MacBook Pro 16” - where to buy

codo

Hi

My daughter needs to buy a MacBook Pro 16”. As expected prices are very expensive.  She doesn’t need the latest edition. She would be happy with a second hand or refurbished. Her ideal model would be the 2021 M1 16gb 16 inch.  Most places we have looked Apple, Costco, Curry’s, John Lewis all only have the latest M2 M3 models. Can anyone suggest somewhere reliable she could look? We have also looked on Amazon but most there are not sold by Amazon themselves but other suppliers and she is worried if she buys from eBay and something goes wrong she might have issues sending it back. 

Any advice would be appreciated. 

Thanks

Neil_Jones

codo said:

Hi

My daughter needs to buy a MacBook Pro 16”. As expected prices are very expensive.  She doesn’t need the latest edition. She would be happy with a second hand or refurbished. Her ideal model would be the 2021 M1 16gb 16 inch.  Most places we have looked Apple, Costco, Curry’s, John Lewis all only have the latest M2 M3 models. Can anyone suggest somewhere reliable she could look? We have also looked on Amazon but most there are not sold by Amazon themselves but other suppliers and she is worried if she buys from eBay and something goes wrong she might have issues sending it back. 

Any advice would be appreciated. 

Thanks

Why a Macbook specifically?  What's the intended usage?

codo

Neil_Jones said:

codo said:

Hi

My daughter needs to buy a MacBook Pro 16”. As expected prices are very expensive.  She doesn’t need the latest edition. She would be happy with a second hand or refurbished. Her ideal model would be the 2021 M1 16gb 16 inch.  Most places we have looked Apple, Costco, Curry’s, John Lewis all only have the latest M2 M3 models. Can anyone suggest somewhere reliable she could look? We have also looked on Amazon but most there are not sold by Amazon themselves but other suppliers and she is worried if she buys from eBay and something goes wrong she might have issues sending it back. 

Any advice would be appreciated. 

Thanks

Why a Macbook specifically?  What's the intended usage?

She will be using it for coding sports video. The software she will be required to use will only work with a MacBook. It’s need to be the 16” model as she will need to recognise players/player shirt numbers, so a bigger screen makes it easier. 

400ixl

What budget are you looking to achieve for what spec (CPU cores, GPU cores, Memory, Disk size)?

codo

400ixl said:

What budget are you looking to achieve for what spec (CPU cores, GPU cores, Memory, Disk size)?

She would like to get something for approx £1500. Ideally M1 chip, 10 core cpu, 16 core gpu, 16gb ram and 512gb.  This is the MacBook she has been using at university so she knows it has the capacity to do what she wants it to do. 

400ixl

https://www.costco.co.uk/Computers/Laptops-MacBooks/Apple-MacBook-Pro-Apple-M1-Pro-Chip-10-Core-CPU-16-Core-GPU-16GB-RAM-512GB-SSD-16-Inch/p/MacBookPro1616CGPU512GB?bvstate=pg:2/ct:r

codo

400ixl said:

https://www.costco.co.uk/Computers/Laptops-MacBooks/Apple-MacBook-Pro-Apple-M1-Pro-Chip-10-Core-CPU-16-Core-GPU-16GB-RAM-512GB-SSD-16-Inch/p/MacBookPro1616CGPU512GB?bvstate=pg:2/ct:r

Thanks 400ixl. Unfortunately once you click on the colour it shows as out of stock. This was the one we were looking at but it’s no longer available online and is no longer in stock at our local store. 

DullGreyGuy

codo said:

Neil_Jones said:

codo said:

Hi

My daughter needs to buy a MacBook Pro 16”. As expected prices are very expensive.  She doesn’t need the latest edition. She would be happy with a second hand or refurbished. Her ideal model would be the 2021 M1 16gb 16 inch.  Most places we have looked Apple, Costco, Curry’s, John Lewis all only have the latest M2 M3 models. Can anyone suggest somewhere reliable she could look? We have also looked on Amazon but most there are not sold by Amazon themselves but other suppliers and she is worried if she buys from eBay and something goes wrong she might have issues sending it back. 

Any advice would be appreciated. 

Thanks

Why a Macbook specifically?  What's the intended usage?

She will be using it for coding sports video. The software she will be required to use will only work with a MacBook. It’s need to be the 16” model as she will need to recognise players/player shirt numbers, so a bigger screen makes it easier. 

Where is she doing the work? Assuming it's at home or somewhere else static then maybe use an external screen? 

The problem is that the M1pro is 3 years old now and they stopped making them in 2022 so you are looking for someone who is holding stock thats already over 2 years old and all but the smallest shops dont do that as its better to reduce the price til it sells than have it taking up shelf space that long. 

For refurblished/second hand your looking at your normal suspects of eBay, Amazon, CEX etc. Certainly with the former I'd be looking at ones that allow local collection so you can see it in person working before taking it away. 

daveyjp

I would have no concern buying through Amazon renewed. 

codo

Thanks DullGreyGuy, she will have to travel and work at training sessions so she will need a large screen. 

She has seen one on eBay (AppleBite2ndBite)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256598912721?itmmeta=01J5AK29FXF4Q3GV0FMEKR6T2H&hash=item3bbe7caed1:g:bG8AAOSwEvZmtrXk

its new / open box and reviews look good but not local for collection. 

codo

Thanks Daveyjb, there are a few on Amazon renewed. I was sceptical because it’s other sellers but will look at those again.