Best place to buy a used Mac Laptop online

May 17, 2016 7:23 AM

Currently, my brother is using my old MacBook pro from 2006. It has started to become unreliable - I'm looking for a replacement for him.

The screen freezes up, and then the machine won't restart (gets to the apple screen, the status wheel turns a bit then freezes). Some random combination of safe mode restart, resetting the PRAM and swearing seems to bring it back to life - but I think it is time to consider a replacement.

I'd love to stay < $400. He uses a computer to shop online (no streaming video, etc). He also uses Office - I have a copy of that for him already, so it doesn't need to be on the machine. That is really about it - so it isn't like he is in need of the latest, greatest or fastest.

I've see refurbished MacBooks on eBay - I'm a little leery of eBay tho - I feel like I don't know enough to not get scammed. I've also seen things like this, does anyone know if GainSaver (or some other online shop) is a safe place to buy?

Oh- and I see an awful lot of white plastic MacBooks for <$400. Brother is a mechanic and if we can avoid white, that would be fantastic

posted by hilaryjade to Shopping (7 answers total)

Does it have to be a Mac?
posted by greta simone at 7:57 AM on May 17, 2016 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I had good luck with macofalltrades. They take in the used computer and check it out before they sell it to you so we felt a little more comfortable with the transaction than buying off Ebay or other random places.
posted by blacktshirtandjeans at 8:02 AM on May 17, 2016 [4 favorites]

I have a 2011 MBP I'd be willing to sell you for that price. MeMail me.
posted by Tamanna at 8:07 AM on May 17, 2016

In 2006, I got mine from Powermax.com. It's still running. I also got a used iPad, Magic Mouse, and Apple wireless keyboard from them. They are a great company.
posted by jgirl at 8:44 AM on May 17, 2016

Best answer: OWC sells refurbished Apple hardware, is trustworthy and has excellent customer service.
posted by kuppajava at 9:16 AM on May 17, 2016 [2 favorites]

Apple has their own refurb store as well. Prices might be higher than you want, but you're buying newer hardware that Apple refurbed themselves. I've bought almost all my Apple hardware from the Refurb store and it's never failed me.
posted by SansPoint at 2:01 PM on May 17, 2016

I would check MacOfAllTrades, Itemcycle, or Gazelle.

$400 is a pretty low price for a used Mac, so I doubt you'll find anything on Apple's official refurb store.

Gazelle is probably the biggest of the three I mentioned, wouldn't hurt to give them a look. Happy hunting!
posted by santaglue at 3:12 PM on May 24, 2016