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Happy Anniversary to my MacBook Pro! Four years ago I made the switch from Windows to Mac with the support of Wonder of Tech readers and the nudging of my oldest daughter. In August 2011 I asked Wonder of Tech readers PC or Mac? and the issue was hotly debated in the comments and in the article’s poll. But the majority of commenters were passionately in favor of me switching to Mac.
Because Wonder of Tech readers are the smartest people on the Internet (true), I accepted the advice I was given. I took the plunge and bought a 17-inch MacBook Pro I named The Beast. Even though I bought The Beast in August of 2012, it’s actually a late 2011 model MacBook Pro, now five years old.
I’m writing this article on The Beast, as I’ve written nearly every Wonder of Tech article since I got my first (and only) Mac.
As a fan of tech and a self-described polygadgetist, I should want the latest and greatest tech, right? But I have absolutely no desire to replace The Beast. In fact, I will be in mourning the day I have to get a new computer.
Why I Don’t Want to Replace the Beast
1. The Beast works just fine. The Beast doesn’t crash or cause me any problems. The battery doesn’t last long, but I am usually close to a power outlet. I could always replace the battery if I needed to, but I don’t.
2. I’ve upgraded The Beast to just how I want it. I’ve replaced the memory cards so I went from 4GB of memory to 16GB, making The Beast plenty speedy.
[note]Apple states that the maximum memory this model of MacBook Pro can have is 8GB, but I trusted reviewers on Amazon who said they successfully upgraded to 16GB of memory. Fortunately for me, the reviewers were correct. [/note]
I also replaced the 500GB hard drive with a 1TB solid state drive, making The Beast faster and more powerful.
Find out how to replace your hard drive with a solid state drive: Speed Up Your Slow Computer with a Solid State Drive (SSD).
3. Apple doesn’t make a 17 inch laptop any more. The Beast is the last model MacBook with a 17 inch screen. I like my screens big. I have an iPhone 6 Plus. Bigger is better for me.
I keep multiple windows open on my screen, side-by-side, when I work on my articles. Having a big screen makes work easier.
Current MacBook Pro models have a maximum screen size of 15 inches.
4. I’m not a fan of Apple’s current line of laptops, and not only because they only go up to 15 inch screen size.
a. They’re expensive. Apple charges a lot to add memory and storage capacity, much more than you would pay to upgrade these yourself. To get the memory, processor and hard drive comparable to what I have now in a 15 inch MacBook Pro, I would have to pay $2749.
That’s a lot of money, especially for a laptop which is portable and more susceptible to damage. See, How to Protect Your Laptop from Damage and Disaster [Infographic].
b. MacBook Pro models are no longer upgradable after you buy them. Apple now seals their laptops and adheres the parts so they are not easily replaceable. They’re also not easily repairable.
See Cult of Mac, iFixit Teardown Reveals New MacBook Pro Is ‘Least Repairable Laptop’ Yet.
5. I’m not going back to Windows. Yes, I realize I could get a 17-inch Windows laptop and spend less. But I very much enjoy the Mac experience, including the ability to get and respond to text messages and FaceTime calls on my computer.
I have nothing against Windows, I just prefer Mac computers now.
What Aren’t Reasons I’m Staying with The Beast
1. The hassle of setting up a new computer. I used to dread setting up a new computer because the process took so long and was complicated. But that’s not a problem any more for me.
With Time Machine, setting up a new Mac is easy. You can have your new computer download all your files from your old computer.
See, Time Machine: My New Best (Tech) Friend! to learn how Time Machine backs up and restores Mac computers.
I restored The Beast from my Time Machine after I replaced my hard drive with a solid state drive. The process takes hours, but you can do it overnight when you sleep.
2. Lack of Portability. Lugging a 17-inch laptop around can be cumbersome. Having a thin and light laptop would be sublime. But I can’t have it both ways — big screen and small profile. I’m willing to sacrifice lack of portability for extra screen real estate.
3. Lack of a CD player. The Beast has a CD player which new MacBooks don’t have. I can’t honestly say I’d miss having a CD player on my computer. I can’t remember the last time I used the CD player on The Beast.
What Could Go Wrong
I will have to replace The Beast some day. Tech doesn’t last forever, especially laptops which are mobile. My computer will either become obsolete, be damaged or stop working.
I also may some day be lured by a new computer that has compelling features I crave. Next month, new models of MacBook Pro computers may be announced. Who knows? They may be innovative enough to entice me to replace the Beast.
Or not.
Your Thoughts
How often do you replace your computer? Have you ever resisted upgrading your tech? Do you have any features that aren’t available on today’s computers?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
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* MacBook image (edited) courtesy of Marcin Nowak via Unsplash and Creative Commons
* MacBook Rainbow image courtesy of Wesson Wang via Unsplash and Creative Commons
* MacBook at Night image (edited) courtesy of Jay Wennington via Unsplash and Creative Commons
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I can attest to the longevity of the MBP and agree with many of your reasons for not upgrading. I have a 2007 Macbook Pro that I gave to a good friend that the twins spilled a 32 ounce cup of Apple juice into twice.
It still runs great and I never upgraded it.
I have a newer Mac that I’m slowly upgrading (2012 I think?). I *would* buy a new one because I want a smaller one to use downstairs that my mother could quickly hop on if she needed to do something quickly, and so that I wouldn’t have to working remotely from my IPad, which is an issue if I want to do something in Camtasia.
But I never pay full price for Macs. I always scroll down to the end of the home page and click the Refurbished link. Here’s a direct line for Macs – DM me if you don’t see it and I’ll send you the link.
I always get a deal on one that is still under warranty, which allows me to easily afford Apple Care, or lots left over to upgrade. With a little bit of research, I can find the oldest one that has the current base specs – and as such, the lowest price.
Mine is harder to open than the 2007 but not terrible. It’s shut with screws but as skittish I am about hardware, I upgraded to a terabyte in a breeze. Next up is memory. Not that its a problem, but why not get as much as you can?
Love these kinds of posts! Thanks for writing this up.
Hi Tinu, Wow, here I’m thinking my five year old Mac is old but many commenters are telling us that they have much older Macs that they’re still using. It really can be an investment to buy a computer if it’s going to last nine years or more. My Windows laptops seemed to have a three year life span at most. Though I have seen Windows desktops last much longer.
Great idea to buy a refurbished Mac. You can save money and get a computer that’s as good as new, complete with warranty.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us, Tinu!
Great article as always Carolyn,
I’m with you on the “not replacing” issue although my situation is entirely different. My iMac is a seven year old 27″ iMac desktop – just as it came in the box with no upgrades. It works just fine for situations where I need multiple screens open – including some presentation development as well as the final preparation of my monthly newsletter. Everything else I do on my iPad. I got rid of my laptop in 2010 when the first iPad came out and never looked back.
I do all my writing and most of my presentation development – and of course delivery – on the iPad. I do a lot of photography and video work – all on my current iPad Air 2. I have at least 200 photo/video apps now and have tried hundreds more. It’s a joy to carry around a two pound (including keyboard and case) “laptop equivalent”. And of course it has an all day battery life. Because I have a 9.7″ screen with me all the time I get by on the “small” iPhone 6. The fact that an “old Mac” still runs the latest Mac OS is pretty amazing as well.
It looks like we reached the same conclusion for entirely different reasons!
Thanks again,
Gary
Hi Gary, Very interesting analysis of why you aren’t upgrading to a new Mac. I can’t seem to make the switch to an iPad as a laptop replacement. I miss the complete functionality of having a laptop when I’m trying to use my iPad. I guess I’m just “Old School” with tech!
I would love to know which photo apps you recommend after trying so many! Do you have one favorite or a cluster of favorites, depending on the task?
I’m with you! I only replace my tech when it dies. I want to get on and get to work. I don’t want to be messing around learning new stuff if I don’t have to. I don’t have the time or the patience for that.
Hi Carole, Exactly! Why replace tech when it still works great for you? If it ain’t broke, why fix it?
Replacing tech takes time, money and patience. We can spend those on other things if we’d like.
I have a similar model, a late 2011 MacBook Pro but it’s a 13 inch and I like it just fine. It doesnt weight quite as much a “The Beast” but it works great, I have extended Apple Care and as long this current workhorse keeps doing what I need it to do, why change? I like to think I’m not a sucker for the latest, greatest, improved, faster, better model whatever it is. I drive a 10 yr old car, destined to become a classic. My mantra is whatever works, leave it alone. Oh yes, it’s running the OS 10.11.6 just fine too. All is well on zee laptop.
I’m also using a MacBook Pro mid-2012, but only 15-inch because the 17-inch is too large for me.
For now, it’s still good, especially upgrade a few parts, such as add more RAM – 8GB, replace the traditional HDD with a 500GB SSD for faster speed. Also, I have upgraded to the latest version of Mac OS X.
Now, it’s run very smooth and nothing to complain about.
From my point of view, we don’t really need to buy a new Mac, just upgrade to SSD and add more RAM.
That would be enough!
Hi Tony, That’s great you also have customized your Mac to just how you want it. I agree, if we have what we want then there’s no need to upgrade to a new one.
I’m disappointed that the new Macs are not customizable after you buy them. I know adhering the internal parts makes for a more stable device, but it takes away the fun of opening the computer and replacing things.
There are times 17 inches is too big for me, as in any time I need to carry my computer around. But when I’m at my desk I very much appreciate the extra screen real estate!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Tony.
The reason is that to make it lighter and slimmer, Apple did an all in one solution that integrated as many parts into one board as possible. That leads to can’t add more RAM or even upgrade HDD/SSD, especially in MacBook Air.
So boring!
Hi Tony, Good point. Yes, wouldn’t it be great if we were given the choice of laptops we could upgrade or those we couldn’t? I know which one I would choose.
Hi Carolyn,
Great post and mirrors my own experience (ex -Windows to Mac convert). Just one small difference I don’t actually have my CD player anymore having used the space to add a second SSD drive and instead use a $50 add-on if I ever need a CD player. Although I take the speed for granted and love my 17″ screen I do sometimes wonder how I ever got anything done before SSD drives. Like you I do worry about obsolesence sometimes. Thanks for letting me know I’m not the only one.
Hi Chloe, That’s a great idea to replace my CD drive with a second SSD drive. But I’ve only used 1/2 the space on my 1 TB SSD drive so it may be a while before I run out of room.
Will The Beast last long enough for me to need a second SSD drive? I hope so.
Thanks for your comment, Chloe. So wonderful to hear from a fellow fan of a 17 inch MacBook Pro!
I have a 2008 iMac and I am not replacing it for almost the same reasons. I upgraded to 6GB of Ram even though 4GB was supposed to be the limit.
Everything works, including the CD drive.
Even worse I have a much older Mac laptop. It also works perfectly and I have no problem with it. I mostly use it for reading one of the 1,000+ books I have on it. But I can go online with it through the wifi and sometimes do. Macs are built to last. I simply do not understand people who upgrade their iPhone or Mac frequently. Ego maybe?
I also have a newer Win system that I keep at the Win7 level because it is maybe the best and most reliable Windows system ever,
Hi Jim, Wow, so you’re using three older computers. That’s impressive. But if they’re working for you then no need to replace them.
I can understand why people want to upgrade their tech, even if it’s working for them. They may want the latest features, a lighter laptop, sharper screen display or faster computing. Not everyone is comfortable with opening up their computers and messing with the insides. I remember, many years ago, my brother wanted to open up my desktop PC and I was petrified. But I let him and he gave me a tour of the insides. Very cool.
It’s such a shame that the newer Macs cannot be opened and upgraded by users. We’re probably in a small minority but we tech tinkerers aren’t being allowed to do our thing.
You’re right, Macs are built to last, which can’t be said about all tech products. Some are planned to be obsolete quickly. But we can appreciate the classics.
I didn’t even tell all of the story. I have two older Android tablets, one five and the other four years old. The both still function perfectly and I take the “newer” one on plane trips t watch movies. Some I have loaded on it, others I take a thumb drive with an adapter for the mini USB port. No strain, all gain.
Hi Jim, That’s great, you have what works for you, fully loaded and ready to go. Excellent illustration of how older tech works well for you.
I have been a windows and linux user all my life. But I have used Mac for a short period of time. But I must say that the optimization of apps on Mac OS is much greater than Windows. And It has some good features that Windows lacks but looking forward that Windows will get them soon.
I dont need a Mac now but will get it in near future.
Nice one Carolyn. But just admit you are obsessed with it. Lol! Am obsessed with mine too, been with it for four years now and i don’t feel like upgrading
Hi Kolo, Lol, I have been obsessed with tech before, but I don’t think I am with The Beast. I know when I’m obsessed I can’t stand using other tech. That’s not the case with other computers, I can use them fine. I just want a good reason to upgrade and I don’t have one yet.
But I’m glad you’re satisfied with your computer, Kolo!