Debanjan_a
Level 1 (22 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Repair or Wait and Buy a New MacBook

Hello people i am a student i have the mid 2009 macbook pro unibody 13 inch which works fine for my computing needs the problems are

1.the DVD drive does not works which i do not need anyway

2.the battery backup is very low like 10 mins it seems its bloated a little from left

3.the speakers make a buzzing sound while being used,i use earphones mostly

4.the left shift key is always pressed so i use karabiner for disabling it

 

apart from these the machine works fine i use it as a desktop plugged in always at home.The question is should i buy a macbook air 11 inch after its not usable anymore or just replace the battery of this mac to prolong the life, it works fine for my computing needs but i don't know for how long it will keep working.


note:the current defects do not have much effect on my usage

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5), mid 2009 macbook pro

Posted on Jun 18, 2016 10:05 AM

by Limnos,Solvedanswer
Limnos Limnos
Level 9 (53,591 points)
Mac OS X
A:

The battery is the most concerning.  I don't know much about them but I do know I have seen posts about batteries blowing up.  I don't know if you were to remove it completely if it would be possible to just run the notebook off a power cable.

 

Given the collection of issues I might not get it repaired.  For one it is 7 years old and by Apple's perception it is ancient and ready for recycling.  I tend to use equipment for a long, long time (just transitioned from a 2002 G4 to a 2008 MacBook last December) but even I would hesitate at sinking any real money into this computer.

 

Also bear in mind (though you may not care) that Apple's newest operating system version to be released when they do (Fall?) it will shut out your model computer.  Although I never run Apple's latest and greatest and frequently am 8 years behind what they recommend I kind of feel once a computer reaches the no more software upgrades stage that you really need to not invest big bucks in it.  I don't know what a battery costs but if you can tolerate all the other things I would not go more than $100 and only if you plan on using it for another 3 years.  I am just concerned about the battery as it doesn't seem just dead but morphing into something else...

Posted on Jun 18, 2016 2:10 PM

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Debanjan_a

Q: Repair or Wait and Buy a New MacBook

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Limnos,Solvedanswer

    Limnos Limnos Jun 18, 2016 2:10 PM in response to Debanjan_a
    Level 9 (53,591 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 18, 2016 2:10 PM in response to Debanjan_a

    The battery is the most concerning.  I don't know much about them but I do know I have seen posts about batteries blowing up.  I don't know if you were to remove it completely if it would be possible to just run the notebook off a power cable.

     

    Given the collection of issues I might not get it repaired.  For one it is 7 years old and by Apple's perception it is ancient and ready for recycling.  I tend to use equipment for a long, long time (just transitioned from a 2002 G4 to a 2008 MacBook last December) but even I would hesitate at sinking any real money into this computer.

     

    Also bear in mind (though you may not care) that Apple's newest operating system version to be released when they do (Fall?) it will shut out your model computer.  Although I never run Apple's latest and greatest and frequently am 8 years behind what they recommend I kind of feel once a computer reaches the no more software upgrades stage that you really need to not invest big bucks in it.  I don't know what a battery costs but if you can tolerate all the other things I would not go more than $100 and only if you plan on using it for another 3 years.  I am just concerned about the battery as it doesn't seem just dead but morphing into something else...

  • by Debanjan_a,

    Debanjan_a Debanjan_a Jun 18, 2016 2:12 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (22 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 18, 2016 2:12 PM in response to Limnos

    thanks for the reply and yes it is possible to run the notebook without battery it will just run on half of its processing power.well i guess i am not going to shell any money on it just run it on power as long it can run and invest in a new machine.

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Jun 19, 2016 1:27 PM in response to Debanjan_a
    Level 6 (14,234 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 19, 2016 1:27 PM in response to Debanjan_a

    Without a working optical drive, it may be difficult to erase the content prior to

    recycling or gifting of the old MacBook; though readied for re-purposing it may

    have some usefulness in the hands of someone who may like to use iFixit guide

    to repair and replace worn or damaged parts. They aren't too difficult to restore

    when the optical and hard drive, battery, and other components need renewal.

     

    You could access the bare drive with a 'universal USB cable kit' such as OWC

    macsales shows on their site; something like that may be available to use if

    you wanted to access and erase the HDD from another computer via USB.

    Other similar products are best to use instead of an external enclosure. Then

    the original HDD could be erased & included with the old MacBook.

     

    Good luck with the transition to a new MacBook model...