Saying Goodbye To A Dear Old Friend: My MacBook 2011
I’m writing this on my cellphone, because the toddler poured coffee all over my laptop. I have a 2011 MacBook Pro. I have replaced the hard drive for a solid state, increased its RAM to max memory. The screen, keyboard, motherboard, and graphics card have been replaced (free because the issues weren’t my doing.)
This laptop saw me through grad school, 2 novels, hundreds of articles I’ve written when I was a news producer and freelance writer. This MacBook saw me through a divorce, drove with me cross-country from New York to California along with 2 dogs and what fit in my 2011 Prius. It has sat silent and let me cry into a bottle of wine at night when I was at my worst, feeling sorry for myself. It still opened up when I asked it to and let me use its software to turn my words into a cathartic release. At times, my MacBook felt like my only one true friend and connection to the rest of the world.
There is something sad about finally having to upgrade. Like trading in an old friend for a newer, fancier model. Oddly, I have no connection to “things” but my MacBook was more than just a thing. This 2011 MacBook Pro was the sturdier model before Apple started to make new sleek designs. It has been my favorite year for the MacBook Pros. I have edited countless videos on this computer including news pieces, a years worth of a reality TV show I produced and more. I’ve edited videos of my daughter’s first years, as this computer has been here to see my first and only child being born.
MacBook Pro, 2011…thank you for being such a big part of my life. Thank you for being here through some of the worst and best years of my life. I will miss you, but now I am off to the Apple Store to replace you. You’re 6 years old and dying in the computer world. I want to hold on, but your keys are fried and you’re stuttering from the liquid that caused your slow death. It’s time to unplug you, I’ve kept you alive for too long.
Today is the day I let you go. 😢
Writing With Hope 
March 23, 2017 at 2:00 PM
Awe. A nice good bye for a buddy who has seen you through a lot! And some days are crazy with toddlers. 😳
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March 23, 2017 at 2:02 PM
Ugh, yes Sharon thank GOD I backed everything up! 😬 I just ordered my new computer, going to keep drinks far away! 😅
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March 23, 2017 at 4:18 PM
I am sorry to hear that your beloved computer just died. I can completely understand these days, there is a potential that we could have a close connection with a device like computer or a smart phone as such. I recalled knocking a coffer cup and the coffee spilled into a computer at work. I was shocked but was lucky that it did not cause any damage.
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March 23, 2017 at 4:56 PM
Yes, it’s strange but my computer feels a little like “Wilson” from “Cast Away” with Tom Hanks. I needed the upgrade. It was due. But, it is amazing how many memories we form around the things in our lives.
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March 24, 2017 at 12:14 AM
Awww. I loved this post. I hope your new laptop will treat you just as well. 🙂
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March 24, 2017 at 4:48 AM
Oh noooooo, coffee on the MacBook? That’s rough. Last year I made a decision to try and make lemonade out of lemons. I guess the lemonade in this case is that you got a new computer. 😁
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March 24, 2017 at 10:42 AM
Yep Staci, my new MacBook is in order. I have to wait for it to be sent to me. Because of all the video work I do, I require max memory. My new MacBook will have 1 TB and will be a much superior machine. Though I still have an appointment with Apple today to see if we can fix my old friend the 2011 model. If I can get it fixed for free or cheap, we might do so and have it available for my toddler to play on (minus any liquids near or in proximity to the computer.) 😊
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March 24, 2017 at 11:07 AM
Oh wow, that would be great if you could get it fixed for free or cheap. Hope you can. You must let me know ok.
And what is a TB? That sounds like a heck of a lot of memory. Must be a tetra byte, right? 😉
My hubby is a filmmaker and works with a lot of memory too.
🙂 ❤
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March 24, 2017 at 11:55 AM
Yes, it’s a terabyte & it looks like your hubby & I have some things in common! 😁
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March 24, 2017 at 12:04 PM
Haha. Yes, it does.
🙂 ❤
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March 24, 2017 at 8:51 AM
This touched me in such an unknown way. Your feels for your computer are synonymous to mine with my tablet. I couldn’t imagine replacing it for any thing yet I know there will be a day when I have to and I’ll be just as heartbroken to do so as you were Here. Thank you for sharing your love for your macbook with us. My deepest condolences goes out to you and your loss. 🙏🙏🙏😘
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March 24, 2017 at 10:38 AM
Thanks, I think it is more about everything I’ve done with that laptop and all that I accomplished. What I went through in the 6 years. I guess the computer is more of a metaphor, now that I think about it, of letting go and moving forward. 😌
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March 24, 2017 at 10:39 AM
Very true. You being able to let go and move forward may be hard but in some instance…. Necessary 🙏🙏🙏
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March 24, 2017 at 5:53 PM
I just loved this post! You are such a great writer. Loved the way you weaved the story of your six year old – Mac that is! Ha! After reading this post I’m wondering, how little sleep do you get to be able to accomplish all the things you listed??
Wait, before you throw it out! There might be a solution!!! You might be able to try the little trick they tried in the movie “All of me” with Steve Martin where they exchanged souls between two people – funny movie. You could do that with your 2011 Mac – hold a service where they transfer the soul of your old mac, along with all your data and programs, in exchange for the new Mac. Put the soul of the new Mac in your 2011 and move the 2011 soul to the new hardware. Presto, Problem solved. You still have your old friend in a brand new body! LOL!
This was a great piece!!!
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March 25, 2017 at 6:51 PM
Chuck,
Thank you for the amazing compliment, I’m glad you find my writing worthy of greatness! 😅 Your insight is awesome, I didn’t think of my soul of my 2011 computer revivable until you pointed out the obvious.
It’s true, Macs “talk” to each other and systems are transferrable. So, yes, the soul of my dear 2011 MacBook Pro friend will live on!!! It looks like you’ve inspired me to write a post or poem on this in the near future!!!
As far as how much sleep I get to accomplish things, I have chronic insomnia. 😬 Lately I have been getting average sleep, but back then I was hardly sleeping. 😅 Thanks again for reading!!! And speaking of things to do, I will try to get to reading your book via the link you sent! 😁
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March 26, 2017 at 7:15 AM
You are so welcome and it is very well deserved! Chronic Insomnia? Gee, I would have never guessed! LOL! Life in fast forward? Ha! Really, I do love the way you write, Your post was so great and fun with your bond to your Mac. I just had to let you know there was hope for your 2011 Mac. I hope your friend can live on to make you happy and be a Beloved Companion,
Have a Great Day!
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March 28, 2017 at 8:48 AM
Awww, this was sad!😔I totally know what you mean and get what you are feeling. I still have my last laptops and can’t seem to through them away. Every now and then, I will fire them up. It is amazing how date they are and a good reminder of why I had move on. Still, I keep them like old photos and keepsakes (and, I’m not a hoarder, ha!).
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March 28, 2017 at 3:32 PM
I’m not a hoarder either, I tend to be the opposite. I tend to throw things out. Except, I felt attached to the memories and all that I had accomplished on my old Mac. I’m borrowing a laptop now and waiting for my new one to come in…can’t wait. 🙂
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April 1, 2017 at 9:20 PM
[…] and electronic devices don’t mix. This is my first post on my new laptop since my toddler poured coffee on my old MacBook. Ugh. Yes, when you have a toddler expect anything. Just when you think you have your eyes on them […]
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May 23, 2017 at 2:20 PM
There is something more about Macs than any other computer. My 2008 iMac is still going strong. Changed the hard drive for a flash drive and maxed the RAM. What a machine!
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May 23, 2017 at 6:58 PM
I know…right! I totally think Apple makes the best computers. They’re nothing like any other computer. ❤
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May 23, 2017 at 2:21 PM
[…] https://lilpickmeup.com/2017/03/23/saying-goodbye-to-a-dear-old-friend-my-macbook-2011/ […]
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May 23, 2017 at 6:58 PM
Thank you for linking to my article!!! 🙂
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May 23, 2017 at 10:51 PM
My pleasure to share it.
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