used macbook air

Question

Level 1

0 points

used macbook air

Hello all,

I am unfamilar with macs in general and am looking to purchase a macbook air 11 in 2012 used. I found the seller through craigslist but we are both students at an A list university. I don't know him but he is who he says he is. Other than that I have no idea what I should be looking at or for when deciding if this is a safe purchase. This is what I know.

2012 MBA with warrenty until mid 2015 (verified)
Powers on and off (verified)
Screen isn't damaged

Is there anything else I should know or think about? Thanks for you opinions and time!

MacBook Air

Posted on Jan 29, 2013 7:06 AM

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Answer 1

Jon P D

Level 4

1,522 points

Jan 29, 2013 12:01 PM in response to bluefish192

how has the warranty been verified?

assuming it is still in warranty and the warranty is valid, you have nothing else to worry about

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Answer 2

bluefish192 Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 29, 2013 3:12 PM in response to Jon P D

He went into About this Mac > More Info > Logged in with his Apple ID: This showed the warranty and other information, and everything was green.

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Answer 3

carl wolf

Level 6

14,625 points

Jan 29, 2013 4:02 PM in response to bluefish192

You should ask the seller why he wants to sell a relatively new computer.

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Answer 4

steve359

Level 6

17,169 points

Jan 29, 2013 4:06 PM in response to bluefish192

Look into Apple-refurbished MBAs ... come with fully warranty and you can add AppleCare.: http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac

And do as carl wolf suggests ... find out the reason and do not ignore your gut if the explanation sounds hinky.

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Answer 5

bluefish192 Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 29, 2013 6:38 PM in response to steve359

He said that he wanted to get a desktop or a larger computer. Being a freshman it could have been a gift he's wanting to replace. I don't know much about apple warranties, but I just wanted to be sure that if something did turn up that it would be covered.

I'm planning on calling the local store to ask about that scenario.

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Answer 6

John Galt

Level 10

141,162 points

Jan 29, 2013 7:12 PM in response to bluefish192

Ideally it should have all its original packaging and its charging adapter including both the power cord and "duckhead" (look it up). An original invoice would be nice too, to ensure that it is really his to sell.

Plug its serial number in here to verify it has been registered for AppleCare:

https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do

Connect the power adapter and run Apple Hardware Test - hold the d key while starting the MacBook Air. Run the extended tests. If everything checks out and the price is good, buy it. Execute a bill of sale to establish a chain of ownership.

Have the seller un-register it by logging in with his Apple ID here:

Apple - My Support Profile

He who registered it can un-register it, no one else, so make sure he does that. Then, register it using your Apple ID. Use the same Apple ID you used to log in here, or whatever Apple ID you have been using - don't create a new one.

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Answer 7

bluefish192 Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 29, 2013 10:08 PM in response to John Galt

First thank you all so much for you assistance. The information is very helpful and would have taken me hours to find if I did at all.

In response to John Galt; he said that if I wanted it he would wipe/reload the OS, and log out of his Applie ID at some point before or after. Would this satisfy what you meant?

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Answer 8

John Galt

Level 10

141,162 points

Jan 30, 2013 9:47 AM in response to bluefish192

bluefish192 wrote:

In response to John Galt; he said that if I wanted it he would wipe/reload the OS, and log out of his Applie ID at some point before or after. Would this satisfy what you meant?

Yes, and it does not matter whether he does that or you do. If I were the seller I would do it prior to selling the Mac.

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