Can I buy mac osx if I purchase a surplus macbook with no hard drive?

Istars_sister Said:

"Can I buy mac osx if I purchase a surplus macbook with no hard drive?: This is a 2015 A1398 so it should handle recent OSX downloads. So...how do I download a copy of an os if the hard drive on the mac is new, blank, and formatted? There is no problem buying a hard drive from owc. I don't think it is 'locked' in terms of the hard drive...since hard drives are consumable items. Thoughts?"

I. To Clarify "Locked":

By "locked", I'm referring to the hardware enclosure of the laptop itself - not the Read/Write Permissions of the hard drive - the drive is soldered into the LogicBoard.

II. To Install the macOS:

So, to install it, use a USB Bootable Installer or connect your Mac to a network via Ethernet, or Wi-Fi. You'd configure the Wi-Fi connection using the wi-fi logo on the top-right corner of the screen.

• Install it via a USB Bootable Installer:

Go Here: How to create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

• Install it via Recovery Mode.

Go Here: How to Reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery - Apple Support

• Install via Ethernet:

Use this: Belkin USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter - Apple

You may encounter a problem with the previous owner's Apple ID which, unless it was disassociated with it, will result in you not being able to download or install the OS or any updates. Do you know that the school properly prepared that device for sale? If you do not, I would not touch it.

Istars_sister Said:

“[...]Can I simply also purchase a hard drive and a copy of the correct osx? I have a very high level of mac experience.”

———-

Depends on the Model...

For older Macs, items are upgradable, but it depends on compatibility, of course.

But...

For Much Newer Macs (Locked Interior):

In nowadays’ Macs, every component is made to interoperate with one another. And, they all soldiered in. So, no don’t replace it, if it is non-removable.

Also...

Why would you “buy” a copy macOS? It’s free of download nowadays. The only reason to purchase one would be for old, obsolete versions that you had to purchase way-back-when.

👍 babowa!