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    Buying a used MacBook - tips and concerns

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by defcon3, Jan 12, 2009.

  1. defcon3

    defcon3 Notebook Guru

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    Hello:

    For quite a while my GF has nagged me for a "nice laptop", i.e. a MacBook. With the new models out, the old ones (just before the latest one-piece-thingies) should be easier to find. Most of her friends have one and I am soon getting my bonus, so starting to shop around.

    Myself, I am a ThinkPad evangelist (those "ugly, square, black things" according to my GF), and have no trouble picking a used one. With Macs I am basically into uncharted territory, hense my post.

    1) I am concerned if the previous owner has enabled features that would interfere with our privacy - remote activation of camera, remote access, etc. How can I check this and make sure she will not participate in some amateur BigBrother?

    2) What should I check on a 13 inch MacBook except the obvious battery, fan noise, scratches and dirt beyond normal?

    3) Does the Mac have BIOS, drivers, etc. I should upgrade before I hand it to her?

    4) Any other tips you may have for me - please feel free to share!

    Cheers ;)
     
    defcon3, Jan 12, 2009
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  2. lixuelai

    lixuelai Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    1) Do a clean install of OSX
    2) Anything that apply to a PC applies to a Mac. See if you can get one that is still under AppleCare
    3) Just update in OSX should take care of everything
     
    lixuelai, Jan 12, 2009
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  3. Nitrousoxide

    Nitrousoxide Notebook Enthusiast

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    Does DBAN work for a mac? Can you boot from a bootable disk with it on there and do a secure format before you go installing stuff? You know, just to make sure any illegal stuff the previous owner might have had on there is completely gone so if the computer is ever confiscated from you, no one might try to tie you to that stuff if they use data recovery tools on it.
     
    Nitrousoxide, Jan 12, 2009
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