When not to buy a used Apple Mac

/ Apple iCloud, Buy, Hardware / By

Buying a 2nd hand Mac for a few hundred dollars sounds like a bargain! But BEWARE of which model you buy as it could turn out to be a lemon. We show you which models to avoid.

imac through the years

In General Avoid:

  • ALL 21″ iMacs
  • ALL Macs that have HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or “Fusion” drive storage. (usually 1TB or 2TB)
  • All Macs older than 5 years
  • Non-Silicon or Intel processors (only buy M1, M2, M3 or higher processors)

Fusion drives were a combined small SSD with a 1TB or 2TB conventional HDD. The problem with HDD’s is that they are mechanical and wear out in as little as 3 years.

There are many old Macs out there of 10 years or older and still using the original HDD and still operating but the ones produced from 2017 to 2020 had poor quality HDD’s that failed after 1 year in some cases.

Old HDD’s can be replaced with new SSD’s but on post 2012 iMacs it is an expensive and time consuming exercise due to the processing of having to remove and re-glue the monitor….. prices could be $400 to $500.

The other thing to consider when buying an old Mac is how long will it remain serviceable and secure by receiving Apple OS updates. Generally, Apple OS updates tend to finish after approx 6 years which effectively limits the age of any Mac to 6, possibly 7 years. The machine will live on and continue to work but browsers such as Safari and Chrome will cease to remain secure and stop being accepted by secure websites as used by Banks and Government Departments.

iMac models with SSD’s

  • iMac “Core i5″ 3.1 27” (5K, 2020) 3.1 GHz Core i5 (I5-10500)
  • iMac “Core i5″ 3.3 27” (5K, 2020) 3.3 GHz Core i5 (I5-10600)
  • iMac “Core i7″ 3.8 27” (5K, 2020) 3.8 GHz Core i7 (I7-10700K)
  • iMac “Core i9″ 3.6 27” (5K, 2020)3.6 GHz Core i9 (I9-10910)
  • iMac “Core i7″ 3.8 27” (5K, 2020; 5700/XT) 3.8 GHz Core i7 (I7-10700K)
  • iMac “Core i9″ 3.6 27” (5K, 2020; 5700/XT) 3.6 GHz Core i9 (I9-10910)
  • * iMac “M1” 8 CPU/7 GPU/2 Ports 24″3.2 GHz Apple M1
  • * iMac “M1” 8 CPU/8 GPU/4 Ports 24″3.2 GHz Apple M1
  • * iMac “M3” 8 CPU/8 GPU/2 Ports 24″4.05 GHz Apple M3
  • * iMac “M3” 8 CPU/10 GPU/4 Ports 24″4.05 GHz Apple M3

* Only the M1 and M3 processors are capable of running the latest Mac OS 17 Sonoma at 2024

MacBook Pro’s models with SSD’s

  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.3 15” Retina 20122.3 GHz Core i7 (I7-3615QM)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.6 15” Retina 20122.6 GHz Core i7 (I7-3720QM)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.7 15” Retina 20122.7 GHz Core i7 (I7-3820QM)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i5″ 2.5 13” Retina 20122.5 GHz Core i5 (I5-3210M)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.9 13” Retina 20122.9 GHz Core i7 (I7-3520M)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i5″ 2.6 13” Early 20132.6 GHz Core i5 (I5-3230M)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 3.0 13” Early 20133.0 GHz Core i7 (I7-3540M)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.4 15” Early 20132.4 GHz Core i7 (I7-3635QM)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.7 15” Early 20132.7 GHz Core i7 (I7-3740QM)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.8 15” Early 20132.8 GHz Core i7 (I7-3840QM)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i5″ 2.4 13” Late 20132.4 GHz Core i5 (I5-4258U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i5″ 2.6 13” Late 20132.6 GHz Core i5 (I5-4288U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.8 13” Late 20132.8 GHz Core i7 (I7-4558U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.0 15” Late 2013 (IG)2.0 GHz Core i7 (I7-4750HQ)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.3 15” Late 2013 (IG)2.3 GHz Core i7 (I7-4850HQ)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.6 15” Late 2013 (IG)2.6 GHz Core i7 (I7-4960HQ)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.3 15” Late 2013 (DG)2.3 GHz Core i7 (I7-4850HQ)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.6 15” Late 2013 (DG)2.6 GHz Core i7 (I7-4960HQ)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i5″ 2.6 13” Mid-20142.6 GHz Core i5 (I5-4278U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i5″ 2.8 13” Mid-20142.8 GHz Core i5 (I5-4308U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 3.0 13” Mid-20143.0 GHz Core i7 (I7-4578U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.2 15” Mid-2014 (IG)2.2 GHz Core i7 (I7-4770HQ)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.5 15” Mid-2014 (IG)2.5 GHz Core i7 (I7-4870HQ)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.8 15” Mid-2014 (IG)2.8 GHz Core i7 (I7-4980HQ)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.5 15” Mid-2014 (DG)2.5 GHz Core i7 (I7-4870HQ)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.8 15” Mid-2014 (DG)2.8 GHz Core i7 (I7-4980HQ)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i5″ 2.7 13” Early 20152.7 GHz Core i5 (I5-5257U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i5″ 2.9 13” Early 20152.9 GHz Core i5 (I5-5287U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 3.1 13” Early 20153.1 GHz Core i7 (I7-5557U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.2 15” Mid-2015 (IG)2.2 GHz Core i7 (I7-4770HQ)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.5 15” Mid-2015 (IG)2.5 GHz Core i7 (I7-4870HQ)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.8 15” Mid-2015 (IG)2.8 GHz Core i7 (I7-4980HQ)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.5 15” Mid-2015 (DG)2.5 GHz Core i7 (I7-4870HQ)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.8 15” Mid-2015 (DG)2.8 GHz Core i7 (I7-4980HQ)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i5″ 2.0 13” Late 20162.0 GHz Core i5 (I5-6360U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.4 13” Late 20162.4 GHz Core i7 (I7-6660U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i5″ 2.9 13” Touch/Late 20162.9 GHz Core i5 (I5-6267U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i5″ 3.1 13” Touch/Late 20163.1 GHz Core i5 (I5-6287U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 3.3 13” Touch/Late 20163.3 GHz Core i7 (I7-6567U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.6 15” Touch/Late 20162.6 GHz Core i7 (I7-6700HQ)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.7 15” Touch/Late 20162.7 GHz Core i7 (I7-6820HQ)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.9 15” Touch/Late 20162.9 GHz Core i7 (I7-6920HQ)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i5″ 2.3 13” Mid-20172.3 GHz Core i5 (I5-7360U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.5 13” Mid-20172.5 GHz Core i7 (I7-7660U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i5″ 3.1 13” Touch/Mid-20173.1 GHz Core i5 (I5-7267U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i5″ 3.3 13” Touch/Mid-20173.3 GHz Core i5 (I5-7287U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 3.5 13” Touch/Mid-20173.5 GHz Core i7 (I7-7567U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.8 15” Touch/Mid-20172.8 GHz Core i7 (I7-7700HQ)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.9 15” Touch/Mid-20172.9 GHz Core i7 (I7-7820HQ)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 3.1 15” Touch/Mid-20173.1 GHz Core i7 (I7-7920HQ)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i5″ 2.3 13” Touch/20182.3 GHz Core i5 (I5-8259U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.7 13” Touch/20182.7 GHz Core i7 (I7-8559U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.2 15” Touch/20182.2 GHz Core i7 (I7-8750H)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.6 15” Touch/20182.6 GHz Core i7 (I7-8850H)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.6 15” Touch/2018 Vega2.6 GHz Core i7 (I7-8850H)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i9″ 2.9 15” Touch/20182.9 GHz Core i9 (I9-8950HK)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i9″ 2.9 15” Touch/2018 Vega2.9 GHz Core i9 (I9-8950HK)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i5″ 2.4 13” Touch/20192.4 GHz Core i5 (I5-8279U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.8 13” Touch/20192.8 GHz Core i7 (I7-8569U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.6 15” Touch/20192.6 GHz Core i7 (I7-9750H)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i9″ 2.3 15” Touch/20192.3 GHz Core i9 (I9-9880H)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i9″ 2.3 15” Touch/2019 Vega2.3 GHz Core i9 (I9-9880H)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i9″ 2.4 15” Touch/20192.4 GHz Core i9 (I9-9980HK)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i9″ 2.4 15” Touch/2019 Vega2.4 GHz Core i9 (I9-9980HK)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i5″ 1.4 13” Touch/2019 2 TB 31.4 GHz Core i5 (I5-8257U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 1.7 13” Touch/2019 2 TB 31.7 GHz Core i7 (I7-8557U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.6 16” 20192.6 GHz Core i7 (I7-9750H)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i9″ 2.3 16” 20192.3 GHz Core i9 (I9-9880H)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i9″ 2.4 16” 20192.4 GHz Core i9 (I9-9980HK)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i5″ 1.4 13” 2020 2 TB 31.4 GHz Core i5 (I5-8257U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 1.7 13” 2020 2 TB 31.7 GHz Core i7 (I7-8557U)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i5″ 2.0 13” 2020 4 TB 32.0 GHz Core i5 (I5-1038NG7)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.3 13” 2020 4 TB 32.3 GHz Core i7 (I7-1068NG7)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i7″ 2.6 16” 2019 5600M2.6 GHz Core i7 (I7-9750H)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i9″ 2.3 16” 2019 5600M2.3 GHz Core i9 (I9-9880H)
  • MacBook Pro “Core i9″ 2.4 16” 2019 5600M2.4 GHz Core i9 (I9-9980HK)
  • * MacBook Pro “M1” 8 CPU/8 GPU 13″3.2 GHz Apple M1
  • * MacBook Pro “M1 Pro” 8 CPU/14 GPU 14″3.2 GHz Apple M1 Pro
  • * MacBook Pro “M1 Pro” 10 CPU/14 GPU 14″3.2 GHz Apple M1 Pro
  • * MacBook Pro “M1 Pro” 10 CPU/16 GPU 14″3.2 GHz Apple M1 Pro
  • * MacBook Pro “M1 Max” 10 CPU/24 GPU 14″3.2 GHz Apple M1 Max
  • * MacBook Pro “M1 Max” 10 CPU/32 GPU 14″3.2 GHz Apple M1 Max
  • * MacBook Pro “M1 Pro” 10 CPU/16 GPU 16″3.2 GHz Apple M1 Pro
  • * MacBook Pro “M1 Max” 10 CPU/24 GPU 16″3.2 GHz Apple M1 Max
  • * MacBook Pro “M1 Max” 10 CPU/32 GPU 16″3.2 GHz Apple M1 Max
  • * MacBook Pro “M2” 8 CPU/10 GPU 13″3.49 GHz Apple M2
  • * MacBook Pro “M2 Pro” 10 CPU/16 GPU 14″3.49 GHz* Apple M2 Pro
  • * MacBook Pro “M2 Pro” 12 CPU/19 GPU 14″3.49 GHz* Apple M2 Pro
  • * MacBook Pro “M2 Max” 12 CPU/30 GPU 14″3.68 GHz* Apple M2 Max
  • * MacBook Pro “M2 Max” 12 CPU/38 GPU 14″3.68 GHz* Apple M2 Max
  • * MacBook Pro “M2 Pro” 12 CPU/19 GPU 16″3.49 GHz* Apple M2 Pro
  • * MacBook Pro “M2 Max” 12 CPU/30 GPU 16″3.68 GHz* Apple M2 Max
  • * MacBook Pro “M2 Max” 12 CPU/38 GPU 16″3.68 GHz* Apple M2 Max
  • * MacBook Pro “M3” 8 CPU/10 GPU 14″4.05 GHz Apple M3
  • * MacBook Pro “M3 Pro” 11 CPU/14 GPU 14″4.05 GHz Apple M3 Pro
  • * MacBook Pro “M3 Pro” 12 CPU/18 GPU 14″4.05 GHz Apple M3 Pro
  • * MacBook Pro “M3 Max” 14 CPU/30 GPU 14″4.05 GHz Apple M3 Max
  • * MacBook Pro “M3 Max” 16 CPU/40 GPU 14″4.05 GHz Apple M3 Max
  • * MacBook Pro “M3 Pro” 12 CPU/18 GPU 16″4.05 GHz Apple M3 Pro
  • * MacBook Pro “M3 Max” 14 CPU/30 GPU 16″4.05 GHz Apple M3 Max
  • * MacBook Pro “M3 Max” 16 CPU/40 GPU 16″4.05 GHz Apple M3 Max

* Only the M1, M2 and M3 processors are capable of running the latest Mac OS 17 Sonoma at 2024

MacBook Air models with SSD’s

* ALL MacBook Air’s have SSD’s but only the following are capable of running the latest OS 17 Sonoma at 2024

  • * MacBook Air “M1” 8 CPU/7 GPU 13″3.2 GHz Apple M1
  • * MacBook Air “M1” 8 CPU/8 GPU 13″3.2 GHz Apple M1
  • * MacBook Air “M2” 8 CPU/8 GPU 13″3.49 GHz Apple M2
  • * MacBook Air “M2” 8 CPU/10 GPU 13″3.49 GHz Apple M2
  • * MacBook Air “M2” 8 CPU/10 GPU 15″3.49 GHz Apple M2
  • * MacBook Air “M3” 8 CPU/8 GPU 13″4.05 GHz Apple M3
  • * MacBook Air “M3” 8 CPU/10 GPU 13″4.05 GHz Apple M3
  • * MacBook Air “M3” 8 CPU/10 GPU 15″4.05 GHz Apple M3

Mac Mini models with SSD’s

  • Mac mini “Core i3” 3.6 (Late 2018)3.6 GHz Core i3 (I3-8100B)
  • Mac mini “Core i5” 3.0 (Late 2018)3.0 GHz Core i5 (I5-8500B)
  • Mac mini “Core i7” 3.2 (Late 2018)3.2 GHz Core i7 (I7-8700B)
  • * Mac mini “M1” 8 CPU/8 GPU 20203.2 GHz Apple M1
  • * Mac mini “M2” 8 CPU/10 GPU 20233.49 GHz* Apple M2
  • * Mac mini “M2 Pro” 10 CPU/16 GPU 20233.49 GHz* Apple M2 Pro
  • * Mac mini “M2 Pro” 12 CPU/19 GPU 20233.49 GHz* Apple M2 Pro

* Only the M1, M2 processors are capable of running the latest Mac OS 17 Sonoma at 2024

Mac Pro models with SSD’s

  • Mac Pro “Quad Core” 3.7 (Late 2013)3.7 GHz Q. Core Xeon E5-1620v2
  • Mac Pro “Six Core” 3.5 (Late 2013)3.5 GHz 6 Core Xeon E5-1650v2
  • Mac Pro “Eight Core” 3.0 (Late 2013)3.0 GHz 8 Core Xeon E5-1680v2
  • Mac Pro “Twelve Core” 2.7 (Late 2013)2.7 GHz 12 Core Xeon E5-2697v2
  • Mac Pro “Eight Core” 3.5 (2019)3.5 GHz 8-Core Xeon W (W-3223)
  • Mac Pro “12-Core” 3.3 (2019)3.3 GHz 12-Core Xeon W (W-3235)
  • Mac Pro “16-Core” 3.2 (2019)3.2 GHz 16-Core Xeon W (W-3245)
  • Mac Pro “24-Core” 2.7 (2019)2.7 GHz 24-Core Xeon W (W-3265M)
  • Mac Pro “28-Core” 2.5 (2019)2.5 GHz 28-Core Xeon W (W-3275M)
  • Mac Pro “Eight Core” 3.5 (2019 – Rack)3.5 GHz 8-Core Xeon W (W-3223)
  • Mac Pro “12-Core” 3.3 (2019 – Rack)3.3 GHz 12-Core Xeon W (W-3235)
  • Mac Pro “16-Core” 3.2 (2019 – Rack)3.2 GHz 16-Core Xeon W (W-3245)
  • Mac Pro “24-Core” 2.7 (2019 – Rack)2.7 GHz 24-Core Xeon W (W-3265M)
  • Mac Pro “28-Core” 2.5 (2019 – Rack)2.5 GHz 28-Core Xeon W (W-3275M)
  • * Mac Pro “M2 Ultra” 24 CPU/60 GPU3.68 GHz Apple M2 Ultra
  • * Mac Pro “M2 Ultra” 24 CPU/76 GPU3.68 GHz Apple M2 Ultra
  • * Mac Pro “M2 Ultra” 24 CPU/60 GPU (Rack)3.68 GHz Apple M2 Ultra
  • * Mac Pro “M2 Ultra” 24 CPU/76 GPU (Rack)3.68 GHz Apple M2 Ultra

* Only the M2 processors are capable of running the latest Mac OS 17 Sonoma at 2024

Need More Help?

Contact us here

Is it worth keeping an old iPhone as spare?

https://itechwa.com.au/category/smart-phone/

Related Posts