What to do with old MBP 13 needing battery? Sell as is?

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › What to do with old MBP 13 needing battery? Sell as is?

TeaLeaf

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#205389 11-Nov-2016 08:07

I was going to post this in laptops but its more a money off topic ethical question.

This has cost me in 2 power cables both fraying at $200 a piece, grrrrr. Now the battery is dying. Lasts 2-3 hours. 1200 cycles. Do I replace it or sell as is?

$60 third party battery or $120 apple battery.

2012 model its likely only worth $500. Having already invested so much I feel reluctant to put more into it.

Edit: My previous model had the fan replaced 3 times. 2010 the first model.

tdgeek

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#1667787 11-Nov-2016 08:23

$500? you sure?

If I bought a pre owned 2012 MBP for $500, I'd see an Apple battery at $120, a worthwhile purchase. Unless third party are near enough as good.

For you though, it comes down to how much you use it, and how long it covers your needs for.

antoniosk

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#1667801 11-Nov-2016 08:52

I agree. I think you're undervaluing your MBP, unless you just want a new device - in which case you should get one.

I've just replaced the mechanical HD with a Crucial MX200 SSD in our 6yr old white Macbook, and the thing is like new and works very well. Battery wear is very good, and if I need to replace I know i can do it myself. Contemplating bumping the ram up to 8GB.

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tdgeek

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#1667802 11-Nov-2016 08:55

antoniosk:

I agree. I think you're undervaluing your MBP, unless you just want a new device - in which case you should get one.

I've just replaced the mechanical HD with a Crucial MX200 SSD in our 6yr old white Macbook, and the thing is like new and works very well. Battery wear is very good, and if I need to replace I know i can do it myself. Contemplating bumping the ram up to 8GB.

Excellent idea. The SSD helps battery, that might even push out the need to change the battery. And when it is sold, pop the old HDD back.

Dairyxox

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#1667830 11-Nov-2016 09:53

antoniosk:

I agree. I think you're undervaluing your MBP, unless you just want a new device - in which case you should get one.

I've just replaced the mechanical HD with a Crucial MX200 SSD in our 6yr old white Macbook, and the thing is like new and works very well. Battery wear is very good, and if I need to replace I know i can do it myself. Contemplating bumping the ram up to 8GB.

I think the value reflects the OP's experience with the product. Its been a lemon.

dylanp

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#1667832 11-Nov-2016 09:58

Re: fraying power cable, aliexpress has replacement magsafe cables for not much, quite good if you're alright with soldering them. Recommend looking at the videos on youtube that show how to melt the glue holding the power brick closed instead of just cracking it open.

tdgeek

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#1667833 11-Nov-2016 09:58

Dairyxox:

antoniosk:

I agree. I think you're undervaluing your MBP, unless you just want a new device - in which case you should get one.

I've just replaced the mechanical HD with a Crucial MX200 SSD in our 6yr old white Macbook, and the thing is like new and works very well. Battery wear is very good, and if I need to replace I know i can do it myself. Contemplating bumping the ram up to 8GB.

I think the value reflects the OP's experience with the product. Its been a lemon.

The power cables fraying seems a user issue. Its a 4yo laptop, 3 hours aint that bad, and resolvable. Doesnt seem a lemon to me, its only about the battery, as far as the laptop is concerned

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

TeaLeaf

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#1667841 11-Nov-2016 10:15

I found a third party magsafe for $75 the next day i bought the last one.

Nah its not user error. I know that seems like the obvious and I would assume that to. Everyone likes to say oh you dont treat it right, oh you must be rough with it. Well it sat on a desk for 3 years not moving. All 3 of the MBP had the same problem. Ive not known any of my friends who havnt replaced their magsafe if that means anything. They must all be super rough with them :-) Silly ladies, be gentle I tell them.

They got sued for it on the T join and lost, but my understanding is the L join is no different cable material. The issue I think is the material dries and gets hardened and then brittle and finally cracks. Thats my experience anyway.

I still enjoy typing on it, the screen is nice and bright and clear and it dual boots beautifully. But we have another 13" and now want to get a 15" 6700hq to hook up to 4k monitor for lightroom etc.

Well whats a 2012 MBP i7 worth then?

We are looking to sell it simply because of our photography a quad core 6700hq will spit out exports 4-5 times faster. The difference with 80 files between dual and quad is 2 minutes. Octa core your looking at about a minute, but i dont think ive seen an octa in notebook? lol A lot of guys use the 5820 instead of the 6700k because the former is hexacore.

Dairyxox

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#1667892 11-Nov-2016 10:50

I've got a mid 2012 macbook air with the magsafe 2 connector, its still fine after all these years, and i'm not so gentle with it.

The laptop does not sit on a desk - but goes where I choose to use it.

Your one is the non-retina, non ssd model right? Might be worth $700

TeaLeaf

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#1668141 11-Nov-2016 16:10

Yep thats correct.

man i envy your magsafe ! haha.

i checked out the cpu and fan today, all good, tends to get hot on videos due to the most ridiculous thermal system design known to man (ie no RnD). if i can fix that i might keep it.

but i suspect it might need a blow out, a rebuild and an SMC.

battery is over 1000 cycles but istat says 60% health, i guess makes sense, still last 3+ hours.

antoniosk

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#1668168 11-Nov-2016 16:53

TeaLeaf:

Well whats a 2012 MBP i7 worth then?

We are looking to sell it simply because of our photography a quad core 6700hq will spit out exports 4-5 times faster. The difference with 80 files between dual and quad is 2 minutes. Octa core your looking at about a minute, but i dont think ive seen an octa in notebook? lol A lot of guys use the 5820 instead of the 6700k because the former is hexacore.

Think you have your answer right there.

Guess you have time to look for USB-C cables with high wear and tear protection...

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TeaLeaf

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#1668175 11-Nov-2016 17:06

Bahaha, yeah. Ive never had a cable break on any other system in my life, hifi, PC, laptop etc, but MBP pffft. I know 4 other people, ladies with the same problem.

In fact if you google it I think you will find its general NOT misuse or rough handling. Its a case some seem to last and others dont that confuses the issue.

I guess one plus point selling it, brand new magsafe with warranty :-)