OT-ish: Buying a used Macbook
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  1. #1
    Tech Guru Lambox's Avatar
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    Default OT-ish: Buying a used Macbook

    I have officially convinced myself that it is absolutely necessary for me to buy a Macbook.

    Unfortunately, reality tells me there's no way I'll be able to shell out the $1,000 for a new one. So I'm looking at buying one used.

    A quick search on eBay turns up literally thousands of Macbooks priced at or below $600 (pretty much my ceiling for prices). Some of them as low as $300 still match the recommended (not required) specs to run Ableton.

    My question is this: other than the usual caution I should take on eBay, is there any reason not to buy a Macbook there? I know absolutely nothing about Macs, other than that I want one.

    The only program I'm looking to run on said Macbook is Ableton and the small handful of VST(i)'s that I use to produce.

    Is this a bad idea?
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  2. #2
    Tech Guru Coldfuzion's Avatar
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    Only thing I can suggest is trying to buy a MacBook with Applecare to be on the safe side. But Mac is definitely the way to go!

  3. #3
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    +1 for Macbook used with Applecare

    I will do it when I have the money

  4. #4
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    I bought a used 13.3 Macbook, 2.4ghz, 2gb ram, 250gb HD for £625.

    Apart from a little cosmetic damage, it's perfect.

  5. #5
    Tech Guru completej's Avatar
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    a top of the line mbp with their barclay card financing runs $250 / month, which though is basically a decent car payment and hurts a bit, is well worth it.
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  6. #6
    Tech Guru Lecko's Avatar
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    +1 Used with Applecare, I'm an ACMT and apple parts will rape your soul if you need a new logic board in it
    MacBook Pro 15" 2.0GHZ i7. Kontrol S4. Traktor Scratch Pro 2.5. MidiFighter Classic. Aiaiai TMA-1.

  7. #7
    DJTT Moderator bloke Karlos Santos's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lecko View Post
    +1 Used with Applecare, I'm an ACMT and apple parts will rape your soul if you need a new logic board in it
    aint that the truth.

    I took my first MBP in for repair. Went on Holiday and got call whilst i was poolside... "Mr Santos your Mac has a busted logic board. We can fit a new one for £770"... Just what i wanted to hear on holiday !!!

    Thing was i was 5 days out of Applecare as i forgot to renew it.

    Lesson learned.

  8. #8
    Tech Guru mostapha's Avatar
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    Yeah…might look into financing one, but…be careful about interest rates.

    An ex girlfriend of mine has bought several used iBooks, PowerBooks, and MacBooks off of ebay over the years, and she always had good experiences.

    I–on the other hand–have gotten screwed over every single time I've tried to buy or sell something on eBay…so I avoid it like the plague. But apparently eBay just hates me…that kind of shit doesn't happen to anyone else.

  9. #9
    Tech Guru Coldfuzion's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by mostapha View Post
    Yeah…might look into financing one, but…be careful about interest rates.

    An ex girlfriend of mine has bought several used iBooks, PowerBooks, and MacBooks off of ebay over the years, and she always had good experiences.

    I–on the other hand–have gotten screwed over every single time I've tried to buy or sell something on eBay…so I avoid it like the plague. But apparently eBay just hates me…that kind of shit doesn't happen to anyone else.
    Interest rate state side for Barclay (along with BestBuy, Alienware [A.K.A. Dell] and a few other companies) is 23%ish (a month) I believe if you don't pay it off within the year. Ohh and here's the kicker, it's off the total amount, not what you still owe them.

    I'm pretty sure when I checked last, thats what it was at (about 2 months ago, when I picked up my apple).

    People need to really watch for that shit, cause that's where they truly rape you.

  10. #10
    Tech Guru Lambox's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Coldfuzion View Post
    Interest rate state side for Barclay (along with BestBuy, Alienware [A.K.A. Dell] and a few other companies) is 23%ish (a month) I believe if you don't pay it off within the year. Ohh and here's the kicker, it's off the total amount, not what you still owe them.

    I'm pretty sure when I checked last, thats what it was at (about 2 months ago, when I picked up my apple).

    People need to really watch for that shit, cause that's where they truly rape you.
    Truth.

    Quote Originally Posted by Apple Store
    If balances are not paid in full by the end of the applicable period, or if a late payment is made, interest will be charged from the purchase date at a 22.99% variable APR.
    Honestly, the last thing I need right now is more debt on top of all my student loans (not to mention the credit card I already have).

    I can get $50 off a new MacBook because I'm a student. Big deal. That 5% really makes a difference.
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