Gonna buy a used MBA 11-inch

[raptorstv]

What are the things that I should check before giving him my money? Its the 2011 model

[Mrbobb]

Originally Posted by raptorstv

What are the things that I should check before giving him my money? Its the 2011 model

I've been in this "business" for a long time, and I need a FEW DAYS to know whether a laptop is all that it is, and you want to know this in a few minutes? Well OK if u kinda know the guy and he's giving u a killer deal.

[baller1308]

You could look up the serial number to find out if it is still under warranty. I would make sure to get a receipt if the person still has it. If so, then you can buy AppleCare if eligible and if you want it. Other than that, make sure the system runs, little to no cosmetic damage. If you buy in person there isn't really much you can do besides trust the other person isn't ripping you off. If you buy it from eBay you have some sort of assurance from eBay's seller protection policy.

[xxcysxx]

beware that this machine is not stolen, because if it is and it has remote locking feature enabled, you will end up with a "brick" once that machine connects online.

apple will not unlock or service this machine since it is identified as stolen.

[BeeJee]

Too bad they're not easy to open to check for water damage…

[sostoobad]

agree with above comments, just make sure you pay with paypal. If you never get it, or it is radically misdescribed, paypal will refun your money, including shipping, no matter where you bought, not just ebay etc.

[mrsir2009]

Search up the serial number to make sure it's not stolen.

[jahala]

I buy/sell macs on craigslist all the time. I make sure I meet where there is an internet connection so I can look up the serial number for its warranty status. As long as it is in warranty, I check for physical damage and make sure everything works: screen, wifi, bluetooth, usb ports, trackpad, keyboard. I also use System Information to make sure I am buying what I think I am buying.

If everything checks out, I buy it. My experience has been that as long as it is under warranty and not physically damaged, Apple will fix things that go wrong. I do not know of any way to check if a machine is stolen. So far, I have not hand any problems in that regard.

Of course, I ask if it comes with the box, receipt, both plugs for the power cord, but I may still buy it if the answer is no to any of those.

[micrors4racer]

You can also do a hardware diagnostic by pressing cmd + d on bootup

[nexsta]

Don't buy it, this little beautiful computer is too personal and fragile to buy a used one. Buy a refurbished one from apple and get a longer warranty if you will use it for more than one year.

[Lukewarmwinner]

Never bought a used Mac, simply 'cause of the unknown treating of the machine. Who knows how much this Mac has been handling, water spilled and such.. I wouldn't personally buy used. I've sold macs during the past though..

[xxcysxx]

Originally Posted by Lukewarmwinner

Never bought a used Mac, simply 'cause of the unknown treating of the machine. Who knows how much this Mac has been handling, water spilled and such.. I wouldn't personally buy used. I've sold macs during the past though..

yeah, or how many times they probably bring it with them into the bathroom while sitting on the toilet, and they probably sat there for 30 to 45 minutes with it on their lap. this is also true about cell phones, that why i never buy a used cell phones or borrow someone else's cell phone and put it on my face. yuk!

here, have a look at this thread and see for yourself.
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthre...ghlight=toilet

[mattpreston11]

Coconut battery is a good test to see how many battery cycles it has had.

[jrasero]

Maybe I missed this but may I ask how much for the MBA 2011 11"?

I would just go refurbished from Apple. They still sell 2010, 2011 MBA

Plus you get a 1 year warranty

[jksu]

Originally Posted by jrasero

Maybe I missed this but may I ask how much for the MBA 2011 11"?

I would just go refurbished from Apple. They still sell 2010, 2011 MBA

Plus you get a 1 year warranty

agreed. can't beat apple refurb -- just like a new one with the same warranty and a nice discount.

my 2010 11" mba 4/128 i love. but i did have the trackpad stop clicking 1 year ago and it's starting to happen again (this time i'm out of warranty but from the invoice the last time, it should be a <$50 repair).