Question about older macbook

[thechamp023]

Hey guys, new to this forum and new to mac so please bear with me.

Right now, I've got a Sony Vaio with an intel core 2 duo 3gb ram and a 250 gb hard drive...just bought it in July. Anyways, trying to get into mac and got an offer for a 13.3" black macbook with 2gb ram 80gb hard drive and 2.0ghz processor. The guy said he bought it 2 years ago and chose the 80gb hard drive because it spins at 7200 instead of a 250gb hard drive spinning at 5400. He offered me his macbook and possibly even a 500 gb external hard drive for my computer. I am a little hesitant for a few reasons...the small size of the hard drive (is it easy and cheap to upgrade?) and the age of the computer. I'm getting a 2 year old computer while trading away one under 6 months old...the other kicker is one of his usb ports don't work. I really want to get into mac and would like your guys' opinions on this please! I think I am getting a decent deal but like I said I am very new to this...Thanks!

Oh also, he's running snow leopard 10.6 which he claims is the newest software.

 

[bobtomay]

So, you want to trade a 6 month old machine still under warranty for one that is 2 years old and apparently exhibiting hardware failure.

Yeah, sounds like a good deal to me.

To the guy getting your Vaio.

 

[vansmith]

Don't trade away your machine - that would be a ludicrous trade. If you really want to learn about Macs, find a cheaper one first just to get your feet wet. In that instance, keep your Vaio so that you have both.

 

[thechamp023]

well how much do you think that macbook is worth?

 

[bobtomay]

The black MB with the 2.0Ghz chip, was discontinued on May 15, 2007. That means his machine was over 2 years old when you bought yours.

Trading a fully functioning machine for one that is broken, with less RAM, 1/3 the hard drive size is a bad idea.

Your parents would kick you in the seat of your pants.
(If they wouldn't, they should.)

 

[thechamp023]

what could i try and trade my laptop for then? i want to trade for a mac what specs should i look for in the trade?

also im trying to post in the buy/sell/trade subforum about trading for a mac but its not letting me because it says my account hasnt been authorized yet...

 

[walkerj]

Non-functioning USB ports means logic board replacement to fix. Whenever you read the words "logic board" think "actually costs more to replace than computer is worth."

I am all for getting into the Mac world and all, but doing it that way, well, you're doing it wrong. Keep your viao and throw a few bills at a used Mac Mini to get the feet wet. You'll then find out if you're won over enough to fork over the bucks to get a brand new, sexy Macbook with a warrantee on which everything works.

 

[johnnyFIVE]

The failed USB is a concern because it may be signs of something starting to fail. As they touched on a minute ago, its probably out of warranty so that creates a problem.

I have no idea what your Vaio is worth but the black macbook is probably worth about 600-750 depending on condition and stuff. Thats probably the low end of the price.

 

[thechamp023]

would it be worth it to do the trade then sell the black macbook? i dont think my vaio would be able to fetch that much money...there are more ppl in the used laptop market for macs than for pc's

 

[pigoo3]

"Johhny FIVE" is in the right ballbark.

I would say that the MacBook...if it was in 100% working condition would be worth anywhere from $400-$650. This range is purposely wide because you never really know what one of these will sell for.

I bought one a couple months ago for $400...then sold it 1 month ago for $675.

BUT...this particular MacBook has some issues that I personally would not want to deal with unless I gave it a REALLY thorough "test drive"...AND if the price was VERY favorable...like $250-$300 bucks.

But I usually don't want to deal with someone else's problem...and so I would probably just skip this deal.

HTH,

- Nick

 

[thechamp023]

alright, i think i'll pass on the deal then...does anyone know of anyone that would be willing to trade a macbook for my vaio? i tried to post it in the section for buy sell and trade but since im a new member i guess i do not have the authority to do so yet. i dont have the money to keep the vaio and buy a macbook so ill have to trade this either way. any help would be MUCH appreciated!

 

[vansmith]

Honestly, you should just wait until you have the money. From the sounds of it, there is no pressing need to have a Mac over a PC (which there rarely is anyway). Wait until you have the money to try one. Better yet, spend some good time at an Apple Store if one is within a suitable distance to you. I'm sure you're anxious to try one but if you get too anxious, you're more likely to trade your Vaio for an inferior Mac and get ripped off.

 

[johnnyFIVE]

try the barter section of craigs list

 

[thechamp023]

got another offer...black macbook 2.16ghz 1 gb ram and 160 gb hd...claims he bought it in 2008 and everything works flawlessly...i would just upgrade the ram anyway but is this worth it? and how much would it cost to upgrade to 3 or 4 gigs

 

[bobtomay]

That Black MacBook was discontinued Nov. 1, 2007.

Use everymac.com to find any Mac, dates of manufacture and other pertinent information about it.

Use mac2sell.net to determine a reasonable price.

You planning to do any gaming on this new - old - Mac? You need to look at video cards also.

 

[thechamp023]

nope, just basic stuff...is it hard to replace the ram? would it be worth it to trade mine for it? just dont wanna get screwed

 

[vansmith]

You've got a larger hard drive, more RAM and I presume a faster processor than the Black MB. Don't trade down when all the hardware is less powerful than your current machine. I'm also going to assume that your Vaio has better graphics hardware as well. That BlackBook has an Intel GMA 950 with 64 MB of VRAM - there is no way your Vaio has less than that. You'd be trading away a superior machine. What model of Vaio are you using anyway?

 

[thechamp023]

model number is VGN-NS240E

 

[vansmith]

Well, your processor is actually slower but both are decent (decent for me is 2GHz+). Your Vaio also has a larger screen which can make a world of difference for some people. One thing you need to consider is software too - if you have Office for Windows and you need it, you're going to have to buy it for OS X which will increase your overall cost. Think about this carefully before you make any decisions.

 

[thechamp023]

thanks a lot for comparing the two...really appreciate it. I'm thinking about it now and I've had the Vaio up for sale for some time now and there haven't been any hits...worst case scenario I just upgrade the RAM and if I like it keep it, but if I don't I'll sell it to buy a new one...I know it would be easier to sell a macbook than a PC. Is that mac2sell accurate for pricing because it said it was worth like 640?