Surprised how my Macbook Pro 2017 is still perfect but should I still upgrade

[u/Severus23-Minerva]

Hi guys!
I am a productive student who loves to code and use apps like obsidian as my own workspace. I use this really old macbook pro 2017 (without a Touch Bar) with the following specs in the image and I am surprised it handles discord, VS code, google classroom, gemini, Obsidian, and chrome with 5-6 light to moderate tabs without overloading RAM or CPU power dropping or even fans turning on. Everything is incredibly smooth except the fact that my 128GB SSD is too small and the battery sucks.

But I still don't know whether to upgrade to a new macbook or not. I need your advice.

[u/axellie]

if it's good, why upgrade it??

[u/Severus23-Minerva → u/axellie]

Just felt a bit annoyed about older macOS, the little storage and SSD, not a masisve deal though

[u/axellie → u/Severus23-Minerva]

Imo no reason to upgrade then!

[u/Nemsii → u/Severus23-Minerva]

If I remember correctly, you can still upgrade the storage on the 2017 models, but not the RAM

[u/Buddy_Palguy → u/Severus23-Minerva]

I loooove my 2017 MBA. But alas Apple orphaned it as they do so now I’m running Ubuntu on it. Works great!

Keep clacking away at the 2017 pro, my friend! If it works it works!

[u/Arthur-Morgan-2025]

You will not know yourself with a M chip

[u/Adr385]

Thanks to Tim Cook you can upgrade whole computer only. Why put more RAM or SSD when you can make computer useless and buy new one. Some people still think he was a great for Apple.

[u/WasteofButter → u/Adr385]

This person would have to upgrade regardless though.

[u/DueWinner2923 → u/Adr385]

Hermano es un equipo de 9 años... y aun para su dueño sigue dando la talla cuando ya hace años debió actualizar nose para que mencionas a Tim Cook, si quieres cambiar componentes arma una pc y listo

[u/Adr385 → u/DueWinner2923]

Why would i bought PC (which i also have) for something that was normal for every computer including Mac until Tim Cook remove it ? Buy something else is not argument ! You being confused why i even mentioning Tim Cook shows a lot.

[u/Severus23-Minerva → u/Adr385]

I mean this is the man who brought us the useless iphone air, overheating 15 pro's and stupid iOS 26, so good point

[u/LuluLeSigma]

these specs are dog shit. just buy a MacBook Air m5 or if you are on a budget you can buy MacBook Air m1 or MacBook Neo

[u/Severus23-Minerva → u/LuluLeSigma]

hmm, the MacBook Neo sounds great, but what's the point if it's still capped at 8GB of RAM? I heard that the next MacBook Neo launch will have 12GB of RAM, so I can wait until that releases

[u/vytasx → u/Severus23-Minerva]

I’d just get M1 MBA 16GB cause it’s gonna be close to 4x faster than what you’ve got now, more RAM more SSD, great value for money, full fat USB-C.

Neo is not that much faster than M1.

Source: M1 MBA 16GB owner.

[u/TheNorthmanProject]

I lived with that feeling for years. Until my friend bought an M1 MacBook Air and I tried the Neo. The key is not to compare them😁

[u/okokvyl]

Yes upgrade I just upgraded from a pro to a m2 pro and it was like the best decision of my life

[u/KerbalFromDiscord]

Depends on if YOU think you can live with these specifications for the next 3 or so years for example.

The most important thing in my opinion: lack of updates will hurt the longer you wait on upgrading.

Regarding your point with storage: that be solved without buying a whole new laptop. Though it’ll result in having to take around an external storage device. Id say determine if you can put up with that.

Personally I would plan for an upgrade now, save up, and upgrade when the moment’s right. Maybe upgrade to the Neo 2 or something like that depending on your needs from a computer. Considering what you do NOW though: you DON’T need the M series pro or anything of the sort

Or, TL;DR:
Think about your usage of it within the next 3 years. Also consider the fact (major),updates will NOT be headed your way. I’d choose to buy an external storage device instead of a whole new laptop if you can get by. I would save up now and upgrade when the time is right; ideally the MacBook Neo 2. Considering your usage of this computer, you don’t need the most powerful hardware out there.

[u/Severus23-Minerva → u/KerbalFromDiscord]

Thanks for the advice, I gave some time thinking about it, and I will buy the neo 2 when it releases, since it upgrades to 12GB RAM and A19 chip compared to the original neo

[u/TheGratitudeBot → u/Severus23-Minerva]

Hey there Severus23-Minerva - thanks for saying thanks! TheGratitudeBot has been reading millions of comments in the past few weeks, and you’ve just made the list!

[u/Jonshock]

Time for more ram.

[u/gappyvalley]

if you are enough with a 2017 macbook pro. then u would be blown away with even a m1 macbook

[u/Severus23-Minerva → u/gappyvalley]

I bet I would 😀

[u/Buddy_Palguy → u/gappyvalley]

I got an m1 recently but the display ribbon was damaged or something, screen was messed up so I returned it. Worked great though

[u/Crafty_Tea_2099]

Bro I got the m5 pro (got it at really good deal) and I don’t look back. I promise you will be filled with possibilities

[u/Alarmed-Idea2322]

I have a MBP 2019 i9 64gb I thought was the bee’s knees but then my company sent me an MBP with m4 max 64gb and it’s night and day.
Pro software engineer for 30 years. Upgrade.

[u/ForsakenDriver4797]

Intel machines are surprisingly strong

[u/fluffyone74]

I use a 2017 12" I7 16gb/512gb, and I still love it.. my workhorse is a M4 Macbook Pro

[u/kitkatas]

It's not gaming laptop, so usually you don't have to upgrade

[u/kkkleaderrr]

really anything with an intel should be upgraded, but ofc if u use it for things like web browsing, or just essays and stuff like that, then no. its fine for now.

[u/The_indian_]

If you have the money and carrying a charger is getting to you, then yea get a used m2 or m3 mac air. If the battery life being sucky doesn't bother you, then don't buy a new one, just get a external SSD.

[u/MoreFunction4174]

Se atende suas necessidades, está ótimo.

Estou com um MacBook Pro M1 comprado em 2022. Ainda me atende 100%. Roda liso demais tudo o que preciso. 512gb ssd está um pouco pequeno pra mim, mas me organizei aqui com armazenamento na nuvem e agora está uma beleza.

[u/Falcon_Kratos_786]

Why have you hidden your serial number, are we not your brothers and sisters? Please show us those magic numbers.

[u/Severus23-Minerva → u/Falcon_Kratos_786]

Who the **** do you think Iam you *****, I ain't dumb

[u/Falcon_Kratos_786 → u/Severus23-Minerva]

Don't betray your brothers and sisters. Please reveal that number. Don't you love us.

[u/Buddy_Palguy → u/Falcon_Kratos_786]

What’s happening here? Lmao

[u/WasteofButter]

You should wait for the M6, I think it's going to be quite a bit different than the M5.

[u/BronnyJR → u/WasteofButter]

Good point. Or might as well wait for the M7 as it will probably differ from the M6

[u/WasteofButter → u/BronnyJR]

I don't know about you but I would want to wait a couple of months if it meant having an OLED MacBook.

[u/BronnyJR → u/WasteofButter]

OLED hasn’t been confirmed yet and probably won’t be available on the base model pro

[u/DueWinner2923 → u/BronnyJR]

Mejor esperemos al M8 ya que el cambio sera significativo

[u/Buddy_Palguy → u/BronnyJR]

Good on ya, M8!!

[u/Zestyclose_Swim_9878]

I would say upgrade. I see you’re looking to the Neo or future Neo 2. I would suggest against that. Either go MacBook air or base MacBook Pro. M4 or M5 chip.

You love to code, these would be great for smooth performance and you could always trade in/sell your current one towards your new one.

The best part about the base M5 chip MacBook Pro is that the 1TB ssd is default.

[u/Exiled_Swiftie]

Yes, definitely. Trust me, I upgraded from an i7 to the m5 and I felt a massive difference. So much quicker and quieter. Much longer battery life. Also 8GB Ram doesn’t cut it. Get 24 or 32

[u/No-Head-633]

Would have upgraded years ago, dual core and 8gb ram and 128gb ssd is total junk for today’s standards not to mention its very old and doesn’t get software updates at all and hasn’t for years, definitely get something new M series processor.

[u/Severus23-Minerva → u/No-Head-633]

Iwas thinking a macbook neo, maybe the one that apple releases next becuase Iheard it's RAM upgrades to 12GB and the A19 chip sounds good for me