Hi all,
I'm after some honest advice about my macbook. Please forgive the long post!
Context:
I've got a 13" Late-2011 MBP with an i5 and 8GB RAM. I bought it brand new in Nov 2011 for Uni as I did a Music Technology course, and has been heavily used since.
In that time it's had a whole new display (after I fell down the stairs whilst carrying it ), a new hybrid hard drive/ssd, two new hard drive cables, a new battery and about 16 chargers as the Apple ones repeatedly burned themselves out. The Airport board no longer works (I was about to get that repaired...) and I've had numerous issues with the RAM boards slipping out of position and all bar 4 of the screw holes on the bottom cover have lost their shoulder rendering the screws useless, but despite that, it's been seriously useful. I still use Logic semi-regularly for work.
Also, I can't take it to any Apple-approved repairer as I had some work done at a place that promised a quicker turnaround than Apple or KRCS, but declined to point out that once they'd worked on it, it would no longer be acceptable to Apple. My fault as well for not checking but still.
Problem:
Yesterday, I opened it up to use it, opened launchpad, clicked on an application and it froze. I rebooted and got the folder with the question mark. This is the third time in the past year I've had it. I've ordered a new hard drive cable and am planning to replace it myself and am hoping that this will be the problem rather than the drive, which has only been in it since February this year.
My choice is this:
- I could keep paying to get the problems repaired. Right now it needs another replacement battery, a new airport board and the hard drive cable I've already mentioned. In a sense, this would be most convenient but clearly it's pretty worn out.
- Alternatively I could replace it, but I can't afford a brand new MacBook. I don't care for touchbar or any of that; I don't need it. I haven't really been watching new mac releases over the past few years as I haven't ever considered replacing mine, so I've no idea what's out there, or what prices things are.
Honestly, I'd happily buy a refurbished 2011 again but I don't know how long they'll be able to support future OS releases.
Ideally, I'd like a 15" or 17" pro with an i7 and at least a 1GB graphics card, as I do enjoy the odd game/sim in my spare time and my current laptop isn't up to running the newest ones, and there's always Logic Pro to bear in mind.
I've seen 2011 MBP's with that spec for around £500 on ebay, which I could do - however, I can't help but feel that wouldn't be a worthwhile investment.
With a budget of up to £550-600 max, what's the best I can do? Have I got any chance at all?
Thanks for any advice,
alexl102
I'm after some honest advice about my macbook. Please forgive the long post!
Context:
I've got a 13" Late-2011 MBP with an i5 and 8GB RAM. I bought it brand new in Nov 2011 for Uni as I did a Music Technology course, and has been heavily used since.
In that time it's had a whole new display (after I fell down the stairs whilst carrying it ), a new hybrid hard drive/ssd, two new hard drive cables, a new battery and about 16 chargers as the Apple ones repeatedly burned themselves out. The Airport board no longer works (I was about to get that repaired...) and I've had numerous issues with the RAM boards slipping out of position and all bar 4 of the screw holes on the bottom cover have lost their shoulder rendering the screws useless, but despite that, it's been seriously useful. I still use Logic semi-regularly for work.
Also, I can't take it to any Apple-approved repairer as I had some work done at a place that promised a quicker turnaround than Apple or KRCS, but declined to point out that once they'd worked on it, it would no longer be acceptable to Apple. My fault as well for not checking but still.
Problem:
Yesterday, I opened it up to use it, opened launchpad, clicked on an application and it froze. I rebooted and got the folder with the question mark. This is the third time in the past year I've had it. I've ordered a new hard drive cable and am planning to replace it myself and am hoping that this will be the problem rather than the drive, which has only been in it since February this year.
My choice is this:
- I could keep paying to get the problems repaired. Right now it needs another replacement battery, a new airport board and the hard drive cable I've already mentioned. In a sense, this would be most convenient but clearly it's pretty worn out.
- Alternatively I could replace it, but I can't afford a brand new MacBook. I don't care for touchbar or any of that; I don't need it. I haven't really been watching new mac releases over the past few years as I haven't ever considered replacing mine, so I've no idea what's out there, or what prices things are.
Honestly, I'd happily buy a refurbished 2011 again but I don't know how long they'll be able to support future OS releases.
Ideally, I'd like a 15" or 17" pro with an i7 and at least a 1GB graphics card, as I do enjoy the odd game/sim in my spare time and my current laptop isn't up to running the newest ones, and there's always Logic Pro to bear in mind.
I've seen 2011 MBP's with that spec for around £500 on ebay, which I could do - however, I can't help but feel that wouldn't be a worthwhile investment.
With a budget of up to £550-600 max, what's the best I can do? Have I got any chance at all?
Thanks for any advice,
alexl102