Two things - tips for buying used computers, Macbook v 2.16 MBP?

[chaoticbear]

I was planning on buying a 2.2 MBP this week, but my budget has been blown due to unplanned medical bills (complications from my PA, if you must know.) So now I have two questions -

1) I REALLY had my heart set on an MBP - they're just so damn beautiful, and I'm not going to be buying another computer for as long as I can make it. So, if possible, I'd really like to get one. My budget is only about 1400 dollars, so I'd like some advice on buying used. The 2.16's that I'm finding on eBay aren't really too much cheaper, though, so I might just avoid that route, if I can hold off and save up a couple hundred more dollars, I really want the LED backlight, not only due to purported greenness, but for the slightly better video card. I WILL be getting Applecare, and if I went with a refurb from the Apple store, I'd have a year to save up for it.

2) For what I do, though, I'm not sure that the Macbook wouldn't be OK. I don't game, I don't video edit, I don't 3D anything. I will be using Photoshop fairly often this fall (taking a digital photography class at uni), and going this route would put a couple of extra hundred bucks in my camera fund. Right now, I'm limping along on a 4-year old Dell laptop. Ugh.

Longwinded, I know, but I <3 you guys!

 

[queshy]

I'm sorry for your medical bills and hope it's all OK.

I don't recommend used computers ever because you may be inheriting someone else's problems.

I would save up and buy what you WANT once you can afford it.

Don't settle for anything less.

Good luck!

 

[ktbubster]

The macbook would be fine for what you want...

However... if you really want a macbook pro, get it.

I suggest to stay away from ebay, but you can find some decent resellers, perhaps some resellers still sitting on some 2.16cds or 2.0cds (i personally love mine, have none of the CD problems, and find it kills a lot of things just fine I am a design major, and its great... AND if you look around you can find some resellers or school programs or other places that are selling them for just over 1100 or so now.

Anyway. Look around for resellers, or just save up the money and go apple refurb. I got mine refurb, as did my dad and have been for a while. No problems at all and you can save a nice chunk of change.. and like you said, you'd have a year to save up for applecare.

It all comes down to what you want and if you feel you can wait to save up money. Otherwise... go macbook, you'll like it and with the extra money you can get a 19" external for when you need the extra space or matte screen texture

 

[Scarlet Fever]

The Apple Refurbs will save you a few hundred.

I reckon a MacBook would suit your needs fine. There's a white C2D 2.16GHz white MacBook going for $1099 USD, which would be awesome for what you want to do. You might be able to use the spare cash to buy a 20" ACD for $499 USD as well

 

[shoppy]

I would go apple refurb, i ahve had a few in the past, no difference except for brown box.

 

[AndyFL]

Another refurb vote -- mine, 2.16, should be arriving tomorrow! $1499. Good luck!

I was planning on buying a 2.2 MBP this week, but my budget has been blown due to unplanned medical bills (complications from my PA, if you must know.) So now I have two questions -

1) I REALLY had my heart set on an MBP - they're just so damn beautiful, and I'm not going to be buying another computer for as long as I can make it. So, if possible, I'd really like to get one. My budget is only about 1400 dollars, so I'd like some advice on buying used. The 2.16's that I'm finding on eBay aren't really too much cheaper, though, so I might just avoid that route, if I can hold off and save up a couple hundred more dollars, I really want the LED backlight, not only due to purported greenness, but for the slightly better video card. I WILL be getting Applecare, and if I went with a refurb from the Apple store, I'd have a year to save up for it.

2) For what I do, though, I'm not sure that the Macbook wouldn't be OK. I don't game, I don't video edit, I don't 3D anything. I will be using Photoshop fairly often this fall (taking a digital photography class at uni), and going this route would put a couple of extra hundred bucks in my camera fund. Right now, I'm limping along on a 4-year old Dell laptop. Ugh.

Longwinded, I know, but I <3 you guys!

 

[Cybergypsy]

No more refurbs for me...Buy from a member here, just mae sure they have refs or buy a macbook New

 

[MadGoat]

I'm a heavy photoshoper and aperture user. I work with files that are huge and on my macbook 2.16 it's awesome.

I would only recomend that you get 2gb of RAM from the begining.

if you don't game and such ( i game but only on WoW) then you dont really need the pro.

I edit video with iMovie.

the portability of a macbook vs. the pro is what sold me on it. I didn't want to cary the extra size.