Second hand Mac

bikebarbie

hi
I'd like to buy my son a second hand Mac Ibook / Powerbook?? (think is the most affordable for my budget) for school and I have around £200 / £250 to spend but not sure which reputable refurb/used seller to use on the internet , and worried to get a brick on Ebay.
If someone can help me I would be grateful with specs / models that can be easily upgraded if needed
thanks
BB

bat191

A G4 powerbook would be a good buy, but I'm afraid I can only suggest eBay as a source.

Bare in mind that you're quite well protected on eBay these days, if it's not as described you can return for a refund.

Scrilla

I'd agree with eBay being your best choice.

However, try to buy an Intel Mac, not a G4. I'm thinking Core 2 Duo as a minimum. A quick eBay search shows some at the top of your price range. Reason for that is it will be able to use a more optimised OS (due to newer software) and also use any off the shelf software or freeware more readily than a G4 computer. You're searching for anything with "MacBook" in it's name. Be careful because some sellers put the word in when selling G4s too.

Another thing you may want to look for is eBay-ers who will only allow a local pickup as a shipping option - close to you that is. Reason is:
- the seller will automatically have limited their buying audience (perhaps allowing you to get a better deal than otherwise selling to all of the UK)
- plus it allows you to collect in person which means the seller avoids paypal fees perhaps allowing you to use this as a bargaining chip for best offer items and also to check the item for your own piece of mind.

knightstyle

If you can go for one with a bit of the optional Applecare remaining which gives 3 year waranty, then go straight to an Apple center to get it checked out. Doing this on a 2.5 year old Macbook with
MacBook5,2
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.13 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 3 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz
It is great for pics, music etc.

Hammyman

G4 and other PowerPC Macs are a bad buy now. They are no longer supported, there are no new versions of OS X coming out for them and neither are applications being written or updated for PowerPC Macs.

You are really going to struggle getting a decent Intel based Macbook for £250.

bikebarbie

thanks all for your replies, good point made Hammy, I wasnt aware that Mac does not support G4's or PPc's
He is not going to use it for gamings or graphics much, at least not yet as he has not shown any interest, mostly just for research, 'social networking':doh: and writing up homework etc.
Realistically what specs does he needs min and what prices are we looking at. I rather wait a couple of months and buy him a better one for Christmas then rush into a bad purchase!
cheers

wba31

bikebarbie wrote: »

thanks all for your replies, good point made Hammy, I wasnt aware that Mac does not support G4's or PPc's
He is not going to use it for gamings or graphics much, at least not yet as he has not shown any interest, mostly just for research, 'social networking':doh: and writing up homework etc.
Realistically what specs does he needs min and what prices are we looking at. I rather wait a couple of months and buy him a better one for Christmas then rush into a bad purchase!
cheers

If all he is using a laptop for is social network and writing essays, I'd buy a brand new notebook, get some cover on it and a decent virus checker.
Macs and other higher priced PC's are priced as such due to the level of hardware and software that comes with them. To my my Mac would be a waste if I wasnt editing photos and videos, recording music and creating dvds on it.

I would only buy a 2nd hand mac from someone i know or a reputable seller. Even then I'd rather buy brand new and have protection in my receipt...

prowla

I would avoid a G4, due to the reasons already put.

bikebarbie

wba,

thanks for you reply. I know that there is always a debate about mac vs pc but personally I dont like pc's so I d rather spend the same money on a second hand mac than a brand new pc.

takeiteasy, wanting and needing are two different issues. I know what I would want but is not for me and I would not spend £5-6-700 pounds on a laptop for a 12 year old, not only for the excess but also for the position I would put him in if he needs to take it to school and be attacked for the sake of a posh computer!

System

for a low budget, getting a new pc with a warranty makes much more sense than a second hand mac - and although you personally don't like pc, maybe your son would!

wba31

Even as an Apple Geek i dont see the point in buying a mac though for simple internet surfing...

If you're adamant for a mac, save up a bit more, pick up a bargain from the refurb store, just like buying a brand new mac, but MUCH cheaper...