Which used macs should I buy?

[Tekguy0]

Hello everyone. I am considering buying a few older macs from a friend and I am seeking some advice about which ones to buy. Here are my options:

1) PowerBook G4 Aluminum 15" (I don't have exact specs)
This has lines on the display, and he is going to test it to see if it is just an internal display problem or if it affects the video out as well. He said he thinks it is a later base model. I don't know about the battery.

2) Older iBook G4 (I don't have specs)

3) 2005 iBook G4 1.42 GHz, SuperDrive, AirPort, 512 MB, Radeon 9550 32 MB, and 60 GB ATA HDD.

Apparently both of the iBooks are in relatively poor cosmetic condition, and one has crayon on it. The batteries last for about 30 mins on both.

4) 2012 Pre-Retina MacBook Pro in base config. He upgraded the RAM to 8 GB, and replaced the HDD with a 240 GB SanDisk SSD. Here are some things to note: It was water damages, but he managed to control the corrosion, and replaced the parts that were damaged. The logic board was not replaced, however, and it works fine. Another thing is that it is in very poor cosmetic condition (Grade C-), with dents and scratches on every corner and on the body and lid. Finally, the display hinge bezel (the black plastic thing that houses some antennas and the hinges) is cracked and some pieces of the plastic are missing. The battery also has around 3700 cycles. I would have to do some substantial upgrading that would involve replacing the battery, replacing the base display with the hi-res matte one, upgrading the SSD, and upping the RAM from 8 to 16 GB.

 

[Reflej0]

But what would be the reason for the purchase?
If it is for personal use I would only recommend (and not quite) the 2012 MacBook Pro Pre-Retina.
The other devices are VERY old and seem to have problems on top, I doubt that they can be used to surf the internet would have outdated operating systems and therefore an outdated browser.
That is why it is important to know the reason for purchase.

 

[Tekguy0]

I suppose I was not clear. The 2012 MBP would serve as a secondary computer. I am leaning towards the faster 2005 iBook because I just want something to run old games and other software for PPC, and just to tinker with.

 

[maflynn]

I just want something to run old games and other software for PPC, and just to tinker with.

If that's the case, then I'd rule out the 2012 MBP. To be honest, I've owned/played with older PPC Macs and after the gee-wizz period, I found them not really usable. Since we have a very active PPC forum here, my opinion is not shared with others but I do mention that in this day and age, those old macs are not really usable for the most part.

 

[Tekguy0]

If ht's the case, then I'd rule out the 2012 MBP. To be honest, I've owned/played with older PPC Macs and after the gee-wizz period, I found them not really usable. Since we have a very active PPC forum here, my opinion is not shared with others but I do mention that in this day and age, those old macs are not really usable for the most part.

Ok thanks. Any PPC mac that I would purchase would probably not be connected to the internet, and I fully understand that TenFourFox and other browsers are not powerful enough for today's websites on the PPC 'Books. I have read through quite a few threads on the PPC forum, and found some stuff on how to increase performance. As for the 2012 MBP, I would probably just use it for web browsing, youtube, movies, older games, school programs, and other things that can't be done on school computers. I was seeking advice on wether or not it would be reliable enough to work about 3-4 days of the week, doing really light stuff. Because of the poor cosmetic condition of these items (which I don't care that much about anyway) I would be getting them at a substantial discount. The downside of all this is that I would have to do upgrades to bring things up to my specifications. What do you all think is a fair price for a 2005 iBook 14" in Grade B- Condition without a charger and a 2012 MBP 15" Pre-Retina (Grade C) without a charger but with some upgrades that he did?

The total cost of the upgrades would be as follows: Hi-Res Matte Screen (About $55 on Ebay), a new SSD (Samsung 860 EVO or Crucial MX500 ~$65), a charger ($79), a new hinge cover ($7) and a new battery from OWC ($94) Total= $300 in upgrades. At this point am I better off just buying a MBP in better shape (or a retina) off of Ebay?

 

[Reflej0]

If you consider that it is the right equipment for you, I say this more than anything because wow 3700 charge cycles I think that although you can change the battery and continue using, that Macbook already has a lot of use.

 

[a2jack]

Sounds like a pile of junk. Walk away.

I would now draw the line at 2012, nothing older. But last year, I bought a referb 2009 mini for $60. On it now. LOL a2

 

[Fishrrman]

The MacBook Pro (2012) is the only one worth buying.
And then, only if it's cheap cheap CHEAP.

 

[Tekguy0]

Thank you all for your input. I could live with the low res display and small SSD, but the battery definitely needs to be replaced.

 

[Bandaman]

The 2012 and slap an SSD in it.

 

[Tekguy0]

The 2012 and slap an SSD in it.

The 2012 has a small 240 GB SanDisk SSD in it.

 

[revmacian]

I would buy the 2012 and consider it a fixer-upper - I think it would be fun to have a little project like that to do now and then, I believe it would be more hectic to do them all at once. Keep in mind that machine is already at a higher configuration then my brand new base model 2019 MacBook Air. I wouldn't worry at all about cosmetic damage, it's cosmetic damage and doesn't interfere with the function of the device. Function > Form