Purchasing a Used Macbook Pro?

Look here first ... Apple refurbished units. My MBP is Apple-refurbished and added AppleCare. Some say Apple's refurbish process finds errors that can sneak in on the assembly line ... some say.

I <EDIT> CANNOT recommend either both <EDIT>, but others may say it is OK. First major reason is "CraigsList" ... I do not like that source.

These are the reasons Macs are worth the expense, in my opinion, and you get what you pay for:

> Apple selects quality parts to put on the logic board, and controls the manufacturing process

> Apple provides single-block-milled-out cases instead of pieced-together plastic things

> Apple provides free evaluations to fix their products

> Apple provides AppleCare to extend warranties to 3 years where HP/Dell get very fuzzy about that

> Apple makes operating systems that are very stable with device drivers suited to the parts in the systems

When you buy a $400 6-year-old Mac, you need to know how to do more than just "turn it on". You are past Apple working on the 2008 and probably past Apple working on the 2009. Some senior members in this forum (not "better than you", just "more experience than you") take on that challenge, but you will be up against a learning curve.

While I cannot recommend those MBPs, I will ask: Are you sure you need a notebook, or would a desktop work? macminis are not the most powerful systems, but are capable and in the hundreds instead of thousands range, and you can use any keyboard and monitor with them.

The up-front possible issue(s) with Mac computers that were upgraded to a later OS X

than they shipped with, by someone who may have used their own AppleID, is first...

Problem with an OS X tied to someone elses AppleID account and upgraded past the

OS X the unit shipped with, is the ownership and further update/upgrade plus the use

of the App Store (and your ability to buy items from Apple, iTunes, etc) is closed to you.

Models that shipped with an OS X on DVD media for install-restore purposes, would be

expected to have those original system media discs included with the computer and be

running that system. You cannot actually upgrade (install) a new OS X from the internet

and not do so without a valid AppleID. The resulting OS X is tied to the individuals ID.

Both computers listed appear to be in the range of models which should have had their

system on DVD media, including original applications and an Apple Hardware Test.

• The MacBook Pro 17-inch Late 2008 model shipped with Leopard 10.5.x on discs made

for that build series model; that is what it should have with it and be running.

Original OS Mac OS X 10.5.4 (9E27)

Maximum OS Latest release of OS X

Hardware Test AHT 3A135

Bundled Software iLife ’08 (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand)

Introduced October 2008

Discontinued January 2009

Model Identifier MacBookPro4,1

Model Number A1261

Order Number MB766LL/A

If it included the retail Snow Leopard 10.6.3 DVD install disc, then you could boot to that

and update to 10.6.8 from software update, and then consider the App Store to get newer

OS X system. Because your Apple ID is not attached to the Yosemite 10.10 OS X, it is

not available to you, even if you buy the computer that has been upgraded to that version.

(El Capitan, is most recent OS X from App Store; older Mountain Lion is a special purchase

from the Apple Store online, they will send you a code to download 10.8 from the App Store.)

The MacBook (13-inch Late 2009) model is slightly newer and shipped with OS X 10.6.x

DVD system discs made for that build model (like above, grey label install-restore media)

so that is what it should be running, plus the 10.6.8 update download, so you could go to

the App Store to consider an OS X later than the as-shipped included system.

Original OS Mac OS X 10.6.1 (10A2047)

Maximum OS Latest release of OS X

AirDrop Supported

Hardware Test AHT 3A181

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

Introduced October 2009

Discontinued May 2010

Model Identifier MacBook6,1

Model Number A1342

EMC 2350

Order Number MC207LL/A

Further information may be obtained by looking into the free database download app

from http://mactracker.ca and comparing information, as well as everymac.com site.

While the 17-inch MacBook Pro has a good deal of appeal, a 15 inch MacBook Pro

may be OK too, depending on if you happened to get a version that had few incidents

of graphic processor issues; as some sported dual graphic processors.

You may be able to find other sources of repaired MacBook or MacBook Pro models

online or in an Authorized Apple Service Provider nearer your location; online such

companies are in various locations across the US, and if elsewhere, almost every

country has a few. Or a technical expert who is capable to restore their function.

Some of those I've looked into their web site, are powerbookmedic, wegenermedia,

macsales, and other Apple authorized resellers who also offer service repairs, as

they have trained personnel and have access to replacement &/or upgrade parts.

{Both of the above computers could be set up for a new owner if they include OS X
Snow Leopard 10.6.3 retail DVD, then the new owner could see if they could erase

and install at least the level OS X required to use the Mac App Store online... After

those with 10.6.3 go to the Apple update server to get 10.6.8 update download.}

In any event...

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂