What to ask When buying used?

[FriarNurgle]

Hi,
What should I ask/look for when buying a used MacBook Pro?

Found what seems to be a good deal on a Late 2008 15" 2.4GHz 4GB with an aftermarket 128SSD for around a grand. Have a friend who is rather Mac competent and he indicated "If it boots, you're good." What are your thoughts?

Thanks

Edit... Or would a refub from the Apple store be a better purchase. The 13" are around the same money unless I go nuts and splurge for a 15" with an i5 chip.

 

[ECUpirate44]

If it boots, your good? Hardly.

Listen for odd noises like scratching or hissing. Look for external case damage. Run the hardware test and check everything out. Ask for the install CD's

 

[alust2013]

I'd ask about the battery (cycle count, health), then what comes with it. If you can, get the disks that came with it, although it would be better to get a snow leopard disk, as it shipped with leopard. If it comes with the power cable (in good condition), boots, and has a decent battery, I'd say you're good to go, as long as there isn't anything obviously wrong with it.

 

[jbrenn]

if it has the 8600 gt stay away. those fail at a very high rate.

 

[cheeseblock]

Yeah the battery cycle thing is kind of a big deal. I compare it to miles on a car, you can tell just how used the laptop is. And if you do get a "high-mileage" laptop, you can expect to have it plugged in pretty much all the time... Other than that, macs are all great, you can rarely go wrong. I kinda wish i bought one used, cause mine still runs as good now as it did 2 years ago when i bought it

 

[mrwonkers]

I always ask "Do you or anyone else take baths with your MacBook Pro?"

 

[Mr. Chewbacca]

Go with the referb on the apple store. They have very strict quality specs and a full warranty

They may drop a little in price if the new MBP comes out anytime soon but no one knows for sure when that will happen.

 

[skiltrip]

Go with the referb on the apple store. They have very strict quality specs and a full warranty

They may drop a little in price if the new MBP comes out anytime soon but no one knows for sure when that will happen.

+1. I've frequently browsed the used market on eBay, and they rarely sell cheaper than what the refurb store is selling them for. In fact, I've seen quite a few instances where people are paying more for used on eBay. Why, I'll never understand. But the refurb store is your friend.

 

[FriarNurgle]

Thanks for the info, gang. The refurbs are looking more and more logical.