What model MacBook Pro

I'm looking to purchase a used 17" MacBook Pro. I want to spend less than $500. Are there older models that I should steer clear of?

WhiteCedar said:

I'm looking to purchase a used 17" MacBook Pro. I want to spend less than $500. Are there older models that I should steer clear of?

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If your budget is $500 or less...you don't have much of a choice...older models are all you can afford. Probably something 2007 and older. And with these...I would stay away from the models with 8600 graphics hardware (problems). Thus this only leaves you with about 2 models to choose from.

In fact...I can't remember seeing any model 17" MacBook Pro selling for less than $500...and I check multiple times/day.

- Nick

I wonder if this one would be good: 17" MacBook Pro - $550.

WhiteCedar said:

I wonder if this one would be good: 17" MacBook Pro - $550.

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Yes...that is one of the two 17" MacBook Pro models I was referring to that would be the closest to your budget. This is the better/newer of the two models...I actually owned this one a few years ago. Of course this is $50 bucks over your budget.

Seller says open to offers. Offer them $450...buy it for $475 or $500. Or $450 if they accept your initial offer!

Be aware of two things:

- Even though it has 4gig of ram installed...only approx. 3gig of ram is usable. The official max. ram for this computer was 2gig (from Apple)...but it was found later that more could be installed.
- Max. OS version on it is 10.7.5. So no OS 10.8 or 10.9.

With a small budget...there are limitations.

HTH,

- Nick

I would save and get a much newer model.

osxx said:

I would save and get a much newer model.

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A great idea!

I would save up for a "Unibody" 17" MacBook Pro (Early 2009 and newer).

- Nick