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Oldest macbook pro still in use

T

tweekytweeky

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 18, 2015
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Is anyone out there still using their MBP after many years? What is the oldest one out there? - I'm talking about using it as the primary computer...

I threw in an SSD into my early 2011 MBP and it runs faster than the day I bought it, but I'm worried that the failure rate of the logic board is exponentially increasing.

Cheers!
 
tweekytweeky said:
Is anyone out there still using their MBP after many years? What is the oldest one out there? - I'm talking about using it as the primary computer...

I threw in an SSD into my early 2011 MBP and it runs faster than the day I bought it, but I'm worried that the failure rate of the logic board is exponentially increasing.

Cheers!
Click to expand...

Many people on these boards will report still using MBP's back to 2006 and powerbooks from before then. Your 2011 however is likely heading for a GPU failure-if it's a 15 inch, it will be covered by apple for this one issue until february next year then you are on your own.

If your computer is indispensable for your business or your studying, then you should have the funds saved by the time your warranty is up for a new one. Any electronic equipment can (and does) fail at any time so it's always prudent to have the ability to replace them available.
 
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I have a 2010 MBP in use and I know others here that have even older laptops.
 
Early 2006 MBP here, so the first model. Only using it as my secondary machine though. Works fine since it has an SSD, but it sure is bulky.
 
My daughter is using my old (2007 MBPro, 2.2 GHz, 15") that I recently upgraded. I max'ed out the RAM to 6 GB, and installed a 128 GB SSD.
I justified those upgrades because the overall condition of the computer is very good. It's running Yosemite like a champ now.
 
2005 17" Powerbook upgraded with legacy SSD still used for browsing, writing, light photoshop, emails, etc.., (my favorite of all notebooks in design and build, although my pismo comes close)

2009 macbook pro 17" 2.8gzh core two duo , two SSD's, still fast and holds it's own in Yosemite, as a back up to my late October 2011,

2011, macbook pro 17" 2.5ghz, Two SSD set up, 1.5T , 16G ram, easily holds it's own today in speed, but unsurpassed for connectivity - as a desktop replacement it is always on a stand which I feel might help (can't hurt) with the crappy graphics card solder deterioration that affected many (but not all !) models of this period, although maybe less for the late Oct. models (knock on wood).
 
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2003 17" PowerBook G4 1.0Ghz, 2GB ram, 120GB HD
2006 17" MacBook Pro 2.16Ghz, 2GB ram, 500GB HD.
 
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My aunt still has a early 2006 MBP as her main computer (soon to be replaced by an iMac), and my grandparents a late 2008 MBP. They're not exactly spritely, but they get the job done.

I use a 15" early 2011 MBP and it's still a very quick, very capable computer. Unlike the past decade, the next time I upgrade (probably next year) will be for something other than speed (weight, screen and battery life the top three things I'd like improved).
 
tweekytweeky said:
Is anyone out there still using their MBP after many years? What is the oldest one out there? - I'm talking about using it as the primary computer...

I threw in an SSD into my early 2011 MBP and it runs faster than the day I bought it, but I'm worried that the failure rate of the logic board is exponentially increasing.

Cheers!
Click to expand...

Inlaws have a 2007 17" Mbp that just got an SSD installed last year. Only issue is that it's stuck on Lion.
 
Samuelsan2001 said:
Many people on these boards will report still using MBP's back to 2006 and powerbooks from before then. Your 2011 however is likely heading for a GPU failure-if it's a 15 inch, it will be covered by apple for this one issue until february next year then you are on your own.

If your computer is indispensable for your business or your studying, then you should have the funds saved by the time your warranty is up for a new one. Any electronic equipment can (and does) fail at any time so it's always prudent to have the ability to replace them available.
Click to expand...


I got to ask, Why all the hate on dGPUs???

My Late 2008 was the first with it and I ordered it right after announcement. I have been on the dGPU exclusively for 3+ years for the extra horse power in photoshop and Aperture with zero issues.
 
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I have a late 2008 15" model. Upgraded ram and stuck in a SSD. Not screaming fast, but gets most things done well. On my second battery, it lasts about 30 minutes. My left speakers are wearing out so they have a bit of distortion for bass. So that is fun. I also have one pixel that gets stuck sometimes... but only that pixel and it hasn't gotten worse. I was going to upgrade in 2014, but decided against it to wait for Broadwell. That was laughable.

Since I am in grad school I will probably get the recently announced models next year during the back to school promotion... If it is a good offer. I don't really want beats headphones, but I can always sell them. I did that with the iPod touch I got with my 2008 model.
 
Tayljones6 said:
I got to ask, Why all the hate on dGPUs???

My Late 2008 was the first with it and I ordered it right after announcement. I have been on the dGPU exclusively for 3+ years for the extra horse power in photoshop and Aperture with zero issues.
Click to expand...

It's not hate on GPU's Apple just have a very poor track record with them that simple, they also tend to be the second most likely failure in a laptop after a hard drive.
 
tweekytweeky said:
Is anyone out there still using their MBP after many years? What is the oldest one out there? - I'm talking about using it as the primary computer...

I threw in an SSD into my early 2011 MBP and it runs faster than the day I bought it, but I'm worried that the failure rate of the logic board is exponentially increasing.

Cheers!
Click to expand...

Probably not VERY old, but I'm still using 2012 rMBP (the first Retina Macbook pro). I did a lot of warranty fixes (it had display burn-in problem and heatsink replacement). But after that, it still works EXTREMELY well (I tried to future proof by maxing out options). Other than the battery, which still works for 70-80% of rated life, I'm satisfied with the longevity it has.

I was hoping to get the new MBP this year, but I think I could wait one more year and see if they'd support Apple Pencil with the trackpad and see if it is compatible with Razer Core
 
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Got 6 years out of my first MacBook pro. Sold my 2006 MacBook pro and Upgraded in 2011 to a 2010 13" (only cost me $200 out of pocket after selling the old one). Maxed out ram bought put in 256gb SSD. That has lasted are another 6-7 years. Recently ordered the new one. The fact that I have been getting 6 years out of these made it easier to justify spending so much.
 
I am still using an early '08 MBP as my main laptop. I upgraded it to 6GB ram and a 500GB SSD. Now I only do internet, email, a Windows 7 VM and remote screen sharing to my other computers on it; all my heavy stuff I do on a '09 Mac Pro. For travel I use a 2011 Macbook Air. Would be nice to get a new quad core retina MBP but I am in no hurry.
 
I was using a 2011 13inch MBP up until last month when I sold it. It worked great I just want a 2 in 1 which Apple doesn't make so I'm going to likely get a surface pro. Wanted to sell the MBP asap so I could get a good price for it. The ability to take your screen off it's keyboard and use it as a tablet....amazing. Can't wait to finally get one while leaving 2011 in the dust with better specs etc.
 
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