Thinking of putting my senior MacBook in assisted living

[AppleGoat]

I have a faithful mid-2014 15" MacBook Pro. It has served me well over the years and still meets my needs for the most part. However, I've had a sporadically functioning keyboard for the past number of months. The problematic keys are "z", "x", "c", "v" and the left command key. As you may notice, these keys are adjacent. Short of connecting an external keyboard, I have used the virtual accessibility keyboard to get around the non-working keys. The Genius at the Apple Store ran the diagnostics test and claimed it was a software issue, recommended I do a clean install of the OS. I did so and the keys worked for a while, then erratically, but haven't worked at all for a long stretch of time now, wonder if they ever will.

Without rattling on further, my decision is to either replace the keyboard (if it's feasible and cost-effective) or just take this issue as a cue to upgrade to the latest base level 16". I find this recent refresh to be better than most: now using Apple's chip architecture, return of important I/O, better keyboard, etc. So, it'd be a good time to buy a new computer.

I know you guys can't make your decision for me, but your input would be valuable to me. Thanks!

 

[mreg376]

I doubt anyone here is going to recommend staying with an 8-year old MacBook instead of upgrading to the phenomenal Apple silicon, unless money is the issue, and only you know that.

 

[AppleGoat]

I doubt anyone here is going to recommend staying with an 8-year old MacBook instead of upgrading to the phenomenal Apple silicon, unless money is the issue, and only you know that.

True. Always best to be frugal. But, these very periodic Apple notebook purchases always seem to be worth every penny. I've gotten a lot of mileage out of them, dating back to my first 2004 Powerbook. I'm not the type to upgrade every other year. Which is why I'm particular about the strength of a refresh. As I said, this latest one seems to be above average.

 

[mreg376]

Haha, "seems to be above average"? If you do any research, you'll discover that Apple silicon is an industry-changer, including incredible performance, energy efficiency, cool operation, and the ability to offer the exact same performance on battery or AC. Intel is already rushing out its 12th generation Alder Lake processor to try to compete, on AC, with the BASE model Apple M1 Pro on battery. Add to that an included display on the M1 Pro/M1 Max that is the functional equivalent of Apple's $5,000 Pro XDR monitor. Yeah, I'd say above average...

 

[Bodhitree]

True. Always best to be frugal. But, these very periodic Apple notebook purchases always seem to be worth every penny. I've gotten a lot of mileage out of them, dating back to my first 2004 Powerbook. I'm not the type to upgrade every other year. Which is why I'm particular about the strength of a refresh. As I said, this latest one seems to be above average.

I agree. What I find encouraging is that this current refresh seems to be driven by some sound engineering-first decisions, rather than over focussing on design. You can see the same principles in the iPhones as well. I think it bodes well for the just-new products and what is coming.

So it won’t come as a surprise when I recommend buying now. I’ve been looking at a new M1 Pro MacBook Pro purchase for my mother, and I think the 14” base spec is quite good value although it looks like she will be stubborn and go for a 16” model. Really what she needs is a 15” MacBook Air, she doesn’t need the power of a Pro laptop, but there’s no such thing.

 

[AppleGoat]

I didn't mean to suggest the refresh wasn't anything special by using "above average" as my choice of words -- it is definitely a great upgrade, probably better than any refresh in years. I also appreciate, as Bodhitree stated, that Apple has focused more on function than form for once. A few things have changed for me since I've bought my 2014, I've become a photographer and own two cameras. The return of the SD card slot is more than welcome.

One thing I've wondered is how much better the 51 MP files from my GFX 50S II will look on the new 16" panel. Like will the difference between the big sensor 51 MP files and the smaller sensor 26 MP files be starker on this new 16" display compared to my old 15" Retina?

 

[BrianBaughn]

If it matters…a quick look at Ebay replacement keyboards shows them for under $20.

 

[AppleGoat]

If it matters…a quick look at Ebay replacement keyboards shows them for under $20.

Thanks ... the rub for me is how involved the repair appears to be. I have no aversion to going under the hood and tinkering with my machine -- back in the day, I would do things like remove the optical drive (when computers had them) and swap in a second hard drive. For this keyboard replacement, however, I would want someone else to do it for me. Essentially the cost of this repair will determine whether I get the new 16" or not. I won't let my lust for the 16" dictate what I do.

 

[wilberforce]

My understanding is if you get Apple to replace the battery (for $200), the battery replacement includes replacement of the top case and keyboard, at least for most MBPs.
Don't take my word for it, but you might want to investigate. Many threads on the topic of MBP battery replacement and what it includes.
Personally, I'm not sure $200 is worth it for a 2014 MBP. For a 2015 MBP, probably yes, as 2015 is the last of the great MBPs prior to the butterfly keyboard era, and 2015 MBPs can still run Monterey.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

My understanding is if you get Apple to replace the battery (for $200), the battery replacement includes replacement of the top case and keyboard, at least for most MBPs.
Don't take my word for it, but you might want to investigate. Many threads on the topic of MBP battery replacement and what it includes.
Personally, I'm not sure $200 is worth it for a 2014 MBP. For a 2015 MBP, probably yes, as 2015 is the last of the great MBPs prior to the butterfly keyboard era, and 2015 MBPs can still run Monterey.

You’re describing the 2016 onwards butterfly keyboard design. Everything needs to be replaced because the keyboard is riveted in place.

The batteries are glued to the metal the keyboard is riveted to, so a replacement of one requires replacement of the other (along with the metal top case itself).