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[Urgent Assistance Needed] What to look for when buying a used MacBook Pro?
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I think you guys are exaggerating the inflation of price on this one - $675 is not bad, and I can tell you from my local craigslist, there aren't any other 13" MBPs in that range. They're all $700+. There are no completed ebay auctions in the $400-$450 range for this model, unless there's damage of some kind.
Refurbs are the best bet, of course, but that's expecting the OP to pay almost $400 more after taxes. I would maybe offer $600 or even $650, but it's not a crazy price.
So to answer the original question:
1) Click the apple in the upper left menu, and select "about this mac" and "more info..." - this will give you the detailed specs of the machine.
2) Test all the keys out, making sure to be aware of any stickiness or crunchiness when a key is pressed, which can be a sign of liquid damage.
3) Bring a DVD to test the superdrive.
4) Make sure you meet somewhere with wireless, so you can test the airport, check the serial, and make sure that's working properly.
5) Finally, you can run the Apple Hardware Test using the OS X install disc that comes with the computer: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509
Good luck.
Refurbs are the best bet, of course, but that's expecting the OP to pay almost $400 more after taxes. I would maybe offer $600 or even $650, but it's not a crazy price.
So to answer the original question:
1) Click the apple in the upper left menu, and select "about this mac" and "more info..." - this will give you the detailed specs of the machine.
2) Test all the keys out, making sure to be aware of any stickiness or crunchiness when a key is pressed, which can be a sign of liquid damage.
3) Bring a DVD to test the superdrive.
4) Make sure you meet somewhere with wireless, so you can test the airport, check the serial, and make sure that's working properly.
5) Finally, you can run the Apple Hardware Test using the OS X install disc that comes with the computer: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509
Good luck.
@Queen of Spades
I did everything buy the keys, but my key test was open the terminal and writing a document in the pico editor.
Guys I was able to get the laptop to $525 which I think is a good deal. I bought and after a day of testing no issues have come up.
And I thought XCode is free, do you still have to sign up for the $99 a year dev program?
I did everything buy the keys, but my key test was open the terminal and writing a document in the pico editor.
Guys I was able to get the laptop to $525 which I think is a good deal. I bought and after a day of testing no issues have come up.
And I thought XCode is free, do you still have to sign up for the $99 a year dev program?
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Something is definitely fishy going on here. If it is a macbook unibody (not a macbook pro), the only model is the one released in late 2008 and at 2.4 GHz that was the upgraded version. If it is a macbook pro unibody then it was released in 2010 at 2.4 GHz. Like the previous poster mentioned, there was NEVER a macbook pro unibody released in 2009 at 2.4 GHz, you most likely are buying the 2008 macbook unibody model (the one I have). It is not worth $675.... sorry (but it is the upgraded version).
What you need to do is go to system profiler and check the version, I'll bet it will say Macbook 5,1 (just my guess)
Edit: sorry, I didn't see that you had already bought it, have fun mate!
What you need to do is go to system profiler and check the version, I'll bet it will say Macbook 5,1 (just my guess)
Edit: sorry, I didn't see that you had already bought it, have fun mate!
the apple refurb site is tricky before buying my current pro I was on there everyday looking at new models some would sell out with in the hour. Just keep checking.
I know this thread has run it's course, but it's still worth mentioning: Never rely on About This Mac for specs. They can be modified extremely easily to show absolutely anything, someone on MR got caught out by this recently. Always check system profiler.
I don't know many people that would even THINK of keeping the receipt past the 14 day return period.
The more I read this forum the more I think this site is 20% obsessive compulsive and 50% people that have no idea how electronics or computers function. Don't get me started on the people that actually care about resale value...
i keep all of my receipts. how hard is it to drop your receipts in a box when you get home? or, (in my case) scan the important ones before dropping them in a box. really, this is basic stuff, especially if you are buying products that cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.
home economics is neither here nor there, though.
the op is planning to buy an old computer that is out of warranty. unbelievable (in my opinion). there's really nothing much to say when someone is willing to put hundreds of dollars on the line hoping that he'll get a good deal, BUT not willing to spend a few hundred more to get a sure deal (refurb or even new). it seems foolhardy to me, no matter how thoroughly he goes over the computer. parts fail. that's why apple (and other manufacturers) don't usually guarantee their products past three years.
you might get lucky, and i wish you well.
home economics is neither here nor there, though.
the op is planning to buy an old computer that is out of warranty. unbelievable (in my opinion). there's really nothing much to say when someone is willing to put hundreds of dollars on the line hoping that he'll get a good deal, BUT not willing to spend a few hundred more to get a sure deal (refurb or even new). it seems foolhardy to me, no matter how thoroughly he goes over the computer. parts fail. that's why apple (and other manufacturers) don't usually guarantee their products past three years.
you might get lucky, and i wish you well.
This guy was the only one to actually answer the question well. So, kudos to you sir.
I, too, agree that expecting to get that laptop for $450 is a pipe dream. I follow craigslist and ebay closely and I have never seen a aluminum macbook in good condition go for that price. $650 is a reasonable price, not a good one, but reasonable. I have seem them go for higher, and occasionally as low as $600 but it is usually more like $675. Getting a refurb is better in a lot of ways, but if you don't have the extra money then it isn't an option. Also if you buy one for $650 then you can be pretty sure that in a year you can still get $500 or more in resell. People on craigslist, especially, will pay a lot.