Need advice re: replacing or fixing my computer (2011 MBPro)

[Stromkraft]

Early 2011 Mac Book Pro 15" user here with no issues for all these years.

With Nvidia graphics?

[locojohn]

Early 2011 Mac Book Pro 15" user here with no issues for all these years.

With Nvidia graphics?

AMD Radeon HD 6750M 1024 MB and Intel HD Graphics 3000 512 MB

[Stromkraft]

Early 2011 Mac Book Pro 15" user here with no issues for all these years.

With Nvidia graphics?

AMD Radeon HD 6750M 1024 MB and Intel HD Graphics 3000 512 MB

That's right. It's my backup machine that has Nvidia.

[skttrbrn]

I'm running Live 9 Suite on my mid-2010 MB Pro 15". About a year ago I upgraded the RAM to 16GB and installed an SSD.

Just this week the screen blacked out momentarily (GPU problem?) and sometimes Live/Chrome won't start immediately (must reboot the machine and try again). This problem was more frequent on some of the previous operating systems, but Sierra has been mostly reliable.

Considering saving up for a new Mac Pro or MacBook Pro, but not sure which just yet.

[Emanresu0891]

My screen would black out sometimes. I knew about the issue before the gpu went bad so it did not come as surprise when it crapped out.
Yeah, I would take that as a warning sign. Either buy a heat gun or something without a dedicated gpu. I wouldn't bother with the trashcan MacPro since it is way too overpriced for its age. Maybe go with the cheese grater if you want a desktop.

[Stromkraft]

I wouldn't bother with the trashcan MacPro since it is way too overpriced for its age.

Just wait for the second hand professional market when the new Mac Pro is released next year. The trash cans will drop, both new and second hand. Which doesn't mean they must be great alternatives. Personally I believe in Hackintosh, but the time to build your own may be better spent making music. Time is limited.

[kramerica]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I decided to just use my work laptop for now - a 2015 Dell XPS 13, 2.2GHz Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM ultrabook which has thunderbolt, Windows 10 and supports dual monitors. Selling the MBPro (and my also broke Air) for parts. I'm also now selling my RME Fireface 400 and already bought a used Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 2nd Generation 24/192khz 18 in / 18 out USB Audio Interface to replace it since the Dell doesn't have Firewire and I should probably be selling this RME while it still (surprisingly) has some value. If anyone's interested, here's my shop on Reverb.com where I'm selling the RME, a 1983 Fender Concert guitar amp, and a 1960's era upright bass - all at pretty discounted prices compared to fair market value or appraisal value: https://reverb.com/shop/kramericas-gas-kamp All prices are negotiable, of course. I had to downsize my studio cuz I'm moving into a new place with no room so I'm a motivated seller.

[Stromkraft]

I should probably be selling this RME while it still (surprisingly) has some value.

I don't see how that is surprising at all. Last driver update 07/19/2017!