Anyone else feel like they are forced to upgrade

[dmccloud]

I did do that, which is how I was able to get the replacement. My frustration is after all of this headache, all the calls, emails, etc. I still have to wait for a replacement, and said replacement is in stock for same day purchase at said store. But for one reason or another they can't just give me one out of the shelf and be done with me. Rather they have to give me I don't know what. Its one thing if they gave me a previous model or something that they don't carry anymore. I know im being a selfish prick at this point, but 3 weeks of my life have been wasted chasing after this crap. At this point Id have been better off just going to the store, picking up a 16 gb M2 Air and throwing the 2017 MacBook Pro in the garbage and moving on with my life rather than emailing, calling and *gasp* asking a company stand by their products.

Usually if they are issuing a replacement device, it comes from a completely separate pool of inventory, not from retail stock. The same thing goes for replacement iPhones and iPads. The other consideration is that in most cases, replacement stock for laptops (regardless of brand) has to come from the manufacturer. Best Buy does things differently under GSP in that they just issue you in-store credit for the original purchase price, which you can then put towards a new device.

 

[edubfromktown]

Unfortunately that whole generation of MBP's were a mess from a design standpoint. If it's working for you, hang onto it until it really doesn't receive updates anymore. It sounds like it wasn't that long ago, but it's now a 6 year old model. Minus the keyboard issues, that's a pretty good run - not to mention that you'll probably be fine with updates until year 7/8.

Given the timeframe, I wouldn't feel like its a forced upgrade. There are few other laptops / devices that will receive updates for as long as yours did / will. As far as the banking / bill paying goes, there's always your phone which is just as easy.

Never felt forced to upgrade.

Agree that 2016 - 2019-ish MBP models were a hot mess dumpster fire.

I have a 2015 15" (best one they ever made imo) and a 2020 i5 10th gen 13"... both remain awesome.

Wifey's Base M1 Air does a fine job for her needs as does my Studio Max base model.

 

[marcinsf]

I'm thinking sometime in the near future (not sure when) of moving to the Macbook Air. Kind of waiting for the M2-3 chips to mature before jumping into it.

My late 2016 MB Pro is a piece of junk but still running (so far) after being in the ship THREE times including a complete motherboard replacement.

 

[ElderMacMan]

I have a 2017 15" MacBook Pro. I use it as my primary computing device and outside of the crappy keyboard it's been working for me. I've had AppleCare+ on it since getting it in 2018. With Apple dropping MacOS support for previous MacBook Pro models, I feel like this model is next to be dropped come this WWDC. I know Apple typically provides security updates for older MacOS versions for 2 additional years but its an unwritten policy and could change. I hate how Apple isn't upfront about the minimum amount of years they'll provide security updates for their OS releases.

Last thing I want to do is be running insecure software on a computer I use for online banking and bill paying. I got plenty of devices so I don't feel like buying a new one, but I feel like I should go ahead and just upgrade. I don't really need the power that a 14/16" MacBook Pro offers, so a MacBook Air or 13" Pro would be fine. But I feel like the one I have is fine for my needs and would continue to work (outside of the horrible keyboard and the fact I have to get it replaced at least once every year with AppleCare when keys get stuck).

Not sure if anyone else feels this way.

I understand your frustration. Many of my kin and community of friends shun Apple because of “built in obsolescence“ and new software caused “sluggishnes”. I have remained loyal and have multiple devices despite my itunes music library going corrupt years ago, a 2011 Thunderbolt display lasting only a short time, and a mini going kaput (admittedly after a long service). At some point the whole scene may backfire on Apple. I remember the down years. Reliable and durable go hand in hand. I will say i was treated magnificently recently by Apple Support regarding a HomePod.

 

[marcinsf]

I still maintain the new coined name - Tim Crook

 

[turbineseaplane]

I do wish Apple would have kept support a bit further back

I have a 2015 15" MBP, and using OCLP, it's on Ventura and it runs it like a dream

No reason at all this couldn't be "officially" supported by Apple

 

[marcinsf]

I wanted to give a huge shout-out to Tubineseaplane for mentioning OCLP.
I had looked into this a long time ago but it was very immature then and tough to make things work.
Now, it has gotten much more organized and automated so less mistakes.
Thanks to OCLP, my unsupported but very useable MB Pro is running Ventura.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I wanted to give a huge shout-out to Tubineseaplane for mentioning OCLP.
I had looked into this a long time ago but it was very immature then and tough to make things work.
Now, it has gotten much more organized and automated so less mistakes.
Thanks to OCLP, my unsupported but very useable MB Pro is running Ventura.

Sweet!

Glad you are dialed in!

I’m doing a fresh OCLP install right now on my new 2TB Hynix P31 Gold NVMe for one of my 2015 15” MBPs (have a couple of them)

 

[ricketysquire]

Jesus man. Try going to Dell/HP/Lenovo/Microsoft and asking them to replace your (what) 5 year old laptop with a brand new one?

Be happy. You're getting a brand new computer. Try to enjoy the sunshine outside.

Usually if they are issuing a replacement device, it comes from a completely separate pool of inventory, not from retail stock. The same thing goes for replacement iPhones and iPads. The other consideration is that in most cases, replacement stock for laptops (regardless of brand) has to come from the manufacturer. Best Buy does things differently under GSP in that they just issue you in-store credit for the original purchase price, which you can then put towards a new device.

Sorry if I came off a bit harsh earlier this month. I was just really frustrated at my experience at that point and how long it had been going on. I've also been using my MacBook Pro for video job interviews, and I ended up having to do one with an iPad 8, which wasn't the best experience (weird angle due to camera location, couldn't have notes/job description open on the side and google meetings being weird on Safari). So I had a little bit of urgency to get a replacement device in case there were more.

Anyhow I got the replacement MacBook Pro little over 2 weeks ago and this machine is amazing. It's a brand new base model 16" MacBook Pro M2. Since they don't make a 256 gb storage model, I essentially got a 512 gb storage upgrade from my previous machine (along side the upgrade of Apple Silicon and better design). It quiet, cool, keyboard is lovely to type on, speakers are amazing, screen is perfect. It know its a little thicker, through I like the ascetic, reminds me a bit of the older Powerbooks models. I'm grateful that Apple provided me a brand new replacement to a far superior model and the positive outcome reminds why I continue to purchase their products and services.

I originally had created this post as I realized that my MacBook Pro at the time was almost 5-6 years old. My older MacBook Pro 2012 had received updates until 2022, but based on the last few years, it didn't feel like this pattern would continue for newer models. I didn't necessarily need to, but it felt like I should upgrade or at least start planning and saving up. So I wanted to get the communities thoughts on that. I guess that point is moot now. If someone asked me, coming from an older Intel MacBook, if it's worth upgrading, I'd definitely say yes. That being said, this issue gave me the opportunity to install and use OCLP on my older MacBook Pro and its amazing the work the community has done to make it possible to update older Macs in such a streamlined and easy way.

 

[marcinsf]

I agree with

ricketysquire​

A bit shout out to the OCLP community and programmers that have enabled that line of code. It's nice to have a choice for a few more years to avoid stuffing Tim Crook's pockets.

 

[uller6]

I agree with

ricketysquire​

A bit shout out to the OCLP community and programmers that have enabled that line of code. It's nice to have a choice for a few more years to avoid stuffing Tim Crook's pockets.

To me it's not even about not stuffing Tim Cook's pockets, it's about keeping perfectly good hardware useful and out of a landfill.

 

[marcinsf]

Agree! Reducing landfill is a big part of my life. I repair more things than you could imagine to avoid buying and buying and buying only to throw away over and over again.

 

[TinyMito]

I have a 2017 15" MacBook Pro. I use it as my primary computing device and outside of the crappy keyboard it's been working for me. I've had AppleCare+ on it since getting it in 2018. With Apple dropping MacOS support for previous MacBook Pro models, I feel like this model is next to be dropped come this WWDC. I know Apple typically provides security updates for older MacOS versions for 2 additional years but its an unwritten policy and could change. I hate how Apple isn't upfront about the minimum amount of years they'll provide security updates for their OS releases.

Last thing I want to do is be running insecure software on a computer I use for online banking and bill paying. I got plenty of devices so I don't feel like buying a new one, but I feel like I should go ahead and just upgrade. I don't really need the power that a 14/16" MacBook Pro offers, so a MacBook Air or 13" Pro would be fine. But I feel like the one I have is fine for my needs and would continue to work (outside of the horrible keyboard and the fact I have to get it replaced at least once every year with AppleCare when keys get stuck).

Not sure if anyone else feels this way.

That entire Intel base MacBook is a nightmare. Moving on from M1 Apple Silicon - you will see this last much longer and cooler.

 

[drugdoubles]

I have a 2017 15" MacBook Pro. I use it as my primary computing device and outside of the crappy keyboard it's been working for me. I've had AppleCare+ on it since getting it in 2018. With Apple dropping MacOS support for previous MacBook Pro models, I feel like this model is next to be dropped come this WWDC. I know Apple typically provides security updates for older MacOS versions for 2 additional years but its an unwritten policy and could change. I hate how Apple isn't upfront about the minimum amount of years they'll provide security updates for their OS releases.

Last thing I want to do is be running insecure software on a computer I use for online banking and bill paying. I got plenty of devices so I don't feel like buying a new one, but I feel like I should go ahead and just upgrade. I don't really need the power that a 14/16" MacBook Pro offers, so a MacBook Air or 13" Pro would be fine. But I feel like the one I have is fine for my needs and would continue to work (outside of the horrible keyboard and the fact I have to get it replaced at least once every year with AppleCare when keys get stuck).

Not sure if anyone else feels this way.

Just 7 years support for MacBook now? This is pretty horrible.

 

[edubfromktown]

That entire Intel base MacBook is a nightmare. Moving on from M1 Apple Silicon - you will see this last much longer and cooler.

Not my experience with either 2020 i5 13" MBP (Catalina) and 2015 m3 12" MacBook (Mojave).

Both still run apps that are no longer suported in newer OSes, nice and cool.

I also have an M1 Studio Base Max too and can switch between the three no problem.

 

[yatesd]

I didn't read everyone's responses, but there is no way I would be paying for Apple Care after year 3...I have a hard time justifying it for one year. I finally decided to pay $99 to cover a $2,000+ laptop for the first year.

After that...the cost just becomes a larger percentage of the asset value.

Year 1: $2,000 , $99 = 5%
Year 2: $1,000, $99 = 10%
Year 5: $200, $99 = 50%

I've made up the numbers, but no way would I pay for Apple Care on something worth a few hundred dollars. Seems much better to self insure. The question you need to ask your self is how much is Apple care costing you? In this scenario, if I pay for Apple Care for 5 years, it represents $500 or 25% of the overall cost.

 

[daveo228i]

The last time I bought Apple Care was when I purchased my first Apple toaster box. That was also the first time. I learned over the years of buying Apple computers they don’t break or fall apart. I’ve never had an “Apple lemon”.

 

[ignatius345]

Anyone else feel like they are forced to upgrade

No

 

[Christopher Kim]

I didn't read everyone's responses, but there is no way I would be paying for Apple Care after year 3...I have a hard time justifying it for one year. I finally decided to pay $99 to cover a $2,000+ laptop for the first year.

After that...the cost just becomes a larger percentage of the asset value.

Year 1: $2,000 , $99 = 5%
Year 2: $1,000, $99 = 10%
Year 5: $200, $99 = 50%

I've made up the numbers, but no way would I pay for Apple Care on something worth a few hundred dollars. Seems much better to self insure. The question you need to ask your self is how much is Apple care costing you? In this scenario, if I pay for Apple Care for 5 years, it represents $500 or 25% of the overall cost.

Here's one consideration, and one of the reasons I still have AppleCare on my now 2+ year old 2021 M1 Pro 14" MBP I bought day 1. I got a custom config of 32GB / 1TB, which as we all know with Apple's upgrade pricing, significantly added to the cost of the machine (was $2800 pre-tax vs $1999 base model as I also got the non-binned 10/16-core option). The AppleCare cost stays the same regardless of configuration, so as ridiculous as it is, the more expensive the config, the lower % cost the $99/year AppleCare represents.

Also if something goes bad and Apple replaces my computer with a new one, they'll replace it with the same 32GB / 1TB configuration, which replacement cost is still high (given Apple still hasn't changed its memory/ssd upgrade pricing!)

Not the only reason of course for having it, but was definitely a factor in me deciding to keep AppleCare at least into year 3.

 

[marcinsf]

@Christopher Kim
Agree, I typically buy maxed out top of the line of what ever model I'm buying (e.g. the last time was MB Pro late 2016 touchbar). It has lasted decent despite a total motherboard replacement at about 1 yr old. I've put in four batteries so far and hoping to make a few more years with it while the M[1-2-3-n] stuff stabilizes.

My older late 2008 MB Pro that my sister used until about 2 years ago when it died, turns out Louis Rossmann's (https://rossmanngroup.com/) shop doesn't like to repair stuff. I contacted them and they wrote back it was obsolete and didn't advise repairing it. I sent it in anyway for $19, they reponded very unenthusiastically that they couldn't repair it. Now imagine ASD Louis touting he can repair anything that Apple makes. Seems he couldn't have repaired it if it got him a few thousand views. But instead, I got a lame response that it was repairable and likely had a bad CPU. They weren't specific and I had to press them on exactly what was wrong with it as it worked almost 18 years flawlessly. I was planning to install OCLP and send it to them to help them test their code on older hardware. So much for that idea.

So for now, living on borrowed compute time.

 

[yatesd]

I'm all for using things for a long time...however a computer that is over 7 years old is placing you at risk unless you are using it for basic stuff on an isolated network. Just too many important improvements including security at a hardware level, wifi, bluetooth, etc.

 

[marcinsf]

Here's one consideration, and one of the reasons I still have AppleCare on my now 2+ year old 2021 M1 Pro 14" MBP I bought day 1. I got a custom config of 32GB / 1TB, which as we all know with Apple's upgrade pricing, significantly added to the cost of the machine (was $2800 pre-tax vs $1999 base model as I also got the non-binned 10/16-core option). The AppleCare cost stays the same regardless of configuration, so as ridiculous as it is, the more expensive the config, the lower % cost the $99/year AppleCare represents.

Also if something goes bad and Apple replaces my computer with a new one, they'll replace it with the same 32GB / 1TB configuration, which replacement cost is still high (given Apple still hasn't changed its memory/ssd upgrade pricing!)

Not the only reason of course for having it, but was definitely a factor in me deciding to keep AppleCare at least into year 3.

I'm all for using things for a long time...however a computer that is over 7 years old is placing you at risk unless you are using it for basic stuff on an isolated network. Just too many important improvements including security at a hardware level, wifi, bluetooth, etc.

@yatesd

Be specific in your fear mongering about older hardware instead of just spewing vailed warnings - 'Danger Will Robinson' style garbage.
I don't know of any risk specifically with using USB 1 or USB 2 or Bluetooth 2.x or 3.x or with WiFi 900 mHz, 2.4 or 5 standards. There are software level opportunistic risks for certain which is the advantage of using OCLP and other updates.
My last computer lasted over 15 years with no such 'risks' or vulnerabilities.