Help Macbook Pro 2012 - is it time to move on?

[Petcha]

Definitely go refurb. They do interest free deals on them too.

 

[Gaia]

I need some advice

I think my 2012 Macbook Pro has finally given up the ghost. It will only boot half way. Ive tried using a Time Machine backup, reinstalling MacOS and resetting PRAM, booting from an external drive all with no luck. Looking online seems to suggest its a hardware issue, probably with the logic board though I dont have enough knowledge to understand if thats right or not.

I've had the laptop for almost 10 years and Ive already replaced the logic board once about 3 years ago. Its a bit of a Ship of Theseus machine as Ive upgraded the RAM, installed a SSD harddrive, replaced the battery and last year replaced the screen.

If the problem is the logic board, I think I can find one online for about £75. But I'm not sure how much longer I should keep on trying to revive the machine. As I mentioned on the cables thread, I'm very sentimental and find it hard throwing things away.

If I were to go for buying a new machine, I dont have a huge budget. Ive stuck with Apple for 15 years or so because I bought into all the hype about it being better for music and graphic design. Is that still a thing? Ive not used any other OS properly for a long time.

I'd probably go for something refurbished. Preferably something which is easy to repair by myself (which is why I've loved the 2012 Macbook).

I'd want to be able to use Ableton (was enjoying the simplicity of Garage band and have loslost lots of demos Id made in the last month and stupidly not backed up!!). It would also be nice to do Zoom calls use Discord and browse the internet at the same time without the machine overheating so I can do long distance ttrpgs. Id also want to use it for work, but thats all on Google Drive so pretty simple. One potential benefit of getting a newer laptop is to use it for gaming.

So what should I do? Fix or Replace?

After 12 years...? It's had a VERY good innings. The 2012 stopped receiving macOS updates at Catalina (10.15), and Sequoia is due for release in the autumn,

Do you need a laptop? Mac minis are very good value.
I’m looking for a second hand M1 16gb 1tb. Saw one for under 700 quid with 2 year warranty at CEX but missed it.

I wouldn't buy a computer from CEX, if you're after a Mac, then your best bet is either direct from Apple (although you don't save much buy buying a refurb there), or from an Apple Authorised Reseller (which, to the best of my knowledge CEX is not), just from a peace of mind perspective. You'll have some kind of warranty should owt go tits up. Don't want to get accused of being an Apple shill, just trying to save you from potential problems.

 

[Riklet]

Those are great laptops the 2012 ones. I have fixed up and sold a fair few of them. If you want to repair it or at least try, I would 100% recommend replacing the ribbon cable that connects the logicboard to the SSD. This could fix your current issue. These are known to fail especially when using an SSD. You can get one for under a 10er online and if it doesn't work well just send it back.

Overall I would say replace though as they are now quite old machines and software support is a consideration. If you're on a budget those 2015 Macbook Pros are still good and have nvme ssds and better screens. Otherwise maybe a refurbished or used more recent one on ebay?

 

[zedr]

Those are great laptops the 2012 ones. I have fixed up and sold a fair few of them. If you want to repair it or at least try, I would 100% recommend replacing the ribbon cable that connects the logicboard to the SSD. This could fix your current issue. These are known to fail especially when using an SSD. You can get one for under a 10er online and if it doesn't work well just send it back.

Overall I would say replace though as they are now quite old machines and software support is a consideration. If you're on a budget those 2015 Macbook Pros are still good and have nvme ssds and better screens. Otherwise maybe a refurbished or used more recent one on ebay?

I've replaced that ribbon fairly recently (maybe 2021 when I installed a 1tb SSD). But it's a good shout, I might try again just to see if I can bring it back to life. I love the machine very much because an absolute n00b like me can do their own repairs and it makes me feel like a tech genius for at least half an hour.

Went for the 2015 Macbook Pro from CEX. Very happy with it so far, now that I've finally got it up and running. Its much quieter and seems to handle the things I need it for okay. Haven't managed to find a version of Ableton to use yet, but can manage with Garageband for the time being.

 

[Riklet]

I've replaced that ribbon fairly recently (maybe 2021 when I installed a 1tb SSD). But it's a good shout, I might try again just to see if I can bring it back to life. I love the machine very much because an absolute n00b like me can do their own repairs and it makes me feel like a tech genius for at least half an hour.

Went for the 2015 Macbook Pro from CEX. Very happy with it so far, now that I've finally got it up and running. Its much quieter and seems to handle the things I need it for okay. Haven't managed to find a version of Ableton to use yet, but can manage with Garageband for the time being.

I would replace it again. It sounds a likely cause imo. they are not very versatile when running SSDs due to the greater speeds causing wear.

Good to hear about the 2015 one that's a good choice. Excellent budget option and frankly the ones up until 2020 M1 M2 etc arent really that much better.

 

[MrsArcanum]

I need some advice

I think my 2012 Macbook Pro has finally given up the ghost. It will only boot half way. Ive tried using a Time Machine backup, reinstalling MacOS and resetting PRAM, booting from an external drive all with no luck. Looking online seems to suggest its a hardware issue, probably with the logic board though I dont have enough knowledge to understand if thats right or not.

I've had the laptop for almost 10 years and Ive already replaced the logic board once about 3 years ago. Its a bit of a Ship of Theseus machine as Ive upgraded the RAM, installed a SSD harddrive, replaced the battery and last year replaced the screen.

If the problem is the logic board, I think I can find one online for about £75. But I'm not sure how much longer I should keep on trying to revive the machine. As I mentioned on the cables thread, I'm very sentimental and find it hard throwing things away.

If I were to go for buying a new machine, I dont have a huge budget. Ive stuck with Apple for 15 years or so because I bought into all the hype about it being better for music and graphic design. Is that still a thing? Ive not used any other OS properly for a long time.

I'd probably go for something refurbished. Preferably something which is easy to repair by myself (which is why I've loved the 2012 Macbook).

I'd want to be able to use Ableton (was enjoying the simplicity of Garage band and have loslost lots of demos Id made in the last month and stupidly not backed up!!). It would also be nice to do Zoom calls use Discord and browse the internet at the same time without the machine overheating so I can do long distance ttrpgs. Id also want to use it for work, but thats all on Google Drive so pretty simple. One potential benefit of getting a newer laptop is to use it for gaming.

So what should I do? Fix or Replace?

Macs of all sorts have a built in obsolescence of 10 years. That you have managed an extra two years is all credit to you.

Back up everything you can to the cloud ASAP, as the problems will only get worse and more frequent.

 

[sim667]

I’m still on my mid 2020 MacBook Pro which is touch wood working fine, but sluggish and the battery is dead. But I’m starting a degree in October and really fancy treating myself to a new MacBook

 

[pseudonarcissus]

My 2018 MacBook Pro is now complaining about lack of memory. From the interweb, I think it has a soldered SSD.

I'm wondering what to do...probably I'll go to have a shop reformat the drive and re-install everything to see of the "other" reduces...if they offer a SSD replacement, is that worth the cost? can you do that if it's soldered?

I had a free replacement screen a couple of years ago, and amazingly I've not had any keyboard issues.

New computers are stupidly expensive here, but I might go to the USA next year, so I would save $1k by buying a new computer and phone there.

 

[souljacker]

My 2018 MacBook Pro is now complaining about lack of memory. From the interweb, I think it has a soldered SSD.

I'm wondering what to do...probably I'll go to have a shop reformat the drive and re-install everything to see of the "other" reduces...if they offer a SSD replacement, is that worth the cost? can you do that if it's soldered?

I had a free replacement screen a couple of years ago, and amazingly I've not had any keyboard issues.

New computers are stupidly expensive here, but I might go to the USA next year, so I would save $1k by buying a new computer and phone there.

Lack of memory or lack of disk space? If it's disk space then go to storage and you can see what is filling up your drive and delete a bunch of old stuff.

 

[pseudonarcissus]

Lack of memory or lack of disk space? If it's disk space then go to storage and you can see what is filling up your drive and delete a bunch of old stuff.

It seems to be “other” that is the problem. I’ve deleted all the music. I use Clean my Mac, but their new version doesn’t seem to delete as much as the old one . It’s disk space is the problem

 

[souljacker]

It seems to be “other” that is the problem. I’ve deleted all the music. I use Clean my Mac, but their new version doesn’t seem to delete as much as the old one . It’s disk space is the problem

Can you select the 'other' category and see what files are in there?

 

[sim667]

It seems to be “other” that is the problem. I’ve deleted all the music. I use Clean my Mac, but their new version doesn’t seem to delete as much as the old one . It’s disk space is the problem

That sounds like its storage that's the issue rather than the memory......

Have you used omnidisksweeper?