I adopt a couple of Facebook group for Apple users . They post all sort of interrogative sentence and dilemmas that sometimes gives me ideas of what to save about . One affair I have noticed that come up up a lot is people necessitate whether they should buy a 2nd hand Mac , or for helper with a 2d hand Mac that they have just buy .
These are naturally people who were looking for a deal . Sometimes they are people for whom this will be their first Mac . But unavoidably buying a second bridge player Mac causes nothing but trouble .
Now there is second hand and there is 2d hired hand . You might discover a two year erstwhile Mac on cut-rate sale on eBay , in which case , it ’s probably safe to buy – although we ’d still stay on away from Intel model and you do postulate to make certain that the marketer has followed the right steps in groom the Mac for cut-rate sale ( such as wipe it and disassociating it from their Apple ID ) . However , we see a bunch of position from citizenry who have buy much quondam Macs second hand and that ’s where the problem arise .
A respectable solution than buying a used Mac from someone on eBay , would be to buy arefurbished Mac from Apple(UK link ) or another company that carries out refurbishments and has a good reputation . At least this direction you may rest assure that the Mac is in practiced workings society . Read : Why you should corrupt a refurbished Mac .
Alternatively you might pick up a good deal from an Apple reseller on a discontinued example ( have a expression at our various Mac peck forMacBook Air , MacBookPro , iMacandMacmini ) .
The problem when people buy Macs 2d hand is that they are buy a Mac someone else is replacing . And they have good rationality to replace it .
So before you buy that 2009 iMac please stop and read this !
Here are six reason why it ’s a sorry thought to bribe a second handwriting Mac :
1. Old Macs aren’t secure
Apple only maintains software system funding for the current and premature two interpretation of macOS ( at the clip of writing that ’s Ventura , Monterey and Big Sur ) . That mean that if your Mac does n’t run at least macOS Big Sur you are out in the coldness when it occur to security system updates . Using a Mac that is running old software system could put you and your information at hazard .
mack suffer by macOS Big Sur ( which came out in 2020 ) include :
But that does n’t imply you’re able to confidently buy a Mac from 2013 and expect things to be unmistakable sailing .
Foundry
2. A lack of parts will make fixes difficult
If something goes wrong with your ageing Mac it is very unlikely you will be capable to get the parts to fix it and if you could it will in all probability be very expensive to fix .
Apple considers Macs Vintage seven days after it cease selling them . Once they rack up 10 days they are considered Obsolete . Vintage think that Apple might be able to provide section if they need service , but it does n’t warrant that it will be able-bodied to . Obsolete means that your opportunity of get the Apple part is practically nil .
Vintage Macs include the 2016 12 - inch MacBook , 2016 13 - in and 15 - column inch MacBook Pro , 2015 MacBook Air , 2015 21.5 - inch and 27 - inch iMacs and the 2012 Mac Pro . disused Macs include 2013 and 2014 MacBook Pro and the 2014 iMac . Take a look atApple ’s extensive listand read : How long do Macs last .
3. There won’t be adequate software support
Older Macs may be able to support the modish reading of macOS , but they will miss out on many of the flagship features . For example older mack lack many of the in effect macOS Ventura and macOS Monterey features . study : Macs that do n’t get Ventura featuresandSome Monterey features do n’t process on Intel Macs .
Along with Apple not updating the older version of macOS it is probable that software developer wo n’t update the software you are using too . Again this could forget you at risk fromvulnerabilitiesand flaw in the software .
4. Performance will be disappointing
It ’s likely that an elder Mac – even one that was incredibly muscular in its day – will contend to perform modern tasks . There is the slender hypothesis that you may be able-bodied to upgrade the RAM and other components in an older Mac to make it better accommodate to today chore , but the money you spend on upgrading an honest-to-god Mac would be better spent on something newer .
An old Mac is likely to be unreliable . anticipate unexpected shutdowns and clangor to chevvy your Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .
5. It will be Intel
Apple has travel from Intel to its own processors that are much much better than anything on offer before .
Buying an Intel Mac now is buying a machine that has no future . Intel Macs are left for dust by their Apple Silicon successors ( M1,M1 Pro , M1 Max and M1 Ultra , M2,M2 Pro and M2 Max . Not only will that will you in the slow lane , it will also make the Mac harder to trade or pass on in the time to come .
6. There are better ways to save money…
Even if you are desperate for a bargain Mac our advice is do not corrupt secondhand . You would be much better off buying a Mac mini , which you’re able to get for £ 699/$699 , expect out for a muckle on a raw Mac , or buy fromApple ’s refurbished storewhere at least old Macs are serve first and you get a full year ’s warrant . See : Where to grease one’s palms a refurbished MacBook or MacandWhy you should purchase a refurbished Mac .
Take a aspect at our round of golf up of thebest Apple deals , which is update on a regular basis . Plus we have the observe Mac batch polish ups :
But do n’t grease one’s palms secondhand , you ’ll rue it .
If you do want to purchase a used Mac though , we recommend the following places , at least you will lie with the Mac has been thoroughly check and will function !
In the U.S. :
In the U.K. :
