a computer buying question.

[harmonicon]

I figure all of us here use our computers a fair bit, so I thought I'd ask opinions here.

I've been using the same macbook for 5 1/2 years now, and it's really on its last legs. I'm set on getting another macbook eventually, so I'm not going to be swayed into something else and already know all of the arguments pro/con different OSs and all that.

The big thing that's wrong with my computer now is the fan. This thing heats up *really* quickly now, and I can't run many programs at once, can't run the thing for long at all without it shutting down, etc. It sucks.

I could just go out and get a new macbook pro, but I think they're going to update them soon (no one really knows when for sure though), so I don't know if I should.

These are my options now:

1. pay good money that could go to a new computer to have my fan fixed and milk this sucker for a few more months.
2. get a new macbook pro and just be disappointed for years if I feel like its crap compared to the new ones when they come out.
3. struggle on with this as is for awhile and see what I think of the new macbooks.

It's really a conundrum for me, especially as I only get a new computer very rarely.

What do you good folks think?

[Angry Dragon]

1. How much would it cost to get the fan fixed??

[harmonicon]

3. I suppose it depends on who does it.

I could try to myself, in which case it's 20 bucks for the fan.

Looking online, it seems like to have others do it could be between 50 and 200.

In both cases however, I'm afraid that I'm just throwing money into something that may not be worth it. I think I was spoiled by apple care; for a few hundred bucks, they replaced my entire screen and keyboard on this computer when it started to go just under the first three years I had it.

[caraher]

8. $20 is dirt cheap for an attempted repair

I don't see that you have much to lose trying. If it works you can buy when you're ready, if it doesn't you're out $20. But it doesn't sound like an especially daunting repair. I've replaced the LCD screen on a MacBook Pro with no particular training beyond watching videos of others doing it, and this should be a lot easier. Go for it! For $20 the worst you'll do is learn something...

[harmonicon]

9. Thanks for the encouragement.

I watched a video of the repair and while I understood every bit, it seemed like it might be too delicate for my sausage fingers.

[caraher]

15. Just take it slowly

Tiny parts do make these things a challenge, but if you're patient you're unlikely to break anything.

[KeepItReal]

2. Last MacBook Pro came out in June, 2012

Here's the MacRumors buying guide:

http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

As long as you spec out a model with enough Memory and Disk space, I don't think you'll have buyers remorse when a new model drops.

You can always sell your outdated MBP on Gazelle and upgrade.

[harmonicon]

4. Last, sure, but not the newest completely new one.

The general design has been around for something like six years, though the processor has been updated. The rumor is that the new one will be like the 15" retina macbook pro. I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing. I like that it's lighter, but I've read some bad reviews saying that the hardware on the older models is better.

I could sell and upgrade, but I just never do things like that. I hold onto electronics for a long time - probably longer than I should in most cases. I had my last cell phone for almost five years, and it was an outdated model when I bought it.

[HopeHoops]

5. BUY A MAC!

Sorry, somebody had to post that even though you already plan to. Seriously, it's pretty much always more economical to go with a new unit. That said, I repurpose the older ones. I've still got functional Win 95SE machines. I would however suggest that you take your time and do some research. At least with PCs, the configurations have drastically different purposes and implications for what you personally need one for. The only video games I play are MAME ROMS and I use a Win 98 machine for that. But I do like the multimedia features on my now roughly 5-year old HP 17" laptop. What's bundled with the configuration also makes a difference. Sometimes it makes no sense. I've gone for machines that were high-end but still less expensive than a gaming machine that didn't meet my needs (Note: I have a wife and three daughters, so we've gotten a few laptops).

So really I would recommend options 3 and 2 in that order. My laptop is seriously obsolete, but it still meets my needs quite well. My tower (household server) is 2 years old now and still very close to top-end even by today's standards. It was absolutely the highest end HP tower when I bought it. Whatever you do, it's worth spending a little more on a new machine to make sure it remains relevant into the future. Upgrading costs far more than configuring it at the factory.

[cbayer]

6. My MacBook developed exactly the same problems you described.

It got worse and worse, and started to shut itself down randomly.

Plus it was burning my lap, lol.

I bought a MacBook Pro and am loving it. I didn't worry about the next model. Just bought what was the newest at the point I was ready to buy. Something newer if always around the corner, so why put it off.

[harmonicon]

7. I understand your point.

I think I still feel burned by getting a 486 months before pentium chips came out and changed everything. I also come from a family that does things like reuse ziploc bags and does everything DIY when possible.

[cbayer]

10. I also reuse ziploc bags and am a big DIY person, but....

I want my mac to work and I don't mind upgrading when it just seems like it is dying.

I kept the old one as a spare hard drive - left all my scanned photos and videos on it so as not to clutter up the new one.

I absolutely love the trackpad on my new one and many of the other features. But most of all, I love the speed and reliability.

Best of luck with you decision.

[athena]

11. Did you try blowing compressed air into the fan?

If you haven't tried this yet, it can help.

I changed the fan on my laptop (not a mac) a few years ago, as well as on my desktop at work. It wasn't too bad, but it was a bit nerve-wracking because I couldn't afford to lose the computer in either case. I was able to use the laptop for two more years after the fan replacement. Make sure to back up your hard drive beforehand.

Also, you don't necessarily need the newest model. If you get an older model with more RAM and disk space, it may stay useful longer than a later model with less.

[harmonicon]

12. Oh, yeah, I've done lots of that.

I'm afraid I may have just pushed the dust around in there and made it stop up though. In any case, doing that isn't helping anymore.

One of my fears about doing repairs is backing up the hard drive; I'm afraid that the computer will overheat and shut down before the drive backs up.

[athena]

17. That's exactly what happened in my case.

At some point, the compressed air stops doing any good. I doubt that any kind of external cooling would help once your fan is clogged up to that point. But you don't necessarily have to replace the fan; you can simply take it out, clean it, and put it back in. Either way, you need to replace the thermal paste; otherwise the fan won't cool anything.

At the very least, copy your most important files to a USB thumb drive. As long as you don't have any important files you haven't backed up, and losing the computer wouldn't be the end of the world, then cleaning the fan can actually be fun, and you'll feel great afterwards. There are videos online with step-by-step instructions. What's really helpful is if you can get a friend with their own laptop so that you can watch the video, pausing it as necessary, while you work. That's what I did the first time.

BTW, there are lots of people out there who are great at electronics who don't have skinny fingers. Things are packed tightly inside a laptop, but as long as you're systematic and don't hurry through the steps, it should be OK. (When you take out a set of screws, put them in a separate container, and line up the containers in order so that you won't get them mixed up later. I'm sorry if this is obvious, but I can state first-hand that it's incredibly frustrating to drop a tiny screw on a colorful rug.) Good luck!

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

18. Is there a service manual online?

If you can figure out how to open it up and see all the electronic bits, then the compressed air might do more good. After backing up all your files onto a separate drive, of course (but you've already done that, right?).

[LynneSin]

13. Today's laptops whether MAC or WINdows should have a laptop cooler

My Samsung processor would get so fricking hot it would burn my skin.

A cooler will help processors run longer by pushing extra air onto the unit.

[harmonicon]

14. You mean one of those platform things you can set them on?

Sorry, apart from audio stuff, I know nothing about computer accessories. I thought about getting one of those before but never did.

[OriginalGeek]

16. I have a lap desk thing

that has a fan built into it that is powered by USB. I often don't even bother with the cooling fan because just having the laptop on a hard, flat surface (as opposed to the couch cushion or my soft, fluffy lap) allows the built in circulation and vents to work.
Mine looks a lot like this:



carpet, pants, cushions, etc are all terrible things to put a laptop directly on.

Make SURE if you get one to get one big enough for your laptop...my wife got a bigger laptop but kept her smaller pad and it's a royal pain in the ass for her as it keeps slipping off one side or the other. At least, until she got tired of it and got a bigger pad...also consider the ones with the bean-bag bottom and the hard wood or plastic top if you use it for long periods all the time. the padding on your legs is very nice after a while...

[Spike89]

19. Exactly, these things work even if your fan is dead

My step-daughter's laptop (PC) started shutting down after a few minutes. I checked and the cooling fan wasn't coming on. I bought a cheap ($8) cooling pad with USB fans at Biglots and when sitting on the fans, the laptop runs just fine. It does add some bulk when going mobile and the fans do affect battery life, but it is way cheaper than a new laptop or the $200 Best Buy wanted just to open the thing up.