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Post by keymod on Dec 16, 2014 7:12:19 GMT -6
Opportunity to purchase late 2011 model MacBook pro,8.2 , 15" , 16GBP ram factory refreshed with latest Yosemite installed. The asking price is $1K USD. IS this reasonably priced? Would be gift for my girlfriend, who wants a Mac laptop - not for music but I might be able to steal it every now and then.
I never have used/owned a Mac but her kid has one and she really likes it.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2014 10:08:01 GMT -6
I don't keep track of used prices, but that sounds a little steep to me. Unless it's been handled gently, you're possibly facing the sort of mechanical issues that might plague any laptop. And there's been a fair amount of improvement in the 3+ years since that machine was current. The prices for new 13" (I know you mentioned this was a 15") are right in the price ballpark of where you're looking, and they'll be better performers. Even with a smaller screen, the graphics will be better. A Macbook Air might be an even better choice.
I think it's great you want to give her a Mac. I work with both Mac and Windows machines, but I think the Mac is a much better experience. I think what you need to consider is what she'd use it for. That will guide your determination about how much RAM and permanent storage might be best. I've got a 2008 MacBook Pro that I use as one of my test machines. It's been really babied, but it's still gotten gimpy. If the one you're looking at has been carried around a lot, it might already have problems in waiting.
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Post by keymod on Dec 16, 2014 13:48:40 GMT -6
Thoughtful answer, thanks. Lots to consider.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2014 19:49:46 GMT -6
I just got a refurb from Apple for 900. Roughly. The body and screen were spotless and the performance is solid.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2014 19:49:57 GMT -6
For my wife no less
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Post by levon on Dec 17, 2014 3:04:38 GMT -6
I don't think it's too expensive for a 15" Mac Book with 16GB. Apple sells refurbished 15" units for around 2000 Euros over here. I just bought a new 13" with 4GB for 1000 Euros for my wife.
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Post by levon on Dec 17, 2014 3:06:14 GMT -6
I just got a refurb from Apple for 900. Roughly. The body and screen were spotless and the performance is solid. 15" screen and 16GB RAM?? That would be a steal. |
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Post by unit7 on Dec 17, 2014 3:34:29 GMT -6
What will she use it for? Is portability an issue? I have a 15" MB2010, i7 processor w 4GB RAM (typing on it now) that is doing Sibelius scoring, all office/web stuff and occasional Logic work. A real workhorse but it's beginning to show signs of wear. Did you ever hold an Airbook in your hand? When I did I knew that's going to be my next portable. It has USB and Thunderbolt so when doing scoring or larger Logic sessions just hook up to an external screen. I'm already doing that w my current.
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Post by keymod on Dec 17, 2014 6:03:15 GMT -6
Thanks guys.I suspect the current owner has treated it well and simply wants the latest model. My girlfriend will use it for general duties including the normal household stuff and, since her son has gone off to college, she would also like to return to school to finish up her degree. I thought with those specs, if it's a good price, I could press it into serving double duty once in a while.
I have some inquiries at a local dealer, as well have been browsing online. The asking price seems about average, and about one-third of new. Hmmmm...
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Post by jcoutu1 on Dec 17, 2014 8:18:07 GMT -6
Thanks guys.I suspect the current owner has treated it well and simply wants the latest model. My girlfriend will use it for general duties including the normal household stuff and, since her son has gone off to college, she would also like to return to school to finish up her degree. I thought with those specs, if it's a good price, I could press it into serving double duty once in a while. I have some inquiries at a local dealer, as well have been browsing online. The asking price seems about average, and about one-third of new. Hmmmm... I wouldn't touch it. That model seems to come with a spinning drive. Modern solid state drives are a significant upgrade over the old spinning drives. Also, being 3/4 years old, the battery is going to die...that's another $130 cost. You can get a new, modern machine, that'll be thinner, lighter, smaller, more portable, fresh battery, and with a faster drive for close to the same money. If it were me purchasing, I would get this machine... store.apple.com/us/product/FE865LL/A/refurbished-133-inch-macbook-pro-24ghz-dual-core-intel-core-i513" retina display, 8GB RAM (plenty of juice for basic household and school use), 256GB SSD, $1160. When you factor in the cost of replacing the battery on the old machine, you're basically breaking even. Also, if her son is in school, you should be able to get an education priced machine if you prefer new, but I still think that refurb above is a smoking deal... store.apple.com/us-hed/mac |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2014 9:16:57 GMT -6
I just got a refurb from Apple for 900. Roughly. The body and screen were spotless and the performance is solid. 15" screen and 16GB RAM?? That would be a steal. My bad. That's I have, not what I bought her. Hers is 13 with 8. |
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Post by formatcyes on Dec 17, 2014 13:55:12 GMT -6
No you would be better of with a new mac air. SSD's as mentioned earlier are the biggest game changer for laptops. 4 year old laptop no thanks..
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Post by kcatthedog on Dec 18, 2014 5:43:40 GMT -6
you can upgrade the hard drive easily to ssd from OWC and they have install videos too, I did my new mbp i7 2012 very simple
you can buy a caddy for the current hard-drive also.
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Post by jcoutu1 on Dec 18, 2014 6:16:11 GMT -6
you can upgrade the hard drive easily to ssd from OWC and they have install videos too, I did my new mbp i7 2012 very simple you can buy a caddy for the current hard-drive also. You can do that, but it still doesn't make it the right buy. |
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Post by kcatthedog on Dec 18, 2014 7:42:42 GMT -6
says who  if it makes sense to the buyer that is kind of their decision ? my point was they have options in terms of the hard drive personally I wouldn't put that kind of money into a 4 year laptop but maybe they could use that info to negotiate a lower price ? |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2014 15:05:33 GMT -6
The air's have a small hard drive which may be good for wifely surfing. Mine does photos too and the refurbed i5 MBP I got her is like new. i5 is still a viable platform and like most macs, it sails along just fine. Now, I would have not bought a used 2011 from an individual but this machine is great. In fact, the 2011 that I bought new is still mixing songs with 60+ tracks, inserted outboard and tons of plugs. They are great machines.
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Post by keymod on Dec 18, 2014 17:43:59 GMT -6
I appreciate everyone's input to this discussion. Still not sure what to do. I have time to do more research since this was not intended to be a Christmas gift.
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if it makes sense to the buyer that is kind of their decision ? my point was they have options in terms of the hard drive