Any advice on buying a 2nd hand MacBook?

[monte]

As the title says I after some advice on MacBooks...please

Are they popular? Better than windows laptops? Do you have one?

I've always had 17" or 15" hp's but really I fancy a mac and possibly something smaller this time (unless I come across a 15" MacBook that's too good to miss)

I'd quite like a netbook but they don't have cd drives

What should I be looking for in a MacBook?
Are there lots of different options?

I want something that will last and Something quite new, and i want a HDD of at least 250gb. But when it comes to processors, I don't know what to look for.


Can anyone tell me if the MacBook air has a cd drive?
They are real nice but I think that you sacrifice quite alot for the size difference.

So any advice is really appreciated.

Carlo. 

[MarkMarked]

Netbooks are pretty poor performing wouldn't try and use one as a main machine

Apple doesn't believe in physical media any more so no cd drive in the Air, anyway is far too slim to have room for one

I'm waiting for the new ultraslim Windows PCs like the Samsung Series 9 or the just announced Asus UX31 Ultrabook 

[Degudodger]

Personal opinion and fully expect the Windows guys to chip but i think the Macbook Pro is by far one of the best machines out there. The Mac OS is bloody fantastic!

Do not discount the iMac as the 21.5" in the base model is just sublime.

[baldwined30]

I've had a macbook for about 18 months and I love it. It was the basic 13.5 inch model but everything about it runs perfectly! You are on the internet with 30 secd from completely off!
I'm not to hot on all the spec etc but I know ours is full of pictures and itenus etc and it never misses a beat!
I know that's not very factual but just my 2p worth!!

[monte]

Thanks guys

MarkedMark yeah I don't think I will get a netbook! As for no cd drive.... I know I hardly use one, but knowing me, if I bought the Air, Id wish I'd have bought the pro.

Degudoger I was hoping you would comment  you seem to have had a few!!! I don't really fancy a base system, due to portability, but the MacBook pro is sounding better n better.

Baldwinded30 do you find the 13" a good size or do u wish you'd have gone bigger or smaller???


If I was to buy 2nd hand or new.....where is the best place? Are they only available new from apple? (sorry I haven't researched yet)

(my mums house is now sold and it gets completed next Monday, so I might treat myself)

[monte]

Degudoger.... The one you had for sale last on the forum, was it a high spec?

Are there lots of models and specs to choose from?

Do you recommend a certain spec?

What should I be looking to spend for a nearly new but used system?

Sorry for all the questions 

Carlo.

[baldwined30]

I found that the 13 inch is a good size for me! In fact perfect! Like I said we have the base model and it was 800 and does everything!!!

[RedRobin]

Apple doesn't believe in physical media any more so no cd drive in the Air, anyway is far too slim to have room for one

....If you're using something as light and portable as an Air or iPad, why would you need to load a CD/DVD?

Apple haven't given up on physical media, users buy a 'heavier duty' performing machine for functions which need DVDs.

[RedRobin]

.
If buying a secondhand MacBook be sure to get a version which can take enough RAM and GB storage.

And, VERY IMPORTANTLY, an Intel processor version or it will limit both the OS and Apps which will run on it.

As always, think clearly first about exactly what you want to do on your Mac and only then check out which machine will do it best for you.

[no golf clubs at all]

The Air can take a superdrive dvd or any other external dvd drive. It also can load via any mac in the wifi network, called remote disc. With the move towards the cloud in the Autumn I think we may just see a sea change in local storage/ use requirements for many users. The jury is out of course, as always lets see how things develop but if you want a reliable device with a rock solid operating system.....OSX gets my vote.

[monte]

The OSX??? Is it on MacBook pro's? I'm not really sure what it refers to. Is it the Lion OS or SnowLeopard?

The MacBook Air does look great, and from what ive seen most come with the Lion OS. I'm sure I could live without a cd drive (cos if I think about it, I haven't really used the drive on my old laptop for months)

but the SSD's are small and look quite pricey to upgrade!

Are people favouring the Air over the Pro's now?

It's a minefield

[RedRobin]

The OSX??? Is it on MacBook pro's? I'm not really sure what it refers to. Is it the Lion OS or SnowLeopard?

....OS stands for Operating System, and X (aka 10) is the type. Mac's latest current OS is 10.7 aka Lion and the previous is 10.6 aka Snow Leopard.

Only new Macs from Apple will come with Lion already installed.

Are people favouring the Air over the Pro's now?

It's a minefield

....As I said earlier, it's a question of which Mac suits best what you want to use it for. It's not a question of favouring one machine over another in all instances.

If you want advice on this aspect please tell us what you intend to use your Mac for and we'll do our best to offer help.

The "minefield" quickly clears as you start to use a Mac and they are very intuitive. In due course you'll laugh at yourself about this!

[no golf clubs at all]

BTW watch out buying second hand from eBay there are a LOT of scammers on there. I have an air and it came with Lion (bought in the states recently and saved a bit of cash).

I am loving the air but then we don't do a massive amount of processing, video editing or image work. As RR suggests tell us your main uses for it and I am sure someone will advise.

There may be a fair few second hand airs out there now due to the recent upgrade of the backlit keyboard and other improvements.

[monte]

Thanks RR and NGCAA,

Well I guess it will only be used for leisure. All I'll be doing is browsing, downloading movies and music etc and using skype for the family 

Can't see me using any office programs other than word, or apples equivalent.

I know I prob should buy a cheapy doo laptop and make do....

....but if the macs are gonna impress me as much as the iphone4 did (my 1st iPhone) then I can't wait 

Are there any downsides to a MacBook?

[edd666999]

Whats your budget is the best place to start.