samuelsan2001]

That use case should be fine on any modern MacBook Pro computer, I would go with 16gb of ram for all your VM needs and the quad core in the 15 inch may well also be a big bonus for vms etc but it's probably not needed.

 

[blesscheese]

^ I agree with that.

Your use doesn't sound very CPU intensive, *but* if you are running virtual machines, you need as much RAM as possible. More cores would be nice, but the quad-core 15" Pro is very expensive, and really overkill for 95% of what you do. At this time, 16GB is the max in the Pro line. So go with a MBpro. Honestly, you may be able to get a deal on a 2015 model, the 2016 models are wayyyy expensive.

 

[Macyourdayy]

Apart from price, the new mbp's have soldered on SSDs, unlike the previous ones which are actually removable.

 

[biggiet4jets]

So a 13" MBP with 16Gb of Ram should be efficient? Should I go with the "Air" replacement without TouchBar or the stock TouchBar model with 16GB of Ram? I love the Macs but every since they jacked the prices I've been on the fence about buying a windows computer to be honest. It's a sad day when you feel like that and feel let down by a company known to be immaculate with its products and customer loyalty.

 

[kramerdude]

Hey biggiet4jets, I'm in almost the same boat. Mine is the mid 2009 13" pro with C2D 2.53. Over the years, I've bumped RAM to max @ 8gb, and changed the HDD to a fusion 500gb. I've replaced the battery also, and that is my biggest issue now, other than slowing down and missing out on some software options. I'm actually really pleased that I'm at 7.5 years of great service on this thing. I don't do the virtual stuff you do. My use is web, iWork stuff, personal photo/video work with iMovie and Photos, so no photoshop or anything like that. I really miss iPhoto actually, it worked so much better IMO. The original purchase was a little over $1500. I travel a lot, so all of the current machines will be a nice drop in weight for me. And from what I can tell, everything from the 12" macbook on up will be way faster than what I am used to. The thing that concerns me is the down time. If something breaks, all the machines now have to go in for service from what I can tell, and that is a problem. I'm thinking I'll check to see what, if any early year updates come, then jump in on something. In looking at your situation, I think the non-touchbar would be great. Other than touchID, I'm not real high on that touchbar. Good luck!

 

[biggiet4jets]

Hey biggiet4jets, I'm in almost the same boat. Mine is the mid 2009 13" pro with C2D 2.53. Over the years, I've bumped RAM to max @ 8gb, and changed the HDD to a fusion 500gb. I've replaced the battery also, and that is my biggest issue now, other than slowing down and missing out on some software options. I'm actually really pleased that I'm at 7.5 years of great service on this thing. I don't do the virtual stuff you do. My use is web, iWork stuff, personal photo/video work with iMovie and Photos, so no photoshop or anything like that. I really miss iPhoto actually, it worked so much better IMO. The original purchase was a little over $1500. I travel a lot, so all of the current machines will be a nice drop in weight for me. And from what I can tell, everything from the 12" macbook on up will be way faster than what I am used to. The thing that concerns me is the down time. If something breaks, all the machines now have to go in for service from what I can tell, and that is a problem. I'm thinking I'll check to see what, if any early year updates come, then jump in on something. In looking at your situation, I think the non-touchbar would be great. Other than touchID, I'm not real high on that touchbar. Good luck!

I actually just went to the Apple Store today and looked at all the 2016 models along with the 2015 models. The new 2016 models are so much lighter and smaller than the 2015 ones. But the price is a big issue. For upgraded ram on the TouchBar model it's almost 2 grand. That's crazy. I also hear that Kaby Lake might be coming after WWDC too, which would help. I have no idea what to do at this point. I also went to Best Buy today too and looked at Windows computers, the build quality and not having OS X is a bummer. Who knows what I'll do. I have a custom built PC I just built in February so I don't need a big screen like a 15".

 

[kramerdude]

Yup. Much lighter, and smaller. AND much more expensive. Also, I keep telling myself that all of them are much lighter and smaller than our current machine, as well as faster. I'm gonna have to figure this out real soon.

 

[biggiet4jets]

Yup. Much lighter, and smaller. AND much more expensive. Also, I keep telling myself that all of them are much lighter and smaller than our current machine, as well as faster. I'm gonna have to figure this out real soon.

Same. I'm actually thinking about pulling the trigger on the 2016 space gray 15" base model.

 

[Fishrrman]

If the 2016 MBPro 13" models leave you nonplussed, consider a 2015 model instead.

They're still in the active product lineup, and are just as good a computer as they were 2 months ago (before the 2016 models were released).

And -- if you shop carefully, you can find them at VERY good prices.
I picked up a 2015 13" MBPro 8gb/256 for more than $300 off Apple's price...

 

[Apple 26.2]

Check the Apple refurbs, you may catch a good system at an attractive price.

 

[HBOC]

2015 MBP is the answer. tried and true design. worse case scenario - you don't like it, sell it when they get rid of the touchbar