Seeking advice on used MacBooks under $900...

[onigami]

So my early 2015 MacBook Pro died a few weeks back. Poor timing (I just came off a big vacation, and needed to replace my phone for work) meant I can't really buy anything new unless I make a bunch of compromises I feel uncomfortable doing. So I'm looking at a couple options in the used/refurb market, with a budget of $900 max. My uses: Writing, watching videos, doing weekly video calls, very occasional gaming.

I found a few that fit what I'm looking for:

• 2021 16-inch MBP with M1 Pro, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD (Condition: Excellent)
• 2021 16-inch MBP with M1 Pro, 32 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD (Condition: Very Good)
• 2024 15-inch MBA with M3, 24 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD (Condition: Like New)

My two issues that, I'll admit, are really stupid but also personal:

1. I like doing my video calls with my headset, which functions best wired with USB-C. The connection port is on the right side of the headset. Getting an MBA would mean having to either wrap the cable around the laptop, or awkwardly having the cable cross the laptop.
2. My new phone has 1TB storage. I'd feel really weird if my laptop had less.

Given my budget constraints, I see this as a mix between a stopgap and something that lasts a little bit. Ideally, I'd have this for 3-5 years before needing to buy a replacement (and hopefully I'll have enough money then to just buy something new).

Of these three, what would work best, you think? I'm willing to let my personal quibbles aside if there's a strong enough case to do so.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I would go with the 15" MBA. It is more than capable of handling your workflow for several years and it will get updates much longer than the 2021 MBP.

 

[rm5]

I have had good luck with Mac of All Trades. I bought a 14" MacBook Pro M1 Pro for $700. A 15" MacBook Air would be better if you could find one that fits your budget and that has 1TB of storage. That might be difficult though. The advantage of buying refurbished from a site like Mac of All Trades is that you can guarantee it won't be iCloud locked (something you always have to worry about on eBay), and the machines are often in good condition for their age.

 

[Boyd01]

Have you looked at Apple Certified Refurbs? Have bought quite a few of these over the years and never been disappointed, they were all just like new and Apple provides the same warranty as new also. In the US store there are something like 18 MacBook Airs in your budget range. Did not look at the specs, so that could be an issue though

Refurbished Mac - MacBook Air

Save up to 15% on a refurbished MacBook Air. Tested and certified by Apple including a 1-year warranty. Free delivery and returns.

www.apple.com

They also have MacBook Pro's, but they are all over your budget. MacSales (aka OWC) also has used Macs, I got a 2012 top-spec Mini from them in 2016, looked new and has been perfect (still using it as a file server). They have a couple used MBP's within your budget and they have a 90 day limited warranty.

This is just me, but I wouldn't buy a used laptop unless it was from a friend where I was very familiar with the machine and how it had been treated (and the price was really low). I think there are just too many things that don't age well on laptops. That's why I've gotten Apple refurbs, because it's basically the same as buying new directly from Apple.

 

[onigami]

I have had good luck with Mac of All Trades. I bought a 14" MacBook Pro M1 Pro for $700. A 15" MacBook Air would be better if you could find one that fits your budget and that has 1TB of storage. That might be difficult though. The advantage of buying refurbished from a site like Mac of All Trades is that you can guarantee it won't be iCloud locked (something you always have to worry about on eBay), and the machines are often in good condition for their age.

I'll keep that in mind, thanks!

Have you looked at Apple Certified Refurbs? Have bought quite a few of these over the years and never been disappointed, they were all just like new and Apple provides the same warranty as new also. In the US store there are something like 18 MacBook Airs in your budget range. Did not look at the specs, so that could be an issue though

I'd like to get Apple CRs, but the one big deciding factor in that (I'd like a bigger screen) would put me out of budget range for that. (I was also considering buying through my employer, but the discounts are pretty small there.)