Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Should I buy this 07' macbook pro?

miss.manson

miss.manson

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Dec 12, 2011
769
36
Georgia
I'm looking to buy a used Macbook pro. I found one for $500 and its a mid 2007 model. I don't know if its worth the price or not so I'd like some advice as this would be my first mac. I'm not much of a computer gamer other than the sims every now and then. I mainly use my current laptop for internet browsing, school, movies, music, etc. Here are the specs:

Work smoothly on multiple applications simultaneously with the MacBook Pro MA895LL/A laptop that features Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2GHz processor. The installed 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM of this Apple laptop ensures faster data processing. Boost your gaming and other visual experiences with the installed NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT PCI Express graphics of this Apple MacBook. Stay connected to the world with the built-in AirPort Extreme (802.11n) wireless connection of this Apple laptop. You can now exchange data with compatible devices via the Bluetooth 2.0+EDR connectivity of this Apple MacBook. Avail high-speed network connection with the supported 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet connection of the MacBook Pro MA895LL/A laptop. Connect other peripheral devices to the MacBook Pro MA895LL/A laptop through its integrated 2 x 480-Mbps USB 2.0 ports.

Product Identifiers
Manufacturer Apple
Product Family MacBook Pro
Model ID MacBookPro3,1
Model Number A1226
MPN MA895LL/A
UPC 0885909176298, 885909176298

Processor
Processor Speed 2.2 GHz
Number of Cores Dual-Core

Motherboard
Bus Speed 800 MHz

Display
Display Technology LED
Screen Size 15.4"
Display Max. Resolution 1440 x 900

Technical Features
Security Features Kensington Lock Slot
Expansion Ports 2 x USB 2.0, DVI (Digital Video Interface), FireWire 400, FireWire 800, RJ-45 (NIC), VGA out
Expandability 1 x ExpressCard
Special Features Integrated Video Camera, MagSafe Power Adapter Port

Hard Drive
Hard Drive Capacity 120 GB
Hard Drive Rotation Speed 5400 RPM
Storage Controller Type Serial ATA

Memory
Installed RAM 2 GB
RAM Technology DDR2 SDRAM
Max Supported RAM 4 GB
RAM Speed 667 MHz
Installed Cache Memory 4096 KB

CD / DVD
Optical Drive Type DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW
Optical Drive Read Speed 24x (CD), 6x (DVD+R DL), 6x (DVD-R DL), 8x (DVD+R), 8x (DVD-R)
Optical Drive Write Speed 24x (CD), 4x (DVD+R Dual Layer), 4x (DVD-R Dual Layer), 8x (DVD+R), 8x (DVD-R)
Optical Drive ReWrite Speed 10x (CD-RW), 4x (DVD+RW), 4x (DVD-RW)

Video
Graphic Processor NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
Installed Video Memory 128 MB
Graphic Bus Interface PCI Express

Audio
Audio Output Type Headphones, Line Out, Optical Digital, Speaker(s)
Audio Input Type Integrated Microphone, Line In (3.5mm), Optical Digital In

Networking
Networking Type Bluetooth, Integrated 10/100/1000 Network Card, Integrated Wireless LAN
Data Link Protocol AirPort Extreme, Bluetooth, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n

Battery
Battery Run Time 6 Hours
Battery Technology Lithium polymer

Dimensions
Depth 9.6 in.
Height 1 in.
Width 14.1 in.
Weight 5.4 lb.

Miscellaneous
Release Date June, 2007
Input Method Keyboard, Remote Control, Trackpad
Operating System Apple MacOS X 10.4
 
miss.manson said:
I'm looking to buy a used Macbook pro. I found one for $500 and its a mid 2007 model. I don't know if its worth the price or not so I'd like some advice as this would be my first mac. I'm not much of a computer gamer other than the sims every now and then. I mainly use my current laptop for internet browsing, school, movies, music, etc. Here are the specs:

Work smoothly on multiple applications simultaneously with the MacBook Pro MA895LL/A laptop that features Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2GHz processor. The installed 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM of this Apple laptop ensures faster data processing. Boost your gaming and other visual experiences with the installed NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT PCI Express graphics of this Apple MacBook. Stay connected to the world with the built-in AirPort Extreme (802.11n) wireless connection of this Apple laptop. You can now exchange data with compatible devices via the Bluetooth 2.0+EDR connectivity of this Apple MacBook. Avail high-speed network connection with the supported 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet connection of the MacBook Pro MA895LL/A laptop. Connect other peripheral devices to the MacBook Pro MA895LL/A laptop through its integrated 2 x 480-Mbps USB 2.0 ports.

Product Identifiers
Manufacturer Apple
Product Family MacBook Pro
Model ID MacBookPro3,1
Model Number A1226
MPN MA895LL/A
UPC 0885909176298, 885909176298

Processor
Processor Speed 2.2 GHz
Number of Cores Dual-Core

Motherboard
Bus Speed 800 MHz

Display
Display Technology LED
Screen Size 15.4"
Display Max. Resolution 1440 x 900

Technical Features
Security Features Kensington Lock Slot
Expansion Ports 2 x USB 2.0, DVI (Digital Video Interface), FireWire 400, FireWire 800, RJ-45 (NIC), VGA out
Expandability 1 x ExpressCard
Special Features Integrated Video Camera, MagSafe Power Adapter Port

Hard Drive
Hard Drive Capacity 120 GB
Hard Drive Rotation Speed 5400 RPM
Storage Controller Type Serial ATA

Memory
Installed RAM 2 GB
RAM Technology DDR2 SDRAM
Max Supported RAM 4 GB
RAM Speed 667 MHz
Installed Cache Memory 4096 KB

CD / DVD
Optical Drive Type DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW
Optical Drive Read Speed 24x (CD), 6x (DVD+R DL), 6x (DVD-R DL), 8x (DVD+R), 8x (DVD-R)
Optical Drive Write Speed 24x (CD), 4x (DVD+R Dual Layer), 4x (DVD-R Dual Layer), 8x (DVD+R), 8x (DVD-R)
Optical Drive ReWrite Speed 10x (CD-RW), 4x (DVD+RW), 4x (DVD-RW)

Video
Graphic Processor NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
Installed Video Memory 128 MB
Graphic Bus Interface PCI Express

Audio
Audio Output Type Headphones, Line Out, Optical Digital, Speaker(s)
Audio Input Type Integrated Microphone, Line In (3.5mm), Optical Digital In

Networking
Networking Type Bluetooth, Integrated 10/100/1000 Network Card, Integrated Wireless LAN
Data Link Protocol AirPort Extreme, Bluetooth, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n

Battery
Battery Run Time 6 Hours
Battery Technology Lithium polymer

Dimensions
Depth 9.6 in.
Height 1 in.
Width 14.1 in.
Weight 5.4 lb.

Miscellaneous
Release Date June, 2007
Input Method Keyboard, Remote Control, Trackpad
Operating System Apple MacOS X 10.4
Click to expand...

Is $500 your max budget?
 
Uhh, refurb/used mac mini?

There's no way the battery lasts more than 3 minutes anyway (unless it was just replaced).
Or you'll spend $150ish for a new one.
An air will pack just as much power as that MBP. Start with a mini...upgrade to an air?

You could also get a brand new dual i7 asus or something around $500

Hard to recommend buying an 07... Bulky, and I doubt it'll provide resale value.
 
Fandongo said:
Uhh, refurb/used mac mini?

There's no way the battery lasts more than 3 minutes anyway (unless it was just replaced).
Or you'll spend $150ish for a new one.
An air will pack just as much power as that MBP. Start with a mini...upgrade to an air?

You could also get a brand new dual i7 asus or something around $500

Hard to recommend buying an 07... Bulky, and I doubt it'll provide resale value.
Click to expand...

It is a refurbished Macbook pro. It has no issues..
 
I don't suggest spending much on something that old, because repairs are still expensive if anything goes. Chargers and batteries can die. Hard drives can die. One generation of NVidia cards had some serious issues. I can't recall if that was the one. The price seems a bit high to me for a (nearly) five year old computer. That description is talking up meaningless points too :p with how it goes on about ram speed and stuff. I cannot understand why old Mac laptops sell (or are at least listed) for so much when the repair costs can be so high for aging hardware.
 
thekev said:
I don't suggest spending much on something that old, because repairs are still expensive if anything goes. Chargers and batteries can die. Hard drives can die. One generation of NVidia cards had some serious issues. I can't recall if that was the one. The price seems a bit high to me for a (nearly) five year old computer. That description is talking up meaningless points too :p with how it goes on about ram speed and stuff. I cannot understand why old Mac laptops sell (or are at least listed) for so much when the repair costs can be so high for aging hardware.
Click to expand...

Well what do you suggest? I want an affordable mac. I also may be able to talk the seller down to $400.
 
miss.manson said:
It is a refurbished Macbook pro. It has no issues..
Click to expand...

Since Apple doesn't sell refurbished 2007 MacBook Pros, you can't be certain that any old seller isn't lying to you about the computer having no issues. And since it looks like you copied and pasted the specs and description into the OP from an eBay ad, I would be even more wary.
 
guydude193 said:
Since Apple doesn't sell refurbished 2007 MacBook Pros, you can't be certain that any old seller isn't lying to you about the computer having no issues. And since it looks like you copied and pasted the specs and description into the OP from an eBay ad, I would be even more wary.
Click to expand...

Yes I did copy and paste however the same specs come up in google.
 
guydude193 said:
Yes, but my point was that eBay isn't exactly the place to purchase a used Mac. And especially as old of one as you're looking at. Try a more reputable place like Mac of All Trades and see if anything tickles your fancy.
Click to expand...

It seems the ones that are on that website that are in my budget range are even older plus the specs of the one I am looking at on eBay are better.
 
guydude193 said:
This one is a year newer and still in your budget. Besides, a MacBook is plenty for your needs.
Click to expand...

It also doesn't have an nVidia card.

So basically, 2 things. 1, as a previous poster stated, the nVidia cards are ALL timebombs. it will die, given enough time. 2. The battery might still be good. I'm using a late 2006 MBP right now, and my battery life is still 2+ hours (keep in mind it was originally 3+).
 
thejadedmonkey said:
It also doesn't have an nVidia card.

So basically, 2 things. 1, as a previous poster stated, the nVidia cards are ALL timebombs. it will die, given enough time. 2. The battery might still be good. I'm using a late 2006 MBP right now, and my battery life is still 2+ hours (keep in mind it was originally 3+).
Click to expand...

Yeah and my crappy Acer has better specs than the one that was posted here :l
 
miss.manson said:
Yeah and my crappy Acer has better specs than the one that was posted here :l
Click to expand...

Specs matter when you do things that require power. Watching movies, listening to music, and editing Word documents don't require a supercomputer. Just trying to help.
 
miss.manson said:
But the speed is key, for me anyways. Thank you for your help.
Click to expand...

Just so you know, there will be no discernible difference in speed between these two Macs that you're looking at, especially for what you need them for. It also comes from a reputable reseller of Macs and is a year newer.
 
guydude193 said:
Just so you know, there will be no discernible difference in speed between these two Macs that you're looking at, especially for what you need them for. It also comes from a reputable reseller of Macs and is a year newer.
Click to expand...

If you look, you can get a better price though. My roomie just got a 2009 Macbook for $300.
 
miss.manson said:
Well what do you suggest? I want an affordable mac. I also may be able to talk the seller down to $400.
Click to expand...

That is the same reason anyone buys used. I was saying I would (personally) look for a better deal than the one listed unless some components are newer (as in it's been updated).

thejadedmonkey said:
Craigslist.
Click to expand...

You can find some good deals on craigslist at times. You'd want to fairly confident it's not stolen obviously, but there are good deals at times. Here it seems like everyone has been asking way too much on the local CL. I saw listings for used 2007 and 2008 8 core mac pros for $2200-2500. They obviously played up "8 core". I hate people that try to take advantage of uneducated buyers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back