I'm in need of computer and looking to buy used for budgetary considerations.

I'm looking at M1/M2 based Macbooks.

Question: how can I tell if the computer is not stolen; that I'll be able to do a fresh OS install and use my apple ID and not have it brick out (don't iphones do that)?

Is it good enough for the system to attached to the network and be able to browse the internet? If stolen, it would brick once connected?

If you are buying a used Mac, the only place I would buy from is Apple Certified Refurbished:

https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished

They actually go in and replace batteries and other major components in their refurb and certify them unlike a lot of other used/refurbished sites which are most likely doing a OS wipe and a quick cleaning and selling as "refurb". They also give you a new AppleCare warranty which you aren't getting from other sellers.

^ Or from a reputable member, here.

Original purchase receipt.

Box.

Matching serials.

Not reported stolen means only that it has not been reported stolen (yet).

There’s software diagnostics and stress tests that can be run on Wintel computers that will enable you to get a good indication how the computer is running if you know what you are doing. I’m guessing the same is available for Mac computers as well.

Barring that, stick with refurbs from Apple loke others have said.

I buy Dell refurbs quite often as they have same as new warranty. In fact, there’s a tech Dell sent to my house trying to fix my son’s school laptop under the next day service three year warranty.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
If you are buying a used Mac, the only place I would buy from is Apple Certified Refurbished:

https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished

Thanks guys. Okay, refurb it is then. No need to repeat mistakes here, especially for this chunk of coin.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
If you are buying a used Mac, the only place I would buy from is Apple Certified Refurbished:

https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished

Thanks guys. Okay, refurb it is then. No need to repeat mistakes here, especially for this chunk of coin.

If you're a U.S. military veteran, Apple will give you an additional discount, around 10%, which stacks on top of the 15% discount for re-furbs, so around 25% total discount. Neither discount is available if you order in person at the Apple store, you have to buy it on the Apple website. Free two-day delivery to your home, or you can have it delivered to an Apple store for pickup there.

There are two points at which a Mac will phone home and check to see if it’s locked to someone else:

1. During setup, if online, it will check in with Apple’s device enrollment program. This is where it will say that the Mac is locked to a business or company.

2. On any 2018 or newer Mac you can check system properties, and then system report. On the first page at the bottom, it will say if it’s “Activation Locked” or not. If yes, then it’s locked to a persons iCloud account. Alternatively if you wipe the Mac at the startup options, it will check with Apple and “Activate”. This is also where it will say if it’s locked to someone’s AppleID/iCloud.

Used Mac’s aren’t scary. You just have to check these two lock points. Reach out if you want to chat more about it.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
If you are buying a used Mac, the only place I would buy from is Apple Certified Refurbished:

https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished

Thanks guys. Okay, refurb it is then. No need to repeat mistakes here, especially for this chunk of coin.

I'm typing on a MacBook Pro refurb that I got back in 2011! It's been the balls. Sadly I'll soon have to replace it only because of it's age, I can't upgrade the OS as much as I need to and it also won't go to certain sites as a result. But it's been well worth the money!

My old tech guy at work said Apple Refurbished were safer than new. They’ve all been tested, while only a certain number of new ones off production are pulled and checked.

^^^ That's exactly what I was told.