Open Box MBA: Should I Do A Software Reinstall?

[Optimouse^^]

Hi,

I needed another MBA for my office and I found a good deal on an open box MBA with exactly the same specs as my own: 13", 1.86GHz, 4gig RAM, 128SSD (it cost $1,134 US before taxes & shipping).

The computer is in excellent shape but I was surprised to see that someone had installed software on it, and had a user account already made (who was an admin). It has MS Office 2011 for Mac (already activated) and Adobe Acrobat Professional v. 8- both obviously installed by someone who bought the computer and returned it.

I think that reinstalling the software to its original state is the safest thing to do, not to mention that it would remove the software that the previous owner installed. Mainly, now that I see someone has added software, I am worried that someone could have installed malware, either intentionally or not. But I can't but help like the fact that I have MS Office 2011 installed! This year has been hard for my office, and we would need to buy another license for MS Office if I wipe it.

What would you do?

Opti**squeek**

 

[RRmalvado]

When dealing with used computers, I always tend to clean install the OS. On that same note, I would verify that it is even a legit Office 2011.

 

[grawk]

malware is unlikely, so I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[jenzjen]

I would do a clean install without even looking at what's on the machine.