Bollocks. It’s the logicboard. While the price to fix it is pretty steep, it’s still a lot less than outright buying a new machine. Thing is, it’s a 6 year old machine. Need some perspective from everyone. Worth repairing or should I just call it quits.
@kaa 6 year old MacBook with dead logic board — it's definitely time for a new machine. Macs last a long time, but soon you won't be able to install the latest OS, then important apps won't be able to be upgraded. The machine itself will probably last another 5 to 10 years, but it'll become effectively unusable beyond some simple tasks.
@kaa You are making me quake a little. My MacBook Air must be approaching 5 years old. It is doing well, apparently, but I wonder how much life is in it? I have held onto machines, in part because I don't like the throw away aspect of the computer industry (cost as well) and been left with slow performance as my Mac crawls through tasks. I hate to say it, because I know that I will be saying it to myself at sometime, just so that you can stay current I'd go for a new machine.
@Miraz Thanks for the advice. Software updates will be an issue for sure. The thing is I was really hoping to have get a new phone which is 4 years old at the moment. Getting both right now is a luxury I can’t really afford. The computer I need to get stuff done. The ‘phone’ is for photos.
@kaa I know exactly how hard those money pressures are. It sounds like the computer helps generate income, the phone not so much…
@crossingthethreshold @miraz Sooo the other question I have is, considering the new 16" macbook pro, i'm thinking it would likely be prudent to wait for the 13" (or 14"?) equivalent.
@kaa @crossingthethreshold I’m not sure it is prudent to wait for something that hasn’t even been announced. If you need something now then buy now what best meets your current and future needs and finances. A possible strategy is to buy now then upgrade when a better machine is available and you can still command an excellent price for the one you’re using (I’d be unlikely to do that).
@crossingthethreshold My last two laptops lasted for ±a decade before the hardware started giving out. So, assuming the hardware quality kept up recently (a big assumption, granted…), that shouldn’t be a limiting factor; it will be the increased demands of newer OSes and newer apps and…. I get the sense that newer OSes have been worse about this than earlier Mac OS X releases were, where every newer OS was faster on the same Mac, and is exacerbated by the non-upgradeability of newer models (can’t add more RAM or a bigger internal HD).
All that was designed to make you feel better about life remaining in your Air, but I’m not sure I actually accomplished that goal….
@Miraz @kaa I agree with this. Although I haven't had a look at the much spoken about 16” MacBook Pro, unless you feel as though you are good at reading the Apple tea leaves, I would either go with what you are looking at, or find a different model that while maybe not equal in power is closer to your screen liking (though I am guessing that the power of the Pro is important here?).
@smokey Well it did make me feel better to some degree. This Air is well travelled - it has crossed the world a couple of time, when I have been back to the UK to visit family - and seen a few OS upgrades. Though I have not upgraded to Catalina yet - initially because of the horror stories that I was reading, and now I am unsure whether I will as I am noticing some slowing in this machine. Nothing to make it unusable, just tell tale signs.
@Miraz @crossingthethreshold @smokey so none of the current crop of Macs excite me except maybe the Air, however I’m not a fan of those keyboards (I’m not just saying that, it’s a step back, highlighted by the fact they’ve finally recognised it themselves). Considering I’m going to be using this machine for another half decade, I want to love it. The power is important, for longevity more than anything else - when I need to push it 3 years from now it won’t flinch (like my broken machine used to).
The repair cost is 1/3 the cost of a new MacBook Air (1/4 of a new MacBook Pro) which is why it’s not such a clear cut answer.
@kaa Imagine it's November2021. Look at the 2 scenarios: new logic board in now 2 years older Mac or new 2019 Mac. How does each play out for speed, capacity, cost? Which will you wish you'd chosen?
@smokey @crossingthethreshold My 2018 Air is 1 year old now with no significant keyboard issues - the "m" was slightly sticky but a blast of air seemed to clear things up and that was months ago. I will occasionally double tap the space bar, causing a period to autoproduce in several programs, but that's my only complaint in regard to the minimal key travel distance. For the most part, I like the keyboard over my 2013 15" Macbook Pro. One person's opinion and experience, so it's worth is limited.
@Miraz I think that those are good points. What is the longevity of an old model with a new logic board? A counter argument might be is now the time to spend the extra money on a new machine, or is it more prudent to wait until later?
@crossingthethreshold @miraz @dgreene196 @smokey thanks everyone for the input, super apprecaited. I have a follow up to write about this.