What used Macbbook to choose?

[Michael.S]

My current A1286 mid 2012 15" 2.6 i7 quadcore 16 GB 2TB SSD recently lost the screen function, so I am trying to replace it.
If that does not work, I was thinking to buy a used replacement macbook without spending too much money as I need a 2nd screen next to me Thunderbolt display.

My budget is ~ 500€ (545 USD).

So the requirements are the following:
- should be able to run my Apple Thunderbolt display
- 16GB of RAM
- as much internal storage as possible (best would be 2TB but that is probably not possible due to a very rare configuration of soldered ssds on mac later than 2012)
(Big Sur and Monterey compatibility is not a necessity)
- at least 14"

I would go again with the same model as my current setup but dont know if the same issue (bak light issue) does not happen again.

I need it for:
- Photo work (pixel & vectors)
- casual gaming, mostly emulators or old games up to early 2000s, so speed should not be a issue here.
- daily computer work

So, what used MacBook would you recommend?

 

[MBAir2010]

there are more MacBook pros to stay away from than buy.
that butterfly keyboard was a real problem that vanished and now confusing.
I would recommend the 2013-15 i7 pro (13", or what every size you need)
they have an open core process were anyone can install Monterey and beyond now.
these MacBooks can be easily upgrade to what every SSD space you need.

I'm looking for the 2012 pro the unibody one at a great price.

 

[Michael.S]

I'm looking for the 2012 pro the unibody one at a great price.

The NON retina one?

 

[Fishrrman]

Fishrrman's rules for used MacBook buying:

DO NOT BUY:
MacBook Pro 13" -- 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
MacBook Pro 15" -- 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
ALL of these have the disastrous "butterfly keyboards" that are highly-prone to failure. Although Apple has a free replacement program running for 4 years "from new", when that time expires YOU will pay for the repair.
And it's NOT CHEAP -- $750 for even a single key gone bad.
That's because the entire top case has to be replaced... even for a single key failure!

DO BUY:
MacBook Pro 13" -- 2020
MacBook Pro 16" -- 2019 and later.
These have the new "magic" (scissors) keyboards, as did the 2015 and earlier MBPs. These keyboards have been very reliable.

Also:
MacBook Pro 14" or 16" -- 2021

 

[Michael.S]

Fishrrman's rules for used MacBook buying:

DO NOT BUY:
MacBook Pro 13" -- 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
MacBook Pro 15" -- 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
ALL of these have the disastrous "butterfly keyboards" that are highly-prone to failure. Although Apple has a free replacement program running for 4 years "from new", when that time expires YOU will pay for the repair.
And it's NOT CHEAP -- $750 for even a single key gone bad.
That's because the entire top case has to be replaced... even for a single key failure!

DO BUY:
MacBook Pro 13" -- 2020
MacBook Pro 16" -- 2019 and later.
These have the new "magic" (scissors) keyboards, as did the 2015 and earlier MBPs. These keyboards have been very reliable.

Also:
MacBook Pro 14" or 16" -- 2021

Well, thanks.

But I believe your recommendations will be out of my budget (limited to 500 EUR).

But thank you anyway for your post.

 

[MBAir2010]

The NON retina one?

yes, my MacBook air 2010 has a pleasant screen and the 2012 is an improvement.
also everything is easy to upgrade and replace.

you could do wonders with a MacBook air pre 2019, they are great laptops!
what i have now, the macbook air and Mac mini serves everything i need.

 

[velocityg4]

I’m not sure of your local market prices. I’d go with a 2015 15”. If you can get that within your budget. You can upgrade the storage yourself. Although you certainly won’t get a working Mac and 2TB SSD within that budget.