Mac Heads..... Much needed advice please.

mailboxpimp

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
I have a 2012 macbook pro i7 quadcore processor... I removed the optical drive & installed a 1tb hd & added a 1tb c/drive. I also maxed it out with 16gigs of ram.
I haven't been able to use it for 4 years because of a design flaw. The graphics chip on the motherboard goes out & you cant replace it. None of the most reputable repair facilities can fix it. I've even sent it to rossman computer repair & he couldn't do anything with it. I had to switch back to my bullshit ass windows laptop, then I brought a nice mini-tower windows-based pc. It was worth the money!

I discovered verizon offers a home protection insurance policy with asurion to fix, replace, or provide you with a cash offer so you can make ya own purchase. It cost $50 per month If I'm not mistaken. You have to wait for a billing cycle to make a claim. So.... I made a claim for my macbook pro..... I had nothing to lose & I knew it couldn't be fixed, so they would have to replace it or give me some money for it (I asked for my hard drive & memory sticks back... they said they would send it to me.... I'm not holding my breath).

I submitted it with a smaller hd & 4 gigs of ram instead of the 16 just in case they wouldn't return it to me.

Their customer service sucks! They are very inaccessible. Their updates aren't accurate. You can never get a consistent response/update about your item. Their favorite line is " in about 2-3 business days" or " by friday"... Verizon has to get them on the phone most of the time. Even when a representative called me to assure me something would happen, it never happened. They had my shit for more than a month. I had to call them to tell them NOT to use the used parts available online to repair my shit on more than 1 occasion.

So I finllay get presented with an offer.... they give me 3 choices, every option is about $1300

Manufacturer:AppleAppleApple
Description:Apple MacBook Air, I5-8210Y 1.6GHz, 13.3" LCD (2560 x 1600), 256GB SSD, 8GB Memory, **No Optical**, Webcam, Bluetooth, Backlit Keyboard, Intel UHD Graphics 617, macOS, GoldApple MacBook Air, I3-1000NG4 1.1GHz, 13.3" LED(2560 x 1600), 256GB SSD, 16GB Memory, **No Optical**, HD Webcam, Bluetooth, backlit Magic Keyboard, Touch ID, Intel Iris Plus Graphics, macOS, GoldApple MacBook Pro TouchBar, I5-8257U 1.4 GHz, 128GB SSD, 8GB Memory, 13.3"LED(2560 x 1600), **No Optical**, Bluetooth, Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645, macOS High Sierra, Space Gray
Processor:I5-8210YI3-1000NG4I5-8257U
Hard Drive:256GB SSD256GB SSD128GB SSD
Memory:8GB16GB8GB
Screen:13.313.313.3
Warranty:1 yr1 yr1 yr

My question is...
Should I go with the mackbook pro... the 3rd choice or take the money ( I dnt know how much it would be.. they didnt say).
If I get the NEW, smaller MacBook I can sell it unopened & use it to buy a better used 15 inch macbook pro ... or just keep the new one, its new.
If I take the money Im gonna buy a used 2015 i7 15 inch macbook pro.
Im waiting to see what the buy out cash offer is. Its looking like you cant be told what that is until after you deny THEIR option offer.

It would be VERY nice to have a NEW macbook pro... I paid $600 for the macbook pro that I sent them. So its a come up no matter what.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
 
If the cash option is 1000-1300 I would take the cash and get what you want.

If choosing between the three options here...I would go with option number one (1.6 ghz ), then option number three, and lastly option number two. (I value the processor over the rest of the stuff which you can upgrade easily imo.
 
If the cash option is 1000-1300 I would take the cash and get what you want.

If choosing between the three options here...I would go with option number one (1.6 ghz ), then option number three, and lastly option number two. (I value the processor over the rest of the stuff which you can upgrade easily imo.

How can you upgrade either of these laptops easily? :smh: Everything is soldered in place...
 
Your i7 MBP 15 was one of the last ones they made with user serviceable components. You can't upgrade anything on the newer models. If they offer you $1,300, I would take that and buy a refurb like this.


or look for the open box discounts at Best Buy.

Either way you will save big over new and they will come with the same warranty and ability to add apple care.
 
Your i7 MBP 15 was one of the last ones they made with user serviceable components. You can't upgrade anything on the newer models. If they offer you $1,300, I would take that and buy a refurb like this.


or look for the open box discounts at Best Buy.

Either way you will save big over new and they will come with the same warranty and ability to add apple care.
I second this
 
Your i7 MBP 15 was one of the last ones they made with user serviceable components. You can't upgrade anything on the newer models. If they offer you $1,300, I would take that and buy a refurb like this.


or look for the open box discounts at Best Buy.

Either way you will save big over new and they will come with the same warranty and ability to add apple care.
those fuckers offered me $300... Imma take the macbook pro & sell it & buy a nice used one. I cant complain really.... Its not working, cant be fixed, & it would otherwise be unuseable. Im sure I can sell it as unused/ unopened....for $1000

thanks for the advice
 
If the cash option is 1000-1300 I would take the cash and get what you want.

If choosing between the three options here...I would go with option number one (1.6 ghz ), then option number three, and lastly option number two. (I value the processor over the rest of the stuff which you can upgrade easily imo.
$300 :smh: :crymeariver:
 
If the cash option is 1000-1300 I would take the cash and get what you want.

If choosing between the three options here...I would go with option number one (1.6 ghz ), then option number three, and lastly option number two. (I value the processor over the rest of the stuff which you can upgrade easily imo.
NO!~ You can NOT!
That was the case for macbook pros 2016 and before. The newer macbook pros' parts are glued together. They make it extremely difficult to swap out things like graphics cards.
The processors may be fast but the computers are a money trap. With each generation, they try to make it more and more difficult to self-service your own MBP.

Look at your functions first. What are you using your computer for? If its basic shit, sure, take one of the newer ones with the faster processor; otherwise, go with an older mac.
Personally, I would flip it and buy a 15" 2015 MBP. They call it the last good MBP. Its lightning instead of USB-C but it has all of the ports on it that you would need and keeps your peripheral purchases to a minimum (adapters, etc.)
With the newer macs you have to buy adapters if you want to do anything outside of the computer (connect it to a bigger screen, etc.) and while the layout on the new comps is nice, its not necessary.
At this point in time, new macs are not worth the money.
 
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I had my graphic card go out on my i7 2011 MBP (known issue with those models) I ended up replacing the motherboard and haven't had any issues. Got the board on eBay for around $225 last year.
 
Your i7 MBP 15 was one of the last ones they made with user serviceable components. You can't upgrade anything on the newer models. If they offer you $1,300, I would take that and buy a refurb like this.


or look for the open box discounts at Best Buy.

Either way you will save big over new and they will come with the same warranty and ability to add apple care.

Depending on what he's doing I would go for a 2.4ghz more than a 1.4ghz.
 
NO!~ You can NOT!
That was the case for macbook pros 2016 and before. The newer macbook pros' parts are glued together. They make it extremely difficult to swap out things like graphics cards.
The processors may be fast but the computers are a money trap. With each generation, they try to make it more and more difficult to self-service your own MBP.

Look at your functions first. What are you using your computer for? If its basic shit, sure, take one of the newer ones with the faster processor; otherwise, go with an older mac.
Personally, I would flip it and buy a 15" 2015 MBP. They call it the last good MBP. Its lightning instead of USB-C but it has all of the ports on it that you would need and keeps your peripheral purchases to a minimum (adapters, etc.)
With the newer macs you have to buy adapters if you want to do anything outside of the computer (connect it to a bigger screen, etc.) and while the layout on the new comps is nice, its not necessary.
At this point in time, new macs are not worth the money.
yea... thanks...
im gonna get it & sell it for an older 2015. Im gonna sell it as new / unused...I'll ask @ least & $1,000 for it.
 
Dosdude i have a 2011 17"

You can flash the bios and turn off the chip, but use the integrated graphics.
Your HDMI output won't work again but everything else will.





I have the USB chip flasher but haven't gotten around to soldering it on the motherboard and flashing it.

There is also a mux cap that fixes it too.

Once you do this, you can't undo it but your shit will last forever.

LS
 
So ya'll telling the guy to buy a 4 year old laptop because the new ones are not up gradable :smh: . Yes it stucks that the new models are not as upgradable as the old but if performance means anything to you get the new model.
 
So ya'll telling the guy to buy a 4 year old laptop because the new ones are not up gradable :smh: . Yes it stucks that the new models are not as upgradable as the old but if performance means anything to you get the new model.
2016-2019 have thermal issues and a shitty keyboard.

The 16" is obsolete as soon as you take it home because apple is switching to ARM. If he's getting an obsolete laptop minus whale get one that doesn't burn up and can be upgraded.
 
2016-2019 have thermal issues and a shitty keyboard.

The 16" is obsolete as soon as you take it home because apple is switching to ARM. If he's getting an obsolete laptop minus whale get one that doesn't burn up and can be upgraded.
They had fixed all those 2016 and start selling them with the 2.0 version of the butterfly keyboards. As for the thermal issues that's he went with the i9 processor which I doubt he will.

I would wait a couple years before jumping on Apple silicone laptops and get the intel one now if I was on the market. By the time the new chips have been tried and tested it will be time to upgrade.
 
So ya'll telling the guy to buy a 4 year old laptop because the new ones are not up gradable :smh: . Yes it stucks that the new models are not as upgradable as the old but if performance means anything to you get the new model.
Man that's exactly what I was thinking. I didn't want to intervene because this isn't my expertise but this logic seems off. My 2019 MacBook I have had no issues with. I still use my iMac for editing but you can easily tell the difference between the two in performance.
 
Man that's exactly what I was thinking. I didn't want to intervene because this isn't my expertise but this logic seems off. My 2019 MacBook I have had no issues with. I still use my iMac for editing but you can easily tell the difference between the two in performance.
The new models have faster processors and better graphics. When ever you see someone mention that their 10 year old laptop still performs like new, chances are that person is probably still using a aol email and thinks a web page loading uner 1 minute is blazing fast.
 
The new models have faster processors and better graphics. When ever you see someone mention that their 10 year old laptop still performs like new, chances are that person is probably still using a aol email and thinks a web page loading uner 1 minute is blazing fast.
Yeah I ain't gonna lie I got a 2011 iMac that I use and I'm honestly good with it when it comes to browsing the internet....which I had to put a new motherboard in because the shit fried up and was going slow as hell. Shit is in comparison. I get the ability to upgrade your processor but unless you doing some gaming or some shit I don't see why you'd even want to upgrade a new MacBook.
 
They had fixed all those 2016 and start selling them with the 2.0 version of the butterfly keyboards. As for the thermal issues that's he went with the i9 processor which I doubt he will.

I would wait a couple years before jumping on Apple silicone laptops and get the intel one now if I was on the market. By the time the new chips have been tried and tested it will be time to upgrade.
2016 to 19 still have the shitty butterfly keyboards. If he isn't getting the 16" it's not worth it.

Seems like he's planning to dj with it and you can do that shit with a 2013 macbook air.
 
I just have one question. MacBook Pro or MacBook Air? And why?
I have a MacBook Pro that’s 8 years old, and I’m ready to replace it.....
 
I just have one question. MacBook Pro or MacBook Air? And why?
I have a MacBook Pro that’s 8 years old, and I’m ready to replace it.....
the air is a lesser version of the pro
If anything buy a used macbook pro... Im gonna sell the new shit they send me & use the money to pay for / replace my macbook pro with a 2015 joint.
 
the air is a lesser version of the pro
If anything buy a used macbook pro... Im gonna sell the new shit they send me & use the money to pay for / replace my macbook pro with a 2015 joint.

This thread...whew, some good advice burried under bad advice. @mailboxpimp first and foremost, what are you using THIS computer for?

Anybody telling which one to get without listening to your needs is setting you up for failure. Like cars, getting too much car or not enough for your needs is silly. The hell is a single guy riding around in a big ass SUV when a sedan /coupe would be a better fit. And why would a guy with three kids buy a two seater.

If this is a straight up selling and turning profit move. Get the pro. Simply based on the fact it's space gray and the other two are gold. Any buyer who cares enough to look at the specs probably isn't taking gold as their first option and will try to low ball you on their offer. Outside of silver and black, any other color of a laptop reduces your potential buyer market.
 
This thread...whew, some good advice burried under bad advice. @mailboxpimp first and foremost, what are you using THIS computer for?

Anybody telling which one to get without listening to your needs is setting you up for failure. Like cars, getting too much car or not enough for your needs is silly. The hell is a single guy riding around in a big ass SUV when a sedan /coupe would be a better fit. And why would a guy with three kids buy a two seater.

If this is a straight up selling and turning profit move. Get the pro. Simply based on the fact it's space gray and the other two are gold. Any buyer who cares enough to look at the specs probably isn't taking gold as their first option and will try to low ball you on their offer. Outside of silver and black, any other color of a laptop reduces your potential buyer market.
thanks for the advice.....
I had macbook pro.... it died. I paid verizon $53 per month for the home protection, 2nd month I made my claim. I knew the joint couldnt be fixed. As far as I know, replacing the motherboard want even an option. So.... the buy out value on my 2012 i5 quadcore macbook pro ( i thought it was a i7 quad core...) was gonna be $350. The value of the 13 inmacbook they are sending me ( 1.4ghz quadcore i5, 250 mgb hd, 8 gig ram, touch bar) can be resold with the brand newness, the new box, wrapers, new box smell.... for almost $1000!

All I need is$800 for a 2015 macbook pro w/ a dvd drive so I can add the extra hd. Might take some time but Ill win. I should be able to sell it by the end of the month on ebay to the highest bidder
 
I just have one question. MacBook Pro or MacBook Air? And why?
I have a MacBook Pro that’s 8 years old, and I’m ready to replace it.....

The rumor is that they are going to get rid of the MacBook Air since it's too close to the MBP in size, weight, and cost. The theory is that they'll bring back the 12" MacBook for folks who want a really small mac. It'll definitely benefit from the new Apple silicon. We'll find out next month.
 
thanks for the advice.....
I had macbook pro.... it died. I paid verizon $53 per month for the home protection, 2nd month I made my claim. I knew the joint couldnt be fixed. As far as I know, replacing the motherboard want even an option. So.... the buy out value on my 2012 i5 quadcore macbook pro ( i thought it was a i7 quad core...) was gonna be $350. The value of the 13 inmacbook they are sending me ( 1.4ghz quadcore i5, 250 mgb hd, 8 gig ram, touch bar) can be resold with the brand newness, the new box, wrapers, new box smell.... for almost $1000!

All I need is$800 for a 2015 macbook pro w/ a dvd drive so I can add the extra hd. Might take some time but Ill win. I should be able to sell it by the end of the month on ebay to the highest bidder

Here's the thing brother, any MacBook that still has a DVD drive is not worth purchasing in my opinion. Any MacBook pro that has Retina in the name does not have a DVD Drive. You would be looking at the Mid 2012 15" or 13". The 15" was discontinued in 2013. And the 13" was discontinued in 2016.

Let's say you were blessed to find a used 2012 MacBook Pro 13" that rolled off the assembly line in 2016. Apple did no updates to the hardware, so you are essentially paying 800 dollars for a computer that's essentially 8 years old.

The 2012 computers also come with Hard Disc drives. So if you were looking on removing the optical drive and adding an SSD. You might as well replace the HDD with an SSD as well. More work and more investment into old hardware.

Is this supposed to be a work/office computer, travel computer, or main computer for day to day web browsing?
 
Here's the thing brother, any MacBook that still has a DVD drive is not worth purchasing in my opinion. Any MacBook pro that has Retina in the name does not have a DVD Drive. You would be looking at the Mid 2012 15" or 13". The 15" was discontinued in 2013. And the 13" was discontinued in 2016.

Let's say you were blessed to find a used 2012 MacBook Pro 13" that rolled off the assembly line in 2016. Apple did no updates to the hardware, so you are essentially paying 800 dollars for a computer that's essentially 8 years old.

The 2012 computers also come with Hard Disc drives. So if you were looking on removing the optical drive and adding an SSD. You might as well replace the HDD with an SSD as well. More work and more investment into old hardware.

Is this supposed to be a work/office computer, travel computer, or main computer for day to day web browsing?
Its a replacement laptop.... i was using the 2012 for everything then it crashed the 2012 joint has a design flaw w/ the graphics chip.

I'm trying to unfuck myself the best way I can. I love the apps macs provide. I like how the joints feel. Id rather sell the new limited joint to get a used older joint with all the ports & features I want & need.

I'm doing podcast production & editing. I'm a closet dj & I build websites.

I have a pc that I brought on sale last ur, it meets all my needs... but it doesn't top the user interface & software that comes with a Mac.

I know none of that can compete with your sound logic.

I appreciate it....
At the end of the day I just want my macbook pro replaced & im not willing to buy a new one.
 
Always pro - never air.
Unless you only do email and web surfing.
The MB Air is missing a lot of features. If you plan on using it in a work setting, expect to hit some walls.
Facts and not only that when I was looking for MacBook Pro's and Air's last year.....they weren't that much different in price.

Micro Center had the 2019 MacBook Pro with Touchbar for 950...and they were selling the MacBook Air for 899......I was told the only reason it was 950 because was Space Gray....no point in getting a MacBook Air if the price is that similar.
 
2016 to 19 still have the shitty butterfly keyboards. If he isn't getting the 16" it's not worth it.

Seems like he's planning to dj with it and you can do that shit with a 2013 macbook air.
Yeah, my second macbook finally shit the bed this summer. Ended up copping the 13 one in the $1600 range for business. The 2020 one. They changed the keyboard. Shit is fast and solid. I'll see what the ARMs like when they drop.

Swore I was done with Apple. :angry:
 
2016 to 19 still have the shitty butterfly keyboards. If he isn't getting the 16" it's not worth it.

Seems like he's planning to dj with it and you can do that shit with a 2013 macbook air.
im not djing / podcasting with it.... I could but Im not! Its super limited & this was the best way for me to get something back on my loss. I knew the laptop was unfixable. Something is better than nothing.
 







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