Used 2017 MacBook Pro

[Minerbot360]

I am looking at getting a used MacBook for school. I found a 2017 model in my area for sale. It has 128gb of storage, 8gb of ram, and the i5 processor. I talked to the seller a bit and got the price down to $450. The laptop is in almost perfect physical condition. Is this a good buy?

 

[MBAir2010]

Keyboard


therefore no

get a 2012 instead

 

[Minerbot360]

Keyboard


therefore no

get a 2012 instead

The seller told me that the keyboard has had no issues since he got it. I plan on testing it there if I buy it. I understand that the butterfly mechanism has many issues, but as far as I know, if I keep the keyboard clean, then it will continue working. I also saw some ways to clean under the keys. Are there other issues that I don't know about? Was the 2017 year a bad year for the keyboard?

Edit: I also need the most recent version of macOS, I'd prefer to have thunderbolt as well. Are there any alternatives to a 2016+ year model?

 

[MBAir2010]

i would get or borrow $550 and a new M1 MacBook air
who knows what a seller really states as truth
and i would never sell a MacBook book at that price
unless.....
just my 2 cents and wait for more responses.

 

[Minerbot360]

i would get or borrow $550 and a new M1 MacBook air
who knows what a seller really states as truth
and i would never sell a MacBook book at that price
unless.....
just my 2 cents and wait for more responses.

Thanks, if this ends up being the one, then I will make sure that I can test the computer in person first. The guy was initially selling for 650, but the post had been up for 2 years, said he was desperate to get rid of it. I will wait for some more responses before making a decision.

 

[AppleHaterLover]

I have that same MacBook. Just got it back from the Genius Bar actually. I use it very sparingly and even then the keyboard has been replaced twice (three times if you count the first botched repair had to be redone).

I can't complain too much since it's been essentially a free battery replacement every two years, but in case you need to pay for the repair (which you will need to, if it's over 4 years old) your laptop WILL be totaled. The out-of-warranty top case replacement cost will be more than what that laptop is worth, which will instantly drop its value to $0.

Is a used M1 Air out of your budget?

 

[Minerbot360]

I decided to not get that one. I am looking at some other options. Thank you for the help!

 

[MBAir2010]

smart move, i knew how enticing the price, expectation and greatness the macbook pro can be
but that keyboard is not worth the risk.
personally i had a 2012 MBP i7 for $129 on my wishlist that was sold overbite.
I'm sure they will sell much more.....

 

[darngooddesign]

128GB is going to prove to be significantly limiting for school, which 256GB being the minimum you should look for. If at all possible you should stretch and get a used base 8/256 M1 MacBook Air. In the long run it will be less expensive because it will last far longer.

If you are going to get one with the butterfly keyboard, get a later model with the revised keyboard. Not problem free, but better.