Should I buy a new MBP? (Lots of small issues with mine)

Hi,
There are a number of small but irritating problems with my MBP. Talking with a friend who has had her macbook into apple service 3 times now for replacements a lot more serious than my problems, I'm sure Apple won't replace the computer. A friend who has bought a couple MBPs now (later week version) has had very little problem with his.
Specifically, the issues I'm having are as follows:
1) CPU whine (I know this can't be fixed)
2) Fan "moo"/clunk. The computer sounds like a small helicopter at times and at the best of times is always noisy..
3) Heat issues - using the comp anywhere but on a flat surface (i.e. on my lap) and it heats up intensely. I know this is an issue with all computers, but compared to my powerbook it's night and day.
4) Lag Issues. Doing ANYTHING takes a "long" time. I need to reformat but from opening firefox to booting up the computer or even sometimes mousing over the icon tray.
5) Red headphone led. My internal speakers no longer work. I've read the problem has something to do with the headphone jack being stuck. Some fixes I've read include using a match stick, plugging in the headphones again (doesn't work).
6) My display flickers slightly now also. Seems to synch with the fan "moo"ing.
I'm using macintosh now because I like avoiding hassles. I switched from PC a few years ago after going through lots of issues and the powerbook was AWESOME. I'm assuming the macbookpro is going to eventually stabilize and work well also, is it there yet? Shall I buy a new one and just dump the current or will it be the same thing all over?
Macbook Pro / 12" Powerbook Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Thanks for all the advice, it's appreciated. Particularly the advice to go down to the mac store and talk to a guru. I'm going to do that tomorrow.
I've been able to tolerate things up until the latest bug, the fan now periodically starts spinning like a helicopter. It's way beyond anything I've dealt with.. I can't listen to music it's so loud and it disturbs anyone else around (clearly needs a fix).
I can't send it in to be repaired as I can't do without a computer for that long. This said I thought to connect the new and old machine and copy the most important files over.
(No I won't dump this lemon on someone else without letting them know about the issues. It may well be worthwhile to someone willing to nurse it through the various mac warranty & update issues. Eventually they may well end up with a new MBP).
Macbook Pro / 12" Powerbook Mac OS X (10.4.6)
Macbook Pro / 12" Powerbook Mac OS X (10.4.6)

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When should I buy a new MBP?

I'm leaving for college in the fall and I would like some help deciding when it makes sense to buy a new computer. I'm planning on buying a new MBP with Retina display, but I'm not sure if it's totally worth updating yet. I currently have a Late (October) 2009 White Macbook (2.26Ghz, 8GB RAM, 250GB HD), that works decently, but isn't wonderful--it's slowing down. I would appreciate some ideas and thoughts on when it makes sense to upgrade: now, before I leave for college; sometime during the fall semester, after I really know my computing needs (my least preferred option); or, this Christmastime? If anyone has some advice, it would be much appreciated.
Cheers!

ccshaw wrote:
Wouldn't it just make sense to put the money for the 7200rpm drive towards one more upgrade on the MBP? I could just cut that up front cost.
You can choose to forgo the hard drive upgrade, however 250GB is quite small, meaning your likely using a great portion of the second 50% of the drive, which the read/wrire performance is substancially reduced.
7,200 RPM doesn't make that much of a battery life dent that one will notice it, but one will notice the speedier response.
S0 by incrreasing the RPM's and the storage size, plus newer drive with better read/write speeds through technology improvments combined with a zero erase + fresh install of 10.6.1 (your original disks) and Software Updated to 10.6.8 (10.7 is slow) should make a dramatic improvement on that model.
However a erase + fresh install of 10.6 on that present 250GB can do the job well too, 10.7 is slow and you likely have other problems the 10.6 install will also cure.
How to erase and install Snow Leopard 10.6
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I'm not sure where I can get a copy of 10.6.8. Do you know where I could obtain that?
Your computer came with 10.6.1 install disks, hold c or option key down and boot off the disks, use Disk Utility to erase the entire drive (select the drive makers name and size on the left) with Security Option > Zero all data, wait, then when finished quit and install 10.6.1 and Software Update fully to 10.6.8.
If you no longer have the 10.6.1 disks, call Apple for a machine specific replacement disks for your 2009 Late 13" White MacBook.
You can also use the $29 10.6.3 white Snow Leopard retail disks sold here
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A
f it turns out that I do need Windows for class applications, do I install it on a partition by using disk utility and partitioning my HD (also, how big does that partition for windows need to be)?
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Dear all,
After a few years (since mid 2009) of happy relationship with my Macbook Pro, the last year I have noticed a severe decline in speed in all applications as well as a lot of apps crashing or not responding regulary. Me and my laptop have survived this long thanks to this forum where I am usually able to find solutions to various problems and by experimenting with "home fixes", despite my lack of technical knowledge.
I live abroad in a country without access to proper computor service centers etc, however I am visiting Europe next week and I need to take the decision on whether it is worth fixing my laptop or if the best option sis just to buy a new one.
After my attempts to troubleshoot and after reading up on this forum I am suspecting that the cause of the problems might have something to do with RAM or the proccessor. I do run a lot of heavy apps such as photoshop, premier pro, indesign, firefox, lightroom etc. I have always been able to work efficiently while having several apps running at the same time (for example firefox, word, indesign and photoshop) however since a while back i can't run more than 1-2 apps at the same time without the computer crashing or getting paralysed. The beach ball is spinning for minutes after each click which is very frustrating when working with details in for example photoshop. I have tried to clean up the computor with Onyx a few weeks ago which I think improved it a little bit. My 500GB harddisk is less than half full.
I would really appreciate your advise on my options of fixing the issue or just buying a new computer. Below are some details about my laptop.
Millions of thanks in advance!
Best,
Hanna
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Memory: 2 GB 1067 MHz DDR3
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256MB
Software: OSX Version 10.8.3

I think 8G of memory may be good enough to run Adobe suite and Office.
No, there is no such risk.
Following shop has memory you need, though if you think you couldn't hadle to upgrade RAM, take it to Apple Store's Genius Bar to ask about upgrading RAM.
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple_MacBook_MacBook_Pro/Upgrade/DDR3
-- kaz-k
PS/ You'd better ask about your question at MacBook Pro discussion board.
https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks/macbook_pro

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when i buy the machine, i definitely plan to purchase applecare. there is a local apple dealer that sells MBPs with _another_ service plan that can piggyback on to applecare. before i lay out the details of said plan below, what i'd like to know is basically whether this is necessary and/or worth the $99 this plan costs.
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so my main question: should i buy my new MBP and applecare at a regular apple store or other retailer (best buy, etc.) - or should i go to this specific apple dealer in order to spring for this piggyback plan as well?
any thoughts and/or advice is most welcome...thanks in advance!!

The plan is only as good as the company backing it. If you've done your due-diligence on the company then I'd say it's a pretty good deal. You can compare how much they would sell the system for vs Apple or Best Buy etc.
If they aren't asking a premium, I'd say go for it.
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I'm close to buying a new MBP.
I have read all these posts about freezes, particularly likely when using 4 GB RAM, reduced in frequency but not eliminated by Apple's system software upgrade.
I know folks have saved money buy purchasing a machine with 2GB of Apple RAM and then getting a 4GB kit from an external supplier.
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Should I buy a new MBP? (Lots of small issues with mine)

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