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

What should I pay for a used MBP?

B

bsurb

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 1, 2012
90
1
FL
Hey guys I'm back in the market to get me a used Mac book pro on craiglist and I was wondering what type of price range I should be looking at so I don't pay too much.

I came across a couple on craiglist for the $500 range for early 2012. If I link s few ads below can someone tell me what the best deal is and what you would pay for it? And what questions to ask them such as battery cycle count and so on.. Is 475 too high of a count?

I'm using the MacBook for everyday browsing, writing and minor photoshop/illustrator use. No gaming or intense use. I had a 2015 with retina I paid $1100 new but thought I wasted money because I didn't need all of the new features...

This first one said he'd do 550

https://orlando.craigslist.org/sys/5455549153.html

https://orlando.craigslist.org/sys/5454491378.html

(This one said they would do $475) https://orlando.craigslist.org/sys/5453200971.html

https://gainesville.craigslist.org/ele/5446446993.html

https://jacksonville.craigslist.org/sys/5448286689.html
 
Last edited:
Those same models are listed for $650-750 here, so if they're in good condition then the prices you've listed are pretty good. I'd go with the 2.5GHz model, it has a better GPU.
 
T5BRICK said:
Those same models are listed for $650-750 here, so if they're in good condition then the prices you've listed are pretty good. I'd go with the 2.5GHz model, it has a better GPU.
Click to expand...

Can you upgrade the ram in the 2012 models ? One of the older ones you can't upgrade?
 
2012 models are upgradeable. Those prices are in line with what they sell on ebay. Not great, but not too bad either.
 
I like this line "This computer was originally around $1600 from the Apple store so at this price it will go quickly.", with no specs. I'm thinking yeah 1600 5 years ago when you got it..
 
Now what would be the true difference between a MBP air and the pro? I found a air 2013 model for $600
 
With the Air, nothing can be upgraded. Battery life on 2013 and newer Airs is almost double of the classic MBP. I'd get an Air with 8GB RAM before a cMBP.
 
What about the 2011 and 2012 pro? Difference is only the ghz and size of the memory?

Just don't know if it's worth paying a extra $100 or 150 for a 2012 when 2011 is a lot cheaper.
 
Last edited:
bsurb said:
What about the 2011 and 2012 pro? Difference is only the ghz and size of the memory?
Click to expand...
Mostly. I think the GPU changed.
Around me, 2011 MBPs 13" were going for $400 to $700. $2012 were going for $600-$800. The $400 2011 had dents all over it. I kicked around going to CL then posted here and someone sold me theirs. I trust this place and the sellers quite a bit. People around here really cherish their machines and in my case, the gentleman sent it to me as though it were brand new. Packaging and everything was all in tact. I didn't expect that.

Do you prefer the battery life of an Air or the Superdrive and upgradable ram and HDD? I don't think Apple calls them user upgradable now, but it is doable.


I would post here and see if someone is selling. Also, with CL, be 100% certain you go some place where you can test the machine. While testing, run the serial through Apple just to see what it says. Finally, take the serial and do a search on CL. People get their machines stolen and they end up on CL. I had a guy come into a shop I work at sometimes to buy a machine. I told him about that and he did it. The serial showed up on CL in a post about a stolen laptop. The police were called and the laptop was confiscated.
 
I'll be storing a lot of Photoshop files and Web design files. So probably the pro because I can upgrade memory.

But is there any major difference in getting the 2011 vs the 2012? For what I'm using it for. The 2011 has backlight key board and can be upgraded to run fast too ?
 
2011 has second generation i5 processor and HD3000 graphics. 2012 has third generation i5 and Intel HD4000 graphics. Not much difference between the two in power. And yes, you can upgrade the RAM and the Hard Drive to a SSD on 2011 just like the 2012.
 
So if you found a $100 difference between the two you would go with the 2011 model?
 
Personally I wouldn't buy either because I like larger screens, higher resolution, quad i7 etc.. :D

You are on a budget so the 2011 makes more sense. That $100 can be used towards upgrades.
 
Last edited:
bsurb said:
Sorry to keep bugging you guys with questions haha...

So for $550 is this worth the 35 minute drive to buy? Comes with a few accessories and a soft case too.

https://orlando.craigslist.org/sys/5455549153.html

OR..

for $450, I could buy a 13 inch early 2011 2.3 ghz with 6GB memory.. (354 battery cycle count) and the top case on the outside has a couple of small dings...

2009 15 inch with upgraded video cards and memory $500

http://orlando.craigslist.org/sys/5445544184.html
Click to expand...

2009 is a long, long time ago - that one's almost as old as my car! Beware of dings, they mean you're dealing with a careless plonker. Take the 35 minute drive, tell them Spud sent you and he's not a man to mess with:)
 
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