Buy now or wait (MacBook 12 USB-C port issues)

[rdegler]

Problem: I have a Macbook 12. I love the light weight and the machine handles all the tasks I do. Recently the USB-C port does not always work unless I position the power cable correctly. I have had the issue with multiple cables. With the pandemic I work at home, so mobility is no a problem in the short run.

I was waiting to see the MacBook 14" or next version MacBook Air to purchase a new computer. But I do need a reliable work computer.

My Options

1. Keep using my MacBook 12, just risk it failing and not working for a few days until replacement arrives. My current work allows me to just not work for a few days or set my own schedule.
2. Buy a basic MacBook Air to hold me over and sell it when the new ones come out.
3. Just purchase a MacBook Air at the specs I want. Will an M1 computer do the job? I do web building so all I need is my text editor, GIT, and some Adobe (illustrator and photoshop) work.

The machine I want would have 16gb+, 1tb, small/light, and battery life. Hopefully new screen tech.

Open to hearing your ideas and suggestions.

Thanks
R

 

[profcutter]

I’d give you a couple pieces of advice. First, I hope you’re doing regular backups, just to ensure that if the port goes bad it’s easy for you to get back up and running.

If you’re using a MacBook these days and you’re happy with the performance, there’s no reason a new MacBook Air wouldn’t satisfy all of your needs, assuming you’re not running 32-bit or intel software.

I think most of assume we should be seeing new machines right around the corner, but when is that exactly? Who knows? Conventional wisdom says to wait until the new machines are out, but with your use case would it make that much of a difference? Also keep in mind the new machines will most likely be more expensive, maybe significantly so.

You’re in a pretty good spot, if being down for a couple days wouldn’t hurt you. You could run your machine until it does finally die, the order a refurb, assuming they have your specs available, and be down for all of 2 days.

 

[mk313]

Not sure about how often you have to plug/unplug the machine but you might look at getting a small hub that would hopefully connect more solidly to the charging usb c port and move the strain down the line to the other side of the dock. Should help with the power management.

I’m all for holding off personally. As the 12” is meeting your needs, the newer MacBooks are only going to get better and better. I’d hold out as long as I could personally

 

[rdegler]

So I have 2 for 2 on the wait. I was thinking along those lines. But I still would like to hear peoples advice. Especially those that have M1 airs.

Has anybody had their motherboard replaced on their MacBook 12 recently? I am curious on the cost. I have I-7 and 16gb ram. It is the most current version of the 12.

Agains thanks for your suggestions.

 

[mk313]

I have 2 12” a 2015 and a 2017. The 2015 had a bad battery so I sent it in for replacement, they said it also had a bad motherboard and repairs were like $460 (motherboard and battery). I ended up not getting it fixed and bought a used 2017 in pristine condition here to replace it for less than the repairs would have cost.

 

[rdegler]

So the motherboard might be ~400. That is good to know.

Thanks