Used laptop replacement for a 2012 MacBook Pro

[Azeroth1]

I’d like to replace my 2012 MacBook Pro with another Mac laptop that is supported for at least the current and hopefully one more future OS release.

This is a secondary machine so it doesn’t need to be super powerful. Originally I was thinking of a 2015 MacBook Pro but I don’t think that is going to gain me much. I don’t care about screen size - I just like the laptop form factor better for some things vs an iPad.

I don’t mind a used or refurb machine or upgrading ram and ssd myself. Just looking for a point in the right direction.

 

[Bigwaff]

Well you won't be able to upgrade the SSD in MBP later than 2015 unless it's the non-touch bar 13-inch. After 2015, the SSD are soldered on the motherboard and not user upgradable. As for RAM, you won't be able to upgrade the RAM on any MBPr (retina display) from 2012 onward as the RAM is soldered on the motherboard.

 

[Queen6]

@Azeroth1 I'd tend to keep what you have and upgrade as needs be. The later 2015 Mac's wont offer much in performance gains and then you have to deal with the Butterfly Keyboard if you go past 2016 which are simply best avoided.

Best bet is a carefully used 16" as they didn't suffer the Butterfly Keyboard debacle, but likely overkill for your needs. As for the OS there are patches that allow newer versions of macOS to run older hardware.

My own Late 2011 15" MBP has been grinding on for best part of 12 years. It's on High Sierra, nothing can install on it without my explicit permission. Being the houses media server it's up 24/7 and being very much a tertiary if not less, so see no need to replace

Q-6

 

[izzy0242mr]

I’d like to replace my 2012 MacBook Pro with another Mac laptop that is supported for at least the current and hopefully one more future OS release.

This is a secondary machine so it doesn’t need to be super powerful. Originally I was thinking of a 2015 MacBook Pro but I don’t think that is going to gain me much. I don’t care about screen size - I just like the laptop form factor better for some things vs an iPad.

I don’t mind a used or refurb machine or upgrading ram and ssd myself. Just looking for a point in the right direction.

You need to tell us how much you're willing to spend for anyone to make a good recommendation. That, and what you'll use it for.

Without knowing more, I would recommend a used M1 MacBook Air. Not upgradable, but will be a good computer for a long time, battery life is amazing, and will be far more powerful than even the most expensive Intel MacBook Pro you can find on the used market. If you're in the USA, check out eBay.com and swappa.com for M1 MacBook Airs under $800.

 

[Queen6]

You need to tell us how much you're willing to spend for anyone to make a good recommendation. That, and what you'll use it for.

Without knowing more, I would recommend a used M1 MacBook Air. Not upgradable, but will be a good computer for a long time, battery life is amazing, and will be far more powerful than even the most expensive Intel MacBook Pro you can find on the used market. If you're in the USA, check out eBay.com and swappa.com for M1 MacBook Airs under $800.

Tend to agree as the M1 Mac's are devastatingly fast as long as you can live with the ARM platform.

Q-6

 

[Azeroth1]

You need to tell us how much you're willing to spend for anyone to make a good recommendation. That, and what you'll use it for.

Without knowing more, I would recommend a used M1 MacBook Air. Not upgradable, but will be a good computer for a long time, battery life is amazing, and will be far more powerful than even the most expensive Intel MacBook Pro you can find on the used market. If you're in the USA, check out eBay.com and swappa.com for M1 MacBook Airs under $800.

Thanks. This works. I don’t need the power either the 2012 is plenty powerful, I just don’t like not being able to upgrade mg OS and this one was using Big Sur with around so that was my extra borrowed time. Thank you.

 

[Azeroth1]

Tend to agree as the M1 Mac's are devastatingly fast as long as you can live with the ARM platform.

Q-6

Yup I think this will be fine. I came to the ego busting conclusion that despite thinking of myself as a power user I’m really not heh

 

[Queen6]

Yup I think this will be fine. I came to the ego busting conclusion that despite thinking of myself as a power user I’m really not heh

TBH just search here and you will find that running the latest OS on older hardware is not an issue. Yes you may need to upgrade RAM and an SSD equally why throw money at the wall with the cost of a new machine...

Here you go...

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macos-13-ventura-on-unsupported-macs-thread.2346881/page-137?post=31921058#post-31921058

Q-6

 

[Azeroth1]

TBH just search here and you will find that running the latest OS on older hardware is not an issue. Yes you may need to upgrade RAM and an SSD equally why throw money at the wall with the cost of a new machine...

Here you go...

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macos-13-ventura-on-unsupported-macs-thread.2346881/page-137?post=31921058#post-31921058

Q-6

Thanks. I’ll check that out. I’m running Sur right now via the old patches sur route and it’s been great but since I think they project got sunset I was looking for other options.

 

[Queen6]

Thanks. I’ll check that out. I’m running Sur right now via the old patches sur route and it’s been great but since I think they project got sunset I was looking for other options.

TBH I don't worry the age of the computer, just take sensible security steps. Those that are a factor of revenue I switch out at the 24 month point as by nature they have to be portables.

The older machines I repurpose or gift to the family. The 2011 15" is a little different as is a handful and needs to be controlled carefully...

Q-6

 

[jwolf6589]

I’d like to replace my 2012 MacBook Pro with another Mac laptop that is supported for at least the current and hopefully one more future OS release.

This is a secondary machine so it doesn’t need to be super powerful. Originally I was thinking of a 2015 MacBook Pro but I don’t think that is going to gain me much. I don’t care about screen size - I just like the laptop form factor better for some things vs an iPad.

I don’t mind a used or refurb machine or upgrading ram and ssd myself. Just looking for a point in the right direction.

I used to have a 2012 MBP before I upgraded in 2020 to the 2020 MBP. If I were you I'd get the new MBP with the touch bar running the M2 chip. If I had the money thats what I would do as Intel machines wont be supported forever.

MacBook Pro

MacBook Pro with M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips. Up to 22 hours of battery life. The world’s best laptop display. Now in a new color: Space Black.

www.apple.com

 

[Queen6]

I used to have a 2012 MBP before I upgraded in 2020 to the 2020 MBP. If I were you I'd get the new MBP with the touch bar running the M2 chip. If I had the money thats what I would do as Intel machines wont be supported forever.

MacBook Pro

MacBook Pro with M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips. Up to 22 hours of battery life. The world’s best laptop display. Now in a new color: Space Black.

www.apple.com

Not a fan of the Touchbar, equally the 13" MBP really offers a lot of value, owning an M1 13" MBP myself. I'd consider the 14" MBP, however the battery runtime is significantly less and that I don't care for and the 16" is too big for my needs.

Q-6

 

[jwolf6589]

Not a fan of the Touchbar, equally the 13" MBP really offers a lot of value, owning an M1 13" MBP myself. I'd consider the 14" MBP, however the battery runtime is significantly less and that I don't care for and the 16" is too big for my needs.

Q-6

Not everyone can afford the 14 or 16 inch models. I use the Touch Bar daily and it's a big reason I went to my current MacBook over the air model.

 

[Queen6]

Not everyone can afford the 14 or 16 inch models. I use the Touch Bar daily and it's a big reason I went to my current MacBook over the air model.

True as the price of Mac's are spiralling in many regions. I bought mine in 2020 so either an Air or 13" MBP. Touchbar I don't remotely care about as I have my GUI set up to my needs and as a touch typist have no need of it.

If using professionally pricing is not an issue as that's what's paying the bills. If I had a need for a 14"/16" I'd purchase one as in general my Mac's have paid me back a hundred fold of their purchase price as have the PC's.

Q-6

 

[Fishrrman]

Fishrrman's rules for used MacBook buying:

DO NOT BUY:
MacBook Pro 13" -- 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
MacBook Pro 15" -- 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
ALL of these have the disastrous "butterfly keyboards" that are highly-prone to failure. Although Apple has a free replacement program running for 4 years "from new", when that time expires YOU will pay for the repair.
And it's NOT CHEAP -- $750 for even a single key gone bad.
That's because the entire top case has to be replaced... even for a single key failure!

DO BUY:
MacBook Pro 13" -- 2020
MacBook Pro 16" -- 2019 and later.
These have the new "magic" (scissors) keyboards, as did the 2015 and earlier MBPs. These keyboards have been very reliable.

Also:
Apple-refurbished MacBook Pro 14" or 16" -- 2021

 

[gpat]

Just keep your 2012 MBP or go for Apple Silicon.
Upgrading to a 2015 would give you little extra futureproofing and the 2016+ ones are just not worth it.

 

[sam_dean]

Used 2020 Macbook Air M1 could be had for about ~$500?

 

[ignatius345]

Used 2020 Macbook Air M1 could be had for about ~$500?

This is the correct answer IMO. The M1 Air offers the greatest bang for the buck of any Mac out there right now.

 

[sam_dean]

This is the correct answer IMO. The M1 Air offers the greatest bang for the buck of any Mac out there right now.

1st M1 Mac was released in Nov 2020.

Today is Feb 2023.

Replacement cycles

- per Apple: every 4 years
- per Intel: every 5-6 years
- final Security Update: ~10 years

 

[ignatius345]

1st M1 Mac was released in Nov 2020.

Today is Feb 2023.

Replacement cycles

- per Apple: every 4 years
- per Intel: every 5-6 years
- final Security Update: ~10 years

OK. The OP asked for "another Mac laptop that is supported for at least the current and hopefully one more future OS release" and a used/refurbished M1 Air would fulfill that requirement and will probably remain able to run a current OS for easily several more years.

 

[Queen6]

Fishrrman's rules for used MacBook buying:

DO NOT BUY:
MacBook Pro 13" -- 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
MacBook Pro 15" -- 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
ALL of these have the disastrous "butterfly keyboards" that are highly-prone to failure. Although Apple has a free replacement program running for 4 years "from new", when that time expires YOU will pay for the repair.
And it's NOT CHEAP -- $750 for even a single key gone bad.
That's because the entire top case has to be replaced... even for a single key failure!

DO BUY:
MacBook Pro 13" -- 2020
MacBook Pro 16" -- 2019 and later.
These have the new "magic" (scissors) keyboards, as did the 2015 and earlier MBPs. These keyboards have been very reliable.

Also:
Apple-refurbished MacBook Pro 14" or 16" -- 2021

More so now as the extended warranty is done. When the 2016 redesign came out I was very critical and remain to be so, nor proved wrong. Mac's with Butterfly Keyboards should be strictly avoided at all costs; subjectively awful to type on, objectively unreliable garbage and expensive to repair...

Thankfully Apple woke up and is now producing what customers need, not what designers want to project. The symmetry of the 2016 chassis wasn't lost on me, equally having to hang multiple dongles off the MBP to just perform basic tasks didn't sit well with me or many others.

2016 was using Mac notebooks professionally, never seen so many drop the platform. Colour me surprised, as Pro users want port diversity, they expect reliability and what Apple came out with was garbage with gimmicks (Touchbar)

Have a 2020 13" MBP like a lot, big fan of the battery life & performance. Not a fan of the port solution, as going from seven to two ports is far from ideal. Touchbar could care very less about, doubt I've used it more than the number of fingers on my hands. My focus is the display and that's how I set up my Mac's.

Q-6

 

[smirking]

1st M1 Mac was released in Nov 2020.

Today is Feb 2023.

I believe Apple starts the countdown to vintage and obsolete status from the date when the item is no longer being sold in their retail stores. The M1 MBA is still a current retail option so a used M1 MBA is an extra good buy if the OP wants to extend the time horizon for OS support as long as possible. The countdown hasn't even started yet.

 

[sam_dean]

I believe Apple starts the countdown to vintage and obsolete status from the date when the item is no longer being sold in their retail stores. The M1 MBA is still a current retail option so a used M1 MBA is an extra good buy if the OP wants to extend the time horizon for OS support as long as possible. The countdown hasn't even started yet.

I am pointing out the typical replacement cycle. Not when its vintage or obsolete.

 

[Queen6]

I believe Apple starts the countdown to vintage and obsolete status from the date when the item is no longer being sold in their retail stores. The M1 MBA is still a current retail option so a used M1 MBA is an extra good buy if the OP wants to extend the time horizon for OS support as long as possible. The countdown hasn't even started yet.

Don't see it as an issue to run an older OS, just need to take sensible security precautions with some 3rd party solutions. Have run countless AV/MW checks on my 2011 15" never had a positive hit. Not that I'm suggesting Mac's are impervious to malware attacks.

Main reason the 2011 remains on High Sierra as it will likely need to be modified at the HW level to maintain functionality of brightness control and sleep. TBH just not worth the effort, it's more than paid for itself and remains stock from the factory and been grinding away for over a decade.

Q-6

 

[smirking]

TBH just not worth the effort, it's more than paid for itself and remains stock from the factory and been grinding away for over a decade.

I'm in the same boat. I have a 2010 running High Sierra that I use only for special situations. I'm not too concerned about it running a obsolete OS. Everything on it is for a handful of special purposes. Even in the unlikely scenario of it getting pwned by malware, it wouldn't cause me much pain to wipe it and start over.