Should I fix my MacBook Pro (mid-2012) or buy a new laptop?

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MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2012

Released June 2012 / Core i7 processor with Turbo Boost / Up to 1 GB GDDR5 Video RAM

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Ahmed Mansour @ahmedmansou9368

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Publié: 8 nov. 2019

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Should I fix my MacBook Pro (mid-2012) or buy a new laptop?

MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2012 - specs - geekbench CPU score

I bought it brand new in August 2012. 7 years later it is still running well, but it is kinda slow when i'm running more than 4 programs. as an aspiring web developer, i'll need a laptop that is fast and can run 4-5 programs smoothly, especially when i'll be compiling code. thus i'm wondering if it'll be enough to just fix the problems below, or should i fix it and also upgrade certain parts (tell me which parts), or would it be more feasible to just buy a new laptop?

Here are my problems:

cd drive doesn't work - weird because i never ever really used it
plastic (glass?) screen is cracked
trackpad, keyboard, and bluetooth don’t work. these all stopped working at the same time. i have a feeling that some glass cleanser fluid crept its way beneath the trackpad when i was cleaning it
power button doesn't work
battery condition is "replace now"
the magsafe connector that magnetically attatches gets extremly hot whenever I charge the laptop. also, sometimes it will indicate the color green to signify that it's fully charged, when that isn't the case. i have to position it a certain way through trial and error to get it to actually work

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mayer @mayer

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Publié: 8 nov. 2019

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You don't need to replace the display, just the glass (costs about $20-$25). This can wait.

I’d go ahead and replace the keyboard (not the upper case). and then see where you stand.

This is my favorite MBP of all time and worth it to try to get it running, an SSD, RAM and new HD cable really makes this machine sing.

MacBook Pro 15" Unibody (Mid 2009-Mid 2012) Keyboard

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MacBook Pro 15" Unibody (Mid 2009-Mid 2012) Keyboard

$19.99

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Yeah i genuinely love this laptop. it'll be a sad day when i let it go...but not yet :)

but i've heard numerous people say that the 2015 15" retina MBP is better. why do you think this one is better than the retina?

also why did you suggest i replace the keyboard and not the trackpad? both stopped working at the same time. i believe that there might be something wrong with the cable because on my systems report it doesn't show " "apple internal keyboard / trackpad" under usb 2.0 hub - https://i.imgur.com/3CrZOAo.png

8 nov. 2019 par Ahmed Mansour

The reason this one is better is precisely that it is not a Retina. Try looking at just the cost of a display on a Retina. RAM upgrade costs, storage card costs. Battery costs and difficulty of replacement

MacBook Pro 15" Retina (Mid 2012-Early 2013) Display Assembly

8 nov. 2019 par mayer

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Yeah i genuinely love this laptop. it'll be a sad day when i let it go...but not yet :)

but i've heard numerous people say that the 2015 15" retina MBP is better. why do you think this one is better than the retina?

also why did you suggest i replace the keyboard and not the trackpad? both stopped working at the same time. i believe that there might be something wrong with the cable because on my systems report it doesn't show " "apple internal keyboard / trackpad" under usb 2.0 hub - https://i.imgur.com/3CrZOAo.png — Ahmed Mansour
The reason this one is better is precisely that it is not a Retina. Try looking at just the cost of a display on a Retina. RAM upgrade costs, storage card costs. Battery costs and difficulty of replacement

MacBook Pro 15" Retina (Mid 2012-Early 2013) Display Assembly — mayer

bmx2019 @bmx2019 Rep: 339 3 1 · Answer 1 · 2019-11-08T07:35:58-07:00

bmx2019 @bmx2019

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Publié: 8 nov. 2019

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may be a photo?

At the end of the day, it all depends on what you want to do. 2012 laptop will soon not get new updates. You can install Linux and use it forever but…

the magsafe connector that magnetically attatches gets extremly hot whenever I charge the laptop

likely the contacts are not clean. Check and clean it.

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here's a photo - https://i.imgur.com/rNMMXu3.jpg

> 2012 laptop will soon not get new updates.

i don't think i'll be too worried about that. i just would like the laptop to last for 3-4 more years, i'm a college student and i first need to get a job to even buy a new macbook, my parents won't be buying me one this time

> likely the contacts are not clean. Check and clean it.

did that — cleaned it with a cotton swab and even a toothbrush. i even tried using my spare magsafe connector, and i'm still facing the same problems described above

8 nov. 2019 par Ahmed Mansour

Looks fine for me. I too have a 2012 pro. I use it sparingly only for powerpoint or travelling. Also install the Chrome OS (using Cloudready OS). quick and simple!

11 nov. 2019 par bmx2019

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Dan @danj Rep: 478,9k Self employed contract worker 35 329 970 · Answer 2 · 2019-11-08T07:52:10-07:00

Dan @danj

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Lets look at the needed investment to get this system going again (assuming the worse case)

Now consider the cost of a new MacBook Pro system and what it will have for limitations.

Your older system may not have the fastest CPU but it’s more serviceable and if needed you could upgrade the RAM (16 GB max) as well as the drive 1 or 2 even 4 TB SSD is possible!

You may also need a new MagSafe charger if the cable is worn or damaged Find the right power adapter and cable for your Mac notebook. Make sure you get a real Apple unit as the fakes will damage your system.

Your system can go all the way to Catalina! But, for now I would stick with Mojave until some of the bugs get worked out.

I personally think you should get your older system working until Apple gets the next generation of MacBooks out the door. Even as a backup it has a long life left!

In addition: Programers are dependent on the ESC key, the newer Touch Bar models make it a touch button vs a physical key. The rumors imply the coming 16” model will introduce a physical key once again! Hopefully the keyboard is improved, the Butterfly design is not doing well between the reliability and its noise. The older keyboard is a joy in comparison! Scissor keys last used in the 2015 models.

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MacBook Pro 15" Unibody (Mid 2009-Mid 2012) 8x SATA SuperDrive (Used)

$49.99

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MacBook Pro 15" Unibody (Early 2011-Mid 2012) Upper Case

$299.99

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MacBook Pro 15" Unibody (Mid 2009-Mid 2012) Trackpad

$59.99

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MacBook Pro 15" Unibody (Early 2011-Mid 2012) Battery

$89.99

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MacBook Pro 15" Unibody (Mid 2012) Memory Maxxer RAM Upgrade Kit

$89.99

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MacBook Pro Unibody 13" and 15" MagSafe DC-In Board

$9.99

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MacBook and MacBook Pro (Non-Retina) SSD Upgrade Kit

$69.99

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wow that's a very expensive investment - it'll cost $490 and i didnt even include the complete display because i know for sure that it's only the glass that's cracked

i'm pretty sure i could buy a new macbook pro with similar specs for that price...

> I personally think you should get your older system working until Apple gets the next generation of MacBooks out the door. Even as a backup it has a long life left!

yes i plan on using it for 3-4 more years. but i don't think it's worth that much of an investment

> Hopefully the keyboard is improved, the Butterfly design is not doing well between the reliability and its noise. The older keyboard is a joy in comparison! Scissor keys last used in the 2015 models.

yup i've read up on this and that is why i'm considering buying the 2015 Retina 15inch macbook pro with similar specs to mine. what would you suggest?

8 nov. 2019 par Ahmed Mansour

Ah! Remember that would be the worse case! This also gets into your personal skill set if you repair the system on your own. Replacing the displays cover glass ($25) and keyboard alone ($30) is a lot cheaper! But it's more work! Do you really need the optical drive? That saves you $50!

As for finding a 2015 model for $500, I don't think you'll find one with 16GB of RAM and you'll likely need a 500 GB SSD at least. That would be around $1,300-$1,500. The 15" models are highly sought! And the dual GPU models (DG) more so. Here's one for sale 2015 15" MacBook Pro DG 2.8 GHz Retina w/16GB RAM & 1.0TB SSD $1,700!

I think it is! Going with a newer 2015 model won't be cheap! Keep in mind the RAM is soldered so you really want a 16GB model. You can replace the SSD (custom Apple unit) so getting a cheaper 128 GB model won't save you much as you'll want more storage than that I would get at least a 500GB SSD.

I have both a 2012 15" and a 2015 15" DG Retina model with a 2 TB SSD! I use it to process my photo's when I'm on the road. And I love both!

8 nov. 2019 par Dan

@Ahmed Mansour - Take a look at this! A used 2015 Retina MacBook Pro might be the best MacBook you can buy today Others agree!

11 nov. 2019 par Dan

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