Refurb Macbooks.

anotherbob

My granddaughter needs to replace a dead laptop. She's at 6th. Form college and wants an Apple machine. (She'll be paying for it so I'm not going to argue with her.) She's asked me to help and since I have no experience of Macs at all I'm looking for advice.
I can't imagine she could afford more than £400 but there seems to be plenty of choice. Morgan Computers (whom I have bought from before and would do so again) have a refurb MacBook A1342 for £230 which according to the reviews might be suitable.

I'd be grateful for any pointers, but please no "Windows vs MacOS" please. She's paying, she can choose

TadleyBaggie

That's a 9 year old model, wouldn't be high on my list to purchasing as it is obsolete.

anotherbob

TadleyBaggie wrote: »

That's a 9 year old model, wouldn't be high on my list to purchasing as it is obsolete.

My own Windows PC is older than that but it does all I need.

My car is 7 years old but it does all I need.
Point is not whether the machine is obsolete, it's whether it will do what she needs

TadleyBaggie

We for one thing the latest supported version of OSX will be not be anything like current and current application software may not support it.

Morbier

Nothing wrong with buying a refurbished MacBook - I bought a refurbished MacBook Pro from Apple and I'm very pleased with it.

However, there comes a time when older devices won't support new software updates, new security updates and won't run the latest apps because of this. My main worry in buying an older device is the lack of security updates. Even Apple devices can succumb to viruses etc, especially if you're running out-of-date software and OS.

I think it's a case of what your granddaughter thinks is more important to her. If she really wants an Apple device, she needs to spend more to get something that will still be 'updateable' during the length of her college course.

almillar

OK. No, it won't do the job. it won't run the latest MacOS, and something will come along sooner or later that won't install on either the hardware or the out of date OS. Including lack of security updates.
It's a simple fact (I'm a Mac user as well as windows) that you can get a higher spec Windows machine for the same price as Mac. She needs to think about why she wants a Mac. That said, go second hand instead of refurb, to get more for your money. eBay is has plenty of laptops and Gumtree/Facebook Marketplace may have some local to you. £230 is very expensive for what is now a low spec machine.
What makes you/her think it will be suitable, and what does she plan to do on it? What software does she intend to use?

anotherbob

Morbier wrote: »

I think it's a case of what your granddaughter thinks is more important to her. If she really wants an Apple device, she needs to spend more to get something that will still be 'updateable' during the length of her college course.

Thanks for your reponse.
Could you say which is the oldest Apple OS you would consider suitable? Most of the cheaper refurbs that I've looked at seem to come with High Sierra introduced in 2017 according to Wiki.

bengalknights

If you use the apple site, at the bottom in small letters is the link to the refurb site which are generally models from the last 3 years.

Morbier

anotherbob wrote: »

Thanks for your reponse.
Could you say which is the oldest Apple OS you would consider suitable? Most of the cheaper refurbs that I've looked at seem to come with High Sierra introduced in 2017 according to Wiki.

Apple will launch its new OS (called Catalina) in the autumn. (They usually launch a major upgrade every autumn). If you Google "can my Mac run Catalina?" you get loads of info. I had a quick look through one article from MacWorld.com and they list all the Macs and MacBooks that will run the new OS. That will keep your granddaughter going for at least a year! I bought my MacBook (an early 2015 model) when it was about 18 months old, so I knew I could keep it updated for a few years.

She should get the newest that she (you?!!) can afford. As another poster has said, second-hand may be a cheaper way to go.

(Sorry, but I'm not enough of a nerd to answer your original question. Perhaps someone with more knowledge will come along soon?!)

AndyPix

Morbier wrote: »

(Sorry, but I'm not enough of a nerd to answer your original question.)

Hmm .. Calling someone with knowledge enough to answer a technical question, on a technical forum , a nerd..


That's going to get a few people's backs up

Morbier

AndyPix wrote: »

Hmm .. Calling someone with knowledge enough to answer a technical question, on a technical forum , a nerd..


That's going to get a few people's backs up

Sorry, no intention at all to get people's backs up. My main aim was to be as helpful as possible, within my limited knowledge.

I thought 'nerd' was an endearing term (rather than a derogatory one) used by those of us who know a bit, to refer to those who know a lot, on a technical subject.

So, again, my apologies if I've unintentionally upset anyone. :eek:

By the way, AndyPix, what term would you prefer me to use?