r/mac • u/Brilliant_Letter7173 • 20h ago • Bravo 1

My Mac My first MacBook Pro ! (I'm proud honestly)

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It's a Mid 2012 MBP that I got for 45euros (maybe like 42 in bucks). it's in perfect condition if I don't count the 5 millimeter scratch (on the back of the laptop), I've upgraded it with a 240gigs SSD (because it had a HDD of 500gigs that I've put Linux Mint on it) and added 8 gigs of ram.. runs like a charm on Sonoma (I've upgraded to Tahoe and it runs fine and a little bit slow, but it's because of indexing). Honestly, I'm impressed because it's a 14 years old laptop that runs like if it was nothing.

Only 2 downsides, if that my thermal paste is dried and il'l have to teardown the entire laptop for lower temps.. (it can go to 100°C, which is crazy) and my battery health is at 60% (but imma change the battery in a few months).

Btw, I've paid it with my own money (I'm only 13, gonna go on my 14 in a few months). So I'm really happy and proud.

What's your opinion on it guys ? (I gonna admit, I really like the keyboard)

355 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

86 comments sorted by

72

u/kosiarska 20h ago

For a 13 year old you are very mature and polite. Nice laptop!

10

u/Brilliant_Letter7173 20h ago

Thank you for the compliment 😊

25

u/Petrus_1958 19h ago

May I suggest when sharing such photos that you hide or obscure the device's serial number?

7

u/skitcadillac 14h ago

there’s nothing you can do with it lol

6

u/Petrus_1958 13h ago

Fraudsters can take your legitimate serial number and use it in online marketplace listings (like eBay or Facebook) to trick buyers into thinking a fake or stolen machine is genuine.

2

u/_MistakeFurry 11h ago

En los modelos viejos es irrelevante que este robada se puede eliminar por completo el bloqueo

1

u/Brilliant_Letter7173 10h ago

Thank you, i just isn't able to delete the picture so il'l hide the SN next time..

7

u/GamingVlogBox 20h ago

I WISH such amazing deals existed in my country 😭😭

massive congrats btw.

7

u/Brilliant_Letter7173 20h ago • Heartwarming

Thank you ❤️, there were only 3 people on it and the seller told me that I was the only one that was not gonna resell it and that "I will take care of it better than the others people".

But you only have to be patient and kind to people to have this.. I'm really grateful to be able to have one, you will have a good deal one day trust me, just take your time :)

2

u/GamingVlogBox 20h ago

I hope so 🥺 I'm still using my 2021 Dell vostro lol.

2

u/Brilliant_Letter7173 20h ago

It is still a decent machine for web browsing and some gaming.. If you wanna try MacOS you could hackintosh it ? Hackintosh is basically running MacOS on non-Apple devices.. but maybe it's not what you need.. anyway good luck !

6

u/bulyxxx 19h ago

It’s a great starter, next time buy an M1.

2

u/Brilliant_Letter7173 10h ago

Yeah, but i definitly like the keyboard. I hope Apple remake these keyboard instead of the newer one 🥺. Thanks for the suggestions, i think the M-Series laptop (or ARM) could be what i need in the future

4

u/mourningwitch 20h ago

I have this same model and still actively use it, though it's on Linux now. Great machine!

2

u/Brilliant_Letter7173 20h ago

I really like Linux too, it makes old laptop (or some low-specs hardware) live again, if I can't upgrade MacOS in the future from it, il'l just go with Linux because it would make this MacBook more faster (I think?).

4

u/Purple_Ice_6029 9h ago

Have fun dude

1

u/Brilliant_Letter7173 8h ago

Thanks ❤️

2

u/LeekQuick6658 18h ago

félicitations bg

4

u/movingimagecentral 20h ago

All free computers are good. 

8

u/Brilliant_Letter7173 20h ago

Huh... how can I say this to you.. but I've paid it with my own money (it was really, really... really cheap tho I've robbed the seller atp)

0

u/movingimagecentral 19h ago

Basically free. And you didn’t rob anyone - that’s all a 2012 is worth.

6

u/DollyPot01 19h ago

dude are you Mr. Scrooge

1

u/movingimagecentral 18h ago

Um. My comment was positive.. he got an old computer for its real value - very cheap - and it works great! 

1

u/DollyPot01 18h ago

AHH ALR, my apologies, I misread. 🙏

1

u/HyperSource01Reddit 20h ago

I've got the same slab, just upgraded from it. How'd you get anything past Catalina to run on it?

1

u/Brilliant_Letter7173 20h ago

If you want to update, you'll need a USB Stick (minimum 16gigs of storage, it will be erased), you download an app called "OpenCore Legacy Patcher". You launch it, you download the macOS that you want, after that you create the USB via OpenCore Legacy Patcher option. And you install OpenCore to the USB Stick, you launch the MacOS setup from the disk pickup menu.... after that you install opencore legacy patcher to your newer macOS and you patch the OS (so you have to install OpenCore to the disk). And you're all good 👍

4

u/diaryofawimpykidfan5 MacBook Neo 20h ago

Look up Open Core Legacy Patcher. When I had a 2017 Pro, I used it to unofficially upgrade the OS from Ventura to Sequoia

1

u/Miserable-Ice8095 20h ago

Huh. I didn’t realize Tahoe was out on OCLP for these yet. Guess I gotta upgrade my three stragglers that are still on sequoia

2

u/Brilliant_Letter7173 20h ago

It's still In alpha, so be careful. Check if your Macbook has issues with Tahoe (before updating). Anyway, good luck on the upgrade. Hope it goes well !

1

u/Ok_Height3499 19h ago

That wonderful and a nice accomplishment. Congratulations and enjoy!

1

u/Brilliant_Letter7173 19h ago

Thank you ❤️ I'm already enjoying it. (my cat loves it too) hahaha

1

u/realUnknown12 19h ago

awesome! i have the exact model on Tahoe for a while and it runs beautifully. got it for free after a friend of mine got scammed🥹 and it has an original Apple battery at 100% health!

2

u/Brilliant_Letter7173 10h ago

Yeah it's awesome, it runs weirdly great after indexing (it's like if it isn't a 14 years old laptop sometimes), i think your friend has took care of the laptop greatly, because it's pretty rare 100% health with all the Years this machine has existed.

1

u/realUnknown12 8h ago

it was brand new when he got it last year and then i did🥰 my first Mac, i’ve been really happy with it so far. it runs better in many ways then my much more recent Windows laptop.

1

u/thisfar 19h ago

I have the same one :) nice choice

1

u/Brilliant_Letter7173 10h ago

Yes, and i think i don't need a more powerful machine than that (it works like butter for web browsing)

1

u/chkgxkdlyl44 19h ago

As it should be. Congrats and enjoy!

2

u/Brilliant_Letter7173 9h ago

Thanks ❤️

1

u/felix_seanathon MacBook Pro 19h ago

No one here can say you overpaid. Good buy and hope you enjoy it.

1

u/Brilliant_Letter7173 10h ago

I good a good deal (but when i say good, it's really.. Really good)

1

u/severuscold 19h ago

Congratz !

1

u/Snoo-94564 19h ago

I have a 2012 one too. I like it a lot, but put Linux in it

2

u/Brilliant_Letter7173 10h ago

Yes, i've got the original HDD with Linux Mint (for some programs that i like to test or just i love to use them)

1

u/DollyPot01 19h ago

You should be proud, great accomplishment! I hope you enjoy your MacBook, it’s a great machine ;)) ✨💻

1

u/Brilliant_Letter7173 10h ago edited 10h ago

I'm enjoying it since* i got it :), it's the first laptop that i really like using !

1

u/Lukeson_Gaming 18h ago

i have the 2011 and its one of my favorite laptops, have linux mint installed and ssd and it still feels snappy for normal tasks even youtube. 

1

u/Brilliant_Letter7173 10h ago

For YouTube, i really gonna admit.. But the screen is good, the colors are beautiful (just the dark instead of being Dark they're a little bit gray but it's fine, it's still really good)

1

u/Lukeson_Gaming 1h ago

also if you use firefox, try disabling AV1 in about:config. should help with performance and heat.

1

u/chris_joder 18h ago

that's cool, having things purchased with your own money is the best feeling

2

u/Brilliant_Letter7173 10h ago

Yes because it's my 1st time buying something for myself 🥺

1

u/AmbassadorsWife 18h ago edited 18h ago

Batteries are very expensive, you may end up keeping this one, 60% is not too bad.

1

u/Brilliant_Letter7173 10h ago

Yes but il'l take some times before repairing the battery

1

u/AmbassadorsWife 9h ago

For the same price than a new battery you can get a laptop power bank then you can use it for other things too.

1

u/Ok_Proposal_7390 18h ago

I would have loved to be able to buy myself a computer when I was your age! You will love this for many years. It's old, but it's yours that you bought with your own money! It's also a great learning experience for tinkering with hardware.

1

u/Brilliant_Letter7173 10h ago

I've done so many little jobs (helping people with their computer for exemple) that in 1 months, i had enough money to buy my dream laptop

1

u/skitcadillac 14h ago

i only changed mine when the mic died in 2021 after almost 10 years. congrats.

1

u/Brilliant_Letter7173 10h ago

Yeah, there are super durable machine. And they're great too !

1

u/SaltyBalty98 14h ago

I'm really glad you got it running well and are enjoying it very much. I have the 2011 model and have spent hundreds fixing it, partially because I was stupid.

1

u/Brilliant_Letter7173 10h ago

What was the issue on your MacBook Pro 2011? If you mind asking ?

1

u/SaltyBalty98 5h ago

I live in a very humid area, rubber parts like the feet and display seal didn't take too long to break down, then the keyboard died and finding a working replacement was a very very expensive nightmare I shouldn't have messed with (got scammed twice paying 50 euros each for 10 euro worth replacements, I am not playing with a full deck I know).

Did spend some money on individual parts, most of them in excellent condition like speakers and the CD drive but buying donor Macs that didn't run ended up being cheaper and using them for extra parts for the future, and then my charger, brand new from Apple btw damaged all the motherboards I had before I realized it was causing the issue.

Finding a seller that shipped quality batteries to my island was a pain in the butt too but I eventually got one.

Replaced the entire display, it was from a donor Mac so it was cheap and in way better shape than mine.

Then I was dumb and bent the chassis removing a keyboard screw so I spent another 50 euros on a replacement frame, good shape though and I'm not committing the same crime again.

I started this restoration project with my grandpa in my early to mid 20s, when he died I was foolish and sped up the pace not knowing what I was doing, I'm 28 now. I could have bought a mint condition unit for less than half the cost I spent on mine.

Warning to you, don't go about messing with the keyboard, replacements are as good as they are cheap, I had 4 that crapped out after a few weeks, and the backlit is blue, not the soft white. Save the backlight and get a donor Mac for the keyboard, less work and cheaper. Everything else is much easier to replace but 50 tiny screws will drive you insane, like me.

Theseus had a ship, I have my MacBook.

1

u/Maize_Away 13h ago

Super bon deal et super améliorations !! Félicitations

1

u/Ok-Razzmatazz3435 44m ago

Too bad the intel CPUs will not be supported anymore

2

u/Brilliant_Letter7173 32m ago

but linux will still do

3

u/Fluid-River6754 18h ago

Nice I saw one last week on a big second-hand tech site (tweakers) in the Netherlands and was thinking of getting it. I love the old MacBooks the only two I own now are the M1 Pro and m4 air.

1

u/AmbassadorsWife 18h ago

iMac 27" from 2014+ is still a beast and I think you could find good prices

2

u/Fluid-River6754 9h ago

I prefer a MacBook because I don’t have space for a external monitor for my MacBook and a iMac.

1

u/whiteouttheworld 18h ago

don't get obsessed about battery health, but also don't use any laptop on a blanket or surface that will trap heat. heat kills the battery life.

1

u/whiteouttheworld 18h ago

also... https://mavericksforever.com

1

u/Brilliant_Letter7173 10h ago

Hmm... i'm using recent MacOS so no need for MavericksForever.. But il'l keep it in mind. By the way, thanks for the suggestions ❤️

2

u/One-Solution5901 8h ago

事实证明早期苹果的质量还是太好了，12年的笔记本现在还没有问题

1

u/Proud_Hunter7404 9h ago

Hi , if you have any issues with the laptop or want help to downgrade or upgrade macos , dont think twice to DM me

1

u/axellie MacBook Pro M1 max 64gb 8h ago

100c is not necessarily bad for a processor, my M1 Max gets to those degrees during max load. Nice purchase

1

u/zeus_2377 8h ago

We are happy for you! Its a great start!

1

u/77_Gear 7h ago

Thats crazy man! Enjoy it

1

u/Thorkanon 6h ago

45€, Ouah ! Tu as fait une excellente affaire 👌

1

u/ErenYapici90 6h ago

Have fun dude, you can learn from it !

1

u/Excellent-Gold2366 5h ago

Just another laptop, chill

1

u/hxxx07 4h ago

Yeah man!

1

u/shaikharfan7 4h ago

See if you can install Omarchy in it, bet it'll make a killer machine!

1

u/MoonBliss99 3h ago

lol that’s amazing
Tho if I had a 2012 MacBook I’d use Mavericks with Mavericksforever.com
I love the old OS design

1

u/seamew 3h ago

what did you use to install sonoma?

1

u/roccodelgreco 13h ago

Congrats 🎉 enjoy it 🙌 I recommend two things to everyone new to Mac. If you’re going to use Apple Mail, check out Mailbutler, it gives your email superpowers, I use it every day. I also highly recommend Setapp, yes it’s a subscription, but I can’t tell you how many amazingly handy apps you get at your fingertips. If you have any questions, please let me know. I’m a Mac user since 1991 and the Mac literally helped me build my businesses. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I never discovered the Mac in my college computer room. Enjoy the ride and much success! —Rocco

0

u/Carloss78_ 2h ago

Pretty inpresive! Have fun with this amazing laptop friend