Used 2009 Unibody White Macbook...decent machine?...pricing?

[davester]

My son's original 2006 white macbook needs replacing. The LED cracked and displays bizarre patterns now. I looked into screen replacement but we're talking $200+ and then we still have an old somewhat beat up machine that won't run 64 bit OSs. Checking craigslist I see a 2009 white unibody macbook for $300...missing 7 keycaps, but otherwise it looks in good shape. This seems like a better place to put money. Any thoughts on this, pricing or otherwise?

[hal]

I like these computers. They can take 8GB of ram, run the latest OS and are nice portables and THE MOST lap-friendly laptop of all macs - EVER because of the surface on the bottom. Also the only mac laptop designed to be used on a bed. All other apple laptops demand underside clearance as part of it's cooling system.

The missing seven keys is BAD. That computer suffered trauma of some kind.

Craigslist is the best way to sell a liquid damaged computer without repercussion. Lots of liquid damaged computers can be fixed to limp along, but will likely suffer some problems that WILL get worse over time.

I just wouldn't do it myself. At least with ebay, you can take the bottom off and see if there are signs of liquid.

Perhaps the seller would agree to remove the bottom for you, but that's a lot to ask...

I've been able to get $599 for that machine with 4GB ram and 1TB HD - buying a stock version for $250-300 is quite doable. Much easier to find at $350-400.

[Black]

This model was widely used in education.... my first assumption seeing one for sale is that someone got them for next to nothing when a school dumped them and is flipping for profit-- likely much more abuse than just the keys.

[h linamen]

Davester... sent you a PM.

[deckeda]

My sister still has her refurb. A couple years ago I got a Genius to finagle a new top case and screen for it for free out of warranty. Like the earlier (non-Unibody) MacBooks, the plastic will fail and crack. Hers cracked around the Ethernet and power ports and had small hairline cracks at the screen hinges.

I implored her to thank her lucky stars at the free repair and sell it while it still had value but she's kept it ...

But yeah it's still a good machine, just add RAM. A couple months ago the trackpad stopped registering clicks and that was an easy adjustment to the screw that regulates that once you remove the back and battery.

[sekker]

My daughter loves hers. I added RAM to 4GB then an SSD. I'll get around to adding more RAM later, if she starts opening a lot of tabs for her homework.

Also added a case and keyboard cover. Really helps with the wear and tear on the plastic.

[Will Collier]

I'm using one of these with the lid closed for an HTPC... picked it up off eBay with a cracked monitor for $200, considerably cheaper than a used mini of roughly the same vintage. It's the oldest MacBook that's currently on the approved hardware list for OS X 10.9, and the most current MacBook with an IR port, which was crucial for this application.

Once I got the networking to my server squared away (neither Wifi nor powerline were sufficient for HD video; had to drill the hole and run the wire), it's worked great.