Is Buying Old Technology Suicide?

I have the opportunity to buy a new, but old laptop, and I'm seeking advice.

It is a new, unopened Early 2009 17" MacBook Pro (2.66 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4 GB DDR3, 320 GB Hard drive). My question is can I expect this laptop to last me four years as I would a new one from the Apple store?

This 17 inch was about the best they offered in 2009. Does it hang with the new base model Retina Pro (13-inch)?

mitchapalooza23 said:

My question is can I expect this laptop to last me four years as I would a new one from the Apple store?

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What do you mean by "last". Do you mean physical wear & tear...or do you mean actual computing tasks (the reason why we buy computers)?

- Nick

mitchapalooza23 said:

It is a new, unopened Early 2009 17" MacBook Pro (2.66 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4 GB DDR3, 320 GB Hard drive). My question is can I expect this laptop to last me four years as I would a new one from the Apple store?

This 17 inch was about the best they offered in 2009. Does it hang with the new base model Retina Pro (13-inch)?

Click to expand...

Think that you seriously need to think what sort of laptop computer you want/need. There's a BIG difference between a 17" display and a 13" display laptop.

- Nick

mitchapalooza23 said:

This 17 inch was about the best they offered in 2009. Does it hang with the new base model Retina Pro (13-inch)?

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Nope. The 2013 is probably 2x the cpu speed...and many times the gpu speed.

- Nick

Thanks, Nick.

Sorry, I should have given more info. I am replacing an old White Macbook, my only computer.

My restraint is price. I can either have the 17" for under a grand, or the new 13" since they are in the same price range.

I use my computer for Word, Powerpoint, Itunes, and internet (often multiple tabs open at once). That really is the extent of it. My question is can this older laptop perform these functions the same way a new one could?

I don't mean comparing max computing capabilities with serious programs. I just mean fluidity and speed in doing these simpler operations.

I am not worried about craftsmanship/build quality. They're both Apple. Thanks again.

In short the 2009 m0del will be a disappointment in a very short time., Save the money and put it towards a new/newer model.

mitchapalooza23 said:

Sorry, I should have given more info. I am replacing an old White Macbook, my only computer.

My restraint is price. I can either have the 17" for under a grand, or the new 13" since they are in the same price range.

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Like Harry mentioned...you're certainly going to be disappointed in a 2009 computer faster than you will a 2013 model.

The only REAL difference between these two computers is the size of the display. Otherwise...there's almost no reason to purchase a 2009 computer when you can get a 2013 computer for the same price.

- Nick

p.s. Of course there are some other differences...such as an optical drive in the 2009 & different ports. But like i mentioned...unless you NEED a 17" display in a laptop...there's no reason to purchase a 2009 laptop...when you can get a 2013 for the same price.

Also...the 2013 is going to have a much smaller footprint...much lighter weight...and much better battery life.

Even BNIB, a 4 year old MBP will likely be needing a new battery in a very short while.

Thanks, Scott.

Even if it's a lithium-polymer battery and not a lithium ion?

(This is the unibody Pro, so it has the newer lithium-polymer battery.)

Also, how do you think the two laptops compare when doing simpler functions like Word, ppt., itunes, Netflix, etc.?

mitchapalooza23 said:

Thanks, Scott.

Even if it's a lithium-polymer battery and not a lithium ion?

(This is the unibody Pro, so it has the newer lithium-polymer better.)

Also, how do you think the two laptops compare when doing simpler functions like Word, ppt., itunes, Netflix, etc.?

Click to expand...

I hope you're not missing the main message here. The battery issue is just one more thing added to the list of things that make the purchase of a 2009 computer (versus a 2013 computer)...not a very good idea (when they both cost about the same price).

In my experience there could be two reasons to purchase this older 2009 17" MBP:

1. You ABSOLUTELY NEED a builtin 17" display. And if this was the case...then you should be looking at purchasing the last 17" MBP Apple made...which is a Late 2011 17" MBP.

2. If this 2009 17" MBP purchase price was significantly lower than the 2013 13" MBP you are considering.

If you got $1000 to spend...spend it on the 2013 computer!

- Nick

Honestly id get like a used or refurbed 2011-12 15"? You get the screen size right in the middle and a quad-core processor probably faster than the 13" base model. With that said I can't really tell the difference between my 2012 13" and my new 2012 15" in speed of internet surfing or iTunes.

Heeeeeehhhh? Refurbished 15.4-inch MacBook Pro 2.3GHz Quad-core Intel i7 - Apple Store (U.S.)

or

Refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Pro 2.9GHz Dual-core Intel i7 - Apple Store (U.S.)

Some other things to consider you would be getting USB 3 on the 2013 which is way faster than USB 2 and useful besides getting Thunderport which is king of the hill for speed and daisy chaining.