Is my MacBook Pro 17” doomed?!

I’m trying to figure out if my MBP 17” is doomed for good or if there is hope to fix it. I’m not as technical as I used to me so I’m lacking in technical terms. Here’s the history of what has happened and I’m hoping a few can give feedback on how to proceed. I’m a graphic designer and can work from anywhere so I loved the 17” size.

I purchased my laptop used from a reliable computer repair shop on eBay back in summer 2016. I’m not sure if the logic board was replaced but even if it was, I know the recall is no longer valid.

Everything was working fine until funky lines showed up on my screen. Eventually, my screen started locking up and the computer would reboot. Sometimes it would reboot to the regular home screen but it got to the point where it would reboot then just go to the blank grey screen. I brought it into the Genius Bar and they ran an diagnostic test. Everything checked out good except for the battery and hard drive. I knew the battery was going but was surprised by the hard drive. The tech recommended I get a SSD. I was about to order one when I remembered I upgraded to a Samsung SSD when I bought the laptop. When I went back to the tech and told him, he said he was surprised that drive was failing but luckily it is still under warranty.

I recently bought a newer used genuine Apple battery with a low cycle number and installed that. The same issues still happen and I can use the laptop for a few minutes before it freezes and restarts.

I’ve been reading up on all the issues the 2011 laptop and I’m a little overwhelmed by them and Apple’s lack of help considering the problems have continued beyond replacements. I’ve been using Apple computers since the early 90s but definitely feel they care less about us designers who have been devoted users from the beginning!

My question is…..is it really the hard drive or is it one of the many logic or motherboard issues that are haunting the 2011 laptops? I’m hesitant to send back my SSD as I really don’t think that is the issue. I’d like to hold on to it if I can install it into another laptop.

Is it worth it to try and fix this, or impossible as parts are hard to find and install now? If not, and you recommend I hold onto the SSD and battery, which model/year do you recommend I upgrade to that will work with my SSD and battery. I use Adobe CC everyday with InDesign as 80% of my usage. No heavy duty photoshoping or videos. I was thinking of a 2015? What should I do with my 17”?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

-Melissa