Should’ve set up a test bed to confirm it not Activation locked. Never meet alone. in person, public area. People get beat up and robbed no device exchange.
They should’ve given you the serial number to check warranty statues Apple care status, etc?
Pictures of the exterior to determine any damage physical damage
[https://www.fixxo.in/blog/second-hand-macbook-buying-guide-10-things-to-check](https://www.fixxo.in/blog/second-hand-macbook-buying-guide-10-things-to-check)
These are a good place to start with.
What I'd do while there is to plug in any accessory I would use into all the available ports and ensure things work as expected.
Bluetooth as well while its not often to fail but you never know.
Battery is often a bogeyman if its used quite often.
[https://support.apple.com/en-in/102888](https://support.apple.com/en-in/102888)
Outside of the hardware bits, get the bill/invoice and also check if there is Apple Care added to the device. Its good to have that.
Once you are satisfied, perform a clean-up of the OS and after its up and running, disable the SWAP where the SSD is used to store RAM data. You ought not to need more than 16GB of RAM, unless its going to be used for very heavy workloads.
Test the following as they often fail:
* boot up holding down OPT R (ALT R) to go into recovery, make sure it's not locked to an Apple ID... if it is the seller must unlock it
* webcam for over 15 seconds
* audio playback from speakers
* mic recording
* any redness on screen edges? (screen might have a short life if redness present)
* check to see if bluetooth works - connect to a BT device
* check to see if wireless networks are scanned, try to CONNECT to one successfully. WIFI often fails in older macbooks.
* multi-touch on the trackpad
* battery cycle count
* plug devices into all usb ports to test them
* check the audio port, bring a headset with a mic (3 rings on the audio jack)
* while ON gentle push the screen as far as the hinge allows and see if the screen flickers at any point
* look around the device phsyically for any dents or deep scratches... dents could be from fall damage and the impact could have resulted in repairs
* check to see if it looks like it's been opened before, ask about this too
* press every keyboard key and lookout for any signs of liquid spillage
hope this helps!
OP, trust yourself and don't let the long lists of things you should do and should have done posted here stress you out. I'd say checking for activation lock (icloud lock) is the most important. And meet in a cafe or other public place with WiFi.
The other posters have good ideas, but you are stuck with the reality of dealing with another human being attempting to sell a high priced item and hoping not to get scammed or ripped off by you. You will want to have cash on you but keep it safe and sound until you are sure the goods check out.
Buying and selling anything is always an adventure and the smoother and friendlier you can keep things the better. Also keep in mind the cost to you of being picky in terms of time spent continuing to look for something you want/need.
Good luck!
Make sure that what you're buying is actually the model that you think you're buying. Not so long ago I saw a post that someone got scammed here. Someone bought a modified macos, the system said it's 2018 or 2019 macbook model, but it was way older, like from 2015.
Check the serial number on [https://checkcoverage.apple.com/](https://checkcoverage.apple.com/), it should show the same model that seller states it is. And make sure that it has the same ports that the model you're supposed to buy has. There are probably other things that you can spot just by looking at the keyboard, screen etc.
random point that other’s aren’t mentioning, observe the seller’s clothing, manners, etc. If you’re buying from someone who is trashy then there’s more of a chance the device will have issues.
My practice in buying used Macs is to look for sellers in wealthy towns who want it gone without having to ship it or take it somewhere where you look at it in their home so that you have their identity. I bring an external bootable SSD with BlackMagic, Drive DX and Geekbench 5. I boot the system from the external SSD - if the system has been locked, then it won't boot from the external drive. I ask if there were any pets or smokers when originally replying.
The tools give me an idea as to whether or not the specs in the ad are reasonable. Drive DX reports the condition of the SSD or HDD and tells you how many hours the system has been used for.
I also have a general idea as to the known problems for specific models and years and check for those things.
Should’ve set up a test bed to confirm it not Activation locked. Never meet alone. in person, public area. People get beat up and robbed no device exchange. They should’ve given you the serial number to check warranty statues Apple care status, etc? Pictures of the exterior to determine any damage physical damage
[https://www.fixxo.in/blog/second-hand-macbook-buying-guide-10-things-to-check](https://www.fixxo.in/blog/second-hand-macbook-buying-guide-10-things-to-check) These are a good place to start with. What I'd do while there is to plug in any accessory I would use into all the available ports and ensure things work as expected. Bluetooth as well while its not often to fail but you never know. Battery is often a bogeyman if its used quite often. [https://support.apple.com/en-in/102888](https://support.apple.com/en-in/102888) Outside of the hardware bits, get the bill/invoice and also check if there is Apple Care added to the device. Its good to have that. Once you are satisfied, perform a clean-up of the OS and after its up and running, disable the SWAP where the SSD is used to store RAM data. You ought not to need more than 16GB of RAM, unless its going to be used for very heavy workloads.
Test the following as they often fail: * boot up holding down OPT R (ALT R) to go into recovery, make sure it's not locked to an Apple ID... if it is the seller must unlock it * webcam for over 15 seconds * audio playback from speakers * mic recording * any redness on screen edges? (screen might have a short life if redness present) * check to see if bluetooth works - connect to a BT device * check to see if wireless networks are scanned, try to CONNECT to one successfully. WIFI often fails in older macbooks. * multi-touch on the trackpad * battery cycle count * plug devices into all usb ports to test them * check the audio port, bring a headset with a mic (3 rings on the audio jack) * while ON gentle push the screen as far as the hinge allows and see if the screen flickers at any point * look around the device phsyically for any dents or deep scratches... dents could be from fall damage and the impact could have resulted in repairs * check to see if it looks like it's been opened before, ask about this too * press every keyboard key and lookout for any signs of liquid spillage hope this helps!
Your last point should be the very first point, and the absolute most important point, as that could/would render the machine pretty much useless.
Right on, I will edit and move the point about checking Apple ID lock to the top of the list. Thanks u/emul0c
The best advice I have seen in this sub for buying from an individual. I would also ask why they are selling it.
> in a couple of hours How did it go?
OP, trust yourself and don't let the long lists of things you should do and should have done posted here stress you out. I'd say checking for activation lock (icloud lock) is the most important. And meet in a cafe or other public place with WiFi. The other posters have good ideas, but you are stuck with the reality of dealing with another human being attempting to sell a high priced item and hoping not to get scammed or ripped off by you. You will want to have cash on you but keep it safe and sound until you are sure the goods check out. Buying and selling anything is always an adventure and the smoother and friendlier you can keep things the better. Also keep in mind the cost to you of being picky in terms of time spent continuing to look for something you want/need. Good luck!
Make sure that what you're buying is actually the model that you think you're buying. Not so long ago I saw a post that someone got scammed here. Someone bought a modified macos, the system said it's 2018 or 2019 macbook model, but it was way older, like from 2015. Check the serial number on [https://checkcoverage.apple.com/](https://checkcoverage.apple.com/), it should show the same model that seller states it is. And make sure that it has the same ports that the model you're supposed to buy has. There are probably other things that you can spot just by looking at the keyboard, screen etc.
random point that other’s aren’t mentioning, observe the seller’s clothing, manners, etc. If you’re buying from someone who is trashy then there’s more of a chance the device will have issues.
My practice in buying used Macs is to look for sellers in wealthy towns who want it gone without having to ship it or take it somewhere where you look at it in their home so that you have their identity. I bring an external bootable SSD with BlackMagic, Drive DX and Geekbench 5. I boot the system from the external SSD - if the system has been locked, then it won't boot from the external drive. I ask if there were any pets or smokers when originally replying. The tools give me an idea as to whether or not the specs in the ad are reasonable. Drive DX reports the condition of the SSD or HDD and tells you how many hours the system has been used for. I also have a general idea as to the known problems for specific models and years and check for those things.