First MacBook - which to get ?

lmfy2k

lmfy2k

lmfy2k

Soldato
Joined
12 Feb 2004
Posts
7,403
Location
Manchester
so after using Windows machines for like forever and using them day in day out day at work. I'd like to try a mac and get to learn it. Will be simple tasks first the. Maybe get to leave final cut pro etc

I'm no stranger to Apple, having used iPads, iPhone, Apple TV etc in the past

Been looking on eBay and local ads and boy do these MacBooks hold their prices.

I'd like a 13.3" screen, 8gb ram. 256gb ssd and pref retina so looking at MacBook Pro in good condition. Why are there so many that have been bashed, dinged and scratched to hell??!?

decent condition used ones still hold their prices and trying to find a bargain isn't as easy as I thought.

I'm Also eligible for education discount and the the model I want is about £1300 new from edu site an apple direct refurb is £1149, used 2-3 years old looking at £600-£800 with no warranty

What would many of you do ? Still look at buying used or new ?
 
Well firstly, bare in mind that the 'used' one is a different model to the new ones (and some of the refurb)

I assume you know that the older 'retina' ones you are seeing for sale are the ones with USB ports, SD card reader and so forth whereas the new ones do not have these luxuries built in. The new macbooks are very nice machines but the older ones are also good for most of us. The warranty situation is a slight issue, the retina macbook in particular will cost you a fortune should something major go wrong with it but it is likely you will be fine.

If you are just testing the water, a 2-3 year old macbook will be a great machine and will last you until perhaps you want to delve further into the Mac ecosystem and want to upgrade to the new one.
 
I've got a 2016 MBP w/ TouchBar for work, and a 2013 MBP 13 for home use.

2016 is a lovely machine, and the spec I have is very quick indeed. However. I've had bluetooth problems that meant I need to disable Handoff in order to get my mouse to function properly. Screen failed within 3 months, needing a replacement. Which isn't an easy job on these, whole machine needs to be stripped down and a special jig used to open the case. Worth noting if you get one and need a replacement down the line. I've also had the keyboard fail, the spacebar got stuck down and on carefully prising it up it popped off. Popping it back on resulted in all the clips snapping and then a replace after. Fortunately covered under warranty, but they didn't quibble one iota. This required the whole top case to be replaced as the keyboard, battery and speakers are fused into the unit. Again, if you need a battery replacement bear this in mind...

2013 retina on the other hand has been bombproof, it's still nice and nippy and has proper USB ports and an SD reader which is handy. Battery is also better than the 2016, although admittedly takes a lot longer to charge due to it not being USB. Only downside is that I've got used to the keyboard on the 2016 and I find typing to be a little lessened on the 2013. First world problems...

If it was my money for a personal machine and gambling an out of warranty machine it would be the 2013, with warranty and AppleCare behind you the 2016 is a nice pluck.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom