I need Macbook Pro Advice Please

Hey Everyone,

I am looking to purchase a USED Macbook Pro in the next few days. I have seen quite a few deals posted online. First off what type of processor should I be looking for, what OS should I stay away from if any, and how big of memory as a minimum to run Serato or any other similar program.

The one i have seen so far is a 2010 Macbook Pro with 4GB Memory, 2.3 GHZ processor, and 500GB Hard Drive for $420.

Another is not a Macbook Pro...just MACBOOK...with 2.0 GHZ processor, 4GB Memory and 250 GB Hard Drive for $450.

Neither have stated OS included.

Any advice?

thank you sir. i almost bought a pc today. An i3 with 6gb memory and 500gb hard drive for $250 bc I am impatient. I am just gonna wait til I can get a good mac. The mac i was looking at was a 2007 model. I want something newer.

Bought my MBP a few months back, 2.2ghz i7, 4gb ram. Runs like a charm, bought it refurbished and saved approximately $200 as well.

Prior to that I ran Traktor 2 on my desktop which is faster than my Mac but didn't run nearly as well. Mac is the way to go for Traktor imo.

I am working with a MacBook Pro Air that I bought off Amazon for $1400 and I love it! The main selling point for me was the SSD (solid state drive). Even from a complete crash (that has never happened so far, knock on wood) I could be back up and running in about 12 seconds (the time it takes from the moment I press the power key to the moment VDJ is loaded). The rest of the time is taken up by me moving the sliders and knobs on my Numark so VDJ can re-adjust.

So Mac is the best way to go and if you can get one with a SSD you are all set!

Thanks guys for your input. I really am looking at a mac im just hesitant of spending $600-800 on a used one and then worrying about it crap out on me soon after.

Rick-I do some technology consulting on the side-I can walk you through the whole process with Apple-I have a 2011 2.0Ghz i7 with 4GB RAM and a 500GB drive it CHUGS along-i got it refurbished for $1359(and I'm sorry to say the 2.2ghz one is now that price) when you're buying apple-ALWAYS go to the refurbished page-the only thing you don't get is the fancy box with the picture on it! I've built my setup one "steal of a deal" at a time-I got a price match on some $399 speakers-paid $190.92 for them... Send me a message and I'll be glad to help!

-DJ Rosko

And here's a link to the 15" MacBook Pro refurb page

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook_pro/15

Thanks Rosko. I appreciate the advice. I was able to get a good deal on craigslist. I bought one on craigslist for cheap in Mint Condition. It's a 2008 but it will do until I can upgrade again in a few months

Owned a MBP 15" for 4 years (and it was still going strong after being used all day EVERY day), then went to 27" iMac (nice apart from the wifi issues), but because of getting into DJing then wanted a Macbook again. Was torn between Macbook Air and Macbook Pro. The Air is indeed really (!) nice, and with the overhaul this year they finally got decent CPU, more RAM and higher resolution screens (same resolution on 13" as the standard MBP 15"). Made my best friend get one as a new computer, and he absolutely loves it, like you Phil! But for me it was too expensive to get one specced to my needs (500gb of storage, can't go with less, I hate external drives), because you can not upgrade the Air yourself (without voiding your warranty at least...).

So in the end I went back to what I'm used to: 15" MBP. Really good deal on a new model, put in 500GB SSD and 8GB Ram and it's the best computer I've ever owned. This thing is fucking fast ^^

But (this time around I got the glossy standard screen because of the amazing deal I got on a brand new computer, 500,-€ off) I would always go for the matte screen with the Macbook Pros. As a plus you get higher resolution ever since they offer that option on the unibodies. If I had a matte screen as with my old one, this would be the perfect computer for me, but... meh

I recently got a 13" MBP, 2.8ghz, 8gb of ram, 750gb hdd for $1149 refurbished. The thing screams. I was worried that the 13" screen would not be enough but I have no complaints, only had X amount to spend and wanted to get the best computer for the money. I'm sure next time I will probably wait a little longer for the 15" but this was my first Mac and I already had the controller that I was dying to use w/ a mac. I am definitely not disappointed w/ the 13" and after i got mine my wife actually ended up getting the same one from the refurbished page. I also looked at deals on craigs list and just didn't want to get one too old, figured if I want at 15" in 6 mos or a year, I can sell this one for a good price. Like two of my buddies that produce music told me, once you go mac, you'll never go back. And I definitely will never buy a PC again.

I think your buddy is right

I've been hating on Macs and Apple products in general for a very long time. Sure, I liked my iPod, but I still thought it was all overhyped and overpriced and that Windows was just fine. I was more of a power user and thought everybody complaining about Win vs OS X just too dumb to use it correctly.
It all changed when I got my first Mac. Never before has a notebook lasted me 4 years and still been functioning perfectly - I abused the thing a LOT! Sure, if you wanna get your hands dirty and ur nerdy and techy, a Linux system might be for you. Other than that, I think that OS X is hands down the best OS if you just wanna get stuff done and need a computer that works hassle-free all the time. And since it comes in a high-quality hardware package, I think that the computers are totally worth their money. Only thing overpriced in my opinion are most of the hardware upgrades if you buy them from Apple directly. I love the iOS devices too, but the computers just blow me away. I'll never buy another computer.

I ended up buying a cheap Macbook on Craigslist. Its only its 4gb ram, 2.4GHZ, and 150GB HD but it runs super smooth with Serato Itch. Love it. Only paid $375 for it.

like they said. once you go mac, you dont go back. and size does matter. I got a early 2012 model 15 inch i7 osx 500gb hd. LOVE IT!!

im thinking about getting a macbook pro,,but from what ive read it seems very complex to transfer you traktor track collection from a windows laptop