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Replace a 2012 MBP with a new MacBook Pro?

A

AndrsnH

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 4, 2011
27
4
I start a 4 year University degree course this September and I'd like to replace a 2012 base model 15" Retina MBP (2.3GHz i7/8GB ram/256SSD) with a new MacBook Pro. I don't require anything for the course other than browsing/word processing. I'm just a general user, sometimes play the occasional older games. I would like this computer to see me through the 4 years.

I also have a 2015 5K iMac. I had intended to sell it after some extremely poor experiences with AppleCare and the Apple Store, I would have replaced it with a 2018 15" MBP and a 4K display. However after making a complaint Apple contacted me and offered to replace the iMac like for like with a 27" 5K 3.4GHz i5/8GB ram/Radeon Pro 570/256GB (would upgrade ram myself). Now I'm not sure what to do.
  • I've used both the 13" and 15" and I'm struggling to decide.
  • I enjoy the screen size of the 15" MBP but I will be commuting in to University daily from home and worry about it being heavy/large.
  • I'd consider a 13" if I kept the iMac, but I'd want to upgrade the 13" MBP to 16GB of ram, this brings the price close to the base 15".
  • I like the portability of the 13".
  • The iMac gives peace of mind should anything happen to the MBP, but if I sold it I would probably get the 2.6GHz/Radeon Pro 560X/512GB 15" MBP.
  • 8GB ram for the iMac is pathetic, and the cost of upgrading is pretty high at the moment.
What would you do?
 
There are plenty of machines running today on 4GB or 8GB. For your usage, you’re significantly over spec’ing the system if you’re set on 16GB.

Not saying don’t do it, but I would start with my feet firmly planted in reality before making any decision. :)
 
Yup, I don't think there is any reason to go over 8GB of RAM in your case. Even an Acer for $300 would do the job, and you can buy 8 of them for the MBP price :D

If I were you and I didn't want to go for Windows (Surface Book is this case for you), I would get a base level nTB Macbook Pro, maybe with an upgraded SSD. It does everything you want, basic games like Hearthstone or older titles work just fine, and I think it's quite a bit more reliable than the touch bar models - check the "Bridge OS error" if you want to see some details.
 
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Oh what useful input. I'm guessing this is the same crowd who would argue the iPhone 6 Plus having 1GB of ram was more than enough.

Howard2k said:
There are plenty of machines running today on 4GB or 8GB. For your usage, you’re significantly over spec’ing the system if you’re set on 16GB.

Not saying don’t do it, but I would start with my feet firmly planted in reality before making any decision. :)
Click to expand...

Already experience issues due to lack of RAM, 8GB is not enough now let alone a few years down the line.

MagicBoy said:
Keep the 2012 rMBP, save £2500. It's plenty powerful enough.
Click to expand...

So powerful that it can't stream 720p video at 60fps
Struggles with tasks such as basic photo editing
Struggles with multitasking
Struggles to drive an external display
Oh and it needs a new battery.

Pangalactic said:
Yup, I don't think there is any reason to go over 8GB of RAM in your case. Even an Acer for $300 would do the job, and you can buy 8 of them for the MBP price :D

If I were you and I didn't want to go for Windows (Surface Book is this case for you), I would get a base level nTB Macbook Pro, maybe with an upgraded SSD. It does everything you want, basic games like Hearthstone or older titles work just fine, and I think it's quite a bit more reliable than the touch bar models - check the "Bridge OS error" if you want to see some details.
Click to expand...

I'd love to see this mystical wonder from Acer for only £230.
An Acer that has at least 256GB flash storage, 8GB of RAM, all day battery life, a rigid enclosure, a keyboard that doesn't flex, weighs less than 2KG? Oh wait it doesn't exist.
 
AndrsnH said:
Oh what useful input. I'm guessing this is the same crowd who would argue the iPhone 6 Plus having 1GB of ram was more than enough.



Already experience issues due to lack of RAM, 8GB is not enough now let alone a few years down the line.



So powerful that it can't stream 720p video at 60fps
Struggles with tasks such as basic photo editing
Struggles with multitasking
Struggles to drive an external display
Oh and it needs a new battery.



I'd love to see this mystical wonder from Acer for only £230.
An Acer that has at least 256GB flash storage, 8GB of RAM, all day battery life, a rigid enclosure, a keyboard that doesn't flex, weighs less than 2KG? Oh wait it doesn't exist.
Click to expand...

Wow! People offer you advice and you reject it all and throw it back in their faces. Amazing.

If you did not want advice, why did you ask? Expecting confirmation?
 
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AndrsnH said:
Oh what useful input. I'm guessing this is the same crowd who would argue the iPhone 6 Plus having 1GB of ram was more than enough.



Already experience issues due to lack of RAM, 8GB is not enough now let alone a few years down the line.
Click to expand...


L.
O.
L.


Good luck with your purchase.
 
In your case, if you have the money to spend and the need/want to buy a new MacBook Pro, I would get the base model 15" with 2.2GHz 6-core i7, 16GB DDR4 and 256SSD. I just got one (base 15") yesterday and spent last night getting it setup (very fast!) and then all day today toting it around in my pack to my various clients. (I am a computer consultant) And while it was a little heavier feeling than my previous MacBook 12", it wasn't terrible. Admittedly, I use a backpack so that helps as compared to a briefcase or similar. Since you want something that will last the next 4 years, I think the 15" is a great choice. Beautiful large screen when doing research or typing reports and such and, while a pound heavier than the 13", the dimensions and weight really aren't that bad.

Just my opinion though. Also, if you buy from Apple, you get 14 days to try it and if it's too heavy/cumbersome for your daily routine, you can return it.

Good luck!
 
jerryk said:
Wow! People offer you advice and you reject it all and throw it back in their faces. Amazing.

If you did not want advice why did you ask? Expecting confirmation?
Click to expand...
If I intended to keep the rMBP I wouldn't have bothered posting.
Telling me that a $300 Acer (that doesn't exist) is suitable for my needs is neither helpful nor related to what I asked.
 
Didn't Harry Potterhead attend a 4 year University degree course one September?
Ah, Harry's iMac gave him peace of mind should anything happen to the MBP, but if he sold it, he would probably get the 2.6GHz/Radeon Pro 560X/512GB 15" MBP which was i good idea until draco scoffed at his scheme for trying to use an 8GB ram for the iMac and deemed that pathetic, and the cost of upgrading is pretty high at the moment. so then harry left hogwarts and decided to kill his darlings.
so don't be harry and consider a 13" to kept the iMac,then if you want to upgrade the 13" MBP to 16GB of ram, that will bring the price close to the base 15".

good luck in school!
dont do drugs
 
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AndrsnH said:
If I intended to keep the rMBP I wouldn't have bothered posting.
Telling me that a $300 Acer (that doesn't exist) is suitable for my needs is neither helpful nor related to what I asked.
Click to expand...

Again people offered you advice. It may not be what you wanted to hear, but people here think out of the box and beyond the Apple ecosystem.

So have fun at school and please open you mind to thinking outside what you know or think you know. If you don't, school will be a waste of time. If you do, it will help you the rest of your life.
 
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Keep your MBP. If you are truly only browsing and using Word, 8gb is not pathetic.
 
AndrsnH said:
So powerful that it can't stream 720p video at 60fps
Struggles with tasks such as basic photo editing
Struggles with multitasking
Struggles to drive an external display
Click to expand...

You're seriously claiming that a quad core laptop top of the range laptop from 2012 can't do those things? In which case it's faulty.

I'm running the late-2013 version, which is barely any quicker and it'll do any of those without breaking sweat. While running a couple of virtual machines and a two external monitors.

Apple really didn't make much of a step until the new 6-core machines arrived a month ago. Intel have been treading water for the last 5 years with small incremental improvements each generation.
[doublepost=1534553320][/doublepost]
AndrsnH said:
If I intended to keep the rMBP I wouldn't have bothered posting.
Telling me that a $300 Acer (that doesn't exist) is suitable for my needs is neither helpful nor related to what I asked.
Click to expand...

Wow. :eek:

You might want to take a step back and check your attitude.
 
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AndrsnH said:
I start a 4 year University degree course this September and I'd like to replace a 2012 base model 15" Retina MBP (2.3GHz i7/8GB ram/256SSD) with a new MacBook Pro. I don't require anything for the course other than browsing/word processing. I'm just a general user, sometimes play the occasional older games. I would like this computer to see me through the 4 years.

I also have a 2015 5K iMac. I had intended to sell it after some extremely poor experiences with AppleCare and the Apple Store, I would have replaced it with a 2018 15" MBP and a 4K display. However after making a complaint Apple contacted me and offered to replace the iMac like for like with a 27" 5K 3.4GHz i5/8GB ram/Radeon Pro 570/256GB (would upgrade ram myself). Now I'm not sure what to do.
  • I've used both the 13" and 15" and I'm struggling to decide.
  • I enjoy the screen size of the 15" MBP but I will be commuting in to University daily from home and worry about it being heavy/large.
  • I'd consider a 13" if I kept the iMac, but I'd want to upgrade the 13" MBP to 16GB of ram, this brings the price close to the base 15".
  • I like the portability of the 13".
  • The iMac gives peace of mind should anything happen to the MBP, but if I sold it I would probably get the 2.6GHz/Radeon Pro 560X/512GB 15" MBP.
  • 8GB ram for the iMac is pathetic, and the cost of upgrading is pretty high at the moment.
What would you do?
Click to expand...

MagicBoy said:
Keep the 2012 rMBP, save £2500. It's plenty powerful enough.
Click to expand...
Agreed.

I have a 2012 cMBP and it still works great. The only thing I've done to it is I put an SSD inside years ago.

In the past it seemed like I was on a 6 year replacement cycle with my laptops, but this time at the 6 year mark I have no intention of replacing it. It does everything I want it to and there is literally nothing wrong or broken on it.
 
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  • can anyone enjoy the daily regiment of eating cheese which in diameter is size of 15" of pure Rhothschild's Cheddar and shall be commuting henceforth to the 4 year University daily from home and worry about it being heavy/large after indulging on such a fine delicacy. i am horribly allergic to i do say, ol chap?
 
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MacDawg said:
OP: I'm thinking about getting a hamburger or a cheeseburger, what would you do?

Forum: Both are good, but I'd prolly get the cheeseburger

OP: ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND??!!11 I'M ALLERGIC TO CHEESE!!!11
Click to expand...
Actual OP: Do I get the burger with bacon or with bacon and cheese?

Forum: The fries you ate 6 years are still good enough!!!!11 And do you know why? Because it's good enough for me so you couldn't possibly have any greater need than the almighty self and if you do you are wrong. A milkshake is enough for you.
 
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Keep digging, son. You’re not making any friends.

Folks were actually trying to help you and you’re acting like an upset toddler.

If you should decide to take a step back, consider that not everything written is to be taken literally. Consider the different opinions expressed and apply them to your own situation as you think appropriate.

Including this post.
 
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Actual OP: Do I get the Ferrari or Lamborghini for driving to Uni in commuter traffic. It weighs 50kg less than my 5 year old 1450kg Ford Focus ST, and does 202mph.

Forum: Your Focus ST is fine for commuter traffic. A Ferrari would just overheat, be uncomfortable and a nightmare to park safely in the middle of town where the speed limit is 40mph.
 
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AndrsnH said:
Actual OP: Do I get the burger with bacon or with bacon and cheese?

Forum: The fries you ate 6 years are still good enough!!!!11 And do you know why? Because it's good enough for me so you couldn't possibly have any greater need than the almighty self and if you do you are wrong. A milkshake is enough for you.
Click to expand...
that was a good reply, thanks for playing along!
 
The OP wrote:
"I don't require anything for the course other than browsing/word processing. I'm just a general user, sometimes play the occasional older games. I would like this computer to see me through the 4 years."

Considering the usage scenario you posted above, the 2012 that you have now will see you through those coming years without problems.

I say keep using it and don't replace it unless it breaks on you.

Also:
TAKE UP APPLE ON THEIR OFFER.
Replace the iMac.
Now you have TWO Macs -- a nice desktop for home and a decent laptop to tote around.

You have problems....? ;)
 
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