2011 MBP dying

[GeoffWillis]

I have a 2011 15" MBP with 16GB RAM that is having issues... Whenever I run video video intensive applications (Video Surgeon and others) my computer locks up. I have to hold the power button down and reboot. I've taken it into the local mac authorized shop and it passes all tests. However I locked it up for them by running the app, and their response was the logic board is bad. The kicker however is they say the unit is obsolete and they can no longer get parts for it. This was confirmed by the local genius bar as well. I REALLY love this computer, and don't relish the idea of dropping almost 3k to replace it. So I guess I have a few questions:
1) Is this true, a 2011 is no longer supported? Seems odd but if so let me know. I'd be willing to spend $500 or so to keep this running, I just put in a 512GM SSD this summer!
2) I considered some refurbished units of similar age at a reasonable price ($600-900) but they only come with a 90 warranty. This does not seem wise.
3) If I HAD to, I could afford a new one, but not plan "A". Also, I've read about a lot of issues with keyboards, batteries etc. I do a lot of S/W development and use different VM's to run servers (Real resource hogs) and for the price of a new MBP, one can find laptops with 32-64GM RAM. I've seen lots of people rant that nobody needs more than 16GB RAM (I remember Bill Gates saying nobody will ever need more than 64k RAM...) But my guiding principal has always been when buying a new computer, get the mostest you can afford to help delay the inevitable obsolesce. So, my 7 year old MBP has the same RAM limits of the current model?! According to this and other sites, don't expect anything more than cosmetic changes for 2018 on the MBP, 32 GB someday.

I realize #3 above kind hits the "Should I buy now or wait" button that everybody hates, not my intent, just tying to articulate my options as I see them.
Thanks in advance.

 

[negativzero]

My advice would be to get a new MacBook. There is no problem with the keyboards, batteries, etc... on the current MacBooks and the issues are overblown.

I don't see RAM as a dealbreaker, but if it is for you, then I might suggest getting an iMac instead or go Windows. The latest Macs are certainly more efficient in memory and resource usage, so 16GB is still plenty even if you run many virtual machines.

 

[xanderx007]

I have a 2011 15" MBP with 16GB RAM that is having issues... Whenever I run video video intensive applications (Video Surgeon and others) my computer locks up. I have to hold the power button down and reboot. I've taken it into the local mac authorized shop and it passes all tests. However I locked it up for them by running the app, and their response was the logic board is bad. The kicker however is they say the unit is obsolete and they can no longer get parts for it. This was confirmed by the local genius bar as well. I REALLY love this computer, and don't relish the idea of dropping almost 3k to replace it. So I guess I have a few questions:
1) Is this true, a 2011 is no longer supported? Seems odd but if so let me know. I'd be willing to spend $500 or so to keep this running, I just put in a 512GM SSD this summer!
2) I considered some refurbished units of similar age at a reasonable price ($600-900) but they only come with a 90 warranty. This does not seem wise.
3) If I HAD to, I could afford a new one, but not plan "A". Also, I've read about a lot of issues with keyboards, batteries etc. I do a lot of S/W development and use different VM's to run servers (Real resource hogs) and for the price of a new MBP, one can find laptops with 32-64GM RAM. I've seen lots of people rant that nobody needs more than 16GB RAM (I remember Bill Gates saying nobody will ever need more than 64k RAM...) But my guiding principal has always been when buying a new computer, get the mostest you can afford to help delay the inevitable obsolesce. So, my 7 year old MBP has the same RAM limits of the current model?! According to this and other sites, don't expect anything more than cosmetic changes for 2018 on the MBP, 32 GB someday.

I realize #3 above kind hits the "Should I buy now or wait" button that everybody hates, not my intent, just tying to articulate my options as I see them.
Thanks in advance.

Sound's like Radeongate (the dGPU is dying/dead). Try these two solutions first:

EFI Fix

GRUB Fix.

Also, the RAM is just part of the equation. You have the CPU and GPU and HDD as well. Cramming more RAM hardly solves the CPU/GPU bottleneck, though replacing your HDD with an SDD does make it run a little bit faster.

 

[GeoffWillis]

Thank you both for the response. I had stumbled across the EFI fix after my post, looks rather complicated but will have my kids walk me through it! I'm writing this on the "Sick" MBP, works fine as long as I avoid video intensive operations so guess I'll wait and see what comes out this summer. My backup is a Mac mini (16GB but with spinning rust) with dual 24" monitors upstairs. I use the MBP for coding "On the couch" to be with the wife while I work. I run a CENTOS VM with 2 cores and 8GB RAM to run my Tomcat server which doesn't leave a lot of resources for the native OS. I also run NetBeans on the Mac side, which is a notorious memory hog, so many much more RAM is always useful. This was my first Mac and I really don't want to go back to windows. I love having a Unix-like OS and being able to grep files, have vi/VIM available so will adopt the wait and see mentality. Can always break out one of the old windows boxes for my guitar videos. Thanks again for the input, it helps not needing to act right away.
Geoff

 

[Fishrrman]

RadeonGate has struck. The MBPro had a good run, but "it's over".

If the "EFI fix" you mentioned above doesn't work, it's time to start shopping for something new... or at least "newer".

I can't recommend either the 2016 or 2017 MBPro's because of reliability problems and the multitude of keyboard failures (a $700 repair for a broken key!).

Instead, if you want something newer, I'd suggest the 2015 design MacBook Pro.
Apple still sells the 15" model "as new builds".
The 13" models are available through the Apple-refurbished store.

The 2015's are reliable, "traditional" MacBook Pro's that will serve you well.

 

[GeoffWillis]

RadeonGate has struck. The MBPro had a good run, but "it's over".

If the "EFI fix" you mentioned above doesn't work, it's time to start shopping for something new... or at least "newer".

I can't recommend either the 2016 or 2017 MBPro's because of reliability problems and the multitude of keyboard failures (a $700 repair for a broken key!).

Instead, if you want something newer, I'd suggest the 2015 design MacBook Pro.
Apple still sells the 15" model "as new builds".
The 13" models are available through the Apple-refurbished store.

The 2015's are reliable, "traditional" MacBook Pro's that will serve you well.

This is interesting, could you expand on this a bit please. I've gone to the the apple site and see "Refurbished" units for sale, are these the "As new builds" you're talking about? I see a 2015 model (2.2 GHZ, 16GB, 256GB SSD) for about $1700. Not what I'd call a great deal, but still cheaper than a new one. Did the 2015 still have the MagSafe power? I didn't know they'd done away with that. Can't count the number of times it's saved my computer crashing to the floor. This might be the best solution so thanks for the input.
Geoff

 

[xanderx007]

This is interesting, could you expand on this a bit please. I've gone to the the apple site and see "Refurbished" units for sale, are these the "As new builds" you're talking about? I see a 2015 model (2.2 GHZ, 16GB, 256GB SSD) for about $1700. Not what I'd call a great deal, but still cheaper than a new one. Did the 2015 still have the MagSafe power? I didn't know they'd done away with that. Can't count the number of times it's saved my computer crashing to the floor. This might be the best solution so thanks for the input.
Geoff

He means that the 2015 MBPs are still sold as new items (not refurbished), along with the 2017 models, which is what they're pushing. They also have refurbished items that haven't been sold, or was returned, which have cosmetic scratches, broken keyboards, or malfunctioning screens, RAM or SDDs. They fix those and sell them at a lower price.

If the EFI fix failed you (as in my experience, it's rather unstable), try the GRUB fix.

 

[CoastalOR]

Did the 2015 still have the MagSafe power? I didn't know they'd done away with that. Can't count the number of times it's saved my computer crashing to the floor. This might be the best solution so thanks for the input.

Yes, the 2015 MBPs were the last models that still had the MagSafe.

 

[magicschoolbus]

I know it's kind of a pain in the ass, and I'm not a huge fan of credit cards, but Best Buy does have a pretty good financing program where you can put it on their store card and pay it off 0% over the course of the promotional period (I think 16 months). I purchased my MacBook Pro this way and it worked out great.

 

[GeoffWillis]

This is so useful,thanks to everybody.
Sooo...
$2000 for a 2015 updated with an SSD...
https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro?product=MJLQ2LL/A&step=config#

I guess the final question would be what am I giving up? (Besides potential KB issues...). Looks like a new one has dedicated graphics board. Not sure if thats a big deal for me, I run a few video apps for looping/slowing down guitar lessons, but not video editing like a real power user. I'm guessing they all have a Retina displays and don't care about the touch bar, always thought it was a bit gimmicky. At some level I have to admit it bothers me that the 2015 is only $300 cheaper than a "New" one. I imagine I'd have to jump quickly as there can't me that many left over. One last point is the fact that on the MacRumors buyers guide, the MBP is listed as a "Don't buy", but if rumors are to believed, no major changes coming anytime soon. Appreciate the thought about Best Buy interest free, but I try to avoid those, been bitten once before so cash only!

 

[Miltz]

This is so useful,thanks to everybody.
Sooo...
$2000 for a 2015 updated with an SSD...
https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro?product=MJLQ2LL/A&step=config#

I guess the final question would be what am I giving up? (Besides potential KB issues...). Looks like a new one has dedicated graphics board. Not sure if thats a big deal for me, I run a few video apps for looping/slowing down guitar lessons, but not video editing like a real power user. I'm guessing they all have a Retina displays and don't care about the touch bar, always thought it was a bit gimmicky. At some level I have to admit it bothers me that the 2015 is only $300 cheaper than a "New" one. I imagine I'd have to jump quickly as there can't me that many left over. One last point is the fact that on the MacRumors buyers guide, the MBP is listed as a "Don't buy", but if rumors are to believed, no major changes coming anytime soon. Appreciate the thought about Best Buy interest free, but I try to avoid those, been bitten once before so cash only!

The difference is the newer one is lighter, faster overall, faster SSD, Better Screen, Better speakers, Touch ID, better graphics, quieter under load. Yes the keyboard issue on the 2016/2017 models is real. I was affected by it. I hope it's a small percentage of the laptops. It's hard to recommend a 3 year old laptop in 2018. I would go for the new one personally. Perhaps with Apple Care.

 

[magicschoolbus]

For only 300, and if it's similar spec'ed out.. I'd say just bite the bullet and go new.

The thing about it though is dongle life..