Second hand MacBook Air

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › Second hand MacBook Air

Serious

23 posts

Geek

#207617 5-Jan-2017 12:15

My daughter is considering getting a second hand mid-2011 MacBook Air for uni. It's about 40% the cost of a new one and has about 400 cycles on the clock. She'll needs it to last about 3 years and I was wondering if there is anything else I need to consider.

RunningMan

8953 posts

Uber Geek

#1698819 5-Jan-2017 12:48

If it has the original rotational HDD, that may be looking to fail before too long. Should be able to fit an SSD if you wanted to speed it up. Also, make sure you've got enough memory - some of the older ones only had 2GB, so you may want to throw a bit more in. Give it a good clean, pop the bottom cover off and blow out any dust etc. if you feel able to as well.

Coil

6614 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1698821 5-Jan-2017 12:59

Good device no doubt but with any ageing apple product it will surely be unsupported soon and so on.
Id be looking at Brand New windows PC for uni on a budget, Also comes with a Warranty. Whats your price bracket?

Serious

23 posts

Geek

#1698829 5-Jan-2017 13:14

A windows pc would make sense and i've tried some dad logic but she really wants a MacBook.

Sam91

620 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1698831 5-Jan-2017 13:19

I have a 2015 MacBook Air for uni and it does the job. I went through the same process a year ago, and I definitely considered the 2011 models. I would recommend going for a newer model if she can afford to. She could probably tap into her course related costs ($1000 interest free loan that you have to pay back) if she needs to. By the end of her degree it will be 9 years old, if it lasts that long. The cycle count is pretty low for a laptop of its age. I'm at the same cycle count and it's still going strong. If you can pick it up for $400 - $600 it's probably worth a gamble, but I wouldn't want to spend any more than that on it.

@runningman I believe the 2011 model has an SSD. What you've got to watch out for is the newer models have soldered RAM.

dazhann

465 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1698833 5-Jan-2017 13:22

How about an apple refurbished. Not sure what her budget is but they come with full apple warranty. My daughter got a macbook pro from them last year it was a fantastic buy and the service was out of this world, less than 36 hours from ordering it to it arriving from Sydney to Hawkes Bay

mattwnz

20141 posts

Uber Geek

#1698839 5-Jan-2017 13:32

For something that age, I would expect 50% off the new price at the time, if the device was still new. But as it has been used alot, not sure if 40% of the original price is a good deal at all. Second hand apple devices do appear to get a good resale value, so not usually the best buy for someone. As others have suggested I would look for an apple reburbished one on their website.

RunningMan

8953 posts

Uber Geek

#1698862 5-Jan-2017 14:04

Sam91:[snip]

@runningman I believe the 2011 model has an SSD. What you've got to watch out for is the newer models have soldered RAM.

SSD was an option on some models, not standard across the range. 5400rpm rotational drive in the cheaper models. 2013 models onwards don't have user replaceable RAM.

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Serious

23 posts

Geek

#1698863 5-Jan-2017 14:05

Sadly no apple refurbished Airs on their site. But all good thoughts. Thanks.

Sam91

620 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1698865 5-Jan-2017 14:07

Serious: Sadly no apple refurbished Airs on their site. But all good thoughts. Thanks.

http://www.apple.com/nz/shop/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook_air

Coil

6614 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1698866 5-Jan-2017 14:09

Serious: A windows pc would make sense and i've tried some dad logic but she really wants a MacBook.

Who cares mate, I have a sister whos about to go to Uni and expects a Mac like all her friends. But she knows all to well shes getting what shes given.
Dont worry what they want. Just tell them thats where your budget lies and this is the most economic option.

How does one do Uni with a broken Macbook Air in a year without a warranty or money to fix it? Pitch that.

Serious

23 posts

Geek

#1698899 5-Jan-2017 15:32

Thanks Sam91. That link didn't come up on my iPhone oddly!