Kristen416

Q: Used 2009 13 inch MacBook Pro cost

I am considering buying the 2009 13 inch MacBook Pro that I've been using for the last 6 years from my company. When I asked them how much they would sell it for they told me that they could sell it for $400 after removing all licensed software (ie. Microsoft Office Suite). This seems rather expensive to me given that the computer has all original hardware and is not refurbished. However, I did have to have a new screen installed last year. I've tried to find a benchmark price, but there doesn't seem to be anything out there. Thoughts??? Thanks!

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on May 19, 2015 1:13 AM

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Q: Used 2009 13 inch MacBook Pro cost

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  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer May 19, 2015 1:59 AM in response to Kristen416
    Level 6 (14,350 points)
    Desktops
    May 19, 2015 1:59 AM in response to Kristen416

    You'd have to correctly identify the exact build model year and specification in order to attempt

    to locate a current resale price estimate; even using ebay sales or amazon affiliate stores as a

    price guide, will often be inadequate or inaccurate, if these variables are not considered as part

    of the overall estimated resale price. For example, the use of "2009" when looking into 13-inch

    MacBook Pro specifications, brings up many different build spec models, some are configured

    to order (custom versions from Apple) while others are models in the lineup.

     

    If your comparison model is known as MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009) then that would be a

    place to look; since there are other specs regarding the build model information such as found

    in MacTracker, etc online or other databases. From mactracker:

     

    Introduced    June 2009

    Discontinued    April 2010

    Model Identifier    MacBookPro5,5

    Model Number    A1278

    EMC    2326

    Order Number    MB990LL/A (2.26 GHz), MB991LL/A (2.53 GHz)

     

    Built-in Memory    None

    Maximum Memory    8.0 GB

    Memory Slots    2 - 204-pin PC3-8500 (1066 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM

    Minimum Speed    --

    Interleaving Support    Yes

    Upgrade Instructions

    MacBook Pro: How to remove or install memory - Apple Support

     

    SOFTWARE

    Original OS    Mac OS X 10.5.7 (9J3032)

    Maximum OS    Latest release of OS X

    AirDrop    Supported

    Hardware Test    AHT 3A173

    Bundled Software    iLife ’09 (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand)

     

    FIRMWARE

    Firmware    Intel Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI)

    Firmware Update    MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.7

     

    (edited to add ^ above for this specific model from mactracker.ca)

     

    •How to identify MacBook Pro models - Apple Support

     

    •Mac Serial Number info - Lookup your Apple Serial Number:

    https://www.powerbookmedic.com/identify-mac-serial.php

     

    •All MacBook Pro models and specifications at everymac.com:

    http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook_pro/index-macbookpro.html

     

    http://mactracker.ca - a downloadable free database of specifications for upgrade & comparison

     

    You may have to look into companies whose business is to repair and resell portable Apple

    computers to see if they offer a comparable product exactly similar to what you're considering.

     

    powerbookmedic, wegenermedia, macsales, and others -- offer repaired/restored guaranteed

    older model Apple portables; their inventory changes often. Price will vary also when one takes

    the cosmetic condition into consideration, although function may be otherwise perfect. Some of

    this kind of reseller may offer new stock, as they are authorized resellers or service providers.

     

    Within the 2009 marked products, several from Early, Mid, to Late, there are many and have a

    variety of configurations, features, graphic and CPU, among other technologies; differences.

    If the unit in question was purchased in 2009, it may also have been of the model year before.

     

    So without more exacting information, to compare whatever you have, to the current market

    price on exact configuration build year model (sales model, build specs, etc) it is difficult to

    gain adequate comparison. You may be better off not buying the company's computer, but in-

    stead, look for one that has been restored and carries a warranty of some sort. The fact the

    one you've used for several years has a newer screen and perhaps it may also have a newer

    hard disk drive (portable drives fail sooner than desktop model HDDs) than the original one.

    If it also has a fair complement of RAM upgrade over stock, may be a plus. But, $400 worth?

     

    Hopefully you can survey the possible sources of similar configured MacBook Pro models of

    the same build year model date series, and also compare if those offered elsewhere include

    a fair limited guaranty or other consideration for their retail or asking price.

     

    Good luck!

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE May 19, 2015 2:59 AM in response to Kristen416
    Level 9 (52,353 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 19, 2015 2:59 AM in response to Kristen416

    Go to the ebay and Craig's List web sites and look for comparable models.  That should give you a good gauge on what the open market values that MBP.

     

    Ciao.

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer May 19, 2015 4:11 PM in response to Kristen416
    Level 6 (14,350 points)
    Desktops
    May 19, 2015 4:11 PM in response to Kristen416

    You could also consider a later model MacBook Pro 13-inch unibody that likely

    is a better overall computer; some of these are easier to access & upgrade to

    add RAM and replace the internal hard drive. The Late 2012 model is available

    from Apple (series/upgrade began in 2012, in production still as new, even now)

    would be a good bet, except it would ship with Yosemite 10.10. The non-retina

    model with built-in optical drive is available in Apple online special deals page.

    Refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Pro 2.5GHz Dual-core Intel i5 = $829 US  

     

    Sometimes a company who restores these older used models may have some in

    stock, as there is a demand, in their online page, such as wegenermedia for less:

     

    Unibody 13.3  "
    Unibody 13.3 "

     

    Also a 15.4" model unibody can be a treat; however research to be sure.

    You can check specs with the previously mentioned information sources.

     

    In any event...

    Good luck & happy computing!