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    Macbook 15" with Radeon 1600

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by texfoto, Jun 15, 2009.

  1. texfoto

    texfoto Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have a chance to buy a 15" MB Pro for $1150. It has the following:

    2.33GHz
    4GB RAM
    320GB HDD
    DVD+/-R/RW DL Super Drive
    802.11n WiFi
    illuminated keyboard
    256MB Radeon 1600
    Applecare through Jan. 2010.

    I have a pre-2009 17" MB Pro now with a 2.5Ghz CPU and 512MB 8600 video.

    I just want a 2nd laptop that is smaller than the 17" for me and the misses to use. I will probably use Lightroom on it, iTunes, iPhoto, and Internet mostly and want to run the occasional game (nothing to resource intensive).

    I just don't want to pay $2500 for a unibody. I would get a plain jane MB but I want a video card.

    I think with this would be a good alternative that gets me a big enough drive, a video card, etc.

    Thoughts? Is this a good or fair deal?
     
    texfoto, Jun 15, 2009
    #1
  2. Johnny T

    Johnny T Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Johnny T, Jun 15, 2009
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  3. peli_kan

    peli_kan Notebook Evangelist

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    This is a terrible deal. This particular mbp should sell for $650 in fair condition.
     
    peli_kan, Jun 15, 2009
    #3
  4. Luke1708

    Luke1708 Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    yes,i also advise you to skip this "deal".you'll get a better deal from another one. im pretty sure.
     
    Luke1708, Jun 15, 2009
    #4
  5. Vogelbung

    Vogelbung I R Judgemental

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    Yes, but... what about the high resales you guys all keep going on about?
     
    Vogelbung, Jun 15, 2009
    #5
  6. lixuelai

    lixuelai Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    That thing goes for about $800 on Ebay which is HIGH for a 3-4 year old laptop.
     
    lixuelai, Jun 15, 2009
    #6
  7. Seshan

    Seshan Rawrrr!

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    It's about 2 1/2 years old. The problem is that Apple has changed the product line so much recently it effects the resale.
     
    Seshan, Jun 15, 2009
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  8. Vogelbung

    Vogelbung I R Judgemental

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    If you're comparatively trying to hock a 3-year-old Inspiron, sure. I don't see this hyped resale value applying to what's out there (and actually sells) in comparison to other comparable and well-known machines from Sony et al. Certainly when I've tried to sell Apples on forums and similar, the same guys who witter on about resales are the first to lowball me - and working to their fanboi formulas, you will not get a sale (unless the other party is clueless, in which case anything is possible).

    I'd also say about $700 is on the high side of fair, especially as it's still a Flambébook Pro (pre-Santa Rosa), and that assumes a babied machine. The good thing about used MBP's is that since they're so fragile, it's pretty easy to see if it's been anything but babied.
     
    Vogelbung, Jun 15, 2009
    #8
  9. lixuelai

    lixuelai Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    Well $700 is a bit too low. I just looked on Ebay looked on ebay. The specs OP posted go for between $900 and $1.1k.
     
    lixuelai, Jun 15, 2009
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  10. Vogelbung

    Vogelbung I R Judgemental

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    It's also where 2+year entry-level Sony SZ's (considerably cheaper than an 'upticked' MBP originally) quite regularly seem to sell for ~$600. I'm not sure ebay is such an accurate arbiter of value.
     
    Vogelbung, Jun 15, 2009
    #10
  11. lixuelai

    lixuelai Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    Well it is the most popular place to sell in the US at least.
     
    lixuelai, Jun 15, 2009
    #11
  12. masterchef341

    masterchef341 The guy from The Notebook

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    ebay defines value. not even kidding. value is what people are willing to pay.

    this deal is not that great, but i think its worth more than the $700 people are quoting. the larger hard drive and apple care are worth something. still- skippable in my book.

    might as well get a unibody macbook (possibly refurbished) and an external monitor, or a unibody macbook pro (refurbished).
     
    masterchef341, Jun 15, 2009
    #12
  13. ATC

    ATC Notebook Deity

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    Go to this site and go through the questions; the price it gives at the end is a good starting point for a resale value of a Mac, based on no additional extras such as AppleCare, accessories, case etc... so if the Mac in question does have AppleCare left on it you then adjust the price accordingly yourself. If the hardware is in poor condition, you adjust the price again yourself based on your own perceived depreciation.

    I've sold two Macs in the last year based on the price that site gives and they sold very quickly and for the asking price, no negotiations.
     
    ATC, Jun 15, 2009
    #13
  14. doh123

    doh123 Without ME its just AWESO

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    the integrated geforce 9400M inside the current Macbook model is actually faster... considerably faster, than the Radeon X1600... I have both. I think you get too much misinformation about integrated graphics that you think its something bad to be avoided.
     
    doh123, Jun 15, 2009
    #14
  15. Seshan

    Seshan Rawrrr!

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    Yeah alot of people think that the 9400 suck, but it actually pretty powerful.
     
    Seshan, Jun 15, 2009
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  16. texfoto

    texfoto Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for the info folks. That 15" unibody for $1350 is not a bad deal. I may jump on it. I guess I'll have to get used to the glossy screen.
     
    texfoto, Jun 15, 2009
    #16
  17. Colton

    Colton Also Proudly American

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    It's a great deal for the Unibody MBP! :) I'd definitely jump on that deal. ;)

    The glossy screen is too bad, but it will take some time to get used to. No biggie for me though. :)
     
    Colton, Jun 15, 2009
    #17