2008 Black Macbook?

Hello everybody. I am a senior in high school and I need to start thinking about getting a laptop for myself. I am thinking about buying a used 2008 Macbook with 2.4 ghz core 2 duo processor, and 4 gigs of ram. Is it worth saving $1000+ on the used mac, or should I go for a new Macbook Air? Does anybody own/has owned the 2008 Macbook and would suggest getting it? Thanks for the input.

If you are indication then consider checking out either the educational discount or looking at the apple store refurb area.

Education Pricing - Apple Store for Education - Apple Store (U.S.)

Refurbished Mac Computers - Refurbished Notebooks & Desktop Computers - Apple Store (U.S.)

By the way, looks like you have a fair few macs from back in day there

I had a Supermac once - gave it away

Well I think I only get $50 off for an education discount, and I can get the same model from the apple refurbished page for less on ebay. I figured for what I'm going to be using it for, the 2.4 ghz intel core 2 duo will be more than suitable, especially since I can upgrade it to Lion. I found one on ebay for $400 with an external 250 gig hard drive.

Yeah my dad has always been into mac computers, and I've had the privilege of inheriting most of them. The Centris has always been my favorite for gaming: Marathon, Warcraft, Glider, etc.

phalanx said:

I found one on ebay for $400 with an external 250 gig hard drive.

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Now that is a MUCH better deal than paying $1000 for it as you originally mentioned. For that price, and if you feel comfortable with buying off Ebay, I'd say by all means go for it.

I just purchased a Macbook with 4GB RAM. It's very good for most things and probably adequate for your usage.

$400 for a 2008 is a pretty good price for sure.

dtravis7 said:

I just purchased a Macbook with 4GB RAM.

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Finally retiring the old iBook Dennis?

MacDude121 said:

Finally retiring the old iBook Dennis?

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The iBook will be my backup or if I am using the Macbook for a project and need another computer and not my iPad!

It still works like the day I bought it. It's nice though to have the Macbook with compatibility with the latest OS and Apps and also for Windows as I want to take it with me on service calls and only take ONE machine.

Got a great deal on it. Santa Rosa Macbook White, 4GB RaM and it's MINT. Not one crack. All DVD's and even apple stickers. $350.

It depends on weather you want to replace the macbook on ebay in a year or 2. You could play it safe and get a new macbook and have it for the 7 years or so thats how old mine is and still counting. So its up to you i personally would get a new macbook it would prevent frustration.

phalanx: I own a Black Macbook (typing on it right now in fact) and I love it to pieces BUT:

1. There's no way on this planet it's worth anything like $1,000. Not even half that.

2. The video chipset in these things is DEFINITELY the Achilles Heel. Don't plan on playing any kind of games other than the most casual. Even Google Earth is a challenge (though it does work).

The MBA is in EVERY conceivably way except hard drive space and Firewire ports a vastly better idea for $1K.

Wow thanks for all the input! Well I indeed bought a 2008 Macbook, and will be receiving it January 13-20th. Free shipping, 30 day return policy. Decided I would try it out . Will let you know what I think-cheers.

I just received a 2008 Black Macbook for $350 with 500 GB hard drive, 4 GB and Lion. That little black Macbook is sweet.

JimboMac said:

I just received a 2008 Black Macbook for $350 with 500 GB hard drive, 4 GB and Lion. That little black Macbook is sweet.

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I know, they ARE!!

I just got it today, it's everything I could have hoped for. Even came with Lion! Very pleased, thank you all for your advice.

phalanx said:

I just got it today, it's everything I could have hoped for. Even came with Lion! Very pleased, thank you all for your advice.

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Just wanted to say you will be happy with your purchase!! My friend has that exact model and its still thriving today lol! Only thing that may become a bottleneck for you is the graphics card since it has integrated memory usage and not its own RAM. Other then that the machine will be AWESOME for your first laptop purchase! Congrats!