Possible purchase of a used MBP

[maflynn]

I stumbled across a 2013 MBP for sale for 650, seems like a good deal.
Is it too good to be true?
A couple of questions regarding buying used, if this does fall into place.
What should I be checking for, to make sure its in good shape.
I'm thinking that
make sure there's no firmware password
it boots up cleanly
I ought to verify its a 2013 model via the system report;
Test out wifi

I also understand that its in my best interest to meet in a public place like a starbucks.

Any other questions?

 

[Naimfan]

I stumbled across a 2013 MBP for sale for 650, seems like a good deal.
Is it too good to be true?
A couple of questions regarding buying used, if this does fall into place.
What should I be checking for, to make sure its in good shape.
I'm thinking that
make sure there's no firmware password
it boots up cleanly
I ought to verify its a 2013 model via the system report;
Test out wifi

I also understand that its in my best interest to meet in a public place like a starbucks.

Any other questions?

Run Apple's Diagnostics.

Check battery cycles.

Verify serial number of machine with what is on bottom plate.

If worried, have police check serial number to see if it's stolen.

Check system logs for reports of major failures.

Etc.

 

[EugW]

1. Why would you think it's too good to be true? It's a 5 year old machine for $650.

2. What are the specs?

 

[maflynn]

1. Why would you think it's too good to be true? It's a 5 year old machine for $650.

every mac as valuation for over a grand.

 

[negativzero]

1. Why would you think it's too good to be true? It's a 5 year old machine for $650.

2. What are the specs?

Because I sold my 2012 MBP for $1200, furthermore I sold it with a slightly faulty trackpad, that deal is definitely too good to be true.

OP, I think you should just grab it. So long as the logic board works and the screen, kb and trackpad work, everything else can be replaced at minimal cost. And of course make sure whatever you mentioned checks out.

 

[EugW]

Because I sold my 2012 MBP for $1200, furthermore I sold it with a slightly faulty trackpad, that deal is definitely too good to be true.

OP, I think you should just grab it. So long as the logic board works and the screen, kb and trackpad work, everything else can be replaced at minimal cost. And of course make sure whatever you mentioned checks out.

I bought 2008 MacBook for US$150 a few months ago. Works fine. However, I installed 4 GB RAM and an old low capacity SSD, both of which I already had so it did not cost me extra.

What were the specs on your 2012? $1200 seems excessive though. Personally, there’s no way I would spend $1200 on a 2012 in 2018 regardless of what specs it had.

 

[Diana Prince]

I think there should be a permanent thread where people can ask advice on a macbook purchases. I didn't want to start a new thread so I'll just ask here:

A 2015 macbook pro 13 inch, 16gb RAM, 256gb HD, i7 processor. 262 battery cycles and apple care until june (this year). Price is $1250. Screen has been replaced. Should I bite?

 

[negativzero]

I bought 2008 MacBook for US$150 a few months ago. Works fine.

What were the specs on your 2012? $1200 seems excessive though. Personally, there’s no way I would spend $1200 on a 2012 in 2018 regardless of what specs it had.

I sold mine in end 2017. It was a high-end MBP with the high-res screen(non-retina) with the Nvidia GPU and I threw in a free optibay with SSD with it. I also replaced the thermal compound on the heatsinks so effectively, this was a "new 2012 MBP".

 

[jeyf]

do what ever you want
but
avoid buying the late 2016 - 2018 MB's

 

[mikzn]

I would check . . .

i7 processor?
SSD ? how much storage?
8g or more of Memory?
Screen? retina ? are there any ghost images - burned out areas on the screen

eBay is a great place to check for price

 

[SteveJUAE]

I stumbled across a 2013 MBP for sale for 650, seems like a good deal.
Is it too good to be true?
A couple of questions regarding buying used, if this does fall into place.
What should I be checking for, to make sure its in good shape.
I'm thinking that
make sure there's no firmware password
it boots up cleanly
I ought to verify its a 2013 model via the system report;
Test out wifi

I also understand that its in my best interest to meet in a public place like a starbucks.

Any other questions?

if original owner how about proof of purchase ?

 

[Wags]

if original owner how about proof of purchase ?

Ya, the way being sold would be good indicator. Would be easy to ask couple questions to know if has been their machine or ever touched Mac before.

 

[jeyf]

if original owner how about proof of purchase

this is a 4-5year old computer. Only concern should be if Apple will update the computer and it weill accept your apple id.

 

[maflynn]

Thanks guys with all the great info. Looks like the sale ended/sold/was taken down.

I was talking this over with the wife, and even my kids but I just couldn't help resolve the little nagging voice in my head about the sale. I couldn't point my finger on it, but I just didn't feel right about it. The wife and kids were hesitant for various reasons as well. Those reasons were specific to the sale not to getting the laptop. I tell people all the time, listen to your inner voice its right most of the time, so i this case I walked away. I did check on the ad on craigslist last night out of curiosity and it's been deleted. I'm not sure if that's normal when its purchased, or something else occurred. Either way I'm at peace with my decision.

The info here though will serve me well, in my search for another MBP.