Laptop Help

[Jello78]

i need help with my laptop. I have a 2014 Macbook Pro and i received a message on my computer saying that my battery needs service. When I called Apple, they said that they cant work on my computer because it's considered vintage due to its age. I've called several computer places around me to see if they can replace the battery, only one shop could do it but I'm weary about them doing it. So if my macbook isn't salvageable then what should i do? I have an iphone and thought it would pair nice together. However, Im not in school anymore and dont need all the fancy programs. I did see that the newer macbook pros are super fast and nice. But i don't even know if i should still look at them or consider something else? I was looking at this but im not to tech savy with computers. Just want something that will work and wont give me problems. https://www.bestbuy.com/site/microso...ductVariations
please help me out.

[chrislognshot]

if to old time to replace to new one. also your mac and not pc. if do get new pc will be windows 11 most likely. but since mac stay mac

[pghp8ntballer]

Are you having issues with your MacBook besides the battery message? If it’s just a battery, go to Macsales.com and find the right battery for it. They sell the battery kits with all of the necessary tools and have instructions how to do it. These aren’t your normal amazon cheapy parts with questionable engrish instructions. They are a reputable Mac repair/part site. If you can troubleshoot a paintball marker, you could probably handle a battery replacement.

I currently have and use a 2010 MacBook Pro, 2015 MacBook Pro and a 2015? MacBook Air. Yes a 2010. It’s not super fast anymore because of the modern demand for computing power, but I understand that and have no issues with playing music, word processing, playing videos, DVDs and surfing the net. I put an SSD in it and it made a HUGE difference.

I had a 2018 MacBook Pro for work 2 years ago. I hated it. The newer ones are so thin, they had issues causing damage if you used a privacy screen. I prefer the older machines and absolutely love the 2015 we have. The mag safe chargers were pure genius but now they all use that stupid USB-C port charging. So no more safe breakaways.

I use a windows laptop for my 3D printing stuff that originally shipped as a Linux machine. Just a disclaimer that I ain’t a Mac fanboy.

[RAZRBAKK]

There is a point of diminishing return with laptops. Most people live inside a web-browser on their computer, and don't need much computing power at all.

Replacing batteries usually isn't difficult. Look up some tutorials on youtube, and as pghp8ntballer said, check out macsales and pickup a battery.

I have a powerful gaming rig that's basically collecting dust in between the occasional Saturday gaming with the boys. My main computer? A 10+ year old Thinkpad T420 with an SSD and more RAM.

[Siress]

It's really a cost/benefit question for you. Here's my one-liner summary:

• Reasons to get a mac - Willing to give up control to achieve typical needs quickly and efficiently.
• Reasons to get a Windows or Linux "PC" - Save money and have greater control and understanding of the technology.
• Reasons to get a Chromebook - Literally all you need is Chrome. You can try this using a Chrome OS virtual machine for a little while. It's not a bad deal, but does have a learning curve.

I have a powerful gaming rig that's basically collecting dust in between the occasional Saturday gaming with the boys. My main computer? A 10+ year old Thinkpad T420 with an SSD and more RAM.

X220, X230, and P51 round out my old gaming rig that became a server after selling my 1080ti during the shortage. With all of the old SAS III hardware hitting the market for cheap, you might enjoy the same progression with your gaming computer. If you're rocking Ryzen, it typically supports server features - like ECC RAM and virtualization features, tons of PCIe lanes, IOMMU, etc. If you're rocking Intel, it may not be a good idea - have to do a lot more research into your particular model.

[RAZRBAKK]

I actually have an i5 server running some basics(NAS, Plex, DNS, nothing crazy). First homelab, only put it together this year, so no upgrading yet. I will eventually turn the Ryzen rig into a better server, but for now it will remain a gaming rig.

[glaman5266]

However, Im not in school anymore and dont need all the fancy programs.

I was looking at this but im not to tech savy with computers. Just want something that will work and wont give me problems.

If you're not in school, how important is it that the lappy be portable? If it isn't, just leave it plugged in.

What Siress said is pretty accurate: if you want something that just works, get a Mac. Windows is sort of in the middle, with Linux having the most freedom & control (but it's not super mainstream, might have a learning curve). Personally, when I first started playing with Linux I loved it. Once you get used to it you wonder why Windows & MacOS were designed the way they were. My computer use is sort of split between Linux & Windows, mainly depending on what computer in the house is running at the moment, lol.

But if you really want something that just works, I'd probably stick with a Mac. Plus you're used to it already.

[Cdn_Cuda]

What are you using your computer for? Can it be replaced by an iPad or an iPad Pro? If you don’t need a laptop, you can look at an iMac as well. The new laptops are nice, but run USB C only, which means you need adaptors to use standard USB devices, which can be a pain.

[JonM]

To be honest, my old MacBook Pro from 2009 is still holding up well after replacing the mechanical drive with an SSD and installing a new battery when the old one eventually dies. It can't run the latest OS, but that's no big deal either. If all you're doing is web browsing, email, and other light duties, these old workhorses hold up fine today.

[Seajay]

The 2014 Macbook Pro does not have a made to be replaceable battery, it's like a phone with the internal battery sealed into the frame with adhesive. This is not an easy replacement.
To pull these things apart you really need a heating pad and good heat gun to separate the frame without damaging it.

That's what I dislike about Apple the most is they are buy and replace devices . I've seen refurbished 2014 macbook pro's for $300, so I'd either try to find a pro to replace the battery for you or buy a used/new one. A new good battery is probably $100 + shop cost I dunno $80 - $150, it might be cheaper to buy a refurbished model.

I'm definitely of the sort to want to just replace the battery, but MacBooks are hard to work on.

[Jello78]

so i found a local guy who replaced my battery on my macbook and cost me $175. he said that it's not necessary to buy a new laptop. esp for as long as I have mine. maybe replace the hard drive down the road but other than that. I should be good to go. plus i dislike how everything changes. ie, usb c cord etc.

[Siress]

If you're still using a 'hard' drive in a laptop, it's long past time to upgrade to SSD. It's the single largest leap in all-use-cases performance that's happened in my lifetime. SATA SSDs are now cheap, readily available, and gay-ron-tee you increase the overall speed of your computer while also improving the battery life. It'll also be safer to carry around as SSDs are relatively impervious to mechanical damage.

[pghp8ntballer]

I will second Siress with personal experience on an old MacBook as I said earlier…

I bumped my 2010 MBP from stock 4 GB? Ram to 16 maxing it out and it did very little. Paid for a system cleaning program CleanmymacX or something like that. They worked but didn’t really make a huge difference like I hoped. I put an SSD in it and it was a night and day difference. Not as good as anything new, but it was absolutely well within the comfort zone of speed for such an old machine and limited usage.

[punkncat]

Be aware that any hardware you purchase for an Apple product has to be on a list of compatible equipment. Check against that before selecting an SSD. I am and would be surprised if this unit didn't already have SSD. Apple went to this some years ago and is, in part at least, why so many users rave on "how much better" it is. Nothing made in the last 10 years (should) be on a hard drive any longer. One of the single best upgrades you can make to any older machine.

[ford]

No mention of ifixit?

You can find good repair guides and parts from this site. Specific to your computer you can find compatible parts here :https://www.ifixit.com/Parts/MacBook...splay_Mid_2014

[Duncan Gafanha]

I advise you to get a new laptop because your 2014 gadget doesn't worth any investments.

[Grendel]

Depends on the use, I have a Toshiba laptop I purchased in 2009 that is still going strong. Upgrading it to an SSD was simple and topped out its memory trivial and neither was expensive. This laptop is used by my family for surfing and accessing our Media library so is way more powerful then needed even for being 13 years old. What do I get as an improvement by buying new when I have something that I paid for years and years ago that still functions but might need a little (cheap) refreshment.

[Toestr]

I advise you to get a new laptop because your 2014 gadget doesn't worth any investments.

I have within your walls.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

[chrislognshot]

time to upgrade bro