Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Used MacBook Pro or New Macbook

B

BloodSugar8

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 12, 2008
13
0
Hello, i am going to be a freshman in college this year and have been planning on buying a new Mac for quite some time. I was thinking i would make a trip to the apple store this weekend and buy a Black Macbook. Which would cost about 1400 without tax with the college promo. But i was on craigslist this morning and someone in my area is selling a lightly used Macbook Pro for 1400 with some apps already downloaded (noteably Final Cut Pro). Which should i buy? The Macbook Pro is the one released in June 07
- $2799. 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo. 2GB RAM, 160GB HD, 17". GeForce 8600M GT 256MB
 
BloodSugar8 said:
Hello, i am going to be a freshman in college this year and have been planning on buying a new Mac for quite some time. I was thinking i would make a trip to the apple store this weekend and buy a Black Macbook. Which would cost about 1400 without tax with the college promo. But i was on craigslist this morning and someone in my area is selling a lightly used Macbook Pro for 1400 with some apps already downloaded (noteably Final Cut Pro). Which should i buy? The Macbook Pro is the one released in June 07
- $2799. 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo. 2GB RAM, 160GB HD, 17". GeForce 8600M GT 256MB
Click to expand...

If it's in your area, I'd ask to go over and see it. If not, I'd shy away and stick with the new one, or get a refurb. There have been some horror stories on eBay and Craigslist...
 
BloodSugar8 said:
Hello, i am going to be a freshman in college this year and have been planning on buying a new Mac for quite some time. I was thinking i would make a trip to the apple store this weekend and buy a Black Macbook. Which would cost about 1400 without tax with the college promo. But i was on craigslist this morning and someone in my area is selling a lightly used Macbook Pro for 1400 with some apps already downloaded (noteably Final Cut Pro). Which should i buy? The Macbook Pro is the one released in June 07
- $2799. 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo. 2GB RAM, 160GB HD, 17". GeForce 8600M GT 256MB
Click to expand...

pretty good deal, the mbp. what are you going to major in? just so you know, the june 07 mbp has a slower processor then this years. if your major doesn't concerny any real music/video/photo editing, i would suggest the macbook. it would be hard to carry around a 17" around campus. i'm studying computer science and i have a macbook, its so much more mobile compared to the mbps. if you just want a video game laptop/internet/movies, stuff like that, go ahead and get the mbp. but make sure to trade in person and not through paypal.
 
If the MacBook is enough for your needs, then get that. I'm not a big fan of eBay and Craigslist when it comes to spending a lot of money.
 
Yeah of course in person. I have no major for sure. But if i had to pick this moment i would go with Film and Video Studies as this is the first year my University is offering it. It wouldnt require much editing but maybe some.
 
soberbrain said:
If the MacBook is enough for your needs, then get that. I'm not a big fan of eBay and Craigslist when it comes to spending a lot of money.
Click to expand...

i agree, ebay is good for selling stuff, but i just dont know if i could buy something that costs so much
 
The 17" is pretty big... I've seen one at the apple store while picking up my then new macbook. it's simply huge, although it does look gorgeous. anyway, besides the graphics chip, the macbook has better or equal specs aside from the screen/aluminum casing/ etc. go with the macbook, since it is new and the processor is penryn.
 
Could someone please explain the benefits of penryn? or drawbacks of whatever the MBP has?
 
The Penryn runs a lot cooler as the santa rosa mbp. There is one downside, the cpu that runs in the black macbook has 3 MB (L2) cache, the mbp has 4 MB cache. If you are going to do Film and Video studies I would take a shot at the mbp. If that doesn't work out I would get a 2.2 ghz 15,4 mbp from the refurb store.
 
BloodSugar8 said:
Thank You, still looking for some more advice
Click to expand...

Should be common sense, but if you do end up going with the craigslist MBP, just make sure you bring someone to come along with you and meet the person in a public place. (lots of money + stranger + dark alley = :eek:)

Luckily I've never had any problems, but most of my deals (both buying and selling) have only been for a few hundred bucks.

But back to the original question, maybe ask the seller for the s/n of MBP just to verify warranty and/or if you can add applecare onto it. I'm also with the poster above tho, the 17" is HUGE and probably not too realistic carting around to classes and all. If you have the time, go to an Apple Store and check out the size differences in person, it's quite dramatic.

Also, think of the bag/case you'll need to get... the 13" MB fits in a backpack or anything really. The hardcovers are pretty cheap and nice looking too. The 17", you're probably going to need a rolling suitcase or something! heh.

--rob
 
Stay away from the macbook pro. The nvidia graphics cards are failing at an alarming rate. And the software that he's including is pirated or not licensed to you, just like all of those other deals on ebay and craigslist. Don't think that $5000 worth of illegal software boosts the value of the computer. The MacBook will serve you fine and you'll also be able to get a significantly longer warranty on it.
 
I went with the Pro. it is excellent, and in better condition than he had originally made it seem. it was bought for 1400 and i got a free hard plastic case. I have restored it to factory settings and installed leopard. So it is all good. Thank You all for helping me make an informed decision. i feel like it was the right choice
 
tmelvin said:
If it's in your area, I'd ask to go over and see it. If not, I'd shy away and stick with the new one, or get a refurb. There have been some horror stories on eBay and Craigslist...
Click to expand...

There are plenty of scam posts here in Jacksonville for MBPs listed local then turns out their in London (at least posted twice a week). I personally would go for the macbook if you're on a budget plus you get the 1 year warranty.
 
SDLSteve said:
Opps, should have read the last post. Congratulations.
Click to expand...

Seriously, grats on that.. that's a great price. And dude is right, I see the MBP scan at least 4 times a week at that exact price, so I'm glad it worked out
 
tmelvin said:
If it's in your area, I'd ask to go over and see it. If not, I'd shy away and stick with the new one, or get a refurb. There have been some horror stories on eBay and Craigslist...
Click to expand...

This is great advice, and what I would do if I was in your shoes.

Congrats on your new computer.:)
 
There is the same macbook pro for sale at $1400 on Craigs list in the Chico, Ca area. Unfortunately, he happens to be in London but will work a swell deal for you! This is an old scam that has been around for years. Forget it!;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back