Need help buying used MBP

[jerryk]

I am in the market for a used 13" rMBP. I have never bought a used MacBook before. What should I look for to assess the condition? Also, any suggestions for where to buy from? Also any years to avoid

 

[robvas]

I would avoid the 2012's because they had very slow integrated graphics. I would also avoid any model with a 128GB SSD.

Heck, the 2013's are going to be 5 years old I'd probably avoid those as well.

I would check the following:

Is the case free from dings/dents/scratches?
Are any of the screws missing or stripped?
Are any of the rubber feet missing?
Does the trackpad work across the entire surface? If it doesn't click (2015 are force touch and this doesn't apply) that can be a problem.
How many charges does the battery have on it, and how much charge can it hold? Use coconutbattery.
Is the screen free from dead pixels, bright spots, scratches, delamination...
Do all the ports work? Check them!
Do all the keys work? Are they sticky at all? Does the backlight work?
Do the speakers work? Turn the volume up and check for distortion.
Is the power adapter OEM apple? Is the cord in good shape?

 

[Audit13]

All 13” retina Macbooks use intel video with no discrete gpu option.

Make sure there is no efi password.

 

[maflynn]

A couple of points, check our Apple's refurb store, you can get an older model for less money but it comes with a warranty.

Check out EveryMac. They include an estimated retail price, so you can get a feel of the market value.

If you're looking to buy from craigslist meet in a public place, reboot the machine to ensure it has no EFI password as mentioned by @Audit13 I would execute the transaction from ebay or similar where you can use paypal, so as to protect yourself, i.e., get your money back if you the seller isn't being honest.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

All 13” retina Macbooks use intel video with no discrete gpu option.

Make sure there is no efi password.

This is true but the hd4000 in the 2012 is particularly crap for a retina screen and had issues from day one. Haswell chips boosted integrated graphics immensely in late 2013. I would say 2013 is the earliest you want they were released late in the year and are now 4years oldish if you get a good deal on one go for it. But a 2014 or 2015 will be better just for being a newer machine although there is little difference performance wise until 2016.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:
Why don't you tell us what your budget is?

Something to check when buying a used MacBook:
Ask the seller to power it down, all the way off.
Then, press the power on button and observe what happens.
Does it boot to an EFI password? YOU DO NOT WANT TO SEE THIS.

It should boot either to the finder (no password) or to a user login page.
And then the seller should be able to log in.

Also, be sure that the seller has "signed out of" iCloud, iTunes, his Apple account, etc.

I'd recommend that you consider buying an Apple-refurbished laptop.
A little more money, yes.
But you can BE SURE OF what you're getting.
And you get a 1-year Apple warranty and it's eligible for AppleCare, as well.