How long can a 2012 MacBook Pro last?

kickbuttmom1 wrote:

I've been using a 2012 Macbook Pro daily for 13 years and it's still kicking despite me buying a 'back-up Mac" nearly 5 years ago just waiting for this thing to die and it won't. Wondering if I'm breaking records here.

Has anyone else's lasted this long?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

The 2012 was a real work horse the last of the fully user upgrade-able RAM and SSD.

I have one as my hardware backup. MY daily driver is a 2019 MBP 16"

The limit is the macOS Catalina is the last macOS it can run...the last security update was 2022.

I know of no one keeping records to answer your question.

Well, I'm typing this post on one...so...

Maybe a record.

Is this the Retina or non-Retina version. In 2012 there were both types in the 15-inch size. Non-Retina has an optical drive, and generally has a better survivability record than the Retinas. They were the last user-upgradeable models and easy to service.

I've had a 2012 Macbook Pro 13 (non-Retina and bought as an Apple-direct refurb) in continuous service as both a backup and a travel computer since Summer 2013. Only this week did I get a new m4 Pro Macbook Pro because too many web sites were rejecting the Mojave version of Safari. I kept it at Mojave for compatibility reasons.

I would not have used mine so long had I not updated its hardware. In about 2018 I replaced the slow factory hard drive with nice solid-state drive. Data transfer speeds went from 70MB/sec to 500MB/sec, and made the computer feel new again. I still find it enjoyably to use.

Mine has never failed to work. It still has the original battery. It shipped with macOS 10.8 "Mountain Lion" and worked perfectly with every subsequent OS through Mojave.

The only weak spot in the 13-inch versions was the hard drive cable. With wear due to normal use and transport, the thin insulation chafed against metal edges on the chassis and caused a litany of oddball problems. The rule for updaters of that model was always replace the cable when you replace or service the drive. Does not seem to be as much of an issue with the non-Retina 15-inch versions.

AJ

The Retina models have 8 or 16 GB of soldered-in RAM.

It is possible to upgrade the internal SSD, with ones as large as 2 TB.

Other World Computing – OWC Solid State Drives For MacBook Pro with Retina Display (Mid 2012 - Early 2013)

Although if the SSD you have now is large enough for what you're doing, there would be no need.

Typing this on mine and still going strong. Best laptop Apple ever made IMO.