- #SHOULD I BUY REFURBISHED MACBOOK PRO#
- #SHOULD I BUY REFURBISHED MACBOOK SOFTWARE#
- #SHOULD I BUY REFURBISHED MACBOOK MAC#
- #SHOULD I BUY REFURBISHED MACBOOK WINDOWS#
#SHOULD I BUY REFURBISHED MACBOOK MAC#
While Apple has never officially published their timetable policy for ending support for older Mac devices, the general rule has been a maximum lifespan of about 7 years post-release. If you aren't sure which version your Mac is running, Apple has a handy support page with step-by-step instructions for finding not only what OS the device is running, but also the version number (handy for keeping track of updates) and what hardware it's using (which is great for confirming the seller is being truthful about the build they're trying to get you to buy).
#SHOULD I BUY REFURBISHED MACBOOK SOFTWARE#
Big Sur supports MacBooks and iMacs going as far back as 2013, so if you're ok with using a slightly older version of macOS, you can pick up an older Mac on-the-cheap and still get regular software and security updates. This means that while you can still use your MacBook or iMac for everyday tasks, you won't be able to receive software, firmware, or security updates. If that's the case, be warned: Apple's support for Mojave ended on October 22, 2021. If you're looking to buy a used MacBook or iMac from these years, chances are they're running macOS Mojave. According to Apple, the new version of macOS (called Monterey), which was released in October 2021, supports MacBook Pros and Airs going back to 2015, as well as iMacs and Mac Minis going back to 2014. That said, you need to do a certain amount of OS calculus.
#SHOULD I BUY REFURBISHED MACBOOK PRO#
There is a huge difference between buying a 16GB MacBook Pro from 2015 and one from 2009. When buying a used car, you always want to know its model year, but oddly enough, many Mac resellers (both the commercial ones and private ones) seem to gloss over the production year in favor of specs. One of the more interesting challenges in buying used MacBook Pro machines is understanding which model year you're buying. The risk of spending a lot (especially for MacBook Pros) and not getting what you need or expect is quite high. To be quite honest, though, I'd avoid those channels. Additionally, to do a purchase this way, you have to be very comfortable with your ability to validate product model year and features, and the seller has to be willing to let you spend time with the machine. Of course, in these days of the pandemic, going face-to-face with a seller, even if you're both masked, carries its own risk. The scam potential is there as well for Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, but since you're likely to be able to put your hands on the machine before you buy, you stand a better chance. The potential for outright scams is high. With eBay purchases, you generally won't be able to see the unit (or units) until they arrive at your door. That certainly applies to eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace purchases. Let's cut to the chase: Buying used gear can save you money but can be risky as heck. Since graphics and video production are some of the Mac's strengths (and Chromebook's weaknesses), I'm going to assume that the kids need some video and graphic capability - and machines that can handle that load. It could be his kids prefer MacOS, or it could be that they want some features or applications unique to Mac laptops.
#SHOULD I BUY REFURBISHED MACBOOK WINDOWS#
My correspondent also didn't specify why, specifically, he was interested in MacBooks rather than Windows laptops. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping.