Son wants a 2nd hand mac -help!

new_owner

neilwoods wrote: »

It seems to have turned into the usual old MAC haters v PC haters, which will always happen on any forum.

To the OP, need ask your son what software he wishes to run and then re-look at the budget and then decide.

This is some good advise..

As other people have pointed out the budget is going to limit you to a Uni-body MacBook 13" which will run the Current OS fine (Depending on model).

Its a very capable machine and will run PhotoShop quite happily. Memory on these is easy and cheap to upgrade. The disadvantage with these is weight and longevity (but I would see that as a smaller issue for a 14 year old) the weight might be more of a problem.

A Mac Mini would fit the bill and new via the EDU store for the budget . But would require a screen and keyboard/mouse (which would bring it over). From the EDU/Referb store a Air comes in at just under £800 - but that is twice the budget.

If its going be a family machine then the Mini would be a better bet or put some more money in and get a family iMac.

Just a quick point though... Small screen size will be a real limit for any graphic design work. 13' is quite small regardless of make but you can always attach a separate screen or the TV

cinderfella

Just a note about the term 'Mac haters'. The truth is that most PC users have never been in a position to use a Mac & know nothing about these machines. It is an economic issue where the cheapest hardware that does the job wins. A Mac is not a viable purchase for 95% of computer users including myself.
Apparently both OS can open the same documents on a business network re Graphic design.
There is a fair bit of GD software that runs on linux & the cost will be minimal. I have run linux & windows on the same PC with no problems.
At the end of the day the fact is a 14 year old just wants to appear 'cool' & wear his trousers around his knees - case closed.:rotfl:

http://jayce-o.blogspot.com.es/2011/11/50-best-linux-graphics-softwares-for.html

http://www.designtalkboard.com/tools/macpc.php

brians_daughter

cinderfella wrote: »

At the end of the day the fact is a 14 year old just wants to appear 'cool' & wear his trousers around his knees - case closed.:rotfl:

Exactly! Lol.


Anyway, thanks all very much for your info. As it goes it his birthday Xmas eve and I've spoke to both sets of grandparents and his dad. They've all thrown in some money so I'm considering getting him an apple refurb end model. He'll be washing up til he's 21 to at least go halves with us!

almillar

Gonzo, here:

mac's use the same parts as non mac based pc's

They share hard drives, RAM and Intel processors with PCs. I've never heard of a CPU wearing out.
timmmers - not a fair comparison. You're comparing a full on laptop against a MacBook Air, which was the first of what have become known as 'Ultrabooks' (copyright Intel!). These are thin laptops with no optical drive, and often less accessible battery, and SSD instead of HDD. So compare your Air against other Ultrabooks.

cinderfella

I have just been setting up my third MSI Wind netbook today.
To cut a long story short, I doubt whether many people know that you can run the latest MAC OS on a MSI Wind U100 - snow leopard X.
Just think a 10' netbook, new technology £100 ebay + MAC os £100 and you have a MAC machine inside a PC. Now if thats not 'cool' I would like to know what is.

http://www.ehow.com/how_7500124_fix-msi-wind-os-x.html

a machine known as an 'hackintosh MAC' & could be set up by your local PC expert.

Horlock

Have you exhausted the options with his school?

May sound strange - but the fact his teacher is recommending mac - may imply a macschool. Ours is. I just got a brand new macbook pro for less than half recommended price - not that I paid it - I'm a teacher and the school met the bill.

Bear in mind people who are able to do this would not be selling on ebay for a loss!

I strongly recommend checking with the school - they may even have old laptops they are clearing out.

Separately, as others have mentioned the cost of photoshop - do be aware that while it isn't cheap - he should be able to get it for 70+% less than you can (as a school student - he can get it direct from adobe).

Finally, if he is going for adobe software then he might like to search for "adobe generation" and sign up with that. It is for children and almost certainly pretty good (and free!)

Mumofsix_2

We've had the same experience with our 14 year old son.
Although we are a 'mac' household anyway, so for us it wasn't an issue him wanting his own mac laptop to help with schoolwork etc.
We managed to buy an iBook from our local carboot for £150 which in our opinion was a bargain. We were able to upgrade the operating system to the highest that the specific model would allow, which was sufficient for his needs.
We all decided that as his work progressed he could really do with a newer model, we were fortunate to buy an 18 month old macbook off eBay for £450 including delivery, which was a lot of money for a second hand laptop, but we are talking about a MacBook!
He has had it now for around 18 months & it is still going strong, being able to use the most recent updates & add new programs when needed.
I think a MacBook would be the 'oldest' model you need to look for, for it to be suitably useable for a 14 year old boy.

knightstyle

I am using my Macbook all the time, bought refurbished from Applestore in 2009, just got Mountain Lion, as it was free, although it worked fine on the original OSX.
Can you get an educational discount or does any family member have a VAT reg. business to reduce the cost?
Hope he has many years of trouble free 'puting.