2009 MBP for $500 for Development?

[Erway Software]

I have the opportunity to purchase a (well taken-care-of) 13" Macbook Pro (Mid 2009) for $500. I'm an iOS developer, so I would be running Xcode and other dev tools.

Specs are as follows:

- 13" display
- No dents, etc.
- 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
- 4 GB 1067 MHz DDR3
- Battery has had 174 cycles, normal condition
- NVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256 MB)disc
- 250 GB HD

Is it a good deal? Will it run Xcode without problems and have enough screen real estate to not drive me crazy?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

It will have 1280 x 800 pixel, which is quite cramped, but CPU wise it can handle it. Do you use an external monitor?

XCode would look like this on 1280 x 800 pixel, though it does not look that bad, but I guess one can easily fill that area with more palettes and such.

 

[Erway Software]

Yes, I have a 15-inch-ish monitor I could use, as well as a 27" iMac I could put in Target Display Mode.

Do you think it would be a good deal?

 

[A Hebrew]

As long as you have external drives you can put your stuff on (A 250gb Hard Drive is laughable) and you don't mind the outdated ports, it is a good deal considering these still go for around 650.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Yes, I have a 15-inch-ish monitor I could use, as well as a 27" iMac I could put in Target Display Mode.

Do you think it would be a good deal?

Why would you use a 13" MBP with a 27" iMac in Target Display Mode, when the iMac is much stronger than the MBP? And if it is a 2011 or 2012 iMac, Target Display Mode will only work with 2011 and 2012 Macs due to the Thunderbolt port.

 

[Erway Software]

Why would you use a 13" MBP with a 27" iMac in Target Display Mode, when the iMac is much stronger than the MBP?

Because you'd get the extra screen real estate - and it's an 09 iMac anyway. Very little power difference.

And if it is a 2011 or 2012 iMac, Target Display Mode will only work with 2011 and 2012 Macs due to the Thunderbolt port.

Not True! Look at a Thunderbolt port, then look at a MiniDisplay port. The TB is just an upside-down replica of the MD. Their actually backward compatible - I can hook my 2012 iMac into my old 27" Cinema with an MD directly or after chaining it to some of those wonderfully abundant Thunderbolt accessories

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Because you'd get the extra screen real estate - and it's an 09 iMac anyway. Very little power difference.

Better CPU, better dedicated GPU, more RAM, but then again, if it only is a C2D iMac, the CPU performance might be on par.

Not True! Look at a Thunderbolt port, then look at a MiniDisplay port. The TB is just an upside-down replica of the MD. Their actually backward compatible - I can hook my 2012 iMac into my old 27" Cinema with an MD directly or after chaining it to some of those wonderfully abundant Thunderbolt accessories

Okay then, must have not been clear enough.

The 27" iMac from 2009 and 2010 has a Mini DisplayPort. It can be used in Target Display Mode with all Macs having a Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt port (TB is not just an upside down version of MDP, but more on that later).
2011 and 2012 iMacs with a TB port can only be used in Target Display Mode with 2011 and 2012 Macs, that also have a TB port.
You cannot use a 2011 and 2012 iMac in Target Display Mode with Macs from 2010 or 2009 or 2008 only having an MDP.

What you describe in the above quote is not Target Display Mode, as of course you can use almost any display via MDP or the appropriate MDP adapter with 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 Macs.
Again, it is not Target Display Mode (which is the use of an iMac as an external display for another compatible Mac).

And because Thunderbolt is based on DisplayPort technology, the video standard for high-resolution displays, any Mini DisplayPort display plugs right into the Thunderbolt port. To connect a DisplayPort, DVI, HDMI, or VGA display, just use an existing adapter.

from http://www.apple.com/thunderbolt/

Is that understandable?

 

[Erway Software]

Better CPU, better dedicated GPU, more RAM, but then again, if it only is a C2D iMac, the CPU performance might be on par.




Okay then, must have not been clear enough.

The 27" iMac from 2009 and 2010 has a Mini DisplayPort. It can be used in Target Display Mode with all Macs having a Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt port (TB is not just an upside down version of MDP, but more on that later).
2011 and 2012 iMacs with a TB port can only be used in Target Display Mode with 2011 and 2012 Macs, that also have a TB port.
You cannot use a 2011 and 2012 iMac in Target Display Mode with Macs from 2010 or 2009 or 2008 only having an MDP.

What you describe in the above quote is not Target Display Mode, as of course you can use almost any display via MDP or the appropriate MDP adapter with 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 Macs.
Again, it is not Target Display Mode (which is the use of an iMac as an external display for another compatible Mac).



from http://www.apple.com/thunderbolt/

Is that understandable?

You Win.

Think it's a good deal?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

You Win.

​

Think it's a good deal?

Yes, the price for the machine is a good deal.