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2nd Hand Macbook/Pro/Air etc what year is too old to consider?

  • 07-02-2025 05:37PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 343 ✭✭


    Hi folks,

    I’m looking to get a 2nd hand MacBook and - having bought a high spec’d expensive one in 2023 - but then having a nightmare of an experience with the vendor and the 2 x faulty laptops he supplied - I’d like to get a cheaper one this time [€150 - €400].

    I see MacBooks from around 2014 onwards out there and they are not too expensive but will they be virtually useless within 6 - 24 months?

    At what point is it not worth buying - what with OS upgrades and other considerations?

    Anyone have any thoughts or experience on this?

    I’d appreciate any feedback on this even just ‘as a general rule’ kind of advice as I know it’s hard without detailed breakdown of my use expectations to give specific advice (see below for a brief outline of my general use intentions)

    Thanks to anyone who replies here!👍️

    **Nb: in terms of use I mostly want something that I can throw in my bag and do 'normal' (MS Office and online work tasks, Zoom meetings etc with, possibly some tweaks to my work in Adobe CC - but nothing intensive so I don’t need the spec’s I needed on my previous laptop and I have an iMac for the intensive stuff) but I don’t want to be getting repeated messages saying ‘cannot use with current OS’ if I can’t upgrade to the minimum req OS etc…I'll be using it in Coffee Shop/Remote Worker/Hotdesk kind of scenarios using my LaCie Rugged for storage* *



Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,197 ✭✭✭✭Flinty997


    In terms of longest support. Avoid anything with an Intel Chip.. Get something with Apple Silicone, M1, M2.



  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 7,496 Mod ✭✭✭✭pleasant Co.


    In terms of os support, I have a 2014 mbp running sequoia thanks to open core patcher, official OS support from apple ended 5-ish years ago and I started to run into compatibility issues 3 years ago, now that it's patched and up to date apps work again.

    There's a period of macbooks I personally wouldn't touch with a barge pole, I think it was 2016-2019, when apple were using those god awful "butterfly" keyboards, terribly prone to failure.

    Here's a link to the various models and there officially supported OS compatibility

    https://www.macworld.com/article/673697/what-version-of-macos-can-my-mac-run.html

    And here's a link to opencore's list of compatibility

    https://dortania.github.io/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher/MODELS.html



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,197 ✭✭✭✭Flinty997


    You'll get a M1 MacBook Air for 500-550. Will likely be supported till 2031.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 343 ✭✭DrFroggies


    Thanks Flinty997…will look out for the M1 and M2 chips…so are Intel Chips likely to run out of support anytime soon?

    I'm trying to keep costs below 400 as if the laptop is steady and reliable for the next 2 years I'll be happy to upgrade fully but then again that M1 support until 2031 looks like it could save a lot of headaches!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 343 ✭✭DrFroggies


    Thanks for those links pleasant Co…Yes! That is exactly the problem I had in 2023 with the high spec'd macbooks I bought; the first was a gorgeous machine, fast and powerful but unusable with the keyboard issues (and the replacement the seller sent on was even worse but both were the same era - if I recall they were both 2017) took about 9 months to get my refund sorted.

    Regarding your 2014 MBP it's still running well? I presume the same would be true for 2015 models and there are many of them around so maybe with that open core patcher it could be a goer!



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 343 ✭✭DrFroggies


    👉️Also just a quick Sidenote:

    I bought my original laptop through refurbed.ie and…whilst they were great in terms of helping resolve the issue with the seller and I think they still have some of the best price offerings…I can see they still have that seller active despite numerous complaints about the seller…so I'm hesitant to order from them again if they aren't keeping up quality control.

    So if anyone knows of any local competitive shops for 2nd hand macs I'd love to know (at least then I can return in person if there are any issues with the macbook)



  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 7,496 Mod ✭✭✭✭pleasant Co.


    Running well? Hmmmm, well the battery’s shot and a fall broke the display so it’s a desktop computer now - connected to power and monitor full time, but aside from that its other hardware is still functioning well.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 343 ✭✭DrFroggies


    Got it! I'd imagine the battery wouldn't be a problem if I bought a refurb so if that the main issue it could be a goer. Also I just had a look at that open core patcher…it looks great. Don't think my imac 2017 is included for OSX updates from the most recent onwards (though I'm still on Monterey at moment and pretty happy with it) and as rapid AI stuff rolls out it might be necessary…so i might even use it for that at some point. Cheers.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 343 ✭✭DrFroggies


    Thanks again folks…if anyone has any other thoughts please do let me know.

    For now I reckon that…All in all it looks like my choice is to go with a 2014 or 2015 for under €150 - €350 or a 2020 onwards M1 for €500+ 🤔👍️



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