Please Recommend Me Best Option For Used Macbook...

[redcarian]

We do not know how Apple determines its base RAM number.

Caveat: rampant speculation follows!

The vast majority of users have a workload comprising some light web browsing, a bit of email, a bit of messaging, watching videos, and perhaps some Word and Excel. Almost no-one does more than this.

There is an amount of RAM which means users, with this very common workload, are delighted with their notebooks*.

That’s the number. For the longest time, it was eight. The minority of users for whom this isn’t enough (a) know who they are and (b) can put their hand in their pocket. For everyone else, just being able to go on the website and have the biggest decision be the colour is far more significant. If regular users want a detailed annoying buying experience - well, there’s always HP or Dell, who’ve got your awful customer journey down pat.

*Side note: after 30-something years observing users professional and casual using their technology, in both business and domestic settings, I proffer the following: most task-oriented (i.e. they’re using the device to do A Thing, and it’s The Thing They’re Doing that they’re actually interested in, not the device) users don’t care about performance unless it’s egregiously bad. Most complainers are users with an interest in the device itself. This is just my take, it’s not scientific, don’t @ me.

 

[Bazzy]

Hi All,

Found another unit but the screen says "Activate Mac" on it - I have been told contrasting things:

1) You use need to connect it to a WiFi Account to activate it & transfer to your name, set it up etc

2) You need the original admin password & log in details from the original/last user/owner or one will need the original sales receipt with serial number & take that with you to an Apple Store who will then activate/unlock it for you

Which one is true so I can know before I might buy from ebay?

Thanks!

 

[tommygun1950]

Without knowing your budget constraints, I would point you to the Apple refurb store if you have access to it. I've had awesome luck with Apple refurbs in the past. For a lower risk buying experience I would start there.

To add my 2 cents to TechRunner's post, I have 2 Apple refurbs, a M2 MacBook Air and a M4 Mini. Zero problems, same warranty as new, packaged like new, and cosmetics like new. I don't think ya can go wrong!

 

[Technerd108]

I can't understand your exact needs or requirements but your budget seems high enough to buy a new MBA. Your use case from what I can tell would be met by any m series MBA from M2 and on. I would get 16gb ram and 512gb ssd as minimum and the newest m chip your budget allows. If you know anyone who is a student in your family then you can get the student discount. I am pretty sure you can find a MBA with the specs I suggest with M2 or M3 within your budget or slightly above it but it would be new with a warranty.

You seem to keep your Mac a long time then it is worth buying an M3 MBA with 16gb ram and 512gb ssd. You could get 256ssd and just use a portable ssd for extra storage cheaply later. As long as you get 16gb ram then you are good.

If you could find an M2 MBA or MBP that is new old stock with similar specs 16/512 that would also work in your price range. If you got an older air that didn't sell it might be a good idea to see if you could get 24gb ram.

The thing is the m series chips are way better than Intel in many ways and the newer the chip is the better for newer tech like AI. That being said AI is not something I would worry about in my purchase decision but more realistic things like CPU/GPU/RAM and storage. Your budget is not that low. It may be at the lower end of new Mac's but it is not in the realm of used unless you really find a great deal and know the hardware was treated well. If you buy used try to get something less than a year old. It will still have the original warranty at least for a couple months in case something goes wrong and you will buy at the lowest price. If you could get a 14"M3 MBP used in your budget then I would consider it.

Good luck whatever you do!

 

[CPTmom2wp]

Hi All,

My 2015 1TB rMBP is giving me a bunch of issues - battery not holding charge, trackpad/keyboard issues & one speaker not working.

I need to replace it but cannot stretch to the latest models. I kept mine as I love having the ports, the expansion slots & HDMI port but will have to do without them now.

To stop having desires for the latest models each year, tbh, I simply stopped myself at looking at them for many years now so do not know how they differ and/or are better from year to year so I really do not know what I should be looking for.

Happy to consider a 15"/14" model & as to spend - I suppose it comes to which offers the best value proposition in terms of features, performance & future proofing? It must be 16GB Ram as a minimum & 1TB Storage.

I understand that some of the Macbook Air's are/can be also a very good option - is this so? Ideally, I would want any Air to have the same sort screen image quality as a Pro model if possible.

What year models & specs should I be looking at - either Pro or Air (if suitable) & which ones would offer the "Best Bang For The Buck" so to speak while still offering best future proofing in terms of MacOS upgrades?

What should I expect to pay for any recommended options? I am in the UK so will probably be looking at Ebay & other classifieds.

Many Kind Thanks!

Just replaced a MBP with a MBA since I'm now retired and don't need, can't justify the price of a MBP. Did get the 15" MBA with 2TB storage as I was getting dangerously close to maxing out 1 TB. In the 4 months I've had it, haven't once felt like I was missing anything or that the screen resolution was less than the old MBP. I also keep my laptops 7-8 years and also have an M2 iMac desktop, M1 chip MacMini, and 11" iPadPro in the house. Don't notice any diference when switching off one to another. Just my experience.