Apple picker Today, you practically cannot do without a computer. The ideal solution is a laptop. Thanks to it, you are mobile and can work almost anywhere. But the new MacBook is unaffordable for many interested parties, so they prefer to buy older models. In the article you will find a lot of tips, advice and recommendations. They mainly apply to used MacBooks, but you can use them when buying any other laptop.
I've been dealing with second-hand MacBooks for several years now, and I'm happy to share a wealth of experience. I will help you to minimize the risk of buying a defective item. You certainly won't be stupid by buying an older MacBook. Apple computers retain their useful value for a long time, this also applies to used machines.
This is a commercial message, Jablíčkář.cz is not the author of the text and is not responsible for its content.
We choose a bazaar MacBook
Before the actual purchase, it is important to decide what the MacBook will be used for and what I expect from it.
- For the Internet, e-mails or watching movies, practically any older MacBook will suffice.
- If you want to work on graphics, edit digital images, compose music or edit video, choose MacBook Pros with 15-inch displays. They achieve better performance and often have two graphics cards.
- For MacBook Pros with a 13-inch display, choose models up to 2010. They are the last ones to have dedicated graphics cards (external). Later produced laptops have an integrated Intel HD graphics card and this is not sufficient for more computationally demanding operations.
- If you need OS X 10.8 and higher for your work, look for models made since 2009.
Where to find him?
Search on bazaar servers, there are countless of them on the Czech internet. You can also try your luck on websites grafika.cz or jablickar.cz. But if you want to be sure, visit the website Macbookarna.cz. They offer you a 6-month warranty period and, in addition, the possibility to return the purchased goods at any time within 14 days.
How not to fly
If you find an ad written in bad Czech, the price is suspiciously low, the seller demands a deposit, cash on delivery, via PayPal, Western Union or another similar service, you are practically 100% sure that it is a fraud. You will lose your money and never see the laptop again.
Try to find an ad on the Internet. If someone repeatedly offers a computer at a good price for several months, be smart. Search for user reviews on the Internet. Fraudsters are often written about on various forums. A serious seller usually has his own photos, a more detailed description of the computer (HDD size, RAM, year of manufacture), also mentions any defects (scratched lid, non-functional CD ROM drive, the display is darker in the lower left corner...) and his ad contains the name, e- email address and phone number. Try to contact him. Request your MacBook serial number and check it at AppleSerialNumberInfo. If there are no photos of the real computer in the ad, please ask to be sent.
I highly recommend looking for advertisements that also offer you a guarantee, e.g. the one already mentioned MacBookarna.cz. It is better to pay a little more, to be able to turn to someone in case of confusion or problems and solve everything.
We are shopping
Suggest a personal meeting with the seller. If he is interested in selling the computer, he will accommodate you. It is best to arrange a meeting in a public place (shopping center, cafe, etc.). This will reduce the risk of your money being stolen. I have already come across cases where the buyer was robbed and the scammer got into the car and drove away.
Unfortunately, there are many defects that become apparent over time. So take your time when buying a MacBook, look at everything calmly, check and don't be afraid to ask questions. This will avoid possible problems later.
Basic check
- Always require the MacBook to be turned off, not just put to sleep, before testing.
- Shake the computer gently before turning it on. No sounds (rattling, knocking) should be heard.
- Check the visual condition of the thrift store laptop and the extent of any external damage. Focus mainly on the top lid and the strength of the hinges, which can be tightened. Older versions of MacBook Air 2008 and 2009 with a hinged USB port are often looser even after tightening.
- Also examine the area around the keyboard, touchpad and display. The bottom of the laptop is mostly scratched, but I wouldn't put too much weight on that. It is important that it contains the correct screws and rubber feet.
- After turning on the computer, monitor the progress of the system loading and listen for unusual noises or fan speed from the MacBook. If so, there is a problem somewhere.
- Watch for white spots on a gray screen. This could indicate a damaged lid.
- Ask the seller for the user account password. Ideally, you will have a freshly installed system and change the password together.
- After "running up" the desktop, click on the apple in the upper left corner, choose "About this Mac" and subsequently "More information…".
Check the configuration to see if it matches the description in the ad. The next step is to open the item "System Profile". Check here first Graphics/Monitors, if there is a graphics card described here (if there are two, click on it).
- Then go to the item Power and here look at the number of battery cycles (about 15 lines from the top). At the same time, click on the battery icon in the top bar on the right and see what the endurance value is. Often it is written here send the battery for repair. But this is often misleading information that some batteries show after 250 charge cycles. It is mainly about how long the battery lasts in operation. Look at the value with the keyboard backlight off and the brightness set to half the value.
- Beware of damaged (bloated) batteries, it can be dangerous. You can detect this problem by looking at the bottom of older models. On newer Pro and Air computers, the touchpad is hard to click (doesn't click).
- Next, check the item Memory/Memory and see if the memory is in two or one slot and if it has the specified size.
- You can find the size of the hard disk in the item SATA/SATA express. The HDD and CD drive must be displayed here. Unfortunately, CD drives are generally very often defective in MacBooks. You test the functionality by inserting a CD - if it loads, everything is fine. However, if the disc cannot be inserted into the slot, or it is ejected without loading, the drive is not functional. I wouldn't attach much importance to it, currently the drives are not used that much anymore and it is better to mount a frame for a second HDD instead - maybe with an SSD.
- Also test the increase and decrease of brightness (F1 and F2) and sound (F11 and F12). If available, be sure to try the keyboard backlight (F5 and F6). Turn up the brightness and see if it shines evenly. MacBooks have a sensor that won't turn on the backlight if the computer is in a bright environment. If you don't want the keyboard to light up, cover the brightness sensor by placing your thumb on the webcam. For older 15-inch MacBook Pro models, cover the speakers next to the keyboard with your entire palm.
- Test the functionality of the keyboard, for example, in the TextEdit application - if all the keys type and, above all, if they don't stick. Some MacBooks can be spilled and you can tell by smelling and pressing the key. Often, however, even this test does not reveal the problem, which may become apparent only later. Repairs tend to be very expensive.
- Try connecting to Wi-Fi, launch a web browser and play any video.
- Check the status of the charger and charging. The diode at the terminal must be lit. If the mouse cursor oscillates uncontrollably or clicks on its own after connecting the charger, there is a risk of damaging the adapter or the liquid in the computer.
- Run several more computationally intensive applications, video playback or a Flash game. If the MacBook "heats" and the fans do not spin, it may be dust contamination, damage to the temperature sensor or the fan.
- You can test the webcam by clicking the FaceTime icon. You can test dead pixels with the so-called "pixel test", which is available on Youtube or by this application.
- Don't forget to check the USB ports, the functionality of the SD card reader and the headphone jack on the MacBook.
- The seller should give you at least a system CD/DVD, documentation and original box for the computer.
The most common faults
Unfortunately, some models and series of MacBooks had various defects that became apparent only over the years.
- If you decide to buy older MacBooks White/Black 2006 to 2008/09, you must take into account possible problems with the CD-ROM drive, you may also encounter a lit display. Cracks around the hinges are also common, which is caused by the production material.
- MacBook Pros are made of aluminum, but here you can also encounter problematic mechanics. The 2006-2012 models with 15 and 17 inch display and dual graphics cards had many problems with the dedicated (external) graphics card. You often do not detect this damage on the spot and it only becomes apparent when the load is greater. It is expensive to repair, so it is advantageous to have a warranty. Even with these models there is a problem with the CD-ROM drive.
- MacBook Airs from 2009 to 2012 are very often problem-free.
Last recommendation
In case of problems with an Apple computer, I do not recommend using the services of a classic PC service. They often don't know how to repair it and usually recommend replacing the motherboard. In 90% of cases it is not necessary at all. Professional repair or replacement of the graphics chip is often sufficient. I don't recommend solving graphics card problems by just cooling it down, it's a short-term solution. If you have a problem with your MacBook, seek qualified service.
MacBookarna.cz - sale of bazaar MacBooks with warranty
This is a commercial message, Jablíčkář.cz is not the author of the text and is not responsible for its content.
Hello,
can you also write an article on how to buy a bargain iPhone? What to look out for when buying, what to check, etc. Thank you
Hello, I would like to ask how it is that the seller does not follow §2167 NOZ, but intentionally shortens the "warranty" period to 6 months, when the statutory period is 12 months? I would just be careful...or ask the seller for an explanation. Thank you
Funny "article". It is marked as an advertisement, but the seller himself acts as a third person and recommends his company (not even a year old s.r.o.) as if by the way. Furthermore, the advertiser also buys back damaged Macbooks. Why then?
§ 2168 no
The new Civil Code (Act No. 89/2012 Coll.) canceled the statutory guarantee and replaced it with a contractual guarantee. This means that it depends only on the seller whether he will provide a guarantee and to what extent. Even in such a case, the seller is responsible for defects that the item had at the time of acceptance and that he did not point out. In addition, even according to the new Civil Code, a defect in the first 6 months after purchase is considered a defect existing at the time of acceptance, unless the contrary is proven.
I think you are mistaken. Even for used items, the standard warranty is 24 months, with the fact that it can be contractually shortened, but to a minimum of 12 months. If it is reduced to a shorter period, it will not be taken into account and the 12-month defect liability will be applied.
§ 2165
(1) The buyer is entitled to exercise the right from a defect that occurs in the consumer goods within twenty-four months of receipt.
§ 2168
If the seller and the buyer agree to shorten the time for exercising rights from defective performance, such an agreement is not taken into account. This does not apply if the parties have reduced this time to half the legal time when purchasing used consumer goods;
if they have agreed on a greater reduction, half of the legal time shall be paid for the agreed time.
Thank you very much for the detailed explanation and by the end of the week I will find out how it really is. I also wanted to add that I try to take care of the client even after the warranty period, so that if a fault occurs, the repair is carried out at the cost of a spare part.
Every time I get dialed by an ad that pretends it's not an ad. I look forward to the moment when an advertising article comes out that does not play with us like this. And I'm surprised no one has thought of it yet.
Hello, I would like to respond to some of your questions. I'd be lying if I said the article wasn't aimed in part as an advertisement. Yes it is, but as you can see I'm trying to share my experience of buying used Macbooks here. I'm not trying to push you in the article "that only purchase from macbookarna.cz" everyone has the right to choose where to buy. I provide a warranty on everything except the battery and the body of the Macbook, but I have never "batted" anyone when it ran out after 2 weeks with a non-functioning battery - it was replaced for free. I want to look at this segment as a person and not as a company. However, the question is whether this will even work in the Czech Republic, because people in the Czech Republic are often very inventive. As for the company, yes, it has been established for 1 year, but I don't know why it should be a problem? Every company starts once and there is no reason to condemn it for that. I have been active in the used macbook segment for 3 years - 2 years as a self-employed person.
Buying non-functioning MacBooks - why not when Apple does not release any parts into circulation. If I give a warranty, I also need parts, and some macbooks are also refurbished. Regarding the 12-month warranty, I checked this information and I am not obliged to give a 12-month warranty. However, in the future, I want to provide a 12-month warranty and also provide a replacement machine during the claim period. I hope my reaction here doesn't start any arguments and weird assumptions - I was a bit worried about that before I started writing. Otherwise, thank you for the responses, I will be happy to take something away from any feedback. If you have any questions, feel free to call, I have no problem giving you advice, or possibly providing a spare part for your Apple.
Regarding the length of liability for defects, see my response to Johann. As for the length of the functional company, you are certainly right that everyone started somehow, but since you appeared on the market with an offer, I guess in February, it is suspicious (even though the domain is older). If you previously did the same activity as self-employed, it certainly wouldn't hurt to provide, for example, your ID number, I couldn't find anything for Novoměstská, 62100, Brno. Regarding repairs, according to your other ad, you have a large background and skilled people. Are these your own people or just other companies? Don't take it in a bad way, I just don't like similar projects (such as SlevaPC) because there is a lot of suspicion, they spam bazaars (also here on jablickar) and the fact that you write in Czech (albeit not perfectly), you have no problem meeting and others see the article, does not mean that there are not other discrepancies and doubts.
Also, thank you for the reasonable response. I have been offering Macbooks for 3 years, but most of the ads were under personal phone numbers and self-employed. As for Novoměstská, that is my original address, it was several years ago. Otherwise, all information can be found at macbookarna.cz. I kind of hoped that the establishment of an s.r.o. would inspire more confidence and trust in people than a self-employed person, but maybe that's not the case and I took a step in the wrong direction. During 3 years I worked with one service in Brno with which I was not satisfied. And now I work with one person who performs basic service and more demanding repairs are handled outside the Czech Republic by a specialist who already has a complete repair station. In the Czech Republic, it is a big problem to have a Macbook repaired, and usually they will tell you - sir, replace the board - or we will buy it from you for 2500 CZK. Almost no one can do any kind of soldering and bridge repairs, etc., but we specialize in more demanding repairs and will repair 90% of everything. I'm happy to service to some extent, but it's not my priority. If you want to fix something, I will say YES, but I will tell you straight up that it can take 5-7 weeks. You can't be mad at me for that, but my own machines are more important to me, but I always like to solve everything as quickly as possible. Thank you for the responses and I'm glad that jabličkář.cz is not visited by the group of people who only criticize.
According to what you write, it doesn't sound so bad, but personally I really don't like buying used electronics. When I looked at the MACBooky Air, the price is quite high and I don't really understand why the 2014 version doesn't have at least one year of statutory warranty. However, in the sale at Elektroword, this MAC costs NOK 5000, with the difference that it has a 2-year warranty and is brand new. And 5000 is no longer such a large sum (especially for a 1,5-year warranty).
Maybe I'll ask if it's possible to upgrade the discs in the Air 2013. If so, how are they performing compared to the original and how much does a 256, 512GB disc cost?
Otherwise, the advice is certainly good, so thanks.
Maybe an ad. And what? The network is full of that today. I am glad for this article. I am about to buy a used macbook and this is definitely a great article full of advice. Thank you and good luck in business.
Why maybe an ad, that's an ad :-)
Nicely put. I'm also glad for the advice. And that it is also an advertisement? No one is really forcing anyone to buy a MacBook there. The advice is quite useful, so why should any advertisement bother me? :)
Whether it's an ad or not, thank you for the article, it's got useful advice for both buyers and sellers to follow.
Hello,
I have a thrift store piece and it was working great, but now after about 5 months of use it started restarting often out of nowhere. Don't know what it could be? Thanks for the advice and the reply.
Hello, what kind of graphics card do you have?
Hello, this can be caused by several things. What Macbook do you have and an exact description of the model please?
Totally
I'm having fun here http://www.macbookarna.cz/ he's promoting his macbooks here, he looked
I'm in the offer.. White for 5999,- a laptop that is 8 years old.. I think so
it is utter madness to buy something like this. When you can buy a laptop with Intel today
processor with TDP 7W (due to durability) up to 6000,- about the fact that Mečbol offers
For 15.4″ (2006) only 9 years old,
for NOK 6490 and the best thing that amused me was a 2010-year-old MacBook Air 5 for NOK 14
for that price you can buy a nice, powerful machine with Windows and especially 2 years old
guarantee.. in the USA they certainly didn't think that it would be someone for so long
to use... they think a little differently every year they make new products so that people can use them
that's why they bought a 1-year warranty on each product only in the EU, we can be happy that
we have 2 years.. if someone buys a laptop from those thieves they are a complete fool.. i won't
not to say that those laptops will have reflow graphics and other problems...
I bought a Mac 2006 with OS snow leopard. Is it possible to reinstall to a higher one? I can't log in to the AppStore or ITunes, so I can't even download photos, etc... Furthermore, the fan is whirring and the NB is overheating. If I replace it will it stop?