Used mac for much less, or save for new one?

[tsavvy]

Should i buy a used macbook pro 15 retina 2012 :
i7
8gb ram
256gb ssd
New charger
Small scratch which i dont care about on bottom

All for R16k

Or invest in a new one for R36k with the new trackpad and better graphics... (650m vs 750m vs r970mx (R42k))

 

[bwana]

What do you do?

 

[bigboy529]

All depends what you'll use the machine for, do you want or do you need?
If only for the sake of a new laptop, a MacBook, you can go Air with not much more than your 16 k.
If you need a MacBook Pro and i5 will be fine, then there's a lot of options before reaching 36 k.
If you need a beast and if the 2012's RAM and storage is upgradable, get the second hand one for 16 k and stick in another 8 GB of RAM.

 

[d0b33]

I've only ever bought a mac on sale locally. If you can afford new go for it, otherwise second hand, sale or demo.

 

[Arthur Morgan]

How long do those batteries last before they don't keep a charge anymore? And is it replaceable?