slefain wrote: If I had more time on my hands I'd go back to Linux, but those days are long gone for me. I don't want this to devolve into a Mac vs PC vs Linux thread though, we've done those to death here. From what most people are saying it sounds like I have gotten my money out of this laptop.
That's more or less the conclusion I've arrived at, too. I'll actually be tempted to install Linux on the machine once I got a replacement for it, but for me that's kinda work related.
Quick question, what are you using the new machine for? If you're just internetting that's one thing. If you're gaming and or doing CAD stuff...that's another.
In reply to HiTempguy:
I'm the same way. It's reached the point where software rarely keeps up with the hardware anymore outside of CAD, video editing, and dick measuring contests with gamers.
Over the last 2 architecture changes (not die shrink) to Intels chips I haven't seen much of a difference for what I do beyond benchmarks. This laptop has been used and abused for the last 4 years and it'll probably go until it dies or I end up in a position where I have a specific hardware need. Of course I don't play games the way I used to anymore and I no longer have to use CATIA so the video card has suited my needs well enough that I don't want to upgrade all the time.
slefain wrote: Looking for some thoughts here on how long most people wring out of a laptop. I'm writing this post from a base model 2008 MacBook. I threw in 4GB of RAM and upgraded it to Snow Leopard, but that is about it. I'm using it as my work computer and therefore my main tool for feeding my family. The battery in it is DOA, so it has to stay plugged in. It is getting a little cranky on waking from sleep sometimes. I'm a geek so I keep it clean, no stupid stuff running in the background or other junk. I've got it pretty well tweaked to run as good as it can. But. I'm afraid I'll come down to my office one day and it won't boot. It has already given me a scare twice. No "sad Mac" sound, but enough for me to be nervous. I'm thinking it has served me well as a family computer, but it may be time relegate it to backup computer status. My thought was to buy a new laptop and write off half the cost as a business expense. My previous computer lasted me about eight years, but it was a home-built Frankenstein desktop that I built for serious gaming. Given that this laptop has made it six years makes me feel like I got my money out of it at least.
I have a MacBook 5.1, sounds like it's a model or 2 newer than yours - I think it's a 2009 vintage. Run's Mavericks fine, but I'm hesitant to run Yosemite as I haven't heard good things about it on older Macs like ours. Regarding backups - you can set any old external hard drive as a Time Machine backup, so that should solve the backup nervousness for you - it backs up as soon as you plug the external drive in. Like you, no superfluous programs or apps. Sounds as if this one runs all the stuff you need it to run, so you probably wouldn't need a high-end Mac to replace it. What about the base model 13" MacBook Air? That's what I think I'll get next. Or you can also get a certified re-furbished MacBook direct from Apple with warranty too, if you want to save a few pennies.
edwardh80 wrote:slefain wrote: Looking for some thoughts here on how long most people wring out of a laptop. I'm writing this post from a base model 2008 MacBook. I threw in 4GB of RAM and upgraded it to Snow Leopard, but that is about it. I'm using it as my work computer and therefore my main tool for feeding my family. The battery in it is DOA, so it has to stay plugged in. It is getting a little cranky on waking from sleep sometimes. I'm a geek so I keep it clean, no stupid stuff running in the background or other junk. I've got it pretty well tweaked to run as good as it can. But. I'm afraid I'll come down to my office one day and it won't boot. It has already given me a scare twice. No "sad Mac" sound, but enough for me to be nervous. I'm thinking it has served me well as a family computer, but it may be time relegate it to backup computer status. My thought was to buy a new laptop and write off half the cost as a business expense. My previous computer lasted me about eight years, but it was a home-built Frankenstein desktop that I built for serious gaming. Given that this laptop has made it six years makes me feel like I got my money out of it at least.I have a MacBook 5.1, sounds like it's a model or 2 newer than yours - I think it's a 2009 vintage. Run's Mavericks fine, but I'm hesitant to run Yosemite as I haven't heard good things about it on older Macs like ours. Regarding backups - you can set any old external hard drive as a Time Machine backup, so that should solve the backup nervousness for you - it backs up as soon as you plug the external drive in. Like you, no superfluous programs or apps. Sounds as if this one runs all the stuff you need it to run, so you probably wouldn't need a high-end Mac to replace it. What about the base model 13" MacBook Air? That's what I think I'll get next. Or you can also get a certified re-furbished MacBook direct from Apple with warranty too, if you want to save a few pennies. Refurbished Macs
I've already got all my Macs running Time Machine backing up to my home server (HP Media Vault). Doesn't help me if it crashes at a client meeting though.
I've already picked out a laptop: http://store.apple.com/us/product/FD101LL/A/refurbished-133-inch-macBook-pro-25ghz-dual-core-intel-i5
Again, this isn't a Mac vs PC thread, I have my reasons for paying the "Apple Tax". I frankly don't like the way Apple went with the new Air & Pro models. I want to be able to run a spinning HD if I want, or change to a SSD. I want the option to upgrade RAM when I want. This will probably be the last Apple product I buy, after that it is Hackintosh time.
Myself, I have hp laptop I bought refured in 04 or 05 with win xp, still using it now and then. Mostly for online use, photo editing the most cause I do photography on the side. Only had to redo the system once last year to get more life out of it. Dont really play games on it which helps I think. Also thinking of upgrading this next year since my xp sytem is now no longer updated.
I'm still using a laptop with similar specs. Since I have a dedicated gaming PC, I only upgrade the laptop when something on it that can't be replaced dies or it becomes too slow for everyday tasks, and the former usually happens first.
edwardh80 wrote: I have a MacBook 5.1, sounds like it's a model or 2 newer than yours - I think it's a 2009 vintage. Run's Mavericks fine, but I'm hesitant to run Yosemite as I haven't heard good things about it on older Macs like ours.
The problem with the early 2008 MacBooks is that they lack the firmware support that allows them to boot into Mavericks or newer. IIRC Pros of the same vintage have the appropriate firmware, but it's not interchangeable with the consumer MacBooks.
Yours is just new enough to have the updated firmware.
I replace it when smoke starts coming from the keyboard. I back up important stuff, so losing a laptop isn't the end of the world.
I'm a windows guy. I know its not the greatest, but its what I'm used to. But for the most part, stuff is easy to upgrade. HDs fail first for me, so I just buy a new HD and things are good. So I never need to upgrade until the memory I need for newer software exceeds the upgrade capacity of the MB.
Right now I have an HP G62 that I bought dirt cheap from TigerDirect and it has been bulletproof for 4 years now. 4gb, core i3, Win7, 500gb HD. Even after 4 years of photos, videos, and other junk I still have 326gb free. The battery is toast but I can buy a new one for $20.
I'm considering buying a new keyboard for $18 because most of the letters are worn off this one. I don't do much high-ram stuff, so 4gb is more than enough for me for a long time.
Travis_K wrote: My sister had a 10+ year old laptop that she was going to toss (gateway sa1 I think), and I put a an extra ssd in it and installed Linux mint and it works great. Much better than the $1200 Asus laptop that I bought a couple years ago that got bricked by the windows 8.1 update.
This. I'm still on an '06 Asus laptop. It was dragging ass trying to run Windows7, so I installed Linux, and it functions well as a netbook now
I'm running a Macbook 5,2, late 2009 vintage. My daughter just dropped it on the floor and killed the HDD. I upgraded to an SSD and HOLY COW it's like a brand new machine. It feels faster in some ways than my i7 Mini, so I'll probably opt for an SSD upgrade there too in the near future.
If you do decide to keep it, definitely upgrade to an SSD. You'll be much happier. If you buy new, I've always bought refurbished and never been unhappy.
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