For how much longer can a 2008 MacBook Pro run? I'm still on Snow Leopard but just have updated HDD and RAM. Now the graphic card went down and the repair costs half of a new computer. What to do? If I can get three more years out of it I'd go for it, but it's a gamble. Can you guess the risks?
MacBook Pro, bluetooth keyboard
If your GPU is shot then your entire logic board would need to be replaced. It sounds as if you've already received an estimate to repair the machine so you'll just have to decide if it's worth repairing or if the money would be better spent going towards a new machine.
For what it's worth, you could always ask your local Apple Store or AASP about Apple's flat rate repair pricing. It will be up to the manager of the store, probably, if they can use that policy in your particular instance or not.
It's worth asking about, though...
Clinton
The machine you have now is going on 5 years old. While nothing is guaranteed, paying to have the logic board replaced should, in theory, allow it to last at least as long as it has now. If it's powerful enough for your daily tasks, and you've already done some upgrades, it might be worth having it repaired.
If it were me, I would take the repair money and put it toward a more modern refurbished or 2nd-hand machine. Time it right, and you can score a decent deal that could include AppleCare as a bonus.
1/2 the price of a new computer vs 1/2 the price to keep a 4-5 year old computer running. To me it comes down to 2 questions:
1) if you buy a new computer how much more will you have to spend on software upgrades? If you haven't been keeping your software current some of them will need to be upgraded.
2) are there any PPC programs you use that cannot be upgraded and you absolutely need them? (There are a few)
If you have no PPC programs that can't be replaced and if you've been keeping your software up to date, buy a new computer. (Don't forget Apple's refurbs to save a little $$ - also don't forget that your old computer still has a small amount of value in on eBay in terms of used replacement parts)
DONT PAY FOR A REPAIR! its not worth it anymore, as most companies dont replace the gpu because the part isnt made any more. They don't repair it and it isnt permanent, but your still paying!! its crazy! fortunately there is a way to do the exact thing that they do without dissassembling your computer! just follow these steps:
1. Plug in your macbook pro (make sure that its off)
2. Turn on the computer, and hwen it chimes, close the lid and turn it updside down.
3. Wrap the macbook in a heavy quilt.
4. Let the computer sit for about an hour.
5. Take it out of the quilt, unplug it and let it cool for 20 minutes.
6. Turn on the computer.
I can say that this works as I had the same problem, and after this method, the computer is up and running, I'm typing this on it now!
Having repaired 100s of laptops in the past, all things equal as per treating them well, nobody knows,
and anyone who "has the answer" is lying to you.
Seen junky (not Apple) laptops last 12+ years plus (I have some of these still working)
seen very expensive laptops die repeatedly in months.
answer is: nobody knows, .....cost of an AVERAGE notebook is 70 cents per day until its dead (not worth repairing)
suggest saving $1 per day average for a new notebook ALL THE TIME
that way its no big deal.
😊
For how much longer can a 2008 MacBook Pro?
