looking for advice on purchasing a macbook

hi everyone. i am interested in purchasing a used macbook. i've been looking on ebay for macbooks that come registered with applecare already (i figure that will protect me from anything thats broken). all i really do is surf the net, download media and watch movies on my computer. the max i want to spend is $1000. my questions are:
1. is there any difference in the 1.83ghz vs the 2.0ghz?
2. is there a specific generation of macbooks that are more desirable?
3. what else should i be looking for when buying one used? i don't want to get stuck with a computer i can't use.

1.That really depends on your needs, so if you surf the net and download stuff and watch movies, 1.83 is good.
2. Always the latest generations are more interesting to me, because of great improvements such as Core2Duo, faster processors, and overall problem fixes.
3. Ummm well if you're getting it from eBay I don't really think you'll be able to check it out closely. Maybe have a word with the seller or email him :S

I had the same 1000 budget for a macbook, if i was you i would spend it all on a macbook which is less than a year old and get the applecare yourself later.

I was able to get a 13" black macbook core 2 on ebay 3 months old for around 1000. i did bid on several macbooks but only up to what i thought was the laptops limit.

You should be able to pick up a used mint core 2 duo 2ghz make sure its a core 2 cause some of the auctions can be misleading. That would give you a fairly new macbook rather than the core duo model and you can get applecare within the first year.

http://dealnews.com/prices/37676200.html

Here are some good prices....check out Apple's Refurbs too...they come with same warranty as new and you can get AppleCare....

i was under the impression that there is a time limit of 90 days from purchase to when you can register your laptop with applecare. i guess i'm wrong?
applecare costs $183 with the student discount right?

Also check for in-store refurb's.