Buying Advice

[Vermonter2014]

I have a $350 budget and am looking for a laptop that I can used for word processing and spreadsheets. Any suggestions on what to buy.

 

[pigoo3]

A used 13" MacBook or MacBook Pro from around 2009-2010.

Of course if you can find something newer for that price great! But these will be harder to find...since they are worth more. The more $$$ you can add to the budget...the newer you can purchase.

- Nick

 

[RadDave]

A used 13" MacBook or MacBook Pro from around 2009-2010..........

Hi Nick - just curious what OS X will run on a laptop of that vintage - assume at least Snow Leopard if not the next version or two?

Also, since the OP wants to do 'word processing and spreadsheets', are older versions of Pages and Numbers available in the App Store? I guess one of the Open Office options would work?

But, your right that such a low budget is quite restrictive - Dave

 

[firesidedog]

Hi Nick - just curious what OS X will run on a laptop of that vintage - assume at least Snow Leopard if not the next version or two?

Also, since the OP wants to do 'word processing and spreadsheets', are older versions of Pages and Numbers available in the App Store? I guess one of the Open Office options would work?

But, your right that such a low budget is quite restrictive - Dave

I have a 15" MBP '09 that currently runs Yosemite without any problems whatsoever.

 

[RadDave]

I have a 15" MBP '09 that currently runs Yosemite without any problems whatsoever.

Cool - thanks for the information! Just curious - how much RAM to you have on the machine? Dave

 

[firesidedog]

Cool - thanks for the information! Just curious - how much RAM to you have on the machine? Dave

I have 4 gigs. It came stock with it.

 

[Vermonter2014]

Advantages?

Are there any advantages of the Pro vs the Macbook? It looks like the Macbook has a replaceable battery.

 

[pigoo3]

Hi Nick - just curious what OS X will run on a laptop of that vintage - assume at least Snow Leopard if not the next version or two?

In my earlier post/recommendation…I was mostly thinking of what was the newest model Apple laptop that $350 could buy (OP's budget).

Believe it or not. A MacBook or MacBook Pro from 2009 onward…can run Yosemite (10.10)…and all of these models are capable of at least 8gig of ram.

Purely coincidental that what I was recommending (2009 MacBook or MacBook Pro)...can run Yosemite & have 8 gig of ram (which is pretty darn good for a $350 Apple computer)!

- Nick

 

[RadDave]

In my earlier post/recommendation…I was mostly thinking of what was the newest model Apple laptop that $350 could buy (OP's budget).

Believe it or not. A MacBook or MacBook Pro from 2009 onward…can run Yosemite (10.10)…and all of these models are capable of at least 8gig of ram.

Purely coincidental that what I was recommending (2009 MacBook or MacBook Pro)...can run Yosemite & have 8 gig of ram (which is pretty darn good for a $350 Apple computer)!

Thanks Nick - if the OP gets an older Apple laptop that can run Yosemite and enough RAM (i.e. 4 GB or more), then the newest versions of the iWork suite should work fine - Dave