The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Advice

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by Smooth_J, Apr 21, 2010.

  1. Smooth_J

    Smooth_J Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    500
    Messages:
    806
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I need advice...

    My 17in MBP Core 2 Duo suffered from a video card failure of some kind (possibly memory), and now I am getting garbled display on the LCD and a external monitor.

    I bought it to a Apple store and since its not under warranty, they wanted to charge me $850 to change the MB out (including tax and labor).

    Does anyone think its worth it to fix, or should I just buy a new MBP?
     
  2. ClearSkies

    ClearSkies Well no, I'm still here..

    Reputations:
    1,059
    Messages:
    2,633
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I think you mean that it's out of warranty if they're going to charge you to replace the mb :).

    Depends on how much you have to spend - $850 gets your old MBP back up and running since it's unusable now, while the new one would cost over $2000 and get you the current up-to-date model.

    If you've got $2K sitting around and feel the need to update, do so; if you don't have it, then $850 will be the way to go if you've got that much. Many others would just spend what you have to in order to get back up and running, and save the difference.
     
  3. doh123

    doh123 Without ME its just AWESO

    Reputations:
    996
    Messages:
    3,727
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    106
    What Macbook Pro is it? what are the specs? it may or may not be worth it.
     
  4. Smooth_J

    Smooth_J Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    500
    Messages:
    806
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Core 2 Duo 2.33 GHz
    2 GB
    160 GB HD
    256 MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1600
     
  5. doh123

    doh123 Without ME its just AWESO

    Reputations:
    996
    Messages:
    3,727
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    106
    nope.... unless your dying to have a 17" screen... no way I'd pay that for it.
     
  6. crazycanuk

    crazycanuk Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,354
    Messages:
    2,705
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    56
    seconded, time to retire that machine
     
  7. Smooth_J

    Smooth_J Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    500
    Messages:
    806
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Well right now I am using my Dell D430, but I miss OSX. I don't really need another 17 since I don't need something that size anymore (22in on my desktop) so a 15 would possibly be better at this point. Any opinions on this?

    Thanks for the help all!
     
  8. doh123

    doh123 Without ME its just AWESO

    Reputations:
    996
    Messages:
    3,727
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    106
    can get some decent used 15" macbook pros.. better than your 17" for around $1000 USD...

    of I'd grab a brand new entry level 13"er ... sweet little machine and can easily outperform your 17... but it all depend what you want to spend..... if you want to go for a few thousand, then go for a new 15
     
  9. Meever

    Meever Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    54
    Messages:
    460
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Sell your macbook pro as is. You'll get about 200-300 dollars if you get lucky, and buy a previous gen Macbook Pro with Applecare for about 1k-1.5k.
     
  10. Luke1708

    Luke1708 Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    352
    Messages:
    3,799
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    i would advise you to get the current gen lowest price 15" macbook pro. No need to invest in a dinosaur. Sell it as spares/parts on ebay and then use the money and add the remaining to buy the 15" mac. You'll get an average of 6hrs battery life with moderate use.
     
  11. Smooth_J

    Smooth_J Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    500
    Messages:
    806
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Thanks for the help all. As suggested, I will sell the MBP and get another one. It may take awhile (need to save up some), but I should have a new one soon!