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Will the new MBP last for a 4 year degree?

Your money always buys more if you can wait and the rumor is that a newer case design is coming next year. That along with some other updates may or may not lower MBP operating temperatures. So if you can wait and want to wait, there is a chance that the heat issue that concerns you will be diminished in the 2012 MBP refresh.

If I were concerned about MBP heat and needed a MBP for school before the 2012 refresh, I might buy the 2011 MBP 13 because it should runs cooler and I would definitely be using smcFan Control to selectively increase the fan speed for potentially higher heat functions.

I like how smcFan Control allows me to crank up the fans when I know I'm going to be doing something that would otherwise push the upper limit of operating temps on my 2010 i5 MBP.
 
KingYaba said:
I bought a Macbook Pro with the 8600m GT. Little did I know this unit would croak after ~two years. Maybe OP will have better luck.
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Even under ideal situations, bad things can happen. Usually these are more the exception, but nothing is 100% bulletproof.
 
Well, according to the feelings of many users on this site, the current MBP will self-denote and instantly become useless and obsolete whenever a new MBP is released.
 
The case on my 3+ year old white Macbook is starting to warp. I have to put a pad of sticky notes under the right corner. I guess I'll get another 3 years out of it if I want to. Owning a Mac means being able to buy on my schedule not because direct x 19.07.33.77.063.002 won't let me play Portal in true color without springing for a new motherboard or whatever. (Not that I've ever played Portal, but the commercials are cool.)

Will you get 4 years out of a MBP? Absolutely, though I'd recommend AppleCare if you are carrying the thing around campus every day. The real question is how long you might decide to keep using it after you finish another 3 or 4 years of grad school.
 
First, wait until at least the summer for the back to school sale, so you can get something extra with your MBP.

Second, get Applecare. You will probably not have any issues with your MBP, but this will cover any big issues for the first three years. With my MBP, I had the unfortunate luck of having every thing on it break at one point or another, but Apple was great in repairing it. I've gotten a new MBP since and have had no issues.

Third. Don't worry about refreshes. Even if you wait until the redesign comes out, it will probably have another significant redesign before your four years of university are done. The buyers guide on this site is great to make sure that you aren't buying a few weeks away from a potential refresh, but besides that, but it when you need it.
 
Agree with Deacon Graves on all three points. I bought an MBP in the summer of 2007 for my daughter (after checking the timing in the Buyer's Guide). She's graduating in 2 weeks, going on to grad school, and it's still running well for her.
 
GGJstudios said:
Overheating is NOT an issue with Macs. The overheating threads are posted by those who are unfamiliar with normal operating temperatures for Macs. .
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Please keep your bollux to yourself. :rolleyes: Most intel cpus are rated for TJmax of around 80c. Meaning intel reccomends a max safe temperature of 80c or less to insure hardware damage does not occur. TJunction does not occur until 100c. If its over 80c then it is overheating. Temps over 80c is bad; it also lowers battery life if you didnt know. Running over 80c will also reduce the CPUs lifespan. Period. Dont misinform others of wrong facts
 
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Agree about Applecare

DeaconGraves said:
First, wait until at least the summer for the back to school sale, so you can get something extra with your MBP.

Second, get Applecare. You will probably not have any issues with your MBP, but this will cover any big issues for the first three years. With my MBP, I had the unfortunate luck of having every thing on it break at one point or another, but Apple was great in repairing it. I've gotten a new MBP since and have had no issues.

Third. Don't worry about refreshes. Even if you wait until the redesign comes out, it will probably have another significant redesign before your four years of university are done. The buyers guide on this site is great to make sure that you aren't buying a few weeks away from a potential refresh, but besides that, but it when you need it.
Click to expand...

Applecare is worth the money IF you physically look after your Mac. Apple are notorious for denying repairs (even unrelated ones) if you have battered your machine. Big dents etc are a no-no. HOWEVER, after a bad couple of years a while ago, Apple's quality control is now very good again. My MBP is 2 years old and still looks and works as well as it did the day I bought it. The only issue you may have after a few years, is the battery needing replacement, they are consumables and do lose charge ability over time. Mine still lasts in excess of 3 hours, but not as long as it did when new........ ALL other manufacturers have the same problem however, just MBPs have the battery internal and not (officially at least) user replaceable.
 
10+ year old PowerMac G4 is running 24/7 with no problem.
5 year old intel imac still works great
4 year old MacBook Pro works great
Just got a brand new 2011 quad MacBook Pro. Need to sell older one.

Girlfriend still using first gen 2006 MacBook Pro core duo for her creative work. It's still working great for her.

KingYaba said:
I bought a Macbook Pro with the 8600m GT. Little did I know this unit would croak after ~two years. Maybe OP will have better luck.
Click to expand...

All units with 8600m, mac or PC are subject to the problem.

Apple covers the computers out of warranty in this case.
 
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GGJstudios said:
Any Mac you can buy today will last 4+ years, if you take care of it. Overheating is NOT an issue with Macs. The overheating threads are posted by those who are unfamiliar with normal operating temperatures for Macs. Macs are designed to automatically shut down if they truly overheat (around 105C/221F), to prevent damage. Ignore all the people freaking out with no cause.
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+654654686946544

I honestly think overheating threads should be instantly wastelanded. There are several per day and they are all from people who know nothing about computers. Hot to a human is not hot to a computer, and as others have stated if something is overheating the machine will shut down.
 
I agree with the general consensus here: it will last for four years.

Having said that, the next refresh is supposed to be a complete redesign. What are you using now and when exactly do you need the new laptop? If you can wait, I'd wait :)
 
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