Advice in buying a new/old MacBook

[stefbod]

Hello everyone! I am completely new to the whole Apple Laptops, so I've got a few questions to those, who understand:
I am planning on buying a second hand MacBook Pro (Mid 2009) (just for the fun, because i never had an apple product), but it is being sold without a hard drive. My questions is: how do I install a new OS on an empy hard drive? Is it the same procedure as with Windows, or is it much more complicated? And lastly, is there anything else I need to know before buying a used Mac?

Thank you in advance!
Stefan

 

[Fishrrman]

If you want to "get into" Macs, I would advise you to buy a MacBook Pro that is "all there and ready to go".

Too many problems with trying to get a Mac running (install hard drive, initialize it to Mac OS, install OS, etc.) with only a PC.
(You really need a working Mac for a job like this.)

Buy something that is usable from the start.

 

[kissymac7]

Hi Although I do agree with @Fishrrman.. you would be basically buying someone elese problem but if you are interested in a fun apple project it sure doesnt hurt to try it.

Fiirst how much are you paying for that macbook?

If its like 300.00 eh ok. But you can get a great working one for 500-600.00 in ebay for a 2015 version All set up

Or even check best buy they are trying to get rid of 2016 models

But if you do get this 2009 version you should be able to install an os i belive at that time was osx lion but that software is pretty old and may not be compatible with todays softwares

As for hd you can buy an ssd drive on amazon and youtube the instructions but for the cost of that and work youre better off buying a used working macbook

Look into used buy now macbooks on ebay

 

[adam9c1]

Hi Stefan,

I think at this point I would not buy anything older than mid 2012 MBP.

Older models have weaker video adapter. Mid 2012 13” is last model where you can pop in regular 2.5” Hard drive in a matter of 15 min. Newer models use proprietary stuff.

Unless you are getting this for free and gave time I would pass...

You would need to purchase operating system from the App Store, and it might be tricky to get an older version if you have never done it with your Apple ID.

Someone here is selling a very good shape 2010 c2d professor based mbp.

What are your goals for the machine?

 

[glenthompson]

Hello everyone! I am completely new to the whole Apple Laptops, so I've got a few questions to those, who understand:
I am planning on buying a second hand MacBook Pro (Mid 2009) (just for the fun, because i never had an apple product), but it is being sold without a hard drive. My questions is: how do I install a new OS on an empy hard drive? Is it the same procedure as with Windows, or is it much more complicated? And lastly, is there anything else I need to know before buying a used Mac?

You will need another Mac to get a installable copy of the operating system. Macs that old don't support Internet recovery of the OS. Once you have a bootable USB or DVD, it's fairly easy to install.

That computer won't run the current version of Mac OS, only El Capitan so you would be 2 versions back. Unless the machine is very cheap - less than 200 USD - I would skip the deal. Not worth the money and time.

 

[adam9c1]

If you want to "tinker" with macOS I suggest get a 2009 Mac Mini (very easy to upgrade RAM max 8GB and hard drive to SSD) or better yet 2010 Mac Mini (extremely easy to upgrade RAM max 16GB. Hard drive is easy, just tricky, get the tools you need and do it slow)

I think that will give you better idea of the OS.
The 2010 while super slow at it, will let you run the latest 10.13 High Sierra

 

[cuongit]

I think old computer is not better than new one. You should try a new computer to use longer.