New versus Used?

[bhrose]

I've read through other posts and seen the disadvantages of buying used: lack of warranty, shorter battery life, it doesn't have the new Apple smell. Just joking. But, as a PC user and a business major, how much are these things really worth in terms of dollars?

My dillemma is that I want a new powerbook. I'm looking at the 12" with SuperDrive, and after the Educational Discount it comes to $1400. Good deal. However, a friend wants to sell me his older revision powerbook. It's a 15" powerbook g4 1.25ghz for $1300. It has all the same specs: 512 ram, 80gig hd, superdrive, airport, bluetooth.

So now, how much does the lack of battery or warranty really mean? Is this still a good deal? I'd like to make movies with this, and so the bigger screen is a major plus. But, it's 1.25ghz and 2-years-old. Any thoughts?

Thank you very much.

 

[zap2]

could always get a new battery, but the warrenty is big for laptops

 

[CanadaRAM]

I've read through other posts and seen the disadvantages of buying used: lack of warranty, shorter battery life, it doesn't have the new Apple smell. Just joking. But, as a PC user and a business major, how much are these things really worth in terms of dollars?

My dillemma is that I want a new powerbook. I'm looking at the 12" with SuperDrive, and after the Educational Discount it comes to $1400. Good deal. However, a friend wants to sell me his older revision powerbook. It's a 15" powerbook g4 1.25ghz for $1300. It has all the same specs: 512 ram, 80gig hd, superdrive, airport, bluetooth.

So now, how much does the lack of battery or warranty really mean? Is this still a good deal? I'd like to make movies with this, and so the bigger screen is a major plus. But, it's 1.25ghz and 2-years-old. Any thoughts?

Thank you very much.

The lack of warranty you can cost out for yourself by investigating Applecare.

In general, you don't want to pay more than 70% of price of the most similar new machine. Better to be around 60%.

Portables are much more expensive to fix than desktops, and are more subject to abuse.

 

[bhrose]

Applecare?

How long after buying a laptop can you purchase Applecare? I thought it was only 1 year after the original warranty was up. In this case, the powerbook is a 1.25ghz from 2003. Am I still able to buy Applecare in this situation?

 

[sw1tcher]

How long after buying a laptop can you purchase Applecare? I thought it was only 1 year after the original warranty was up.

AppleCare must be purchased within 1 year of computer purchase.

In this case, the powerbook is a 1.25ghz from 2003. Am I still able to buy Applecare in this situation?

No.