Buying used Macbook Pro from CraigsList - What To Check??

A4orce84 · A4orce84 #1 (**permalink**)

04-30-2012, 02:56 PM

Hello Everyone,

I am pretty close to pulling the trigger on a used Macbook Pro off of craigslist. The guy offered for me to come check out the machine and inspect it before purchasing. So what should I check?

So far I have:
1. Run it unplugged to see how the battery holds up
2. Wifi / Bluetooth works correctly
3. Bring USB Drive to test USBS
4. Bring a DVD to test CD drive

What else should I check?

Thanks,

--Asif

Braven · Braven #2 (**permalink**)

04-30-2012, 03:17 PM

I would check how many times the battery has been charged (cycled).

ycl1688 · ycl1688 #3 (**permalink**)

04-30-2012, 03:36 PM

check for hinge can hold your screen up, another words the lid stays in one place.
check if the hard drive and ram is the specified one. with apple menu you can see the configuration.
check the serial number also matches the system one and under body.

A4orce84 · A4orce84 #4 (**permalink**)

04-30-2012, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braven

I would check how many times the battery has been charged (cycled).

How do I check this?

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #5 (**permalink**)

05-01-2012, 12:16 AM

And get the original system install discs if at all possible.

Also have a read of this link, particularly about Coconut and it is available using Google:-

http://guides.macrumors.com/Laptop_Battery_Guide

littlecody8 · littlecody8 #6 (**permalink**)

05-01-2012, 03:23 AM

Check to make sure all the keys on keyboard work
Wifi works (that's a given)
Coconut Battery is great to check the battery
Make sure charger works

As long as you do all that you should be fine. I've bought about 60 on craigslist in the past 7 or so months and haven't run into any big problems with any of them that wasn't priorly known about it.

Braven · Braven #7 (**permalink**)

05-01-2012, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A4orce84

How do I check this?

where do you find out the cycle count? - Apple Store (U.S.) <<<<<<<<<<<< click here

Braven #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 24, 2011 Location: PA Posts: 79 Mac Specs: (27" iMac i5) (2011 15" MacBook Pro)	04-30-2012, 03:17 PM I would check how many times the battery has been charged (cycled).  iMac 27" 2.7Ghz i5  MacBook Pro 15" 2Ghz i7  iPhone 4 16GB  iPad (White, 32GB, 3rd Gen)
	QUOTE Thanks

harryb2448 #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 28, 2007 Location: Nambucca Heads Australia Posts: 14,079 Mac Specs: iMac i5 2.7GHz OS X.8.3	05-01-2012, 12:16 AM And get the original system install discs if at all possible. Also have a read of this link, particularly about Coconut and it is available using Google:- http://guides.macrumors.com/Laptop_Battery_Guide *Hang on to those original install discs like grim death! Using OS X.7 or later make a bootable USB thumb drive before running Installer!*
	QUOTE Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Buying used macbook pro?	Lenerdosy	Apple Notebooks	15	11-05-2011 04:41 PM
safe buying a new macbook pro now? (any new models coming out soon?)	robotboy21	Apple Notebooks	1	10-25-2010 02:18 PM
Things to check when buying used macbook pro?	Guitarzan1143	Apple Notebooks	3	06-28-2010 06:04 PM
Advice: buying my first MacBook Pro	ckelly06	Apple Notebooks	6	06-18-2010 10:00 AM
Question about 2nd video card on Mac Pro	AubreyL	Apple Desktops	2	11-09-2008 08:12 AM

Buying used Macbook Pro from CraigsList - What To Check??

Internet Services

Web Development

Digital Marketing

Consumer Tech

A4orce84 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 26, 2012 Posts: 6	04-30-2012, 02:56 PM Hello Everyone, I am pretty close to pulling the trigger on a used Macbook Pro off of craigslist. The guy offered for me to come check out the machine and inspect it before purchasing. So what should I check? So far I have: 1. Run it unplugged to see how the battery holds up 2. Wifi / Bluetooth works correctly 3. Bring USB Drive to test USBS 4. Bring a DVD to test CD drive What else should I check? Thanks, --Asif
	QUOTE Thanks

littlecody8 #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 10, 2011 Location: Vegas Posts: 94 Mac Specs: 15" MacBook Pro 2.2GHz i7 Quad Core 16GB 240GB 6G SSD+750GB HDD Optibay External USB SuperDrive	05-01-2012, 03:23 AM Check to make sure all the keys on keyboard work Wifi works (that's a given) Coconut Battery is great to check the battery Make sure charger works As long as you do all that you should be fine. I've bought about 60 on craigslist in the past 7 or so months and haven't run into any big problems with any of them that wasn't priorly known about it.
	QUOTE Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)