Used MacBook at Microcenter

[sze5003]

I found a 13inch MacBook model md313LL/A with core I5 2.4ghz and 4gb memory , 500gb hd at Microcenter for $799. Is that a decent deal?

My ideal configuration is 8gb ram and I want to change the hd out for at least a 256 or 128gb ssd. Looking to do some development at home that is different than what I'm developing at work.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

That's the old style with the upgradeable HDD, Optical drive, and RAM slots, so... actually... I'd consider it.

Monitor's only 1280x800 though, so development work might be a bit cramped unless you go multi-head.

 

[sze5003]

Yea I would rather have an older model I can upgrade. Trying to configure one on Apple's site gets too expensive. I have a working hackingtosh right now and I used to have a 15 inch MacBook pro but sold it a couple years ago.

I'm also looking at the hp envy where I can upgrade it on my time as well. I just feel as if I were to get a laptop now I would not want Windows 8 on it. I have 8 for my desktop and I'm fine with that but on a laptop they are all mostly touch now.

 

[jaydee]

Is that Ivy or Sandy? Sandy I would say no... Ivy is a decent deal. I don't think you'll find a better price from a retailer, but I'm not thrilled by the value (given the screen).

Go to 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD, you can probably be around $1,000 all said and done.

If it doesn't have to be a laptop, you can grab a "new" Ivy Bridge mac mini for $550 with similar processor, same 4GB RAM and 500GB HD to upgrade to 8GB/256GB for extra $150-200 combined.

 

[sze5003]

I would prefer a laptop. But the one I mentioned isn't available anymore.

Not sure if any of the earlier models are ivy bridge. I'm still looking for a decent used model.

 

[nitromullet]

This site will tell you every detail about pretty much every MBP ever made since the 2006:
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook_pro/index-macbookpro.html

This site will give you the best pricing on current Macs:
http://prices.appleinsider.com/

Between these two sites and ebay you can pretty much determine what is fair market value for any used MBP.

 

[sze5003]

Awesome thanks a lot. I'll check those out. Looks like I will go the eBay route. I already have a desktop pc running Windows, Linux, and Mavericks but I feel a laptop would be good and I've been doing most of my development stuff in Mavericks anyway.

Seems like Apple insider only gives you recent MacBook prices.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Seems like Apple insider only gives you recent MacBook prices.

I see a lot of people referencing Dealmac.com

There used to be a site with a "Macintosh Street Price Index" but I can't find it at the moment.

 

[Essence_of_War]

dave_the_nerd,

Were you thinking of mac2sell?

 

[sze5003]

dave_the_nerd,

Were you thinking of mac2sell?

Yea Mac2sell may be it. Looking at some 2011 core i5 base model it said it's worth around $650-700 but good luck finding one on eBay like that.