Apple Laptop <$500 - Suggestions & Insight

[cam_wmh]

hi guys

We have a family friend, we want to buy a laptop for, and have decided a Mac is the way to go.

We only have a budget of $500, and thus am asking for your suggestions.

I see many on Kijiji around this figure, but have no idea where to start. While I have Apple devices, I've never owned a Mac laptop. I know OS upgrades can be contentious.

Here's a link to those search criteria.
http://www.kijiji.ca/b-laptops/calg...?price=200__600

Thanks much
Cam

[PepsiFree]

There's a lot on there alright.

I currently have a (I think 2011) MacBook Pro which runs great still, but I would make the cutoff around 2010 to be safe.

They should all still take El Cap (the latest OS) without issue. If you go with a Pro, you'll be getting a noticeably better laptop. Obviously if you stick to 13.3" you're going to be getting the most laptop for your budget.

All that said, you can probably buy a brand new and better laptop for $500 if you avoid Apple. Apple is a luxury brand, it's not really for a budget, and certainly not for anyone who wants something great on a budget (even used).

[cam_wmh]

Thanks Pepsi. I find I'm often tasked with finding IT solutions in my family, but am weak here.

She has other Apple products, so I just want to maintain the ecosystem. I agree full-heartedly that Apple is a luxury brand. I think I can make it work with your >2010 MBP suggestion.

That said, what's your battery life at? (hours from 100% to 0%)
Are you a heavy user?
Trying to draw a baseline.

Thanks again.
Cam

[CroFlames]

You can get a great PC laptop for 500 bucks depending on what it's used for.

Just FB, movies and browsing? You could get something for $300.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

You can get a great PC laptop for 500 bucks depending on what it's used for.

Just FB, movies and browsing? You could get something for $300.

Definitely considered.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

I currently have a (I think 2011) MacBook Pro which runs great still, but I would make the cutoff around 2010 to be safe.

They should all still take El Cap (the latest OS) without issue. If

I've got a 2010 with El Cap, but that's with an SSD and upgraded RAM. I wouldn't recommend upgrading the OS without.

[PepsiFree]

My battery life is terrible to the point where I've adapted to bringing the cord with me everywhere.

It can maintain 4-5 strong hours doing light browsing or working on documents offline, but anything else is about 2-3 hours tops. My usage was huge when I bought it but is pretty light now so I don't find it bothersome.

I believe mine also had the upgraded RAM (like kunk)

One thing is for sure, if you're looking for the lowest IT commitment combined with an ecosystem advantage, you're right to stick with a MacBook.

[PepsiFree]

Also, FWIW, I think Pros were redesigned in 2012 (probably the late 2012 models) with some decent upgrades.

If you can find one of those in your price range, definitely pick that over a 2010 or 11.

[cam_wmh]

Yep, a definite consideration to my support time given.

What about Macbook Airs?

[Stealth22]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Apple is a luxury brand

I don't think I necessarily agree with that statement, but we won't get into that, lol. (My first thought when I read the thread title was, "Suggestion? Don't buy a Macbook!" )

My personal bias aside...like others have said, if you want something that you won't have to support, its may be better to stick with the Apple ecosystem.

But obviously, the flipside of the coin is, you could get a Windows laptop (even a brand new one, at your/her price point) for a fraction of the price of a MBP. Macbooks are decent laptops, I'll give them that...they're just overpriced for what they are.

Keep in mind that prices of MBP's are pretty inflated on Kijiji. You could probably lower the price on some of the ads that are out there, but you probably knew that already.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Yep, a definite consideration to my support time given.

What about Macbook Airs?

I currently have a new air. Would not recommend unless you're constantly on the go, just using it for work/browsing, and weight is a factor. I love it, but it's underpowered. It's only worth it if it's giving you the exact benefits you want. For a do-everything laptop, I'd avoid.

[Fuzz]

You may want to look at a "Hackintosh". Grab a new laptop and put OSX on it.

http://blazinglist.com/top-10-best-l...ckintosh-2015/

[cam_wmh]

Yup, many will agree that Apple's formfactor, & their iOS/macOS fetch a premium. Don't want the thread to go in that direction please.

I think I got the laptop pretty shortlisted.
At least 8gb Ram, & SSD. I think I found one.

Thanks fellas

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

You may want to look at a "Hackintosh". Grab a new laptop and put OSX on it.

http://blazinglist.com/top-10-best-l...ckintosh-2015/

I can appreciate that for those tech savvy like many of us in this thread.
The actual recipient is someone who is the opposite of that, so going to have to object. I'm not out for creating more work for myself.

[Fuzz]

No worries, thought I'd throw it out there...

[Diemenz]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Yup, many will agree that Apple's formfactor, & their iOS/macOS fetch a premium. Don't want the thread to go in that direction please.

I think I got the laptop pretty shortlisted.
At least 8gb Ram, & SSD. I think I found one.

Thanks fellas

The beyond thread turned into an apple hate fest as per usual. I get the apple Eco system and the benefits. Apple has made it so my 3 year old daughter can video chat with her grandma, something that I guarantee she could not figure out in Skype. It has also made it so my entire family can share pictures with one another in a central spot that doesn't become public domain (like facebook) easily and fast among all their devices. Are these things available on windows.....yeah........in about 5 or 6 separate apps that don't play nice with each other.

Like I mentioned in the beyond thread yes windows computers are cheaper and yes apple computers are overpriced, however value is different for each individual and I know seeing the look on my moms face when my daughter calls her on FaceTime is worth way more then the extra few hundred spent on a MacBook.

[TheScorpion]

nm

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Diemenz

Apple has made it so my 3 year old daughter can video chat with her grandma, something that I guarantee she could not figure out in Skype.

Your kid or you mom?

Originally Posted by Diemenz

Like I mentioned in the beyond thread yes windows computers are cheaper and yes apple computers are overpriced, however value is different for each individual and I know seeing the look on my moms face when my daughter calls her on FaceTime is worth way more then the extra few hundred spent on a MacBook.

And that last line is the key. Don't go into the BMW dealership with Hyundai pricing in hand. If you want the premium model, spend the premium dollars. While a 2011 Macbook may be sufficient today, what about 3-5 years from now? If they spend $500 on a used macbook now, and then another $500 on another in 2 years, then another $500 in two more years; that pays for a new Macbook which based on the buying of a 2011 model should be good for 6 years. Plus it saves two extra support calls.

If $500 is a hard budget, a good Windows laptop can be bought for that much; one that should also last 4-5 years.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

I would take a look at the CPU requirements of the latest OS and make sure that, when you buy used, you aren't getting version that can't be upgraded.

Also, check the state of the battery when you buy (again Google how to) as Apple decided in its 'wisdom' to glue batteries into the frame...making replacement expensive.