Apple MacBook Pro Early 2011 Intel Core i5 (2017 Review)

Within this video we look at how the Early 2011 MacBook Pro holds up to the standards of today (2017) through looking at the offerings of the computer's hardware to the applications that can be ran.

Specs:
Intel Core i5 2.3 GHz (2410M)
Intel HD Graphics 3000 with 512MB of memory
16GB of 1333MHz DDR3 RAM
13.3 inch 1280 x 800
SuperDrive
525GB Crucial MX300 SSD
macOS Sierra
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[TheADHDUncle]

I got an early 2011 15 inch Macbook Pro for free a few days ago. Person who gave it to me said it wouldn't turn on after pulling the battery it turned on. When you plug it in it turns on automatically. Needs a new battery brought it to a local shop and they said it was worth putting money into it. Was running snow leopard have since upgraded to el capitan. Someone swapped the 750GB hard drive and put a real crappy 160GB Hard drive in. Gonna put a Solid state in it once I have the funds to do so :)

[markgrac]

mine works great. did the video recall, have had no real issues. 16gb ram 1tb ssd. 15 inch. love it.

[jameshill]

I traded a 2015 Macbook 12 inch( too small for me to see ) for this 2011 MacBook Pro I 7 with 500 gb SSD and 16 gigs 1600 MHz, Its blazing fast ... faster than any computer I have right now, I'm so happy with it. The right speaker does not work but bought all 3 for 20 bucks lol . just love this Macbook and did not take me broke.I can even hook it up to my 60 inch TV with an HDMI addaptor.

[TimurTripp]

Watching on a 17" Early 2011 MacBook Pro. Picked it up last month, installed a 256 GB SSD + MacOS Sierra, and am overall pretty impressed with this Mac, especially with the 1920x1200 non-glossy screen (albeit not Retina quality). Would be my main portable if I didn't also have a 15" Mid 2012 Retina, especially as I can easily upgrade the RAM to 2x what is in the Retina.

Edit: There is a weak point to this Mac, that being the Intel HD3000 integrated graphics. I have noticed some choppiness when the dedicated 6750M is not active.

[michaeltache]

I was hearing a couple guys at a coffee shop complaining about how they need to upgrade their MacBooks every 2-3years.  I've heard others say this as well.  I have the same macbook 13" reviewed here and I put a 500GB SSD drive 12 months ago ($100 installed).  I also installed 8GB of ram soon after I bought the machine.  Anyways, I don't see any need to replace.  The computer is lightening fast, and does everything I need.  I run Logic Pro and the responsiveness is amazing.  I hardly ever get the beachball.  The way things are going, I will have this computer for another 3 years.  This was my first mac, and to have it last 10 years would be pretty incredible.  I'm glad to see others are in agreement.  Nice review!

Oh..and I love that I still have a CD/DVD player.  This was phased out in 2012.  To date I still have not used my lightening port.  Not once!

Isn't one of the USB slots as USB 3.0?  One of the slots will charge my phone, while the other USB slot won't.

[hikaru-live]

I still have mine, the i7-2620M one still alive with 8GB RAM and 240GB SSD. It is no longer my daily driver, being replaced by a Haswell-based Hackintosh.

[jazminetania]

I just bought one yesterday for 400 in good condition i didn’t get it yet but I’m excited about it

[ScarletPanda]

Picked up a 2009 one up for $250 with 4gb ddr3 ram upgraded it to 6gb I had, 512mb gpu and a core 2 duo. Bought it due to my windows 10 pc taking a shit. Works well tbh. Works just well tbh and most older games I play run flawless

[MrJohn]

Mine is a 13' late 2011 MacBook Pro Intel Core i5 I got on May 2012. I recently replaced the 500GB HDD for 1TB SSD and 4GB RAM to 16GB RAM...it runs super fast! I am not replacing this one until it dies...specially now that Apple is releasing junk computers. If I had to replace it soon I would get an HP Spectre, maybe a Lenovo ThinkPad but NOT an Apple computer.

[djlypo]

I work with musical production and have an late 2011 - A1278 // 2.8 mhz I7 with 32 GB. One HD with 1gb 5400 and other 1gb Hybrid SSD. The super drive I have in a external 8 bucks case. Changed the battery 2x in this period. The RAM is on maximum. What I do like is the easy access to replace HD and battery. No reason to exchange for a "closed pack" macbook pro with stratospheric prices. If one day it become necessary or if the mother board dies, ill change...
:)

[rebekahfassler]

Mine is the early 2011 15” 500 GB and I use it everyday since June 12, 2011 and I am not get a new one till 2020

[julienballand]

Hey Parrot,

Thank you very much for sharing those insights.

I myself own a MacBook Pro Late 2011 13 inches, I plan on upgrading it with SSD 500Go or more and add 16GB of RAM.

My dilemma is that I recently got interested in video editing. According to you, if I upgrade to the configuration I have in mind, will it be enough to edit smoothly (Final Cut Pro X mainly, I shoot in 1080 mainly)?

Thanks in advance for your inputs.

Julien,

[JuiceBox]

Thanks for this review, I'm cheap, buy refurbished and used.

[jonstechchannel]

I’m getting one of these from a trade for my laptop (Dell Latitude E6440, video on my channel) and $100. I think $100 is a good deal for this system. The specs are 4gb ram, 320gb hdd, i5 2415, etc. it’s kind of a downgrade but it’s a Mac so the OS will be more optimized.

[rocco]

I have 2011 15 inch Macbook Pro, i took it to the apple store they said the mother board was gone just wondering if its worth fixing.

[carflo]

Have you updated your 2011 to Mac OS High Sierra. If so, are you having issues with slowness when editing RAW photos in Photos?

[corgijumpman]

Parrot175 I have the same model, I wanted to upgrade like yours. How much did you spend Memory & HD? Thanks

[alexgurung]

How is the battery life in your MBP ? I got 1271 cycles so far .. is it worth replacing the battery to a new one ?
and can you discuss about overheating issue ?

[mousegeek]

Is it safe to buy a Macbook Pro 2011 given the gpu failure?

[Irysuwu]

I don't Know yet which MacBook i should get, a used 2011 MacBook Pro with disk drive, or a new MacBook air 2015 13.3 inch help me :(