OT: anyone knows about MacBooks?

[nashorn]

I was in IT but mainly work with windows products so could uses some advice from all the Mac users.

My daughter's laptop was stolen and I'm looking for a used macbook at a good price. I hope to surprise her with something and not sure which one to look for.
She taking graphic design in college so not sure if you need more power or HD space.

Good meaning low......lol if there is such a thing with Mac products.
I been caring for a sick parent so not working for over a year and money is a bit tight.

LMK
Thanks

 

[Ktm898]

first i would go macbook pro over the air. The macbook airs do not have built in disk drives, only one usb port, etc. As for power, i would buy a base macbook pro and upgrade ram myself (way cheaper). Apple has step by step on doing this ,which is easy. Also search for a 2008+ as they are the (newer) unibody design.

 

[scuzy]

also buying use you want to make sure it's not stolen since they can remote wipe it and stuff. Suggest getting a refurb from apple. BTW macbook pro no longer allows for upgrade of anything it's all built to spec no upgradable parts anymore. Even the SDD drive is proprietary PCIE slots.

 

[tmantaylor18]

Apple sells refurbished laptops at a slight discount. As a professional designer I would never think of using an air for my design work. Like Ktm said, they aren't very powerful and lack a lot of ports. Macbook airs are awesome for traveling and regular use.

Personally I would check out craigslist for a used macbook pro. Hard drive space in any of these will be enough most likely. I used and external hard drive for old projects and backup. I've been through at least 6 or 7 macs in the last 10 years and never had issues with any of them.

 

[bluecoyote79]

Does it have to be a laptop? I have a MacBook Pro from 2011 and liked it but after getting a iMac I saw a huge difference in performance. The iMacs are also cheaper than a laptop and you get more for your money. iMacs also have a larger screen and a mouse which may help with graphic design. They are very sleek and don't take up much space at all. Unless she needs to work on the very same machine in different locations, it seems like a desktop would do.

 

[nashorn]

THANK YOU GUYs SO MUCH!
That's just the type of info I'm looking for.
So Air is out and looks like Pro is the one I'll look for.

 

[nashorn]

Does it have to be a laptop? I have a MacBook Pro from 2011 and liked it but after getting a iMac I saw a huge difference in performance. The iMacs are also cheaper than a laptop and you get more for your money. iMacs also have a larger screen and a mouse which may help with graphic design. They are very sleek and don't take up much space at all. Unless she needs to work on the very same machine in different locations, it seems like a desktop would do.

Yea, guess they all need the laptops in the graphic design class. She has my old laptop for now but everyone else has a mac.
I just picture her as a outcast in class....:uhoh2::lol:

 

[tmantaylor18]

Does it have to be a laptop? I have a MacBook Pro from 2011 and liked it but after getting a iMac I saw a huge difference in performance. The iMacs are also cheaper than a laptop and you get more for your money. iMacs also have a larger screen and a mouse which may help with graphic design. They are very sleek and don't take up much space at all. Unless she needs to work on the very same machine in different locations, it seems like a desktop would do.

This is what I would have recommended for anyone other than a student. I work from home and love my imac.

 

[sante210]

I agree with all the above comments.
I have a macbook pro and love it.

I bought mine used that was about 6 months old but you have to be careful who you buy from.

 

[D-Nak]

I'm still on the hunt for you. My cousin-in-law may sell a MBP because he wants one of the new ones that they announced yesterday.

 

[chewey]

I'm in IT: support MACs and Windows.

Purchase used MacBook Pro anything newer than 2011 and wipe it out. You don't really need a super drive (DVD drive) since everything is online. If you can afford, get retina display since she is in graphic.

 

[GreshamH]

Stay away from late 2011 15" MBP. I'm on my 3rd logic board and its starting to fail. There's a class action lawsuit... Apple knew of the issue and still sold the units, then failed to support them by saying its not a recognized problem. Just recently Apple did this: http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/mac/...es-petition-lawsuit-repair-programme-3497935/

 

[scuzy]

just becareful who you buy it from. My best bet is to call apple and check if the serial number is not register to a stolen mac.