My Macbook pro: what to do next?

LongLensPhotography

LongLensPhotography

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My MBP 15" is nearly 3 years old now. It is in perfect condition and works fine, but clearly the warranty will end in a month.

I am a bit concerned, as a year ago I had a nasty motherboard failure. I got it replaced under w'ty, otherwise it would have been over £800 to pay - nearly full mbp 13" price! I would be in trouble if this happened to me again.

I am quite happy with 15" size, but would really be disappointed to get a super-reflective screen. I hate my work glossy screen M$ windows laptop.

Should I get a new one and get rid of my current one, and play the ebay game again? Are there any other options?
 
keep using it until it

a) doesn't run the software you want to any more, or
b) breaks

and pocket the saving on depreciation until you need to buy a new one?

edit: or,

c) until you have written off the cost in your accounts, if you are using it for business. At which point, on your books, it is worth nothing.
 
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Keep using it 'til it breaks I say...Keep any important data on the hard disk backed up of course. I have a late '07 Macbook that's still going strong. What can I say, I just love Core 2 processors! My Macbook has a Core 2 Duo 2Ghz CPU, and my desktop has a Core 2 Quad Q6600. Love it =D
 
BTW, IME with selling, supporting and buying PowerBooks and MacBooks over the last 20 years b) and c) often happen around the same time with laptops if you write off your capital expenditures over a five year period.

Desktops tend to hang around a lot longer and a) intervenes.
 
Just because it's 3 years old doesn't mean it's still not a good machine. I know people using 5 year old Mac Books that are still going strong. So unless the modern versions have something that you need keep the one you have.
 
Chappers said:
I know people using 5 year old Mac Books that are still going strong.
Click to expand...

they would be G4 PowerBooks of that vintage ;)

but yes, my firm still has a few in use.

Intel-only software may require them to be replaced in the next 12 months or so, though.
 
It looks as though you want peace of mind. Although your current model may go on for years you are worried what if something goes wrong, and is expensive. Is the peace of mind worth the cost of a new machine. Can you afford to buy a new machine?

If peace of mind is what you want then I'd go for the new model. Especially as Apple have announced some nice new models
 
You've had 3 years out of it, thanks to Applecare, so dont worry if it breaks, no computer will last forever.

After 3 years a new Mac will feel shiny fast and nice though.

Just remember to do a regular Time Machine backup and when the Macbook breaks just buy a new one and transfer the data across.
 
£800 to replace a motherboard, how ridiculous.
 
Ive had motherboard failures with both the G3 and G4 ibooks, same problem, black screen, machine running, no display.... very frustrating and was told both times not to bother fixing it. Now i own an MBP 13'' and its simply stunning. Because mac makes the operating system and programs for thier own machines, they will outlast windows-based laptops by years, I still know graphic artists running huge file sizes in PS CS5 on G4 Powerbooks, they're just that good whereas a 5 year old windows laptop would be in the bin.

I would suggest you were very unfortunate to have had a motherboard go after 2 years on an Intel mac but if you can sell it now for £700 and buy a new 13'' for a grand, it sounds like a bit of a no-brainer, but remember that the extended warranty is another £200 so before long you've almost spent a new L lens making the trade up!

and the reflective sceen on the MBP is a million times better than a Dell or something!
 
Richard Duncombe said:
I would suggest you were very unfortunate to have had a motherboard go after 2 years on an Intel mac but if you can sell it now for £700 and buy a new 13'' for a grand, it sounds like a bit of a no-brainer, but remember that the extended warranty is another £200 so before long you've almost spent a new L lens making the trade up!

and the reflective sceen on the MBP is a million times better than a Dell or something!
Click to expand...

I can get a student discount so Apple Care goes down to around £120 the last time I looked.

How good / bad is the reflective screen really? Can you see any lightbulb or your face reflections on it?

13" might do it this time, but I just can't stop thinking I want to stay with 15". I also can't stop thinking that 13" ones still run the same 2.4 GHz Core 2 Due with the same 4GB ram.
 
daugirdas said:
I can get a student discount so Apple Care goes down to around £120 the last time I looked.

How good / bad is the reflective screen really? Can you see any lightbulb or your face reflections on it?

13" might do it this time, but I just can't stop thinking I want to stay with 15". I also can't stop thinking that 13" ones still run the same 2.4 GHz Core 2 Due with the same 4GB ram.
Click to expand...

You can get the Apple Care even cheaper if you buy on eBay (obviously buyer beware but have a look at Cowasaki's thread).

The glossy screen is annoying, especially in very bright sunlight, but indoors it's fine and when the screen brightness is high (even on sunlight) it's more than useable.

DB
 
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