Work related: Need to purchase an Apple computer

Hardware Hub Laptops & Netbooks
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Hello All,

I need to purchase an Apple computer so I can further debug issues that are work related. I honestly do not have any idea when it comes to Apple hardware and OS upgrade cycle. I don’t mind purchasing used hardware. I just want something that will be able to accept the next 2 OS upgrades in the future.

I would prefer a Macbook over a desktop model due to space constraints, but value trumps space so long as it satisfies the OS upgrade cycle. I have been looking all over Amazon and Ebay, and it is a minefield of crazy pricing everywhere. Flatly, I don’t know the proper value of the hardware I need to purchase to begin with.

Give a fellow IT guy a hand!

Thanks,
SPIFF

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Buy a lower end model and swap out the processor + memory + ssd with newer versions yourself. (just make sure you get the right cpu)

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Mac Mini's are often the go to mac when a second machine for testing on OSX is required. Small footprint and cheaper than a laptop. The 2012 i7 model was a bit of a beast with a proper quad core CPU with Hyper-Threading, it was also the last model you could DIY upgrade the RAM to 16GB. You could also fit 2 x 2.5" HDD.

It's Ivy-bridge tech and has a proper 64bit EFI/BIOS so should be good for next few releases. So it would be the model I would look for if I needed one right now.

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Awesome, just the information I needed!

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Don't feel too pleased, the prices on second hand ones on ebay look like they've held their value remarkably well. I sold mine for more than I paid for it about 2 years ago - Apple kit is weird...

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I would just pick up a lower end MacBookPro.

if it doesn't already have one, get a 3rd party memory upgrade and it should be good to go.

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To be fair, from what I can tell, the 2014 models were half the performance in comparison to the 2012 i7. I can see why the prices stayed high.

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Just don't get an early model 2011 MBP with the i7.... actually... don't get any early model 2011 machines.

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Thanks for the input Qain. I've found several Late 2013 models with the retina display that are priced well enough, and it seems like they can be upgraded if needed according to the internets.

Thanks for the input guys! Much appreciated.

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That is way too hot.

Digging around I found that the issues are not limited to 2011:
http://www.macrumors.com/2015/02/19/2011-macbook-pro-repair-program-apple/

I don't know how reliable this info is though.

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the 2011 models were shitty all around.
The mid 2012 and early 2013 models were likely the i7s not the i5s.

We had 30 of them at the company I worked at in NYC, the i5s didn't has as much of a problem as the i7s.

But yeah... don't sit them directly on a desk. It was warping paint on the tables we had.

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Holy shit lol

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Hot damn! Scalding. The model I was looking at was a late 2013 i5.

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Probably won't has as many issues, but still. I would get a laptop fan stand.

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The other reason I suggest the MBP, is you have everything included in that little piece of aluminum, it's portable, and if you are using it for trouble shooting, you don't have to worry about finding a monitor and keyboard. etc..

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My thoughts exactly, I have several clients with Macs deployed and I need to get acquainted with them. But I don't plan on using it all the time.

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Most of this stuff is BGA. Your order it and thats it. Its all soldered to the board.

Stay away from the 2011 and 2013 ones. They have hinge and component failure. Get a current one if possible though the price difference will be like 5 dollars.

Really if you could just avoid it all together that would be better they are built really poorly.

Edit: If you can get a powerPC mac you have a neat machine that will never die if it still runs like a clock, B newer processor arch, and C a learning tool. My ibook has been my mac ref guide. They haven't changed much tbh.

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Thanks for all the help guys, I just bought myself a late 2013 MBP....and I bought it from a guy that calls himself "Batman" Perfect. Ha!

I would have gotten an older one, but I deal mostly with Office 365 and I need to learn about how the Mac OS operates with Office 2016. Plus I also have the occasional trouble call that comes in that I have no idea about.

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