The best way to save money when buying a Mac computer is to look for a 2nd hand mac. Often Macs have a long service life, so buying a 2nd hand Mac is a worthwhile investment because it can last you for years at a fraction of the price. This 2nd hand Mac buyer’s guide.
The best way to save money when buying a Mac computer is to look for a 2nd hand mac. Often Macs have a long service life, so buying a 2nd hand Mac is a worthwhile investment because it can last you for years at a fraction of the price. This 2nd hand Mac buyer’s guide will show you your options.
Refurbished
The first place to look for a 2nd hand Mac is the Mac store online. They sell “refurbished” Macs (computers that have been returned and repaired like new) for about 30% less than a new one. These computers come with the 1-year warranty and are often less than a year old, plus you have the manufacturer backing the computer and you know exactly what you are getting.
Online Auction Sites
If you are looking for an even bigger discount, online auction sites often have 2nd hand Macs. If you don’t know the seller be sure to look at the specifications they list: the model year, the hardware included, software version, and any defects they list. If the computer is too old or the equipment is outdated it will not be very useful to you and you may need to spend money upgrading. Check the Mac website for information about repairing or replacing the equipment in the computer – as technology advances Apple may stop making replacement parts or they may become prohibitively expensive. If you buy the 2nd hand Mac online make sure to find out about a refund before you buy it in case the computer is not what was described.
Buy in Person
Many people are licensed to repair and sell Mac computers outside of the Mac store. A quick internet search of your area will give you their information, and you can ask if they have any 2nd hand macs for sale. Oftentimes they get these computers by buying them from people who thought it was too expensive to repair a simple problem or got a new computer. This option is great because you can see and use the computer before you buy and are dealing with a live person – and someone who can fix your 2nd hand Mac should you ever need it.
Before you buy any 2nd hand Mac think about any other costs – repairs, new parts, new software, upgrades, etc. you may need to buy and factor that into the cost.