I'm in the market for a MBP. This is the last of the user-serviceable MPBs, correct? Also, any issues (as a whole) with them that I should look out for?

Used market for macs has shot up in $, harder to find a deal on them.

Do you have a budget? what kinda specs do you want?

Is there some underlying desire for "user servicable"? Or a specifc part you want to be "serviceable"?

2013-2015 13 & 15" MBPs ram is permanent, but drive upgrades are super simple. Batteries are glued in, but also DIY if you arent afraid of computer work....

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

They're great choices...I use one (13") daily and have a few spares.

Only caveat is that you'll be replacing the internal hard drive ribbon cable ($15) every couple of years if you move it around as much as I do.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 10/23/2020 10:10AM by Bill in NC.

I like the 2012s, with 16GB of RAM and SSDs installed. I have misgivings about used laptops, though. They are a lot easier to damage than a desktop machine.

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My life goes smoothly and in regular intervals

Would like to be in the +/- $300 range. Want either i5 or i7 processor (no C2D) and prefer 8gb ram. I do have some 4gb chips, so I could upgrade it myself as long as memory is not soldered to the board (which it's not in the 2012s). Also, unless it comes with an SSD (which, for that range I'm not expecting one), I would put my own 500gb in. Not afraid of computer work at all - once baked a mb in the oven to get it working again

I thought there was something about proprietary hdd's in the newer MBPs?

I love my mid-2012 MBP 2.9Ghz i7. I've upgraded the RAM to 16GB and added a 1TB in the place of the SuperDrive, keeping the 750GB HD for data storage (thanks to our sponsor for the DataDoubler and External case for the SuperDrive).

As much as I'd love new hardware, I see no reason to upgrade at this time.

Bill - are you parting with any of those spares? If so, pm me

I have one. still going strong. Bought an AppleRefurb in 2013.
I upgraded the HDD to a 1 TB SSD.
Replaced the battery with one from our sponsors.

I really should upgrade the ram.

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San Antonio, TX (in the old city)


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$300 is gonna be a tough price point, good luck.

There are $12 adapters for using NVMes in 13-15 MBPs.

I have 2 of the 2012s, with i5/12 GB/500 GB SSDs that my kids use. they run... fine. Damn heavy tho. battery is meh... but original, so expected.

Bought used for $300, one local, one on ebay. Both are near pristine, had them in plastic cases. IF I really wanted to get rid of them, ID bump the ram to 16 -- and bet I could get near $500. 5 second look at ebay wants $400 with stock specs.

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

Yeah, I've been perusing eBay the last couple days and there are some just over $300, but not maxed out MBPs. Also, most around or below that price point have a lot of scarring. I don't mind a little scratching here/there or the occasional small dent, but definitely not interested in one that looks like absolute garbage
Also, as long as it works without issue, they don't have to include a hdd and/or ram (since I have those). And, I *believe I have a spare power supply, so that wouldn't be an issue if not included, either.

Also, if I purchase from eBay, they offer 1 yr of square trade for $42. Is this really worth it?

Love my mid-2012 13".. Upgrading is super simple. my only complaint is battery life, even with new battery from OWC you are looking at 3-4 hours.

Swappa has a load in the $350 range -- [swappa.com]

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The German word for contraceptive is “Schwangerschaftsverhütungsmittel”. By the time you finished saying that, it’s too late

Oh yeah, I forgot about Swappa - thanks!

Yeah, $300 should have been totally doable if not for the pandemic price jacking. Hopefully, prices will start to fall back to normal soon.

I bought a 2012 on eBay early this summer for $650. It was in excellent condition with a 768 GB SSD with 16 GBs RAM. I needed a 15” MBP in a hurry so I paid the piper. Unfortunately, the battery is a bit weak.

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Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where the weather is wonderful even when it isn't.

Thanks for all the input! Swappa was the winner (well, I'll really know if/when the MBP arrives )
Also, free shipping and no tax made the deal sweeter (my state tax is almost 10%).

Wow, there is a very nice 16GBRAM/500GB SSD 13" for $399. That would serve someone well still for many years.