I have roughly $400 to spend on a Macbook. What Do I Buy?
As the title says, I need a macbook to run Traktor Pro and Traktor Pro 2. I’m currently on 1.27, but would like to upgrade to Pro 2. I mix on two decks with timecode (audio 4). I don’t do ANY production at all, and would maybe run Traktor and Maschine together (if I ever get around to buying one.) but never run (or will run Ableton). What do I need?
PS
I DON’T WANT A PC! PERIOD! NO MORE F****** WINDOWS in my dj booth lol. I’m done with that.
buy a PC…you can get a nice one with good expecifications with 400 bucks…or you can buy the old macbook white for 400 bucks new online its old but reliable if you really want an apple product
I have a secondhand 2008 Macbook (penryn) 2.4ghz with 2GB of RAM (upgradable to 4) that ran an S4 with NO problems. I have since switched to a X1600 that sometimes will drop audio, but this is only because it is running 10.5.8. Problem is solved by upgrading to 6.x or greater. I’ll see maybe 50% CPU load in TP2 if I am running 3 decks.
I bought the MB for $515, but have seen equal and lesser models go for as low as $390. I’d say if you double your budget you’ll have a much wider range to choose from… Especially in the PC market.
with 400 you might be able to find a 15" macbook pro non unibody on craigslist. heck, even the older white or black macbook will run traktor fine when using only 2 decks. anything with a minimum of 2gigs of ram and 2ghz c2d should be fine..
no, you don’t. ANY macbook will do, but you should max out the ram (which would be 2, 3 or 4 gb depending on the exact model) and maybe replace the hdd if it comes with an old 5400rpm drive.
I might be able to sell an older (Black Macbook, Core2Duo 2.0Ghz, 2 GB RAM, Lion installed)… but I need to talk my girlfriend in to selling it, I let her use it since upgrading to a Macbook Air myself, but she almost never does. Works Traktor Pro 2 (2 decks + 2 efx) just fine. You might see a PM from me…
No difference between a black one and a white one.
It will be spec dependent. It’s amazing what people think 4 year old macbooks with cracked bodies, missing keys and install discs are worth though isn’t it
YES! And it’s so dumb. I’m a computer guy to begin with, I just usually stay on the PC side of the fence; with that said it’s retarded how much an older macbook (2007-2009) is worth. The newer ones are just robbery. It’s silly too, because my current Dell (2.2 ghz core 2 duo with 4 gb of ram) just BARELY skips in traktor (I get one buffer problem a set. Sounds like a 1/32 loop for maybe a second.) Otherwise, I wouldn’t even upgrade my computer period. So what it comes down to is 500 or more bucks just so shit doesn’t skip every once in awhile. This won’t even be my daily computer. It’s going to go in the bag, and come out when I dj and practice and thats about it…
yeah the topcase (palm rest area) are notorious for chipping off. try to get it for less if you can. i wouldnt pay 450 knowing that another 150 or so will get me a 13" macbook pro. CL is all about wheeling and dealing. everything is negotiable when u got cash in hand
You should really look for the first gen MBP’s. You might pay a LITTLE more, but I think it’s ultimately worth it as you get the aluminum body. The tradeoff is that it probably will need a new battery, but I’ll take another guess and say that 90% of the macbooks you’re finding in your price range have shot batteries as well.
I will agree that the aluminum body is worth the extra if you can find one. My Black Macbook that I may (or may not) be able to offer on sale, does have a common issue where the trim is cracking, and some places has peeled and broken away. It is more a cosmetic issue.
So I do want a unibody? I like the look of the non-unibody aluminum macbooks, but the unibody laptops are beautiful. That is my main debate ATM.I figure i’ll hold out for 4gb ram, and I definitely want at least a 160 gb HD (I play on external hd for personal reasons, so space isn’t an issue).
And the battery is no biggy, as I’m more than willing to tear into it if need be.
Now your talking about 2009 and later macbook pro territory good sir. And remember that problem we discussed about people overvaluing their used macbooks ? People try to shovel off their 3 year old macbook pros for retail. The secondhand market is pretty useless for macbooks unfortunately good sir… There is definitely a good deal to be had, it’s just going to take a lot of patience, but an aluminum unibody macbook/pro is almost certainly going to be out of the 400 dollar range
My GF has a firstgen 2008 Unibody Macbook Alu, (not pro) with the replaceable battery and it has same specs pretty much all round as the 2009 Macbook Pro (Which I have), backlit keyboard and all.
Actually thinking of selling my 2009 MBP and taking her Macbook as its in MUCH better condition than mine and only .2ghz slower.
We were looking at selling it recently for around $600, In the us I imagine you’ll pick one up for around $400 as the prices over here are crazy inflated.
? People try to shovel off their 3 year old macbook pros for retail. The secondhand market is pretty useless for macbooks unfortunately good sir… There is definitely a good deal to be had, it’s just going to take a lot of patience, but an aluminum unibody macbook/pro is almost certainly going to be out of the 400 dollar range