Update MacBook Pro or Replace? (mid 2012)

JavaQueen · ‎03-09-2010

I've been thinking a lot about this and thought I'd toss it out there.

A little over four years ago, I purchased a MacBook Pro (mid 2012 model.) It was slightly cheaper and I had visions of upgrading it. In my ignorance, I thought they could upgrade it a Genius Bar. They don't do that. I never upgraded the original OS--until May of this year. Overall, performance was great. I did have issues with Word and other Office programs, but I used Pages and converted documents or a my old Windows machine.

Mind you, this MBP still has only 4 GB. I was forced to upgrade in May. One day I woke and found that neither MS Office or Adobe Acrobat Pro DC would open. I was forced to upgrade to High Sierra. Sicne that time, it's been quite a challenge and this has been the busiest summer and fall that I've had in a long time. To improve performance, I need to add RAM and I know that I can;t do it mysel. I woudl do more harm than good. (I have no mechanicla ability whatsoever.)

Should I pay someone to upgrade and try to push it out another year. I've neen shopping around for tis replacement. No, I don't want to spend $3K and I'm not absolutely wedded to IOS.

What do you think? Shoudl I pay $300 of so to upgrade?

Thanks for reading.

Nuttmeg · ‎03-09-2010

@JavaQueen @Louis Rossmann runs a Mac repair business and a YouTube channel. His company can help you decide whether to upgrade your Mac

jackthebear · ‎03-11-2010

we just bought a new MacBook from Costco with a 200$ discount if you are a member --iirc the coupon is over but they do them all the time.

IMO better to invest the $300 in new tech, which by now is almost 7 years old

gardenman · ‎03-09-2010

Given that it's a 2012 machine, I'd be more inclined to replace it than upgrade it. The question then becomes, replace it with what? That truly depends on what you use the computer for. Microsoft Office will run on pretty much anything. If that's your primary use, then you could be looking at anything from a Chromebook that runs the Android apps (Microsoft has their Office apps available through the Google Play Store on the Chromebooks that run Android apps) to a new Macbook. Anything Apple will cost you more and if you're not using Apple programs or apps, then you're not married to the Apple ecosystem.

You can buy a brand new Chromebook for the $300 you'd spend to upgrade your existing computer. The Windows ecosystem has a ton of options ranging from tablets to full-blown laptops with every bell and whistle. You can spend as little as $120-$3,000+ depending on what you want and need.

A lot of people buy a laptop then always use it plugged in at their desk. If you're one of those people then a desktop computer is another option to consider. Pretty much anything from a thin client to a full-blown all-out water-cooled gaming rig can handle Office software. You can spend as little as $300 and up for a desktop computer these days. Even the goofy little stick computers/mini-computers that plug directly into an HDTV or monitor can typically run Office apps and you can buy them from $120 and up.

You definitely don't need to spend $3,000 to get a new computer. Even if you're a gamer, or do video editing, for around $2,000 you can buy a prebuilt desktop or laptop computer that will handle whatever you want to throw at it. You can spend more than that, but the return on the investment really goes away when you get above the $2,000 mark. You might gain a few seconds or even a few minutes on rendering videos when you go above $2,000 or you might up the frame rate a bit on games, but the return on the investment truly isn't there unless you absolutely have to have the best of the best.

Fly!!! Eagles!!! Fly!!!

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

You woud be fighting a losing battle to try to upgrade.

Mz iMac · ‎07-26-2014

@JavaQueen wrote:

What do you think? Shoudl I pay $300 of so to upgrade?

No. Upgrading a 2012 MBP can be done much cheaper. You can purchase 3rd party RAM from ramseeker.com for under $100 for your MBP from various RAM resellers. All w/lifetime guarantee's.

Youtube tutorials DIY RAM installation can be very helpful for folks like you. Apple also has a YouTube support/tip/tricks site - https://www.youtube.com/applesupport

Still hesitant? Then you should see if there is a Mac User Group near your locale. If so, they will be more than happy to install the RAM for FREE!

copy/paste link--->appleusergroupresources.com/find-a-group/

If you want to purchase another MBP & don't want to spend $3k, check out Apple's MBP refurbish website: copy/paste link--->apple.com/shop/refurbished/mac/macbook-pro

"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."

JavaQueen · ‎03-09-2010

Thank you, all.

I just needed some some options to explore. Due to space limitations and the fact that I travel with my compter a few times per year, a desktop is not an option. I need to run professional level software that is outside the scope of just plain MS Office. I can make do with an i5, but I do need RAM. Creative Suite supposedly can work on 4GB (no!), but they recommend 16GB of RAM. Those requirements will put one well into the $2K range. I did spot a few gaming laptops that might do the trick for $800

I despise this planned obsolescence. My MBP is such a great machine. It's made well and I love the keypad. After nearly 20 years of using Windows, I had turned to IOS after the relase of Windows 8. I've found that I had fewer worries with banner ads Indian Microsoft scams.

Anyway, thanks again. I'll check out the links, etc. I might even let you know how I made out!