Thinking about buying a Mac laptop

shanekingsley

shanekingsley

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I've always used Windows based computers and need a new laptop to run my DJ software (Serato). I would probably keep this as my dedicated studio laptop and it use it very sparingly for anything else.

I know nothing about Mac's other than reading some things here and there that have them to be much more stable for USB based music programs. My experiences with my own Windows computers have been decent, but would like something completely glitch free.

I want to keep this no more than $500 and want to buy something by the end of next week, so I'd also do boxing day sales, but doesn't matter either way. Just need something good and reliable.

I saw this on Kijiji and would appreciate anyone's feedback that knows more about this stuff than me. Other suggestions?
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-laptops/miss...ro/1123513752?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Thanks!
 
Do it. Buy the Mac if you want to have a new computer experience. Just know, they're by no means glitch free. The quality of their products are pretty much the same throughout their line of products if you're looking at current products - just know what kind of performance and disk space you want.
 
The computer in the ad you linked is pretty damned old (~8 years). I had one of those, it gave up on life a couple years ago.

If you are buying new (hard within your budget), I've never heard of anyone having a problem with the apple refurb store (lower models are a little cheaper there, higher models can be phenomenally cheaper).

Where's macdoc when you need him? Maybe he even has some used ones for sale.
 
I'll say this, I've been using my Macbook Pro since late 2013 and it still performs like new.
 
I have an early 2008 macbook pro and a mid 2010 (my main laptop)

The 2008 is relegated to HTPC duty, its on (and awake) 24/7 for almost 3 years now... no issues, but its task list is pretty limited. Plex server and downloading torrents.

Either way, they're excellent laptops and have proven VERY reliable. OSX is by far better than Windows, as long as whatever software you wanna use is available on it.

Would I buy a used one? Yes, but with some amount of AppleCare still remaining. Not sure what $500 gets you, but probably not much.
 
Following this thread...need a small laptop/Macbook for some duty which can't be performed on an iPad. And tired of going into separate room to use the desktop for just typing out things I need.
 
My daughter swears by her MacBook. I've used it and it seems faster. But they cost a heck of a lot more. I know, I had to buy the thing for her university classes. People that use Mac generally look down at us PC heathen. If you do get one, it should be new or, if used, from someone that you know very well.
 
mimico_polak said:
Following this thread...need a small laptop/Macbook for some duty which can't be performed on an iPad. And tired of going into separate room to use the desktop for just typing out things I need.
Click to expand...

bought my mom a macbook air for $1000 at BB... great little thing, check em out
 
You won't regret it. It IS a change, no question, and some people refuse to consider changing to Mac just because they're different and they feel like they'll need to learn things all over again, but OSX is very, very intuitive and you'll feel at home in no time. In a few weeks you'll realize how painful Windows really is...or was. ;)

That said, the one you've listed is, as someone else mentioned, quite old. A lot of "generations" of Mac (and Apple in general) hardware looks the same on the outside, but there can be some drastic hardware changes on the inside, so tread carefully.

Now, that's not a showstopper, I still have my original white Macbook which is now officially over 10 years old and my daughter is sitting in her room using it as I type this. It's seen better days cosmetically, but it's still ticking. You'd be hard pressed to find a 10 year old PC laptop that's still working well in daily use. You DO get what you pay for so don't fall for the common "but they're sooooo much more expensive!" argument.

Just be sure if you're buying used, particularly that one you've listed (8 years old), that it'll do what you need it to do before buying it and finding out it won't. That's still a capable machine, but it's only a core 2 duo, not an i7 like the new machines, so you can't expect it to perform like one. His asking price also seems a little high IMHO - take note it's been listed since December 4th...if it was more competitively priced it would have sold by now.
 
Thanks all. I want to keep it closer to $500 because I am also going to upgrade my DJ software which will cost me another $500ish:(
and I just bought a new tv and patio furniture and blah blah blah ....
 
shanekingsley said:
Thanks all. I want to keep it closer to $500 because I am also going to upgrade my DJ software which will cost me another $500ish:(
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Take note in his ad he mentioned he needed to upgrade for the very purpose of running more advanced software, so that's an indicator that the machine might not be powerful enough. Core2 Duo is pretty old for heavy lifting now. There are better deals out there. Here's one example, core i5 only a few years old for only $250 more.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-laptops/miss...to/1113242479?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Tons of options in the $750 range that are exponentially better.

If screen size is an issue, look at a Mac Mini and just get a huge external monitor. Lots of minis out there as well and they can be very capable at a very good price...very compact as well so transport is easy. Not quite as convenient as a laptop, but if you're setting up for DJ'ing...setting up a monitor and separate (tiny) computer isn't going to take you that much longer.
 
Thanks. I've been using the original version of Serato which came out in 2004. The version I am going to replace it with is from 2009, but does all I could ever want. So a laptop that could easily handle that is all I need. The seller in that ad seems to be upgrading well beyond what I am, since his current stuff is from 2013. But I do get your point:)

I also run a separate 22" monitor and would prefer to continue to use it - good point. I didn't even know there was a thing called a mac mini.
 
shanekingsley said:
I also run a separate 22" monitor and would prefer to continue to use it - good point. I didn't even know there was a thing called a mac mini.
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I've had the Mac Mini for years and love it! No peripherals just the basics so I use all of my existing equipment. Only reason I want a laptop is so I can take with me to cottage / outside if I need to write anything.
 
I'm on my second MacBook (Air). Nifty little computers. I'd almost argue Apple are the best laptop on the market, but dayum, I'm enjoying Win10 so much and I'll be switching to a Surface 4 next.

Sent from my Passport
 
Or buy refurb from Apple themselves with full warranty. Usually it's a 20-25% saving.

Google search apple.ca refurbished.
 
daught said:
Make sure you look in to "rm -rf /" and its dangers.
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Or... Just don't trust everything people from the internet tell you to do on your laptop especially if it involves something you don't understand.
 
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