What to Buy I am so confused what to buy

[bluebird3]

I have this opportunity to buy my friend's 2008 Mac Book (white plastic ? body) for $150.

Hardware Overview:

Model Name: MacBook
Model Identifier: MacBook4,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 3 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MB41.00C1.B00
SMC Version (system): 1.31f1

I have been using Power Mac G4 from I believe 2002 ? But want to go more portable. Then there are other options such as buying used MacBook Pro from last year on place like eBay, etc. Or refurb from Apple. Then of course buy brand new ( either current model or soon to be updated model. All those options will cost me more, a lot more of course.

I need to use it for personal computing purpose ( daily eMail, daily Web Browser, Occasional Skype, use of iTune music (import / rip CD, etc), occasional use of iMoivie if I ever traveled, and Organizing personal Photos and editing). I would also need to transfer all the files ( music files, photos, documents) from my current desk top Power Mac G4 to A lap top (do not know how I can safely do this). I have a feeling Desk Top is more? reliable than Lap top also? Anyway...... I like the idea of down sizing and its portability. I do not know what to do (what to buy). I have been thinking about this for a long long time but I just do not know whats the right thing to do. Should I just buy my friend's computer for $150 for now and buy another one later but shortly ? Need feedback please.

 

[sofianito]

I have this opportunity to buy my friend's 2008 Mac Book (white plastic ? body) for $150.

Hardware Overview:

Model Name: MacBook
Model Identifier: MacBook4,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 3 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MB41.00C1.B00
SMC Version (system): 1.31f1

I have been using Power Mac G4 from I believe 2002 ? But want to go more portable. Then there are other options such as buying used MacBook Pro from last year on place like eBay, etc. Or refurb from Apple. Then of course buy brand new ( either current model or soon to be updated model. All those options will cost me more, a lot more of course.

I need to use it for personal computing purpose ( daily eMail, daily Web Browser, Occasional Skype, use of iTune music (import / rip CD, etc), occasional use of iMoivie if I ever traveled, and Organizing personal Photos and editing). I would also need to transfer all the files ( music files, photos, documents) from my current desk top Power Mac G4 to A lap top (do not know how I can safely do this). I have a feeling Desk Top is more? reliable than Lap top also? Anyway...... I like the idea of down sizing and its portability. I do not know what to do (what to buy). I have been thinking about this for a long long time but I just do not know whats the right thing to do. Should I just buy my friend's computer for $150 for now and buy another one later but shortly ? Need feedback please.

What is your maximum budget?

 

[GSPice]

$150 is probably about what it's worth, but I'd save that money and get a Macbook Air. Of course you'd need a CD drive to rip - but I think the $150 would be better spent on a newer Macbook.

 

[bluebird3]

What is your maximum budget?

I have US $2000.00 saved up but does not mean I want to spend it all. Besides I am very hesitant to spend this kind of money then few months later its already consider as "old" or the price drops.... I would also need to buy Wifi Router and would like a protector cover, etc, etc. not sure if I need "apple care" .

 

[takeshi74]

(nm)

 

[tgi]

I have US $2000.00 saved up but does not mean I want to spend it all. Besides I am very hesitant to spend this kind of money then few months later its already consider as "old" or the price drops.... I would also need to buy Wifi Router and would like a protector cover, etc, etc. not sure if I need "apple care" .

The computer listed in the OP is old now. I wouldn't worry about how much older it will be a few months from now.

 

[leman]

not sure if I need "apple care" .

You can't get apple care with such an old machine, it is belong any warranty period.

$150 is not bad at all for that laptop. Of course, even the macbook air will be much faster, but your needs seem pretty basic and if the machine is in a good shape, why not? Then get 4Gb of DDR2 laptop RAM (just get it off ebay, should be pretty cheap) and an SSD (I wouldn't get a used one here to be honest) - and you will have a absolutely decent machine for what you want to do with it.

 

[bluebird3]

$150 is probably about what it's worth, but I'd save that money and get a Macbook Air. Of course you'd need a CD drive to rip - but I think the $150 would be better spent on a newer Macbook.

not sure if I want air vs pro ? (why air over Pro?).

----------

You can't get apple care with such an old machine, it is belong any warranty period.

$150 is not bad at all for that laptop. Of course, even the macbook air will be much faster, but your needs seem pretty basic and if the machine is in a good shape, why not? Then get 4Gb of DDR2 laptop RAM (just get it off ebay, should be pretty cheap) and an SSD (I wouldn't get a used one here to be honest) - and you will have a absolutely decent machine for what you want to do with it.

for my friend's computer, no apple care. arnn the memory, 4GB is max on this machine then. How about OS ? I know currently it got OS 10.5.8. also I am thinking I do not know how to install SSD ( do not even know which one to buy).

 

[leman]

for my friend's computer, no apple care. arnn the memory, 4GB is max on this machine then. How about OS ? I know currently it got OS 10.5.8. also I am thinking I do not know how to install SSD ( do not even know which one to buy).

If I am not mistaken, the maximal supported OS is Snow Leopard. Installing SSD takes a screwdriver and 3 minutes time As to SSD, you could get this one rather cheap: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147248

Of course, its too fast for your machine, but who cares

 

[bluebird3]

You can't get apple care with such an old machine, it is belong any warranty period.

$150 is not bad at all for that laptop. Of course, even the macbook air will be much faster, but your needs seem pretty basic and if the machine is in a good shape, why not? Then get 4Gb of DDR2 laptop RAM (just get it off ebay, should be pretty cheap) and an SSD (I wouldn't get a used one here to be honest) - and you will have a absolutely decent machine for what you want to do with it.

If I were to buy my friends computer that is in good shape other than tiny cracks, what are the things I need to do to bring it back to original ? clean condition of HD ? I do not think she has the original disk or all the accessories other than power cable. I guess I would want to "clean up" the machine to make it all mine sort of speak.

 

[GSPice]

The reason I recommend against spending money on the old laptop is because the up-to-date software you'd install on it would just drag it down.

Case in point, my iMac was really fast in 2008, but as updates came along and I started using newer software, the hardware wasn't enough to keep that "fast" feeling.

 

[bluebird3]

If I am not mistaken, the maximal supported OS is Snow Leopard. Installing SSD takes a screwdriver and 3 minutes time As to SSD, you could get this one rather cheap: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147248

Of course, its too fast for your machine, but who cares

Thank you for the link. So it would cost me about US$400 at least to get the machine going if I installed a SSD (is there space in the machine for SSD ? ) and WIFI router... not sure if $400 is worth this old mac book ?

----------

The reason I recommend against spending money on the old laptop is because the up-to-date software you'd install on it would just drag it down.

Case in point, my iMac was really fast in 2008, but as updates came along and I started using newer software, the hardware wasn't enough to keep that "fast" feeling.

I see. that make sense, and the more update on the software you do (which happens so often these days), the more memory and speed it will eat up is what I am really concerned. So, installing a SSD to the old machine make sense.

But US$400.00 (with the machine, SSD, and Wifi Router), not sure if its worth spending now..

 

[leman]

Thank you for the link. So it would cost me about US$400 at least to get the machine going if I installed a SSD (is there space in the machine for SSD ? ) and WIFI router... not sure if $400 is worth this old mac book ?

No, this macbook is certainly not worth $400, but the SSD is worth its $200 Don't forget that you can reuse the SSD if you decide to get a faster machine in the future. Or just pack it in an external Thunderbolt/USB3 enclosure. Of course, a newer MBA will be much faster, even for simple tasks - but just for checking emails the 2008 machine is still rather adequate and an SSD will make it much more enjoyable. I would even say it will be more enjoyable then a 2012 MBP without an SSD

 

[GSPice]

Yeah, put it this way, if you buy the $150 laptop, don't upgrade it. Save the money for a new machine. And the $150 can be a good emergency backup.

 

[redkamel]

My experience is unless you enjoy spending time getting computers to work, this is going to be hard to update. You are going to have to find older versions of OS's, maybe some programs, its going to run slow, it will be limited, and it won't be supported in the future.

$150 dollars is very little for a computer.

My advice is:
If you like having a computer, plan to use it for many things, want it too be good, up to date, and sync with your iOS stuff and do so for many years, spend the money on a new computer, or at least, a 2010 or 11 model.

If see a computer as necessity you can't avoid, want a computer that does very little, go on the internet, send email, and do minimal activity get the $150 dollar one. For example, I don't think the 2008 models support the App Store.

of course, there is how much you need the money too. That computer will be enough to get you through life for a while unless you have a job that requires lots of computer work.

 

[sofianito]

You can't get apple care with such an old machine, it is belong any warranty period.

$150 is not bad at all for that laptop. Of course, even the macbook air will be much faster, but your needs seem pretty basic and if the machine is in a good shape, why not? Then get 4Gb of DDR2 laptop RAM (just get it off ebay, should be pretty cheap) and an SSD (I wouldn't get a used one here to be honest) - and you will have a absolutely decent machine for what you want to do with it.

He would needs to add $130-140 for a new battery...

 

[bluebird3]

He would needs to add $130-140 for a new battery...

----------

Yeah, put it this way, if you buy the $150 laptop, don't upgrade it. Save the money for a new machine. And the $150 can be a good emergency backup.

That's an idea....

----------

My experience is unless you enjoy spending time getting computers to work, this is going to be hard to update. You are going to have to find older versions of OS's, maybe some programs, its going to run slow, it will be limited, and it won't be supported in the future.

$150 dollars is very little for a computer.

My advice is:
If you like having a computer, plan to use it for many things, want it too be good, up to date, and sync with your iOS stuff and do so for many years, spend the money on a new computer, or at least, a 2010 or 11 model.

If see a computer as necessity you can't avoid, want a computer that does very little, go on the internet, send email, and do minimal activity get the $150 dollar one. For example, I don't think the 2008 models support the App Store.

of course, there is how much you need the money too. That computer will be enough to get you through life for a while unless you have a job that requires lots of computer work.

Very clever advice thank you so much. I feel like now I need to buy something used but not that old such as 2008.... find something on eBay for about $800 or something with software, etc.... but of course not sure which one to bid on there are so many...

 

[sofianito]

For example, I don't think the 2008 models support the App Store.

Where did you get this information from? I am using a late 2008 MBP and App Store runs fine on it.

If I were the OP, beside getting this 2008 Macbook for $100, I would get the 13" MBA + superdrive or the 13" cMBP if the former doesn't convince me. It is always good to have a backup machine...

 

[Byzanti]

iMoivie if I ever traveled, and Organizing personal Photos and editing

The 2008 Macbook will struggle with these.

 

[bluebird3]

The 2008 Macbook will struggle with these.

May I ask why ? I meant to watch movie (DVD) and edit / organize personal photos ( currently on my Power Mac G4 2002 model, I have 1000 ? photos). Its getting slowing down for sure tho.

sighs cannot decide ... so hard making decisions.

 

[talmy]

On this site most people are after the latest and greatest (why else would they care about "Mac Rumors"), while older systems will actually do just fine for most users.

You really don't want to spend a lot of money on an older system. What's the point when it doesn't really add to the value. You've saved enough money to buy a new machine but have decided that with your usage an older one would do fine and you can avoid spending the money. Good for you!

Quite possibly the only thing you might want to spend money on is a new battery, especially if the old one won't hold a charge and you intend to use the system away from an outlet. Anything else is a waste of money.

I had a MacBook3,1 (bought January 2008), so it is one model older than what you are considering. I used it to run engineering computer aided design software (using Windows under Parallels) and also did screen captures. I ran Aperture and other fairly hefty programs on it. So they are really plenty powerful. I accidentally got water in it and "destroyed" it in June 2009, so I bought a new MacBook. However I managed to get the old one fixed and gave it to my daughter who was in need of a computer. She used it for an additional three years (no repairs beyond the water damage), when she got a new one and passed it on to a friend.

I'd say go for it as long as it works well.

 

[dylin]

On this site most people are after the latest and greatest (why else would they care about "Mac Rumors"), while older systems will actually do just fine for most users.

You really don't want to spend a lot of money on an older system. What's the point when it doesn't really add to the value. You've saved enough money to buy a new machine but have decided that with your usage an older one would do fine and you can avoid spending the money. Good for you!

Quite possibly the only thing you might want to spend money on is a new battery, especially if the old one won't hold a charge and you intend to use the system away from an outlet. Anything else is a waste of money.

I had a MacBook3,1 (bought January 2008), so it is one model older than what you are considering. I used it to run engineering computer aided design software (using Windows under Parallels) and also did screen captures. I ran Aperture and other fairly hefty programs on it. So they are really plenty powerful. I accidentally got water in it and "destroyed" it in June 2009, so I bought a new MacBook. However I managed to get the old one fixed and gave it to my daughter who was in need of a computer. She used it for an additional three years (no repairs beyond the water damage), when she got a new one and passed it on to a friend.

I'd say go for it as long as it works well.

He has made very great points.

@bluebird3
If this machine will do everything you need it to do, and are able to make use of your software for years to come, then you will find that you have made a great savings.

As for other things to breath more life to your machine, the first would be to get a new battery. those can cost ~100 or 150 from apple.

Ram would be 60 bucks, take a visit to OWC.

then Follow up with an SSD. The storage space all depends on your needs. but if your going for a decent size and dont need all the storage, a 120-128GB SDD can go from 80 bucks to 120.

Even with the total costs, its still lower than 500.

i think the cheapest refurb macbook pro right now is 1000, and the cheapest macbook air is 960.

So decide what you feel is best. Just dont think there is a right choice. Successful people dont make the right decisions, they make their decisions right.

 

[bluebird3]

He has made very great points.

@bluebird3
If this machine will do everything you need it to do, and are able to make use of your software for years to come, then you will find that you have made a great savings.

As for other things to breath more life to your machine, the first would be to get a new battery. those can cost ~100 or 150 from apple.

Ram would be 60 bucks, take a visit to OWC.

then Follow up with an SSD. The storage space all depends on your needs. but if your going for a decent size and dont need all the storage, a 120-128GB SDD can go from 80 bucks to 120.

Even with the total costs, its still lower than 500.

i think the cheapest refurb macbook pro right now is 1000, and the cheapest macbook air is 960.

So decide what you feel is best. Just dont think there is a right choice. Successful people dont make the right decisions, they make their decisions right.

Thank you so much both of you. If I upgrade it to SSD in the future, yet it does not support the latest OS or related to software, how good is it to upgrade it other than storage space? I am bit concerned how much life it got left in this computer since it can not keep up with the software or does it really matter which OS it uses ?

Also, please recommend me a WIFI router. that is good and reliable. I will need one, probably go to Best buy? or Walmart.....

what is OWC ?

 

[bluebird3]

On this site most people are after the latest and greatest (why else would they care about "Mac Rumors"), while older systems will actually do just fine for most users.

You really don't want to spend a lot of money on an older system. What's the point when it doesn't really add to the value. You've saved enough money to buy a new machine but have decided that with your usage an older one would do fine and you can avoid spending the money. Good for you!

Quite possibly the only thing you might want to spend money on is a new battery, especially if the old one won't hold a charge and you intend to use the system away from an outlet. Anything else is a waste of money.

I had a MacBook3,1 (bought January 2008), so it is one model older than what you are considering. I used it to run engineering computer aided design software (using Windows under Parallels) and also did screen captures. I ran Aperture and other fairly hefty programs on it. So they are really plenty powerful. I accidentally got water in it and "destroyed" it in June 2009, so I bought a new MacBook. However I managed to get the old one fixed and gave it to my daughter who was in need of a computer. She used it for an additional three years (no repairs beyond the water damage), when she got a new one and passed it on to a friend.

I'd say go for it as long as it works well.

Thank you so much. How does one know when to buy a new one other than when the machine brakes ? I've learned that you can upgrade memory space and buy a new battery ( so far its holding a charge ok ) but any other issue may arise when browsing the web ? I am asking this because I have a Power Mac G4 2002 desktop model and when trying to browse, it shows message something about Flash and Plug Ins and Acrobat Reader, etc is not supported etc. I have not had that concern with this 2008 Macbook yet....

----------

OK, I just found this and copied and pasting it... here is the battery information. Will I need a new battery ?


Battery Information:

Manufacturer: SMP
Device name: ASMB013
Pack Lot Code: 0001
PCB Lot Code: 0000
Firmware Version: 0102
Hardware Revision: 0300
Cell Revision: 0100
Charge Information:
Charge remaining (mAh): 5580
Fully charged: Yes
Charging: No
Full charge capacity (mAh): 5586
Health Information:
Cycle count: 11
Condition: Good
Battery Installed: Yes
Amperage (mA): 0
Voltage (mV): 12532

 

[bluebird3]

I have a Power Mac G4 from 2002 and running good. Is this 2008 Macbook better / more powerful than my current desktop ? Also how do I transfer all the files on to this lap top if I were to purchase it ?

What about router ? what kind of router do I need ? I know newer faster wifi is already out / on their way for newer more powerful mac and if I bought the new one, then I guess I will need to buy a separate wifi router for the new one ?

Also, can USB 3 communicate with USB 2 ? (when trying to transfer file, iPod Nano, flash memory stick, etc).

Sorry for BUNCH of questions but I MUST decide this today. So I wanted to ask you guys who are knowledgale.