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    Can I change CPU in 2yr old Macbook pro?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by Vivakris, Mar 20, 2011.

  1. Vivakris

    Vivakris Notebook Guru

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    Hi , if i buy a macbook pro now can i change the processor after two years ? lol . or perhaps have someone do it for me ?
     
    Vivakris, Mar 20, 2011
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  2. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

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    Not really. The CPU is not socketed.
     
    namaiki, Mar 20, 2011
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  3. scarletvw

    scarletvw Notebook Consultant

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    Its not even a not really answer. The answer is no you cannot change the CPU ever, they are soldered directly to the board, plus the way that hardware changes a new CPU from 2013 would not be compatible with todays laptop. If you "plan" to upgrade a CPU in the future, get the best one today and plan to buy an entirely new computer down the road.
     
    scarletvw, Mar 20, 2011
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  4. doh123

    doh123 Without ME its just AWESO

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    "No" is not techincally correct though... so "Not Really" fits better.

    Soldered things can be removed and changed with the right equipment and skill, so saying no makes it sound impossible... so the correct answer would be...

    it would be extremely difficult unless you already know enough that you don't need to ask the question.... or super expensive and very hard to find someone you can hire to do it...
     
    doh123, Mar 20, 2011
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  5. ajreynol

    ajreynol Notebook Virtuoso

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    doh123 is correct. difficult; not impossible.
     
    ajreynol, Mar 20, 2011
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  6. SP Forsythe

    SP Forsythe Notebook Evangelist

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    Not practical
     
    SP Forsythe, Mar 20, 2011
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  7. scarletvw

    scarletvw Notebook Consultant

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    Well you also need to figure compatibility, Apple will not update any sort of upgrade to make newer CPU's compatible.

    So you show me where you would get the "upgrade" CPU and someone that would do the upgrade and the bloke dumb enough to pay for it and then we'll call it do-able. Until then there is no CPU upgrade.
     
    scarletvw, Mar 20, 2011
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  8. Descalzo

    Descalzo Notebook Evangelist

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    You can swap out the entire logic board, assuming you can get one for a decent price.
     
    Descalzo, Mar 21, 2011
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  9. Vivakris

    Vivakris Notebook Guru

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    hmmmmmmmmm do you think the one with the i5 processor will be good for 3-4 years of use ? i'll primarily be using mac os x because i found a good p2p to use . and oh yeah , i'm learning C++ so how good is mac os x with that ? perhaps VB ? gah that's not a problem i'll put windows on it too but however , the mac os x will work for 4 years right ? :D
     
    Vivakris, Mar 21, 2011
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  10. wave

    wave Notebook Virtuoso

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    If you get the expanded Apple care you will have an extended warranty for 3 years.

    The i5 is a good processor and will run Windows 8, I expect. Any new OSX should also run without problem.

    If you look 4 years back from today you will see that a then high end system would have been a core 2 duo of the Santa Rosa generation. An example is the T7200. Computer of this generations are still more than capable to do office, web browsing and programming work. If you invest some additional money in an SSD some time later it will give you a nice boost in performance.

    For programming in OSX you can try netbeans. There is no VB in OSX. But you can program in C++ or Object C and maybe try Java also. If you want an easy script like VB for OSX look at Cocoa.
     
    wave, Mar 21, 2011
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  11. Vivakris

    Vivakris Notebook Guru

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    Hmm thank you! I have decided to get a Macbook Pro. i7 with Sandy Bridge :O. they're soooo cool .

    Amazon.com: Apple MacBook Pro MC724LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop: Electronics

    and oh yeah , i can't buy an SSD ... lol too expensive i'll buy it perhaps 4 yeears later . :D . but , however , i will buy a 500 GB 7200 RPM hard drive .
    unless that decreases the battery life ...

    AND WHAT ON EARTH IS A THUNDERBOLT PORT ? USB 3.0 ? LOL
     
    Vivakris, Mar 21, 2011
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  12. wave

    wave Notebook Virtuoso

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    No Thunderbolt is not USB 3.0. The new MPBs do NOT have USB 3.0 only 2.0.

    Thunderbold is actually faster than USB 3.0 but has very limited support right now and is not compatible with USB 2.0. Hopefully some hardware that uses it will come out soon. You can find more info here:
    Apple’s Thunderbolt Port: A Closer Look - SlashGear
     
    wave, Mar 21, 2011
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  13. kornchild2002

    kornchild2002 Notebook Deity

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    Actually, since Thuderbolt is powered and goes through a PCI Express connection, it could easily work with USB 2.0 specs. Essentially a manufacturer could come out with an eSATA, USB 3.0, and USB 2.0 hub that hooks into the Tunderbolt port allowing for port expansion. I get what you are saying in that it uses a completely different port than USB 2.0. I just wanted to add something extra. That was the nice thing about Intel's technology but we have yet to see any accessories come out for it. The first few just look like a RAID configuration and then another is going to be an external hard drive. It will likely be another solid year before we see more devices supporting Thunderbolt as other manufacturers should start supporting it by then (Sony is rumored to support it around this summer with a Vaio notebook).
     
    kornchild2002, Mar 21, 2011
    #13