MacBook Pro help
 

A friend's boyfriend has asked me for help with Christmas shopping for her. He wants to get her a Macbook Pro, because her MacBook died. Her old one is from 2010, and she indicated that they changed chargers for some of the new MacBook Pros, but use the old charger for others. I'm a PC girl, not a Mac girl, so I have no idea about chargers and what models use the old charger. I'm hoping OMNI-land can help! :D

All new MBPs come with a working charger so you won't need to worry about the old one.

I figured they all come with chargers. However, she would like to stick with one that uses the old style so that she has a spare charger.

The design of the male end of the charger has been redesigned to resist fraying but that doesn't affect its basic functionality. A MagSafe Power Adapter is a MagSafe Power Adapter.

I have two Macbooks (2008, 2011) and one MacbookPro (2006), and use both styles of chargers. They're completely interchangeable although the 85w MagSafe Power Adapter A1343 is [scarequotes] intended [/scare] for the MBP and the 60w version, the model number of which I cannot retrieve for you given the 11.5 lb. cat on my feet, is intended for the Macbook.

When the old style p/a that came with my '06 MBP failed due to fraying I used an old style 60W p/a for months until I got around to buying a new style 85W p/a. Absolutely no performance difference though the brick did get a tad toasty at times. :D

BTW, if you have orphan miles in UA or some other program with shopping you can one for a song. I redeemed 12,600 miles for a brand spanking new 85W p/a. Regular retail is $80(!).

Doesn't the cat know I need the information? :D

So, the charger is the same, other than the fraying redesign? Nice!

There are 2 versions of MagSafe, not mutually compatible.

If you are buying one of the newest Macbook Pros then the connector is completely different.

That's a silly as choosing a new car based on tire size so you can use your old spare tire.

Later MBPs (starting I'm not sure when) use a magsafe adapter that has a slightly larger head at the low voltage end. You can get an adapter from the smaller to the larger for about $10. I have both and my mid-2015 is plugged in through the little adapter to the smaller adapter right now.

The very newest ones charge through a USB-C, which is completely different. there may or may not be an adapter to either of the magsafes.

:(
It's not for me.
So not what I was hoping to see.

I know; I would have stated it more diplomatically if it had
been for you.

Kipper,

His girlfriend will be so delighted to get a new MacBook Pro that not having a backup charger won't be an issue. I just replaced my 2010 with a 2016 MacBook Pro. As others have mentioned Apple changed the shape of the charger connector and old charger will not fit the new MacBook Pros.

More important decisions when deciding on a MacBook Pro are about which size/model do you want and how do you want to configure the MacBook Pro. Your friend can easily do comparisons online between the different models and configurations online at Apple to select right MacBook Pro. Also if there is an Apple Store nearby those folks are very helpful.

Precisely, why would you buy an older model for the sake of an adapter? :confused:

Excellent!

:D I've not been one to select a computer based on type of charger, but apparently, it matters to her.

There are a number of other issues with the newest Macbook Pros and there is an FT thread discussing them. Some people have chosen to buy the previous version.

Your friend's boyfriend is thoughtful but seemingly a little clueless. If you're a PC person, why is he wasting your time with questions any Apple Store employee -- even one in a different state if there's not one nearby -- could answer?

I know, I posted in that thread. I don't like the keyboard. But the OP's reasons are different here. I'll be waiting until the next update to decide what to do.

I'm guessing he wants to order it online (can you order them online?), as he works odd hours and the closest Apple Store is about an hour away.

You can order MacBook Pro's online at Apple, there are a few models. They also have a comparison chart to help you decide which model is the right one. In my opinion it is imperative to purchase Apple care at the time of purchase of the MacBook as it extends the warranty and provides other types of assistance with your MacBook.

Also if he doesn't know which model his girlfriend wants he should go to the Apple store. They are very good at recommending the right equipment based on how you use the MacBook.

I'd recommend comparison shopping before doing so:
http://prices.appleinsider.com/13-macbook-pro-late-2016

Right now, the base model is $1499 on Apple.com, but $1369 from Adorama. Apple will honor the 1-year warranty regardless of seller (even if it's a private individual).

I've had nothing but Macs since the first one. And I'm female. So here goes.

Her thinking is crazy. An additional charger is maybe $60. So, buy an extra charger to go with it. (I don't think anything is compatible with at 2010 charger, but I could be wrong.)

Questions: What does she use the computer for? If it's not graphics or photography, if t's just for things like browsing the web and word processing, then things like RAM and speed probably don't matter.

Is money an object? If not get the one with the most RAM and fastest processor. It never hurts to have more than you need. (Bigger is always better.)

Go with the newest model. Don't buy outdated equipment.

Caution: the new MacBook Pros have nothing but USBC ports. She'll need dongles for everything.

My comment was that I'm a PC girl, so I know nothing about Macs. :D

She's a college student (her BF is not), so I assume she's trying to be practical with the charger. :)

I'm a Mac fan girl
 

Since the day the first one rolled off the assembly line. If your friend can't get to an Apple Store, or even if he can, have him call the good folks at PowerMax in Oregon. I bought all my machines from them for many years – no sales tax, free shipping on orders over $100, and very knowledgeable sales and sales support people. If he doesn't have time to go somewhere, calling or texting or chatting with one of the folks at PowerMax will answer any questions he might have. They're not into the hard-sell they really want you to be happy with the machine.

Http://Www.powermax.com

(I get no kickback from them – I just really like them and they've always treated me very well. )

As others have mentioned, this charger thing is a silly issue. What is another $60 when you are spending the extra bucks to get a MacBook Pro vs. a regular PC laptop?

I am curious does her boyfriend have any idea of the cost of a MacBook Pro? Is he going to have sticker shock?

Thanks! I'll pass that along.
She's being practical. I'm guessing he has some idea.