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Used 2015 MacBook Pro 13'', 256GB/8GB is opertating slow and sluggish

J

joestackum

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 5, 2019
11
0
I decided to purchase my own Mac, and just purchased a used 2015 MacBook Pro 13'', 256GB/8GB and from what I am seeing it seems to run very slow. Opening things such as System Preferences seems slow, and even loading Safari seems slow. I have tried not to compare browsing the web as I realize it could be internet related but compared to my iPad, iPhone, my wife's 2009 MacBook, and my PC, it still seems slow just to browse the web or watch YouTube.

Overall it just seems slow opening up things within the MacBook and I am not sure what to try to test to compare. Maybe that is what I get for buying an older MacBook? I also did an OS Reinstall and that didn't appear to help.

Is there something else I can do to gauge performance? I have not put any photos or installed anything as I just received this, and the hard drive is clean. I am a new MacBook user and so far I am having buyers remorse.
 
I have the same one and I find it nice and zippy. If you install CoconutBattery, what does it report for battery stats?
 
Here is what CoconutBattery shows

https://imgur.com/T0MIKc9
[doublepost=1549379954][/doublepost]Battery
[doublepost=1549380984][/doublepost]
Howard2k said:
I have the same one and I find it nice and zippy. If you install CoconutBattery, what does it report for battery stats?
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See below
 

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Thanks, that looks healthy enough.

Have you checked Activity Monitor for any runaway tasks? (Launchpad -> Other -> Activity Monitor, then go to the CPU tab and sort by utilization).

You could also run the diagnostics - reboot and hold D while it's restarting.

How long does it take to boot from being turn off?
 
Audit13 said:
Where did you get the Macbook?

Did you try erasing the drive and re-installing Mojave?
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Yes, at least I think I did. Last night I re-installed Mojave and from what I say the drive was already erased. If there is something else I should try or a specific process, please let me know.

There is a local company that will do a diagnostic test for $40 that I may do just to see what they think. If there is an issue I will likely return this.
 
If there is an Apple store that is close to you, take it there for a free check up.

Sounds strange but, in system report, is the SSD shown under sata or nvme?
 
Where did you buy the MBP? Were the previous owners aware of this issue? If you did a fresh install of macOS, it is likely there could be something hardware related that's gone wrong. I would suggest taking it to the nearest Apple Store (they can do a diagnostic test free of charge).
 
TMRJIJ said:
Where did you buy the MBP? Were the previous owners aware of this issue? If you did a fresh install of macOS, it is likely there could be something hardware related that's gone wrong. I would suggest taking it to the nearest Apple Store (they can do a diagnostic test free of charge).
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I purchased this from Swappa, and the seller has stated they were not aware of any issue or this being slow or sluggish which can be perception based and I agree with that. They have shared that if I am not happy they are willing to take it back or work with me. And Swappa has stepped in as well. So worst I am out now is running any diagnostic test or shipping costs to send back.

Nearest Apple Store is about an hour away so it's that this weekend or possibly taking it locally for $40.

I did a diagnostic test from the MacBook and did this while unplugged as I don't have the charger yet, and the results were as follows:

There may be an issue with the power management system. Reference Code: PPN001

There may be an issue with the System Management Controller (SMC). Reference Code: PFM006
 
joestackum said:
I purchased this from Swappa, and the seller has stated they were not aware of any issue or this being slow or sluggish which can be perception based and I agree with that. They have shared that if I am not happy they are willing to take it back or work with me. And Swappa has stepped in as well. So worst I am out now is running any diagnostic test or shipping costs to send back.

Nearest Apple Store is about an hour away so it's that this weekend or possibly taking it locally for $40.

I did a diagnostic test from the MacBook and did this while unplugged as I don't have the charger yet, and the results were as follows:

There may be an issue with the power management system. Reference Code: PPN001

There may be an issue with the System Management Controller (SMC). Reference Code: PFM006
Click to expand...
Yeah, those Codes are definitely signs of a possible hardware problem. Might be some corrosion on one of the connectors
 
TMRJIJ said:
Yeah, those Codes are definitely signs of a possible hardware problem. Might be some corrosion on one of the connectors
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Not what I wanted to hear.

Worth running the SMC and NVRAm reset? Or bringing to an Apple store? I am lost at what do at this point. I should have just bought a new one...
 
joestackum said:
Not what I wanted to hear.

Worth running the SMC and NVRAm reset? Or bringing to an Apple store? I am lost at what do at this point. I should have just bought a new one...
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Run the SMC and NVRAM reset, then run the diagnostic again.
 
joestackum said:
Not what I wanted to hear.

Worth running the SMC and NVRAm reset? Or bringing to an Apple store? I am lost at what do at this point. I should have just bought a new one...
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Do the SMC and NVRAM reset first, then run the diagnostic to be sure. If you get those same errors, I really don't know what to tell you at this point. The Apple Store would come to the same conclusion if your tests were correct.
 
I will likely be returning this. Very bummed out as this was a decent preview doe something that truly felt great but does not work well.
 
I have a 2015 13 with 512/16 GB and it runs High Sierra just fine. I don't think that your specs should be a problem though. There are lots of 2015 13s and 15s out there.
 
pshufd said:
I have a 2015 13 with 512/16 GB and it runs High Sierra just fine. I don't think that your specs should be a problem though. There are lots of 2015 13s and 15s out there.
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Totally agree. Clearly there is some sort of issue based on what I am seeing and based on what is listed within geekbench.
 
Local shop stated it is a logic board issue. Unfortunately the technician that looked at it is out until Monday and I wasn’t provided a quote.

Any idea what that will run? And is this even worth fixing or so I just get my money back and pursue a different MacBook?
 
joestackum said:
Local shop stated it is a logic board issue. Unfortunately the technician that looked at it is out until Monday and I wasn’t provided a quote.

Any idea what that will run? And is this even worth fixing or so I just get my money back and pursue a different MacBook?
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Since you just got it, return it for a refund. Logic boards can be pricey (several hundred) + labor
 
jerryk said:
Since you just got it, return it for a refund. Logic boards can be pricey (several hundred) + labor
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I figured as much. Something is up as the seller is stating they may be willing to pay for it depending on pricing. They are even paying the $40 diagnostic fee.

I stated that by the time this is paid for it would have been around what I paid which was $550. So if you want to refund me and allow me to keep the MacBook fine. They also sent a third party charger which wasn’t in the listing.
 
joestackum said:
I figured as much. Something is up as the seller is stating they may be willing to pay for it depending on pricing. They are even paying the $40 diagnostic fee.

I stated that by the time this is paid for it would have been around what I paid which was $550. So if you want to refund me and allow me to keep the MacBook fine. They also sent a third party charger which wasn’t in the listing.
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This is why I stopped buying used Mac products unless from refurbed from Apple. I had a bad experience before and it isn’t worth the hassle for the $300-500 you “save” buying a used machine elsewhere.

Nonetheless sorry to hear your first experience was sour! Best of luck getting a refund, and perhaps try buying a Mac from B&E Photo, or the Apple Refurb store to save you money on a better machine!
 
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joestackum said:
I figured as much. Something is up as the seller is stating they may be willing to pay for it depending on pricing. They are even paying the $40 diagnostic fee.

I stated that by the time this is paid for it would have been around what I paid which was $550. So if you want to refund me and allow me to keep the MacBook fine. They also sent a third party charger which wasn’t in the listing.
Click to expand...

Something definitely sounds a little off with the seller.
 
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