New to Macs... buying advice for used/new

[jeggen]

After many, many years using a PC I’m wanting to try a MacBook (Pro) and from what I’ve seen I think I will really enjoy being on MacOS. My budget is limited, so I’m looking at something used or refurbished. I could guess which of these would be the best from a PC standpoint of specs, but really don’t know the main differences between MacBook Pro and the MacBook.

1. MacBook Pro (2013) w/ 15.4 Retina, 8GB and 256GB Flash. 2.0GHz quad core i7.
2. MacBook Pro (late 2016) 13” Retina w/ Skylake i5 2.9 GHZ, 256GB, 8GB Touch Bar
3. MacBook Pro (Early 2015) 13” Retina 2.7 GHz i5, 8GB, 256GB

These are all used, priced $800-$1100 and just looking for advice on these or even a new MacBook in the low $1000ish range. I know that’s a low end for Macs but I am not a very heavy power user. Mostly for office suite products, Scrivener, and a digital library product - Logos.

 

[techwarrior]

Are you married to the idea of a laptop? If not, Mac Mini is worth considering. Of course, you have to BYO keyboard, mouse, monitor but just about any HDMI or DVI monitor can be used with the mini.

A slew of 2014 Minis will likely hit the refurbished store on Apple.com soon given the new Mini just arriving. I would expect you could get a top end Mini for $500-700. Amazon currently has a 2014 with 2.6GHz Dual Core, 8GB, 1TBHDD for just under $600 but as the 2018 model settles in, the 2014 model prices will drop, along with refurb prices.

The HDD can easily be swapped for an SSD if you are able to manage a screwdriver. The memory is soldered on the 2014 model, so make sure you get what you need up front.

 

[jeggen]

I need to have a laptop for travel purposes. I have considered a MacMini for a home computer, so the advice of the refurbished ones hitting the store is good.

Personally though, I need something portable so a MacBook of some sort.

 

[Nbd1790]

If you're in that price range, I think you can get much better specs than what you're currently being offered. I managed to pick up a used 2015 13 inch Retina , i7 16gb RAM and 500gb SSD for $900 (and still had Applecare). I'd take a look around a bit more for pricing and perhaps negotiate the numbers lower if you're satisfied with the specs you listed.