macbook pro 15in 2010

im looking to buy a macbook pro 15in with these specs (2010 model)

i5 2.4/ 2.53 ghz
15.4-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display (1440 x 900 pixel)
4GB (2 x 2GB) of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM
500GB Serial ATA @ 5400 rpm
8x double-layer SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M graphics processor with 256MB of GDDR3 memory

how much would a used one typically go for ?

 

From what I have seen, MBP's tend to hold their value for quite a bit of time. Just to give you an idea, there is an online store that is for college students (I forget what it is called). They are selling a 15" MBP with a similar configuration (though with a 320GB hard drive) for $1399 new. That is through a store that applies a student discount as well. Amazon is selling the same thing for $1499. Amazon has the next model up, the one with the 2.53GHz Core i5 and 500GB hard drive, for $1699. Given that cost, I don't see why it would be a better option than the current 15" MBP with a quad-core Core i7. The performance advantages seen in the 2011 15" MBP are easily worth the extra $100.

Of course, that assumes that you want to buy new. I am sure used prices are a little lower.

 

Probably in the range of $1400-1600 used, depending on the seller. As kornchild2002 mentioned, MacBooks typically hold their resale value for quite a while especially depending on the condition of the unit. If you're looking at one that's in pristine condition with all of the packaging, original discs and documentation, etc then you'd probably be looking at 75-85% of the original purchase price.

Have you looked into the refurbished units available from Apple's Online Store? They offer great specifications at a decent price complete with the full 1 year of complimentary AppleCare hardware warranty, whereas a used unit may only have a few months left on it (unless the original owner purchased the 3 year AppleCare warranty for their unit).

Best of luck, have a great day.

 

I can't say for others but the max. I would pay for that used 2.4GHz standard config model (MC371LL/A) is $1,050 shipped. If I'm not wrong, Apple is also selling the model I'm taking about, but a refurb, for $1,269 in their online store.

Good luck.

 

Yeah, I agree that about $1000 is the most I would pay (shipped, taxes, warranty, software, etc.) especially since even the 13" Core i5 MBP is a better all around better performer (just not in the GPU area) when compared to even the high end Core i7 15" MBP that was $2500 last year and it is only $1100 through Apple's education store.

 

macbook pro 13 2011 cpu is slightly better than the high end macbook pro 15 2010. however, when, it comes to gpu the latter is way better than the former. the 15 inch 2010 got a dedicated gpu while the 13 inch 2011 has a not so powerful integrated gpu.

 

Which is what I said (though I would put the 13" not "slightly" above the high end 2010 models as test scores are showing). I stated that the 13" was not as good as the 2010 15" when it came to the GPU. However, factoring in the other advantages (CPU, battery life, 720p camera, and a few other things) and it becomes an all around better performer (all around as in not looking at specifics but taking everything as a whole).

 

I said slightly coz u will hardly notice the difference in cpu between the 13 2011 and 15 2010. but in gaming u will obviously notice the difference in gpu.

if i have to buy another macbook pro again i would surely go with the high end 15 2011 (the base model 15 gpu sucks!). i would not be even tempted with 13 inch 2011 coz of the gpu. but its just me coz i play a lot of games!

imo, the only good hardware upgrade with the new crop of macbook pros are the cpu, thunderbolt, and the powerful gpu on the high end 15 and 17 inch.

 

thanks for all the input. I am aware of the advantages of the new macbook pro 13 , but i decided to go with this specific model because i like the larger screen size, i5 processor (which is slightly slower than the cpu in the new 13in) and i do intend to game from time to time. The new macbook pro 15 would be perfect but it is far out of my budget range. I have found a seller who is willing to sell his for 1200$ but i think 1100$ would be more reasonable.

 

Refurbs with 1 year warranty are $1269 from Apple, I'd say $1050 or $1100 is the most you should pay.
Refurbished MacBook Pro 2.4GHz Intel Core i5 - Apple Store (U.S.)