Steer Clear from 2011 MBPs?

[dblissmn]

I don't think a lot of people remember or ever even know how awful the first generation Core MBP notebooks were. Idling at 60C . . . buzzing in both the CPUs and the power adapters . . . fans that constantly stopped and started and so on . . . . a palmrest that, like the 2001 and 2002 iBooks, was hot enough to the touch to make things uncomfortable when typing. As for the 2010 series, that was probably the coolest running lineup of laptops from Apple since the 1990s, so when you compare against those MBPs, you're comparing against a very, very high standard.

Not that it excuses the shoddy thermal paste or forcing people to go with a 45 watt processor if they want a 15 inch display or larger. I'm hopeful that Apple will get a 35 watt quad-core CPU out of the Ivy Bridge die shrink due in just under a year, but I can't wait that long as I have a budget to spend and a lot of work to do, so I'm biting the bullet now.

 

[Pentad]

Its a forum. People complain and vent way more then they randomly post how satisfied they are. The 2011 Pro is the best computer I have ever owned. If there were all these widespread horror stories you would hear about it from places besides here.

I could not agree more. My '11 is the best MBP I've owned. The Quad Core is just amazing! The new ATI card blows the nVidia cards away. Its just a great notebook computer with a lot of power! I couldn't be happier!

 

[haroldg48]

I feel the need to chime in and say that my new MBP 15" 2.2 is my first Mac.

After I made the decision to switch from Windows based on the advice of some very smart and trusted friends, and after I had ordered and was awaiting delivery, I started reading internet forums, one of which was 4-5 pages of "MBP 15, 2.2's...stay away....all kinds of lock up problems, etc" and was populated by a bunch of geeks (excuse me folks) who were discussing how much load they could put their machines under before they froze up. Now it seemed to me that the loads they were describing were way beyond the pale of what one could reasonably expect a laptop to be subjected to, but the forum was going nuts. I got cold feet, and started investigating the Apple return policy.

Luckily, before I could have a nervous breakdown over my bad decision, the machine arrived, I set it up, started using it and was awestruck, I'm about a week in and am in love.

Have no fear. It is THE BEST user experience I have ever had with a computer and exhibits none of the problems that lots of people are fretting over.

It is a fact that negative posters post more than positive posters. I hope someone will read this post from a regular, new business user, and realize what a great series of machines Apple has produced.

Call me a convert.

 

[Macsavvytech]

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I am putting my MBP up for sale this weekend and buying a new one so
I'm not worried I'm just looking forward to it

 

[Treeman574]

I wouldn't be hesitant unless you don't need it. I'm sure in about a years time there will be a big improvement, but there always is.

I have the base 2011 15" and have had no problems so far. Even running 1080p handbrake conversions, full res games and large autocad files. And this is with just 4gb ram.

If you're worried about the heat, install a fan controller, SMC is good. Depending on the load I leave the fans around 3000 to 5000, because it's still above 35C in mid autumn here.

Overall great computer, no problems, and should last for plenty of years!

 

[hvgotcodes]

I have a 2010 and made a compromise with myself. Instead of getting the 2011 now, I invested <$400 on an ssd instead and kept my 2010. The ssd alone makes this machine fast. Really fast. I told myself that Id wait to see what the next refresh was before I got a new one.

Its easy to get caught up with the shiniest new thing. Something better is always around the corner. If your current machine is fine, just keep it and wait. make it better with an ssd in the meantime.