Is this a good deal for a MacBook?

kwaltersmi · kwaltersmi #1 (**permalink**)

12-21-2011, 02:09 PM

I'm looking at picking up a used MacBook (first ever Mac) to use for word processing (blogging, writing), photo editing and light movie editing. I found the following deal on my local Craigslist and am wondering if it's a good deal and appropriate for my needs:

2008 base model MacBook with Intel duo core processor, 500GB 7200rpm HD (new/upgraded), 4GB RAM (upgraded from 1GB), "OS X Leopard", and no other software. This is the white plastic model (not unibody). Asking $450.

What do you think? I'm trying to keep my costs down to $300-$400 and will be replacing an Acer netbook.

chscag · chscag #2 (**permalink**)

12-21-2011, 02:15 PM

The $450 price range is actually in line with what most of the same machines are selling for. I happen to own the exact same machine and have been looking around at prices.

If you can get it for less, that's even better. But make sure you check it out completely before buying. Not everyone treats their computer with TLC. And make sure you get the original Leopard DVD set.

kwaltersmi · kwaltersmi #3 (**permalink**)

12-27-2011, 01:31 PM

Couldn't get the MacBook referenced above for less then $500, so now I'm considering the following:

MacBook (black) with 2.16ghz Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM, 160GB HD, running Snow Leopard w/ iWork, iLife 11, MS Office 11, Aperture, Photoshop, Toast. Can be purchased for $420.

Will that fit my needs? Decent price? Sorry for the newbie thread, but this will be my first Mac and I want to make it a positive experience.

_Stormin · _Stormin #4 (**permalink**)

12-27-2011, 01:42 PM

Again, look over the whole thing to make sure that it's been taken care of, but that should get the job done. Especially with Photoshop and Aperture already installed.

MacLicious · MacLicious #5 (**permalink**)

12-27-2011, 03:51 PM

Have a look at this thread Bentharbour's post seemed to include some good advice I thought.

How inspect a used Macbook

MacLicious · MacLicious #6 (**permalink**)

12-27-2011, 03:54 PM

.....

MacDude121 · MacDude121 #7 (**permalink**)

12-28-2011, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwaltersmi

Couldn't get the MacBook referenced above for less then $500, so now I'm considering the following:

MacBook (black) with 2.16ghz Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM, 160GB HD, running Snow Leopard w/ iWork, iLife 11, MS Office 11, Aperture, Photoshop, Toast. Can be purchased for $420.

Will that fit my needs? Decent price? Sorry for the newbie thread, but this will be my first Mac and I want to make it a positive experience.

See if you can get that extra $20 knocked off at least. But if not, it's still a decent price for that MacBook.

kwaltersmi · kwaltersmi #8 (**permalink**)

12-28-2011, 10:08 AM

Thanks for the replies. I got the black MacBook for $400. I transferred all my documents, videos and photos last night and did my initial Time Machine backup. I plan to install Lion tonight so that I can use iCloud with our other iOS devices (iPhone, iPad2, iPod Touch).

Do you think Lion will run well on this MacBook?

cwa107 · cwa107 #9 (**permalink**)

12-28-2011, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwaltersmi

Thanks for the replies. I got the black MacBook for $400. I transferred all my documents, videos and photos last night and did my initial Time Machine backup. I plan to install Lion tonight so that I can use iCloud with our other iOS devices (iPhone, iPad2, iPod Touch).

Do you think Lion will run well on this MacBook?

It should be fine, although I would HIGHLY recommend bumping the memory up to 4GB.

chscag #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 42,097 Mac Specs: 27" iMac i5, 3.2 GHz, iPad 3, iPhone 5c, 3 iPods, Yosemite	12-21-2011, 02:15 PM The $450 price range is actually in line with what most of the same machines are selling for. I happen to own the exact same machine and have been looking around at prices. If you can get it for less, that's even better. But make sure you check it out completely before buying. Not everyone treats their computer with TLC. And make sure you get the original Leopard DVD set. COMMUNITY RULES Writing a Quality Post
	QUOTE Thanks

MacLicious #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 26, 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 311	12-27-2011, 03:51 PM Have a look at this thread Bentharbour's post seemed to include some good advice I thought. How inspect a used Macbook AWAITING A GOLD iPHONE 6 128GB // MacBook Air mid2011 i5 4gb ram 256SSD // 2009 24"iMac 3.06 C2D nVidia 130GT 512mb // iPad Mini 64gb SOLD // iPad2 64gb 3G // iPhone4 32gb SOLD // iPod Nano Gen5 // iPod Shuffle 2gb Gen4 // iPod Video 80gb //
	QUOTE Thanks

MacLicious #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 26, 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 311	12-27-2011, 03:54 PM ..... AWAITING A GOLD iPHONE 6 128GB // MacBook Air mid2011 i5 4gb ram 256SSD // 2009 24"iMac 3.06 C2D nVidia 130GT 512mb // iPad Mini 64gb SOLD // iPad2 64gb 3G // iPhone4 32gb SOLD // iPod Nano Gen5 // iPod Shuffle 2gb Gen4 // iPod Video 80gb //
	QUOTE Thanks

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kwaltersmi #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 21, 2011 Posts: 11	12-21-2011, 02:09 PM I'm looking at picking up a used MacBook (first ever Mac) to use for word processing (blogging, writing), photo editing and light movie editing. I found the following deal on my local Craigslist and am wondering if it's a good deal and appropriate for my needs: 2008 base model MacBook with Intel duo core processor, 500GB 7200rpm HD (new/upgraded), 4GB RAM (upgraded from 1GB), "OS X Leopard", and no other software. This is the white plastic model (not unibody). Asking $450. What do you think? I'm trying to keep my costs down to $300-$400 and will be replacing an Acer netbook.
	QUOTE Thanks

_Stormin #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 25, 2011 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 295 Mac Specs: 2011 MB Air Core i7 256GB, 2011 Mini with 8GB RAM, iPad 2, iPhone 4S, 2TB Time Capsule	12-27-2011, 01:42 PM Again, look over the whole thing to make sure that it's been taken care of, but that should get the job done. Especially with Photoshop and Aperture already installed.
	QUOTE Thanks

kwaltersmi #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 21, 2011 Posts: 11	12-28-2011, 10:08 AM Thanks for the replies. I got the black MacBook for $400. I transferred all my documents, videos and photos last night and did my initial Time Machine backup. I plan to install Lion tonight so that I can use iCloud with our other iOS devices (iPhone, iPad2, iPod Touch). Do you think Lion will run well on this MacBook?
	QUOTE Thanks

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