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Late 2007 Macbook questions...

K

kona0197

macrumors member
Original poster
So I have read these Macbooks have issues. should I keep the one I got in trade or sale it?
 
I have one. Two hard drives failed within the first year but were replaced by Apple for free and since then no problems. Other than the fact that it's a bit outdated (I want the multitouch trackpad, bigger HDD, more ram, still running leopard, etc) it's still going strong.
 
Yeah this is a late model Santa Rose so I am hopeful there is no issues. I was trying to switch from Windows but i am still have worries that this Mac will fail.

BTW how does one tighten the screen hinge?
 
There simply isn't a screw to tighten somewhere? Well I guess I need to take it in to an Apple store as that kind of work is beyond me. Thanks.
 
hinges are something you don't tighten yourself. RAM, hard drive anyone can do on a macbook. Hinges are a different beast altogether
 
dizzy130 said:
Other than the fact that it's a bit outdated (I want the multitouch trackpad, bigger HDD, more ram, still running leopard, etc) it's still going strong.
Click to expand...

What's preventing you from getting a bigger HDD for it? And what do you need to do on your MacBook that needs more than 6 GB RAM? It is a little old, no question, but other than the multitouch trackpad it can do all the things you listed.

I have the same machine (see my sig) and I've had no issues once I got it fixed (got for free from a friend because it was spilled upon, paid to get it fixed). I'm not worried about the HDD failing since I put in my own. I mean, all HDD fail eventually, but I'm just referring to the apparent chronic issue.
 
I have one; used it everyday until Christmas when I changed to a MacBook Air. Loved that thing (can't bring myself to get rid of it 🙄). Very happy with its day to day performance, but it has had problems with the hard drive, the keyboard and in particular, cracks developing in the casing near the trackpad (but as I said, I used it heavily). The battery wore-out around Christmas and I had to get it replaced. If you plan to keep it in the end, I recommend getting a strong outer-shell type casing, like I had.

Other than that, I imagine they're cheap and for general computing should be fine (I have 2GB RAM, runs good with that set-up), although I recommend you back up your files regularly (as with any aging computer).

Also note that without a dedicated graphics card, it struggles to do anything intensive graphically (i.e. don't buy this if you want something to play games on).
 
I don't need a bigger hard drive. It has a 320 GB drive. My files and music barely take up 40 to 60 GB of space. I'm just a bit worried about loose hinges and overall longevity of the machine. The display is not as glossy as I would expect for a newer machine either. The trackpad button has a very light click - almost can't feel it or hear it at all weather right or left clicking - when pressed and I don't know if that is a sign that it is broke or breaking. The headphone outlet is pretty loose as well and has trouble holding a jack within. Wonder if any of these things can be fixed.

Also there are some programs I need or miss, like DVDFab, that have no Mac version. I am curious if using VirtualBox and installing Windows will work for using my Windows only programs and old Windows games.

I have listed the Mac for sale. Surprisingly there is no takers.

By the way I must admit Snow Leopard is a great OS. 😎
 
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I have a late 2007 MacBook and use it as my main (and only) machine. I've never had a problem with it but I will say a couple of months ago replaced the hard drive because I needed more space (160 GB to 500 GB) and the RAM (1 GB to 4GB) to make the machine last longer. 😎
 
iThinkergoiMac said:
What's preventing you from getting a bigger HDD for it? And what do you need to do on your MacBook that needs more than 6 GB RAM? It is a little old, no question, but other than the multitouch trackpad it can do all the things you listed.
Click to expand...

Oh nothing, and its been very good to me over the years since the last hard drive fail. It's simply that it's old enough now that I'd rather sell this one for what I can get and put the money towards a new MBP rather than spending a couple hundred bucks upgrading a 4 year old MB.
 
I have the exact same MB (look at my signature). It is still my main and only computer. No problem whatsoever. What problem are you having? I am still using the 160GB HDD that came with it. It does get hot when I use heavy cpu app like photoshop, imovie, youtube and WarCraft. I am planning to reapply the thermal paste.
 
I'm having the issues I talked about in the beginning of the thread. Hinge on the screen is loose. Headphone jack will hardly hold a set of headphones in the jack due to loose parts within. Trackpad button feels light and hardly makes an audible click.

And OSX isn't all it's cracked up to be.
 
kona0197 said:
I'm having the issues I talked about in the beginning of the thread. Hinge on the screen is loose. Headphone jack will hardly hold a set of headphones in the jack due to loose parts within. Trackpad button feels light and hardly makes an audible click.

And OSX isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Click to expand...

I would reckon to get another computer rather than wasting money to get it fix. I have none of the issues you had. I am always very carefully and gentle with all my stuff. I am surprise that you are't enjoying OSX. I would never go back to Window after using OSX.
 
Sorry. For me Windows just works best. There are some programs that just don't have any kind of OSX replacement.
 
kona0197 said:
I'm having the issues I talked about in the beginning of the thread. Hinge on the screen is loose. Headphone jack will hardly hold a set of headphones in the jack due to loose parts within. Trackpad button feels light and hardly makes an audible click.

And OSX isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Click to expand...

Apple's pre-multitouch trackpads have a quiet clicker by nature. It sounds like the previous owner might not had taken care of it very well if the hinge is loose and your headphone jack won't stay in. I would take the computer into an Apple Store and see what they say.
 
They would probably want me to pay some ridiculous amount of money to have it fixed then take it for a week. I'm in college and can't be without a notebook for a week.
 
kona0197 said:
They would probably want me to pay some ridiculous amount of money to have it fixed then take it for a week.
Click to expand...

Is it cracking around the edges? If so:

iThinkergoiMac said:
Apple will fix this for free, and in the process it replaces your keyboard and trackpad too.
Click to expand...

When I took my MacBook in, they had it for less than 24 hours before they called me back and said it was done. Obviously, I can't guarantee you Apple's repair time, but if you ask first they'll give you an estimate.
 
iThinkergoiMac said:
Is it cracking around the edges? If so:



When I took my MacBook in, they had it for less than 24 hours before they called me back and said it was done. Obviously, I can't guarantee you Apple's repair time, but if you ask first they'll give you an estimate.
Click to expand...

Is that just the cracking on the edge that will get you a replacement of does it have to be cracked in the middle. This is what mine looks like

http://images.google.com/imgres?img...x=125&ty=86&page=1&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:0
 
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