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I'm thinking of buying a cheap used MacBook Pro ...

MacDawg said:
And I asked if all you were going to do was surf the web why you would need El Cap
SMH
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Because the latest OSes have the most up to date and best security...... Snow leopard and lion are no longer supported.

OP Everyone in this thread is recommending you don't spend $400 on 6-7 year old tech because it is a poor use of your money.

Of course do whatever you like but don't get annoyed if the advice isn't what you wanted to hear.
 
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T5BRICK said:
Because a used $400 Mac is most likely going to be garbage with poor battery life.
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You won't buy a google product, but you'll use their services?
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Just not true. Bought a 2008 15" pro for about $300 two years ago, put in an SSD and a new battery and that thing is working just fine. Battery life is of course not brilliant but 3-4 hours I'd say.

@OP: Make sure to avoid the 2011 models with the Radeon GPU
 
MarvinHC said:
Just not true. Bought a 2008 15" pro for about $300 two years ago, put in an SSD and a new battery and that thing is working just fine. Battery life is of course not brilliant but 3-4 hours I'd say.

@OP: Make sure to avoid the 2011 models with the Radeon GPU
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There was a repair program for the 2008 graphics cards as well and the 2010.
 
MarvinHC said:
Just not true. Bought a 2008 15" pro for about $300 two years ago, put in an SSD and a new battery and that thing is working just fine. Battery life is of course not brilliant but 3-4 hours I'd say.
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I guess it all depends on what you're using the computer to do. At some point the older, slower CPU and GPU are going to restrict what you can do with the computer.

And as someone else already pointed out, the 2008 and 2010 15" models also had GPU issues, almost exactly like the 2011 models. Apple did repair extensions and everything.
 
I am guessing that you probably have an Inspiron with an AMD E2 processor. Those are quite terrible.

The Inspiron with an Intel Core i3 is nothing to write home, but it is okay.

The crown jewel in Dell's line is the Dell XPS 13 and Dell XPS 15, but the OP probably can't afford those any way.
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This was several years ago, when I was in Middle School I think.(22 now) It was definitely an Intel, but it was a bit of time before the i-Series processors came out. It was my first real laptop, and I remember playing the original Company of Heroes at the lowest settings possible.

Any who, the thing was junk. The thing fell apart within a year. Keys were falling out and the motherboard died a week before the year warranty expired. Sent it to Dell, where they replaced the keyboard and motherboard and ended up giving it to my cousin. My father actually apologized for giving me such junk and gave me his old Sony VAIO laptop that he paid $2500 for some years prior. Thing was built like a tank, and still boots to this day. My mother got a white MacBook though.

Anyway, I'll never buy one of those cheap windows laptops. I'll save up and pay more for quality every time. If I'm low on cash, I will get a older quality machine than a new cheap one.
 
T5BRICK said:
I guess it all depends on what you're using the computer to do. At some point the older, slower CPU and GPU are going to restrict what you can do with the computer.

And as someone else already pointed out, the 2008 and 2010 15" models also had GPU issues, almost exactly like the 2011 models. Apple did repair extensions and everything.
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my 1,1 mac pro dual tower 2.6 is plenty fast and running El Capitan. Some say the older macs won't be able to run Sierra but thats not really a big deal. El Cap has everything I need for now.
 
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Apple Master said:
my 1,1 mac pro dual tower 2.6 is plenty fast and running El Capitan. Some say the older macs won't be able to run Sierra but thats not really a big deal. El Cap has everything I need for now.
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Based on your usage needs of "Runs OSX or Mac OS and a current web browser" I'd be looking at used MacBook Airs as well. I see some 2011 and 2012 13" models for $400-600 on CL in the Portland, Oregon area.

I know you're not going to, but honestly I'd be looking at chromebooks also. They've come a long way and I have enjoyed tinkering with a different OS.
 
T5BRICK said:
Based on your usage needs of "Runs OSX or Mac OS and a current web browser" I'd be looking at used MacBook Airs as well. I see some 2011 and 2012 13" models for $400-600 on CL in the Portland, Oregon area.

I know you're not going to, but honestly I'd be looking at chromebooks also. They've come a long way and I have enjoyed tinkering with a different OS.
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ok ok next time I go to best buy I will tinker with a Chromebook. Macbook airs used to be a ladies accessory but lately I see more men using them. I will consider one as well.
 
Apple Master said:
Macbook airs used to be a ladies accessory but lately I see more men using them. I will consider one as well.
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A "ladies accessory"? A computer is just a tool that a person can use to accomplish a task. Before you use a tool, you'd first need to define your need. Once you know what you need to do, then you can select the right tool for the job.

Your needs seem to be "run a recent OS and surf the internet." If "look cool" is part of that as well, put a neat sticker on the lid of your computer.
 
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Apple Master said:
ok ok next time I go to best buy I will tinker with a Chromebook. Macbook airs used to be a ladies accessory but lately I see more men using them. I will consider one as well.
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This is the perfect accessory for it. :p

crystalyn-kae-troubadour-tote-2-537x402.jpg
 
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In response to the original poster....

I bought a 2009 unibody macbook for £189.

stuffed an SSD in it and upgraded to 8GB ram and el capitan.

awesome unit!
you say 13" too small but good res screen I have no issue and I use mine for work.

spreadsheets, videos, word and customer job sheets.
and these will run sierra when comes out too!
 
Damn I went and looked at some laptops at Frys. They didn't have any chromebooks but they did have some inexpensive HP laptops with windows 10 in the $200-$250 range. . I think they would be sufficient to surf the web but I might want something that can run photoshop.
 
Apple Master said:
Damn I went and looked at some laptops at Frys. They didn't have any chromebooks but they did have some inexpensive HP laptops with windows 10 in the $200-$250 range. . I think they would be sufficient to surf the web but I might want something that can run photoshop.
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I repair laptops and in my personal experience, HP by far is the worst (in terms of fail rates).

Get an Asus, a Dell, or a Lenovo.

Windows 10 is a surprisingly efficient OS and can even run on a old Pentium 4 with 1GB RAM.
 
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kattskrall said:
buying a used computer is like buying someones used underwear
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If its a females panties preferably g-string then I have no problem with that.
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tubeexperience said:
I repair laptops and in my personal experience, HP by far is the worst (in terms of fail rates).

Get an Asus, a Dell, or a Lenovo.

Windows 10 is a surprisingly efficient OS and can even run on a old Pentium 4 with 1GB RAM.
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Asus, a Dell, or a Lenovo sure are ugly.
 
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kattskrall said:
buying a used computer is like buying someones used underwear
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There's a market for that, http://www.xojane.com/it-happened-to-me/selling-panties-underwear-on-craigslist
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Apple Master said:
Asus, a Dell, or a Lenovo sure are ugly.
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Agreed. And Windows! o_O

I just bought a 2008 15" MBP for $150 - he told me the keyboard and trackpad didn't work. When I opened it, the guy forgot or didn't connect one of the connectors. Easiest repair ever! :p
 
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Apple Master said:
Dude, I've been using desktop macs since the PPC 9500. There is no way in hell that I would ever buy a PC. Whats up with all of the bad advice "buy a PC" BS?
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It`s actually very solid advice, given your limited budget. Windows 10 is much better than previous iterations and runs better than OS X on the same hardware. If you don't like it, so be it, equally if you want a semi decent Mac portable prepare to dig deeper. Best bet is a private sale for a Mac that needs a little attention.

Q-6
 
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OP keeps adding his requirement. First, he needs a computer that does web surfing and people suggested a Window laptop but he doesn't like that. Then saying that it will be used in a meeting and his "clients" will laugh at him for something that's old. Now he wants to use it for photoshop. You need to be realistic. It's like saying...I would like a super car but I only have a budget for new Corolla. People suggested an older super car to meet my requirements then saying I will go to a 5 star hotel and the chauffeur will laugh at me for an older super car. Now I want my super car that does off-road too. Seriously?!?
 
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gngan said:
OP keeps adding his requirement. First, he needs a computer that does web surfing and people suggested a Window laptop but he doesn't like that. Then saying that it will be used in a meeting and his "clients" will laugh at him for something that's old. Now he wants to use it for photoshop. You need to be realistic. It's like saying...I would like a super car but I only have a budget for new Corolla. People suggested an older super car to meet my requirements then saying I will go to a 5 star hotel and the chauffeur will laugh at me for an older super car. Now I want my super car that does off-road too. Seriously?!?
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No, I don't like windows. You can find a decent mac laptop sub $400 that will run El Cap and looks decent. Its not that hard to do. Just some people in here seem to think its rocket science. Its not. This is a terrible place for advice. Not one person has mentioned the limitations for macs running Sierra. A few people have given me good advice and my hat is off to you but mostly this thread is 2 pages of worthless misinformation. Windows ... LOL.
 
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