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stp479

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 9, 2025
2
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Considering purchasing 2015 MBP patched to Sequoia to migrate our worn out 2015 MBP to, is it a wise move? Thank you.
 
You would be much better off upgrading to a newer Apple Silicon model than going from one 2015 machine to another.
OK, I see that advice would have me looking at MacBook Pro introduced in 2021 or later, plus MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020). Thank you.
 
You are exchanging one old machine, for another old machine. Not a wise purchase at any price in my opinion. Spend the money on a "M" series machine. Any of them, for a significant upgrade in performance. The M2 can be had for a good price. The M4s can be found for significant discounts online.

In my opinion, making a purchase, even for $1.00, for the same old machine is not wise.
 
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Bad move (even though the 2015 was a very good MBP in its time).

Get something newer. Or... new.
Migrate to THAT, instead.

I wouldn't consider anything other than an m-series Mac.
That's "the future"...
 
That would depend on your budget and your usage needs. 2015 still command a pretty good price. If you said I need to run older software with Mojave or only have hundreds of dollars to spend in order to replace it, then getting a 2015 would be a very wise choice.

If you are just using the latest macOS and latest software and have the budget, then just get a newer M-series Mac.

You didn't say what you do with it or what you are needing, so I don't know.
 
If you can get a 2015 MacBook Pro for very little price, then sure. I have the 15" 2015 running Sequoia, it is complete usable.

But depends on pricing you could get. You can find some decent shaped 2017 or even 2019 MacBook Pro for little under $350.

I don't think you can find Apple Silicon Macs under these price ranges. At least, I couldn't find any decently shaped M1 MacBook Air less than $500USD.
 
I would but a new air. A lot faster than your current machine.
Also a new machine will last long again. A 2nd bend machine might fail in a week leaving you with nothing but regret.

Without asking OP's budgets, what he/she wants to do on MacBook, recommending buying new Air is little bit premature.

Yes, M4 air is great, but it is close to $1000USD or $1400CAD. If one only do bar minimum, 2015 MacBook Pro would still be fine, if OP can find with less than $300USD. This is 1/3 price of M4 Air.
 
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People already said it multiple times, but I'll re-iterate that you'll be much better off with an Apple Silicon machine in the long run.

If you want a large screen, you can get a 15" M2 MacBook Air with 16 GB of memory and 512 SSD on eBay for around £750 (in dollars it should be the same). It will run laps around the 2015 MBP in terms of performance. Saving £500 via buying another 2015 MBP is just not worth your time wasted with a laggy machine and also on having to migrate again in 2-3 year's time.

If you're ok with a small screen, then go for an M1 MBA, which is significantly cheaper than M2/16".
 
You really have to say how much you want to spend.

It's a 10 year old machine and you said 'to replace your worn MBP' so why do you think it'll be much less worn out than yours is?

It depends how many hours it's been used of course and what temperature the inside of the machine has been running at- the cooler the better and that does make an enormous difference- but realistically:
It will need a new battery if it hasn't had one. Even if it has had one it might still need a new one
The screen? Light use clean environment- 15 years.
Moderate use maybe 12 years?
Heavy use, lots of opening and closing - 10 years
If it's dimming, flickering, odd colours round edges, vertical lines, artefacts, it's at the end of its life
Fans will be beyond their expected life which is about 50,000 hours. They are expected to last only about 6 years of moderate use but they may last a couple more years if it's been lightly used.
The solid state capacitors, will likely have 2-5 years life left in them if you are lucky. You'll probably get 2 more years out of them on average.
SSD will be slower than it was but should last a few more years. HDD is at the end of its life. Failure rate now will be high.
CPU should be fine for a few more years.
Logic board should be fine for a few more years.
USB, and other ports- likely some physical damage after 10 years
Keyboard 2015 MBP rated at 5-10 million keystrokes per key- which is a durable keyboard. It's probably at the end of its life but if it's been lightly used you might get 5 more years.

You are now in, 'anything can fail at any time' territory.
Realistically, if you are lucky, you'll get 2 years out of it unless you know for certain it's been well looked after and lightly used.
 
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Do you have external backups of your macbook disc? Do it - do it now!

My recommendations?

- Don't pay more than 100,- for a 2015 macbook pro

- Don't buy any of the Intel macbooks from 2016 to 2020

- Buy any Mx based macbook, I would usher you to get a macbook air m1 with 16gb memory and a 512gb ssd, that is the best option woth a tight budget (around 350-450,-)

If you don't have a tight budget, buy a new macbook pro
 
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