About to Buy - Last Minute Advice

[LucidPsychosis]

Just my own personal preference, but I'd just spend the extra $300 (only $200 if you're a student) and just go for the standard Macbook. You wouldn't have the software, but you'd have a better machine. Also, if you'd be so willing to wait, I'd personally wait for the next refresh as well.

I don't really mind second hand computers, but that one is just too old for my tastes, but, then again, I have a tendency to buy things brand new when they could be bought second hand for cheaper, but I use them for a very long time.

 

[stylar]

Just my own personal preference, but I'd just spend the extra $300 (only $200 if you're a student) and just go for the standard Macbook. You wouldn't have the software, but you'd have a better machine. Also, if you'd be so willing to wait, I'd personally wait for the next refresh as well.

I don't really mind second hand computers, but that one is just too old for my tastes, but, then again, I have a tendency to buy things brand new when they could be bought second hand for cheaper, but I use them for a very long time.

Hmm. I see your point. Still, though, if I could find/get a used but good 15in MBP, I'd go for that.

So, what do you recommend the cutoff be then, in terms of year/model, Ghz, and memory?

 

[stylar]

Hmm. I see your point. Still, though, if I could find/get a used but good 15in MBP, I'd go for that.

So, what do you recommend the cutoff be then, in terms of year/model, Ghz, and memory?

Bump this. Recommended year, model, Ghz, memory, etc?

 

[PAC88]

Bump this. Recommended year, model, Ghz, memory, etc?

Honestly, any 15" model with an intel processor is going to be very similar performance wise to one another . I would try to get the very first model of the 15" unibody that was released in late 2008 (it's the one with removable battery, express card slot and glossy screen). I'm sure you could find one with some warranty left on it for around $1000. Apple sometimes has them on refurb for 1249 (they go quick).. and if there is an update this week, the price will probably drop more.

The only model I would try to avoid are the pre-unibody macbooks with the Nvidia 8600M GT graphics cards (for some reason these are known to have problems that even apple acknowledges). It's just a warning.. you might get one and not experiences any issues with it but I wouldn't take a chance.. I guess with a warranty you shouldn't have to worry about it.

All the unibodies should be a safe bet and the older macbooks with ATI graphics are good (but will be out of warranty). Like I said above though.. try to find the first model of the 15" unibody from late 2008.. you can tell it apart from the other ones because it has a express card slot (instead of SD) and it has a removable battery (instead of built in)

Here is an article that goes over some of the differences http://www.everymac.com/systems/app...-unibody-late-2008-early-2008-core-2-duo.html

here is the late 2008 unibody that I was talking about on ebay.. doesn't appear to have applecare though. should sell for around $1000 at the end of auction.. http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-Macbook-P...iewItemQQptZApple_Laptops?hash=item20b0554610

 

[Fasailmac]

try looking for a pre unibody with a warranty, a friend of mine bought one it broke and apple gave him a high end 15 inch Macbook pro.

 

[stylar]

Honestly, any 15" model with an intel processor is going to be very similar performance wise to one another . I would try to get the very first model of the 15" unibody that was released in late 2008 (it's the one with removable battery, express card slot and glossy screen). I'm sure you could find one with some warranty left on it for around $1000. Apple sometimes has them on refurb for 1249 (they go quick).. and if there is an update this week, the price will probably drop more.

The only model I would try to avoid are the pre-unibody macbooks with the Nvidia 8600M GT graphics cards (for some reason these are known to have problems that even apple acknowledges). It's just a warning.. you might get one and not experiences any issues with it but I wouldn't take a chance.. I guess with a warranty you shouldn't have to worry about it.

All the unibodies should be a safe bet and the older macbooks with ATI graphics are good (but will be out of warranty). Like I said above though.. try to find the first model of the 15" unibody from late 2008.. you can tell it apart from the other ones because it has a express card slot (instead of SD) and it has a removable battery (instead of built in)


Here is an article that goes over some of the differences http://www.everymac.com/systems/app...-unibody-late-2008-early-2008-core-2-duo.html

here is the late 2008 unibody that I was talking about on ebay.. doesn't appear to have applecare though. should sell for around $1000 at the end of auction.. http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-Macbook-P...iewItemQQptZApple_Laptops?hash=item20b0554610

Thanks so much, dude.

So we're going: 15" unibody; late 2008 (express card slot and glossy).

try looking for a pre unibody with a warranty, a friend of mine bought one it broke and apple gave him a high end 15 inch Macbook pro.

Why pre-unibody? I'm not looking to get a broken one and hope for it to be fixed.

@Everyone: Which do you prefer do buy on and why: ebay or craigslist? (If I could get my dream laptop from either, same price, which should I go with.)

 

[stylar]

Thanks so much, dude.

So we're going: 15" unibody; late 2008 (express card slot and glossy).



Why pre-unibody? I'm not looking to get a broken one and hope for it to be fixed.

@Everyone: Which do you prefer do buy on and why: ebay or craigslist? (If I could get my dream laptop from either, same price, which should I go with.)

Night bump. Just for my knowledge, what are the important differences between unibody and non-unibody?

 

[SPNarwhal]

what do you mean what is the difference?

unibody is the newer models,
the macbook pros ("non unibodys") were the previous generation of Macbook Pros.
The difference in appearance and functionality is that the non unibodys have silver keys, which are not chicklet, there's no multi-touch trackpad, and some other differences like the superdrive is in the front and such. it's more boxy too.
you can find similar specs with it, but still. the age and lack of multi-touch and everything would send my interest away from it.

 

[stylar]

what do you mean what is the difference?

unibody is the newer models,
the macbook pros ("non unibodys") were the previous generation of Macbook Pros.
The difference in appearance and functionality is that the non unibodys have silver keys, which are not chicklet, there's no multi-touch trackpad, and some other differences like the superdrive is in the front and such. it's more boxy too.
you can find similar specs with it, but still. the age and lack of multi-touch and everything would send my interest away from it.

All right. Now, I saw that the new MBP's came out today. Would you go with: (1) a 13inch new MBP, (2) an older 15in apple refurb, or (3) an older, nice, 15in bought online?

 

[stylar]

Back!

So, I'm going to get a used, 15inch Macbook Pro - unibody, either 2.4 or 2.53Ghz. And I've been looking on Craigslist and eBay waiting for a good deal.

1) What's the lowest you've seen for one of these (used, ebay/craigslsit) ? I was thinking of not going over $1000, but could go higher.

2) How much AppleCare should it have minimum? And is it possible to pay Apple to extend the Applecare once I get the laptop?

3) Any tips?

 

[therealseebs]

Applecare can't be extended past the three years, so far as I know. I guess it's up to you how much you want. I think the big cutoff is at about a month left -- that's long enough to find something that needs fixing, test everything out a bit, and so on. Past that, it's pretty much worth an amount based on how much time is left on it -- two years left is worth about twice as much as one year left.

 

[stylar]

Applecare can't be extended past the three years, so far as I know. I guess it's up to you how much you want. I think the big cutoff is at about a month left -- that's long enough to find something that needs fixing, test everything out a bit, and so on. Past that, it's pretty much worth an amount based on how much time is left on it -- two years left is worth about twice as much as one year left.

Good to know. As long as the Applecare is still good and legit, can I basically go in and get the laptop checked (and anything wrong fixed)?

Also, any ideas on the lowest MBP price I should try for? The lowest price you've seen a sale for?