Buying a used Mac: where to buy, what to look for, what are the general recommendations?

Question

iPhone

I want to try my hand at developing applications for devices from the world of Apple. Obviously Mac OS X + XCode is needed. Hackintosh did, but it's still not very convenient to work with him. For sim I want to buy a macbook / poppy mini or something else plus an iPhone. Purely for development and testing. No holy war: I myself am convinced that buying new devices in my case would be an overpayment. To save some money, I want to take used devices.
In this regard:
— what to buy? Which of the devices will allow you to comfortably work in XCode at the lowest price?
- where to buy?
- what to pay attention to?
Are there any pitfalls that are important to be aware of? I'm not a macbook myself, so even the most obvious remarks are helpful.
Are there any general tips?
Thank you!
PS If someone tells me super places in Moscow, I'll be really happy.
For heaven's sake, don't take the question as an incitement to holy war!
UPD1. Dear minusers, write at least in the PM what is wrong with my question. I thought that Q&A on Habré was made for mutual assistance.

Answer 1

what to buy? Which of the devices will allow you to comfortably work in XCode at the lowest price?

I rarely work in XCode, but I don't think it's worth spending money on Core 2 Duo machines in 2012. Take used Macs on Core i7/i5/i3.
Forget about all 20" and 24" iMac models (i.e. all models before the end of 2009), because they are sluggish, heat up, and monitors often have problems with backlighting. I would also not recommend taking a MacBook unibody 13" MB466 (2008, because it gets warm) and iMac 27" 2009 (because the monitor turns yellow).
Do not forget that Mountain Lion may not start on older Macs either .
With a minimal budget, I would now choose the Mac Mini (2011). In stores, it costs 23,000 rubles, that is, a used one should cost at least 19,000 rubles. If you are going to buy another laptop in a while, then look towards the MacBook Air to "kill two birds with one stone."
Live flea markets seem uncomfortable to me - I prefer flea markets on the forums. For example, the DeepApple forum .
Macintoshniks, especially not techies, are a very greedy people. The fact that Macs have been produced with the same design for many years has a big impact on aftermarket prices. That is, people, before selling their three-year-old unit, come to the Apple store, see exactly the same-looking computers in the window, and run to submit an ad with a price slightly lower than what they saw. The most interesting thing is that they still buy.
Top tip if you want to save money: bargain . And so it is worth paying attention to everything.
Before you go to a meeting, ask for screenshots from System Profiler (System Information) to make sure that this is the Mac model you are interested in. (You need to click the apple in the upper corner> "About this Mac" and there click another button, called differently depending on the version of the system. System Profiler looks like this ). You can also check the serial number on the Apple website just in case.
Keep in mind that all Macs (except Mac Pro, and even then) fit regular memory. Sellers like to raise the price by 5000 rubles. only for the fact that they delivered the memory for 1500 rubles. from the nearest computer store.
1) If the Mac is with a monitor, then be sure to check the monitor for dead pixels. On white, check the uniformity of the backlight.
2) Always check if the drive is working (even if you don't need it) because they break often. Be sure to check the availability / performance of Firewire, Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth. Information about everything can be found in the same System Profiler or in System Preferences > Network.
If the Mac is still under warranty (say, a month left), then I highly recommend extending the warranty for another two years (called AppleCare). If the Mac was bought abroad and still under warranty, then ask for a receipt - without it, there may be problems with the service in Russia.

Answer 2

Sell ​​iMac 27" i3 Radeon 512Mb 1Tb. As a gift Magic Trackpad.
support.apple.com/kb/SP588?viewlocale=ru_RU
www.apple.com/magictrackpad/

Answer 3

The only thing that comes to mind is the ru-macsale community in LiveJournal

Answer 4

Judging by the question, you are not very friendly with the hardware, in such a situation the adviser takes part of the responsibility for the consequences of your choice. I know fifty places that you need to look at when purchasing a used one. company, but I'm going to buy a car with a car mechanic. In general, the algorithm is approximately the following. External examination for traces of falls, impacts and opening. I disassemble to search for traces of repair and flooding with liquids. Along the way, I clean the dust, change the thermal interfaces and, if necessary, upgrade the processor. I assemble and test hard drives, USB ports. Beeches have a keyboard, hinges and a matrix. Good luck.

Answer 5

Here he bought both a MacBook and an iPad (though not used, but new ones), but there are a lot of ads there, including used ones. And personally I like it more than ru-macsale

Answer 6

You need to pay attention to external damage, perhaps some connectors are loose or something. Be sure to check the SMART hard drive before buying.

Answer 7

An inexpensive way to plunge into the world of Mac OS: Macbook (white, not pro) or Mac Mini.

Answer 8

You can buy abroad, on the same eBay. Or do you need a personal inspection of the device?

Answer 9

Look at avito.ru, 13" unibody has a lot of offers.

Answer 10

1. American keyboard layout is much more comfortable. If we take it, then not the PCT. Without Russian letters, you will get used to typing in a week or two.
2. Take a closer look at the prices on the same avito. Russian Mac owners don't cut the price much, even after a year of use. 5-10K max.
3. Based on point 2, is it better to order a new one at an American price? Mac mini costs $600 and Macbook Air 11" $1000. On ebay you can find new but upgraded laptops for the same price. I can recommend the seller macman812, I took it a year ago. 2 hours after receiving the money, he already sent me parcel tracking code. The parcel reached Rostov in 10 days, you are in Moscow, which means minus 2-3 days.There are no complaints about the laptop, it has been working around the clock for almost a year, uptime reached 50 days, but there were no brakes or overheating.
Apple technology is really worth the money (if you order from America), like equipment from other manufacturers. Those who say that there is more overpayment for the brand simply didn’t use it (I’m not talking about iPhone and iPad, I don’t have them and don’t really want them, I’m only talking about Mac).
4. If you seriously want to take up this platform (there are ideas and knowledge), then the money spent on a new laptop will pay off. I don't even know, I've never skimped on tools for the job. A used computer somehow does not inspire.

Answer 11

Recommend mac mini www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Mac-Mini-MC815LL-A-July-2011-Latest-Model-keyboard-and-mouse-/261082909757?pt=Apple_Desktops&hash=item3cc9c10c3d