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makismagoo99

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 17, 2006
229
0
I'm looking for a used MacBook for my girlfriend. What's the best place (online or otherwise) to look for one?
 
Some resellers have used or open box items. Online places included SmallDog, MacMall/MacConnection, etc. Even Best Buy will have "open box" specials its just a matter of calling and finding the stores.

Otherwise I recommend Craigslist over eBay because you can see the computer in person.
 
Some resellers have used or open box items. Online places included SmallDog, MacMall/MacConnection, etc. Even Best Buy will have "open box" specials its just a matter of calling and finding the stores.

Otherwise I recommend Craigslist over eBay because you can see the computer in person.

OK cool, I'll check those out. I would definitely go with Craigslist over eBay. I'm far too skeptical with all the scams and whatnot.

whats your budget?

Probably around $500 or less. A quick craigslist search showed a couple of macbooks 2-3 years old that should still be good.
 
I work in a liquidator-esque retail shop and we probably wouldn't go much lower than $500 for a 1-2 year old macbook...and we sell stuff CHEAP! like $400 camcorders for $125 type cheap...

The good news is that macbooks are incredibly durable...when i bought acer laptops, which were very good btw (i'm not trying to talk bad bout em), i would need to get a new one every 2-3 years. I switched to Mac a little over 2 years ago and my macbook still runs like new...Also, no obnoxiously loud fan noise, which is one of the main reasons i'll never get a laptop that doesn't have an apple on it...
 
The good news is that macbooks are incredibly durable...when i bought acer laptops, which were very good btw (i'm not trying to talk bad bout em), i would need to get a new one every 2-3 years. I switched to Mac a little over 2 years ago and my macbook still runs like new...Also, no obnoxiously loud fan noise, which is one of the main reasons i'll never get a laptop that doesn't have an apple on it...

I absolutely agree that MacBooks hold up very well. My MacBook just turned 3 years old and still runs like a champ. I do care for my electronics like I'd care for my child, but I still think it's the highest quality computer I've ever owned. That's why I don't really have a problem buying a 2-3 year old MacBook.
 
macs hold their value very well, so you won't find recent ones for that price, maybe search ebay?
 
If you are located near a major university (especially a large, research-oriented university with a lot of students), I recommend that you check and see how students sell their computers. I notice that there is a quick turnover of computers on university campuses. Students buy and sell computers often, especially Macs. There might be a bulletin board, a forum, a user group, a newsgroup, a Facebook group, etc., that you could utilize to find a good used Mac for an inexpensive price. This has been a great way to buy and sell Macs, in my experience. Good luck to you!
 
I just picked up a year old alu-unibody macbook for $850. 2.4 G processor, 250 G HD, 2 G RAM. It had about 35 recharge cycles on the battery. Craigslist is your friend.
 
i think if were to buy a used mac i would only purchase from apple refurbished.
 
go refurb

i think if were to buy a used mac i would only purchase from apple refurbished.

I bought a refurb a few weeks of previous gen MB and it has firewire which brand new ones do not. it was $749. I would not look at a used anything regarding technoology
 
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