Where to buy refurbished Macbook for under $700?

[king.cobra]

Greetings,

This is my first post so please bare with me

I am currently looking into making the switch from a PC to a MAC...I'm finally converting

So I am looking into buying a refurbished older Macbook for less than $700. I have found one at smalldog.com for $699 and it also includes the newer graphics chip X3100. (Or should I look for a used macbook on craigslist/amazon/ebay)

What do you guys think? Also, what should I be looking for at that price? (cpu, ram, HD)

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

 

[simsaladimbamba]

The x3100 is a crappy "GPU", thus if you value your GPU use, maybe save an additional 150 $ and take a look at Apple's Refurbished Section: http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook?mco=MTkyMTk5MjA

Anyway, the money you want to invest in is dependent on what you want to use the MB for and what specs might be suited better.

 

[king.cobra]

Thanks for the reply Sim,

I'm actually picking up a used macbook from craigslist with the following specs:

Model: Apple MacBook (Model 4,1)
Color: White
Processor Type: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.4 Ghz
RAM: 4 GB
Internal Hard Drive: 160 GB
Optical Drive: Apple Super Drive
Networking: Apple Airport Extreme Wireless and Gigabit LAN
Mac OSX 10.6.5 Snow Leopard
Apple iLife 2011
Apple iWork 2009
Microsoft Office 2011
Apple Final Cut Studio 3
Adobe Creative Suite 5

And the following extras:
Brand New Battery
Apple Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard
Apple Bluetooth Wireless Mighty Mouse
Apple Wireless Remote
Apple AC Power Adapter
Apple Airline Power Adapter
Apple VGA Monitor Adapter
Apple DVI Monitor Adapter
Kinsington Laptop Bag
320 GB WD external HD

All this for $650....good deal?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Thanks for the reply Sim,

I'm actually picking up a used macbook from craigslist with the following specs:

Model: Apple MacBook (Model 4,1)
Color: White
Processor Type: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.4 Ghz
RAM: 4 GB
Internal Hard Drive: 160 GB
Optical Drive: Apple Super Drive
Networking: Apple Airport Extreme Wireless and Gigabit LAN
Mac OSX 10.6.5 Snow Leopard
Apple iLife 2011
Apple iWork 2009
Microsoft Office 2011
Apple Final Cut Studio 3
Adobe Creative Suite 5

And the following extras:
Brand New Battery
Apple Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard
Apple Bluetooth Wireless Mighty Mouse
Apple Wireless Remote
Apple AC Power Adapter
Apple Airline Power Adapter
Apple VGA Monitor Adapter
Apple DVI Monitor Adapter
Kinsington Laptop Bag
320 GB WD external HD

All this for $650....good deal?

I doubt you will acquire the proper and legal licenses for iLife, iWork, MS Office, FCS and CS, Just so you know, it would be pirating if you purchase these products, or at least leave them on the computer.

But somehow it sounds too good to be true, especially with all these hardware add ons.

 

[old-wiz]

Thanks for the reply Sim,

I'm actually picking up a used macbook from craigslist with the following specs:

Model: Apple MacBook (Model 4,1)
Color: White
Processor Type: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.4 Ghz
RAM: 4 GB
Internal Hard Drive: 160 GB
Optical Drive: Apple Super Drive
Networking: Apple Airport Extreme Wireless and Gigabit LAN
Mac OSX 10.6.5 Snow Leopard
Apple iLife 2011
Apple iWork 2009
Microsoft Office 2011
Apple Final Cut Studio 3
Adobe Creative Suite 5

And the following extras:
Brand New Battery
Apple Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard
Apple Bluetooth Wireless Mighty Mouse
Apple Wireless Remote
Apple AC Power Adapter
Apple Airline Power Adapter
Apple VGA Monitor Adapter
Apple DVI Monitor Adapter
Kinsington Laptop Bag
320 GB WD external HD

All this for $650....good deal?

It sounds like a scam. You can't legally get that much software for that price. All the adapters also makes it sound like a scam.

 

[GfulDedFan]

At $700, you're looking at used MacBooks.... not refurbished. There's a difference. A refurbished from Apple will be certified and warranted. You'll also be able to extend the warranty to 3 years from date of purchase. I suggest the refurbished route.

 

[lugubrious]

I actually don't think this deal is too far-fetched. You have to remember that this is the MacBook 4,1 which was released in February 2008, making it about 3 years old. Also, remember that this is the non unibody model with the 800MHz Front Side Bus speed.

With that being said, the software is where it gets a little iffy. That specific bundle of software retails for a pretty penny. However, I've seen stranger things on Craigslist that turned out to be legitimate. I like this deal if you see yourself using all the accessories or software. Else, you could probably find a newer "bare-bones" system in your price range.

(FYI I don't know if it's true or not, but I saw a 2009 MacBook 6,1 on my local Craigslist for $500.)