Before you do this, there are some ideas that can help you make the right decision. Let’s find out.
Idea 1: Make sure the listing is legitimate
Don’t fall for listings that offer a MacBook at unbelievable prices. This is usually a scam. You should either use trusted websites that verify listings or meet the buyer out in public before you make an offer to buy the Mac.
Idea 2: Get the hang of using the Mac
If you have never used a Mac before, you may find it difficult to operate one the first time. The interface is different from Windows, so it would be a good idea if you could use someone’s Mac for a while to get the hang of it. If you can’t find a friend that can lend you their computer, you can also think about renting one for a week or so to get a feel for the OS.
Idea 3: Check for physical damage
Before you take a look at the insides of the computer, make sure to check it for physical damages. Minor dents and scratches aside, if there is a major issue, you have two options. You can use that as a bargaining chip to buy the Mac for cheaper and fix it up yourself or have the buyer fix it for you before you make a purchase.
Idea 4: Check if the screws are loose
The screws outside on the hinges must be checked. If you see a loose screw, that is usually a sign that the laptop has been serviced by an unauthorized third-party service provider, which effectively voids the Apple warranty. Now, this is not always a bad sign if the laptop is old, but it is difficult to determine whether the service center was able to solve the issue completely or used a short-term hack.
Idea 5: Check for dents on the screen
You should dents on the screen too. This may interfere with your viewing experience or cause parts of the screen to blackout. Again this can be used as a way to acquire a second-hand laptop for less than the listed price.
Idea 6: Start the computer
Boot up the computer by clicking on the power button. On some rare occasions, there may not be a macOS installed. In this case, you should have a USB drive with you with the latest version downloaded off of Apple’s website and use this to install the OS. If the computer does not start, it may not be worth buying it unless you are planning to get it cheap and fix it up.
Idea 7: Check the screen for dead pixels
One or two dead pixels will probably not hamper your experience, but a bunch of them or a cluster is a bad sign. To check for dead pixels, you need to fill the screen with true colors, and there are tools you can use to do this. If you plan on using the laptop to stream content, it may not be the right laptop for you.
Idea 8: Test the keyboard
Make sure you open the Notes app and type every character on the keyboard. You do not want to end up with a dead key, so it is important that you type out all the characters once as is and ones with caps lock. If you plan on using the computer primarily for writing and find issues with the keyboard, consider purchasing a different second-hand model.
Idea 9: Check the hard drive
Ideally, there shouldn’t be any files on the storage disk, but sometimes people forget to clear it completely. In this case, you will need to find one of the best uninstaller programs that can automate this process for you. Instead of having to manually find and delete files, apps, and more, you can rely on software that has these utilities.
Idea 10: Hold the laptop up with the lid
You do not want to be in a situation where the laptop you buy is so old or damaged that it comes apart at the seams. A simple test you can do is to hold the laptop by the lid. If you see that there is more bend than usual or it feels loose, reconsider buying that laptop.
Idea 11: Run the Apple diagnostics test
Apple has a hardware diagnostics test that you should run to see if there are any crucial errors. If you see an error message in red, then that issue should be fixed by the seller before you take ownership of the device.
Idea 12: Check Battery’s Health
Check how well the laptop’s battery is holding up. If you notice that the bar drains too much even though there are no resource-heavy processes, it is a sign that you will likely need to invest in a battery replacement.
To sum up
Buying a good second-hand Mac is not easy. But with these ideas, you should be able to find one that works for you and meets your needs.
