Reminds me of how antiquated these Intel Macs were compared to Apple Silicon: slow, and bottom burned like an oven when doing anything processor intensive (like a Google Chrome helper lol). Thanks for the memories.
Haha, it's true! Apple Silicon was such a huge leap. It's surprising that these things still can do the job surprisingly well though! thanks for the watch.
I just broke out my 2015 15” MacBook Pro with only 80 battery cycles, barely used. Decided to upgrade the OS to Sonoma and upgrade the SSD to 1TB. Laptop runs beautifully.
2025, im a senior dev and still use this (with OCLP) as my daily driver. Run a linux virtual machine, iOS simulator and Windows 10 via Parallells without a problem. Totally fine machines.
Glad to hear it! Yes, it's a solid machine, and while it shows its age here and there, for the price they now are they're probably the best computer you can buy in the $250 ish range?
This Model has stood the test of time and is very reliable. It rarely breaks down. As you said, it has several advantages such as large and good monitors and ports, and it's the last Model with the logo lit lol. so I think this model can be a good secondary laptop if you can buy it for about $250 or so.
I agree - it's a solid deal, all things considering! Sure it looks a little old, especially with the bezels, the slightly slower performance, but for $250 it's a ton of laptop.
I think that if you install Windows 10 or the new macOS using OpenCore Legacy Patcher, then it can last quite well for several more years. At least Windows should run well on this Intel machine, allowing you to run games on it :)
That's a great point! I did OpenCore on my 2016 MacBook Pro, the one I mentioned that died at the end of the video. I also had Windows 11 running on it too. I wonder how soon Apple is going to kill support for all Intel MacBooks. As soon as that happens, the OpenCore community will stop being as relevant, which is sad.
I just bought my first Macbook PC, I've been using Windows for years and for some strange reason I thought maybe I should try Mac. I will be getting it tomorrow and setting it up. The battery has 28 cycles so that seems to be good right? It is a 2015 i7 15.4-inch Macbook with Sonoma Os. I will upgrade the 256 GB later. I read and heard so many bad things about later models with the keyboard. I know it's quite old but it's just a stepping stone to a new one in the future. It's not a big loss if I don't like the Os. I have three months to decide. I use my Win. PC for writing, chess, Netflix etc. I'm typing on an Asus pc that has a battery life of 3 hours if I'm lucky. No backlight keyboard and that sucks. As I'm getting older my eyesight is getting worse.
Great! Well I have some question to ask. Firstly, how much you think it worth to pay for this MacBook at maximum? (I wanna buy one with an AMD R9 M370x Card) Secondly how many hours will it give In case of replacing the new battery? Thirdly, where can I buy this laptop in good condition? May I ask you where you bought it?
Thanks for checking out the video! I buy almost all of my technology on eBay. If you’re willing to look at your local Facebook marketplace or Craigslist, I’m sure you can get a good deal (and not pay tax!) but I always appreciate the return policy associated with eBay purchases; you always have the “arrived not as described” guarantee! I would only pay a max of $250 for one of these- they’re getting old! For a higher end model I would be willing to stretch that a little bit, but you’re getting dangerously close at that point to finding a cheap M1 MacBook Air for $500 ish dollars, which is a device that is leaps more modern and powerful.
All wk, I’ve been debating whether to buy MBA m3 15 16/512 for 1400 or MBP m3 pro 15 18/512 for 1550. I don’t like MBA having 2 measly ports & old led panel. Hate dongles. I don’t like MBP 14” screen bec I’m used to 15 screen. What compounded dilemma is wanting to transfer approx 220 gb into new laptop bec I want quick access to my data. But then I thought why not replace the battery on my mint 2015 MBP 15? The 1st 3-4 yrs, I hardly used It. It is slower but the amt of ports is amazing. I was quoted battery replacement at $150. If I get good laptop diagnostic results, I can even upgrade internal SSD (pending price) That along with IPad Air for media consumption…that may work until MBP m4 or MBA m4 comes with more than 2 ports and/or mini led panel.
Reminds me of how antiquated these Intel Macs were compared to Apple Silicon: slow, and bottom burned like an oven when doing anything processor intensive (like a Google Chrome helper lol). Thanks for the memories.
Haha, it's true! Apple Silicon was such a huge leap. It's surprising that these things still can do the job surprisingly well though! thanks for the watch.
I just broke out my 2015 15” MacBook Pro with only 80 battery cycles, barely used. Decided to upgrade the OS to Sonoma and upgrade the SSD to 1TB. Laptop runs beautifully.
Love to hear it!
How is the battery life?
2025, im a senior dev and still use this (with OCLP) as my daily driver. Run a linux virtual machine, iOS simulator and Windows 10 via Parallells without a problem. Totally fine machines.
I still have mine, and it is AWESOME, except for the left hinge is broken
Hands down, It's the best pre-Apple Silicon era Macbook! I still use it for a secondary laptop.
Glad to hear it! Yes, it's a solid machine, and while it shows its age here and there, for the price they now are they're probably the best computer you can buy in the $250 ish range?
Another great video, thanks!
Thank you! That means a lot!
This Model has stood the test of time and is very reliable. It rarely breaks down. As you said, it has several advantages such as large and good monitors and ports, and it's the last Model with the logo lit lol. so I think this model can be a good secondary laptop if you can buy it for about $250 or so.
I agree - it's a solid deal, all things considering! Sure it looks a little old, especially with the bezels, the slightly slower performance, but for $250 it's a ton of laptop.
You’re absolutely correct great video!
Thank you!! I appreciate you checking out the video!
Great video, Ben!
Thank you! That means a lot.
I think that if you install Windows 10 or the new macOS using OpenCore Legacy Patcher, then it can last quite well for several more years.
At least Windows should run well on this Intel machine, allowing you to run games on it :)
That's a great point! I did OpenCore on my 2016 MacBook Pro, the one I mentioned that died at the end of the video. I also had Windows 11 running on it too.
I wonder how soon Apple is going to kill support for all Intel MacBooks. As soon as that happens, the OpenCore community will stop being as relevant, which is sad.
I just bought my first Macbook PC, I've been using Windows for years and for some strange reason I thought maybe I should try Mac. I will be getting it tomorrow and setting it up. The battery has 28 cycles so that seems to be good right? It is a 2015 i7 15.4-inch Macbook with Sonoma Os. I will upgrade the 256 GB later. I read and heard so many bad things about later models with the keyboard. I know it's quite old but it's just a stepping stone to a new one in the future. It's not a big loss if I don't like the Os. I have three months to decide. I use my Win. PC for writing, chess, Netflix etc. I'm typing on an Asus pc that has a battery life of 3 hours if I'm lucky. No backlight keyboard and that sucks. As I'm getting older my eyesight is getting worse.
Oh, awesome!!how has the machine been for you? the low cycles is really hard to find!
How is the battery life?
How Mac OS?
How is the battery life?
mine dies instantly!
@ oh thats sad
only the cpu 2.8 is the best?
Not mine and my cycle count is low
Not yours for what?
How is the battery life?
@@zircobenHow is the battery life?
@@ashrafulkhan8678 It dies instantly
Great! Well I have some question to ask.
Firstly, how much you think it worth to pay for this MacBook at maximum? (I wanna buy one with an AMD R9 M370x Card)
Secondly how many hours will it give In case of replacing the new battery?
Thirdly, where can I buy this laptop in good condition? May I ask you where you bought it?
Thanks for checking out the video!
I buy almost all of my technology on eBay. If you’re willing to look at your local Facebook marketplace or Craigslist, I’m sure you can get a good deal (and not pay tax!) but I always appreciate the return policy associated with eBay purchases; you always have the “arrived not as described” guarantee!
I would only pay a max of $250 for one of these- they’re getting old! For a higher end model I would be willing to stretch that a little bit, but you’re getting dangerously close at that point to finding a cheap M1 MacBook Air for $500 ish dollars, which is a device that is leaps more modern and powerful.
With a new battery installed, I can see them lasting 3-4 hours.
All wk, I’ve been debating whether to buy MBA m3 15 16/512 for 1400 or MBP m3 pro 15 18/512 for 1550. I don’t like MBA having 2 measly ports & old led panel. Hate dongles. I don’t like MBP 14” screen bec I’m used to 15 screen. What compounded dilemma is wanting to transfer approx 220 gb into new laptop bec I want quick access to my data. But then I thought why not replace the battery on my mint 2015 MBP 15? The 1st 3-4 yrs, I hardly used It. It is slower but the amt of ports is amazing. I was quoted battery replacement at $150. If I get good laptop diagnostic results, I can even upgrade internal SSD (pending price) That along with IPad Air for media consumption…that may work until MBP m4 or MBA m4 comes with more than 2 ports and/or mini led panel.