Should I upgrade 2011 Macbook Pro

[anau006]

Hi All,
This is my first post. I have a question regarding my Macbook Pro.

I would like to know if i should upgrade components of my Macbook pro or buy a MBA.

What i have:
15" Early 2011 Macbook Pro. 2.2Ghz i7, 4GB 1600 DDR3, Intel HD graphics 3000 384 MB, 500GB HDD.

It recently crashed with white lines. After researching it turned out its a known problem. It was the GPU, which i got fixed. I am not sure what the guy fixed it with and what my old GPU was. I paid $375 NZD.
The laptop is extremely slow (before and after new GPU made no difference). Loading up movies, finder, system pref, chrome etc is slow. I dont do any gaming or video editing etc on it at all. All i do with my laptop (only computer) is watch movies and browse internet. I dont take it with me travelling as its too heavy. When i am watching movies its connected to my HD LED TV.

So my question is should i upgrade this MAcbook or buy a new MBA.
Here are my options and costs:
Option1
Upgrade current Macbook pro:
New 512 SSD and 16GBRAM. Approx cost $650 NZD.
Option2
Sell Macbook pro. I think i can get $1000. Buy new MBA. I will prob buy 256 13" MBA with upgraded RAM. It will cost $1800 NZD. So cost of upgrade to me would be $800 NZD.

I dont mind the price difference in the 2 options. However is it worth upgrading the old Macbook pro. How long will it last me? Is it too old to upgrade? Or should i just sell it and buy the MBA.

The GPU replacement has 3 month warranty from the shop. So i thought its best to sell it now before it breaks again. Apparently its a well known problem.

My main usage is watching movies, videos and browning internet. I travel nationally quite often. Short flights (1hr) and usually day trips. If i had a MBA 11" i would love to take it onboard with me. But no way i would take my 15" Macbook pro. Too heavy. Taking it with me while travelling for work is not a priority.

Any thoughts suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[TechGod]

I say get an SSD, a 480GB SSD should do and 8GB of RAM is enough you REALLY DON'T need 16.

But if portability is becoming an issue, go for the MBA. They are really portable machines and fast too due to the SSD in them.

 

[MCAsan]

I put 8GB and a 500 GB SSD into 4 2010 white books. Jumps up the performance.

 

[cebseb]

I say get an SSD, a 480GB SSD should do and 8GB of RAM is enough you REALLY DON'T need 16.

But if portability is becoming an issue, go for the MBA. They are really portable machines and fast too due to the SSD in them.

I second this. The ssd will be the single biggest leap in usability and functional expertience in your machine.

 

[anau006]

I understand it will boost the performance, but because of the gpu issue is it worth investing into an old machine which can possibly break again

 

[yjchua95]

I understand it will boost the performance, but because of the gpu issue is it worth investing into an old machine which can possibly break again

Not worth it. Sell it off while you can, unless you can find someone who does a good job in reballing a new GPU in.

I got bummed by Radeongate on my 15" as well, but a reball with leaded solder (plus reapplying thermal paste on both the GPU and CPU) is guaranteed to fix it for a few more years.

 

[MacInTO]

Not worth it. Sell it off while you can, unless you can find someone who does a good job in reballing a new GPU in.

I got bummed by Radeongate on my 15" as well, but a reball with leaded solder (plus reapplying thermal paste on both the GPU and CPU) is guaranteed to fix it for a few more years.

+1

Sell it while it is still working.

Radeongate happened to me also.

 

[anau006]

Thanks

Hi All,
Thank you for your input and help. I ended up buying the MBPr (13", 2.8ghz, 8gb, 500gb, i5) because of your help. Really happy with it. Its dam light compared to my 2.5 kg 15" pro. I also bought apple care. all up costed me $2600 NZD. got a pretty good deal. $250 discount

 

[TechGod]

Hi All,
Thank you for your input and help. I ended up buying the MBPr (13", 2.8ghz, 8gb, 500gb, i5) because of your help. Really happy with it. Its dam light compared to my 2.5 kg 15" pro. I also bought apple care. all up costed me $2600 NZD. got a pretty good deal. $250 discount

Excelent choice! I paid 2100 for mine, but it has a 256GB SSD.