Late Aluminum Macbook 2008?

sece1212 · Jan 13, 2013

So, I've been on this website for a few years, but never posted. However, now that I am buying a second hand Mac for the first time (usually bought new from the Apple Store), I need some help! While looking around, I found an Aluminum Macbook for 350$! The owner states there are no cosmetic damage besides a few scratches (which is a given), and nothing wrong internally. He also states that it's the 2.4 ghz model, which has the backlit keyboard. There is one defect in the product, and that is the optical drive doesn't work, which doesn't bother me due to the fact that I want to put two hard drives in the computer. So, after the long post (sorry!), is this computer worth $350?

Thank you, much appreciated!

iPhysicist · Jan 13, 2013

350$ is a good price. Paid 500€ for mine last year.

sece1212 · Jan 13, 2013

iPhysicist said:
350$ is a good price. Paid 500 for mine last year.

Thank you for the quick response! Before I make this purchase, do you think the Macbook will last for a few years, possibly four years of college

?

Sorry for all the questions! I've been saving up money for a new computer but for some reason, this particular model catches my eye! ( Maybe because this model wasn't called the "pro" model yet?

)

peapody · Jan 13, 2013

sece1212 said:
Thank you for the quick response! Before I make this purchase, do you think the Macbook will last for a few years, possibly four years of college ?

Sorry for all the questions! I've been saving up money for a new computer but for some reason, this particular model catches my eye! ( Maybe because this model wasn't called the "pro" model yet? )

I would say at that price I would just get it no matter what. I'd value that machine maybe at $450-500. It should last you at least 2 or 3 years since it is still a core 2 duo. Your real limitation is programs and applications that require higher system specs, but I think the machine will handle any thing you throw at it today. I'd pick it up before it goes..

iPhysicist · Jan 13, 2013

Put in a SSD and it will be of use for the years to come. I will not say it will be a fast machine but it will do everything OK.

sece1212 · Jan 13, 2013

Thank you both to the quick responses! I had the idea of putting in the SSD as well as a second hard drive in the computer since the optical drive doesn't work. I guess it's a great deal and I get to check on it before paying! Thank you for helping!

cambookpro · Jan 13, 2013

I'd buy it at that price. Not sure what max RAM it can hold, but I'd definitely upgrade that to maximum if not done already.

With an SSD too, should last a couple of years at least, notwithstanding running any new games, FCP etc.

Designer Dale · Jan 13, 2013

In many ways these "older" systems are better than the new ones. That machine only can use 6 gigs of ram but has an Express34 slot for adding drives and an optical bay for a second hard drive to compliment an ssd.

I have a 17 inch 2.5 gig '08 with 6 gigs of ram and an ssd/hd setup. It runs all my Adobe professional apps and Aperture quite well.

Dale

phoenixsan · Jan 13, 2013

Sounds like....

you got there a good deal, if the seller if truthful. But IMHO, you can get 2-3 years more from this computer, tops. The aforementioned upgrades (SSD, better HDD and RAM) can help. But 4 years I am not so sure. Forget the apps updates/requirements. For me, main worry is the OS.

Good luck with your deal!

thejadedmonkey · Jan 13, 2013

It won't be good for much besides word processing and internet, Apple will stop supporting it soon. Around my area, my buddy was able to pick one up (in much worse condition) for $350 almost a year ago.

I'd say go for it, but don't plan on it lasting for 4 years without putting some money into it (for new battery, for example).

sece1212 · Jan 13, 2013

Thanks to everyone who helped me in this thread! Really appreciate it! Well, The owner stated that there is 4GB ram and a 500 internal HD (not SSD). I believe I might upgrade the ram to 8 unless 4 is enough? I am definitely upgrading the hard drive to an SSD while using the 500 GB as a second internal hard drive. These two components along with the computer itself will push the price to about $500.

GizmoDVD · Jan 13, 2013

MacBook had a backlit keyboard? Thought that was Pro only?

sece1212 · Jan 13, 2013

The late 2.4 GHZ 2008 Macbook had this feature, but not the others for some odd reason

.

peapody · Jan 13, 2013

sece1212 said:
Thanks to everyone who helped me in this thread! Really appreciate it! Well, The owner stated that there is 4GB ram and a 500 internal HD (not SSD). I believe I might upgrade the ram to 8 unless 4 is enough? I am definitely upgrading the hard drive to an SSD while using the 500 GB as a second internal hard drive. These two components along with the computer itself will push the price to about $500.

4gb is enough for run of the mill tasks like browsing and word processing. SSD upgrade will get you more speed.

Keeping the computer stock at $350 will be enough for the average user.

GizmoDVD · Jan 13, 2013

sece1212 said:
The late 2.4 GHZ 2008 Macbook had this feature, but not the others for some odd reason .

I just researched this. Pretty weird it even had this option. Shame the Black MacBook didn't have this.

sece1212 · Jan 13, 2013

Yeah, pretty weird.

I guess it wouldn't hurt to wait to see how the computer actually runs without e upgrades for now? I could wait for SSD prices to drop a bit more.

I guess the new question is, is it worth paying 500 (with the upgrades included) for an almost 5 year old MacBook?

glenthompson · Jan 13, 2013

sece1212 said:
I guess the new question is, is it worth paying 500 (with the upgrades included) for an almost 5 year old MacBook?

Iassime a 15" screen? I sold a 17" MBP for $550 last spring. That was with a 500gb drive and 4gb memory. I thought I got a fair price. the $350 is a good deal. Whether you should spend the extra depends on how much performance you want to wring out of it. Check the max memory on that model. It might be limited to 4gb. I currently have 8 and I rarely use much more than 4 to 5gb. Parallels and Windows will eat up the rest if I have to run it.

sece1212 · Jan 13, 2013

glenthompson said:
Iassime a 15" screen? I sold a 17" MBP for $550 last spring. That was with a 500gb drive and 4gb memory. I thought I got a fair price. the $350 is a good deal. Whether you should spend the extra depends on how much performance you want to wring out of it. Check the max memory on that model. It might be limited to 4gb. I currently have 8 and I rarely use much more than 4 to 5gb. Parallels and Windows will eat up the rest if I have to run it.

Hello! It's not, it's the Aluminum Macbook 13' before it was renamed the Macbook Pro. My main gripe is the possible change in form factor for the Macbook (for example, they could change it again this year), and I'm not sure a five year old computer could suffice for another four years. Since the total cost would be five-hundred which would be half the price of a cMBP, is this actually a steal or should I just wait 'till the next refresh in June/July?

Once again, thank you everyone who has helped, I really appreciate it.

robershow · Jan 13, 2013

Btw Apple released an EFI or something along that lines update and now that model can run 8 gigs. I have 8 on mine. Check this link:
http://blog.macsales.com/9102-secret-firmware-lets-late-08-macbooks-use-8gb

Designer Dale said:
In many ways these "older" systems are better than the new ones. That machine only can use 6 gigs of ram but has an Express34 slot for adding drives and an optical bay for a second hard drive to compliment an ssd.

I have a 17 inch 2.5 gig '08 with 6 gigs of ram and an ssd/hd setup. It runs all my Adobe professional apps and Aperture quite well.

Dale

Designer Dale · Jan 13, 2013

robershow said:
Btw Apple released an EFI or something along that lines update and now that model can run 8 gigs. I have 8 on mine. Check this link:
http://blog.macsales.com/9102-secret-firmware-lets-late-08-macbooks-use-8gb

Thanks for the link. The article references 5,1 systems and those are the first edition unibody models. Mine is ID 4,1 and is the front optical drive body style. If you have the slot on the side it's a 5,1. You can check this in System Profiler.

Dale

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