Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Faulty Macbook Pro Purchase

O

Ochire

macrumors member
Original poster
Apr 13, 2008
80
0
Hey everyone

My buddy has a macbook pro that I might purchase off him. It's over a year old, and has no warranty. He took it in and they told him that he has a corrupted hard drive and a faulty optical drive.. all of which he'd need to replace. He says that these are the only faults.

Do you think it's worth purchasing, and how easy would it be to replace these items? I also assume i'd need to buy the os and stuff.

Also, what do you think would be a fair price for the unit, and what's the cheapest i can get the parts needed to fix it?

I only have a couple days to buy it so quick replies would be massively appreciated.

Thanks!
 
I got some new details.

The optical drive got broken when something fell onto it. When you turn on the computer, the drive (I assume it's the drive) makes a horrible grinding sound.

The hard drive corrupted randomly mid work. When you turn on the computer, the gray screen loads, there is the apple logo.. and then it goes to a black screen where it's like a terminal where it says something about rootdisk. You can type stuff in.

That's it.

How much is what?
 
That's the point.. it's kinda up in the air. He thinks he can get $500 on ebay.. But I mean, I want to know how much you guys think it's worth!
 
The HD is an easy fix, and likely only needs a working optical drive to fix.

Or booting into safe mode, single user, etc.

---

The optical drives are rather expensive for these machines, since they are the lowest profile 9.5mm slot loaders. Probably 150-200...
 
Better get a new one to save you from the worries of buying that old problem-full macbook.
 
Well is it a 1st gen MBP? I wouldnt buy it.

I might if its a 2nd or 3rd. What are the specs on it?

Repair it and then resell it.
 
It sounds like the display is the only major component in the computer that you can safely assume is problem-free. I wouldn't consider paying any more than about $200 for it. eBay prices are inflated and $500 is unreasonable in the real world.
 
I guess the main question is -- how do you KNOW that the optical and the hard drive are the only things wrong with it? Anything dropping on the machine with enough force to damage the optical drive through the chassis, will have dented the case, and possibly damaged the logic board as well.
 
My friend says that the optical drive broke long before the hard drive gave up.. I think it's a first gen. There is a dent in the case.
 
meh 1st gens are not worth it. buy it for a really low price and part it out.
 
I say don't buy it. Pretty soon you'll have a broken screen, dead pixels, etc. Treat yourself for being cautious by buying yourself a brand spanking new 2.6 MBP ;)
 
What are the 1st, 2nd and 3rd gen breakdowns?

How can you tell what (gen) you have?

Thx
W
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back