Source for cheap, last generation MacBook?
 

The cheapest current configuration is about $1050. I'm thinking more like $700 or so. Seems like I should be able to get a refurb last generation 'Book for that but can't seem to find them anywhere. This is for web surfing only, so doesn't need to be fancy or fast.

Ideas? Thanks.

Edit to add: I'm looking for the Intel chip in the event that I'm forced to run Windoze.

Why do you want Jobs' box if all you're doing is surfing?

If I can't find a last generation MacBook for about $700, I'll just buy a wintel lappy for $500 or so. I'd prefer a Mac because my G5 desktop has been the most stable machine I've ever owned.

I paid only 250 plus tax 45 days ago.

Supplies of such things seem to be dry at the moment. I checked a few resellers who sometimes have them. Nothing. Apple only has a black refurb which is a discount off the original price but more than you need. The stock at the Apple online store does change daily, though, so they could get one at any time. But, there aren't likely to be too many last generation refurbs at this point, it seems, more likely current generation which won't give you much of a discount.

Could I interest you in a well used a 12" PowerBook G4 867MHz? ;)

eBay?

Craigslist. You can find the Core Duo ones for around that price now.

I fear the 'bay. CL is a good idea, though.

A $900 Core2Duo refurb popped up at the Apple Store today. Still a little too rich for my blood.

I've had excellent results buying electronics on eBay, including a phone recently. I only bid on items I can pick up personally and inspect before closing the deal - which means local or, once, a reasonable stop-over on a trip. For popular items like this you should be able to narrow your search to an acceptable distance of wherever you are, still find a good choice, then e-mail the sellers to find out if they'll work that way instead of shipping it in case you win the auction or go for the Buy It Now price. (You also save shipping charges, get it quicker, and eliminate the chance of it breaking in transit - but those aren't usually a real reason to do it.)

OK, this is REALLY off topic. But I've noticed that a decent number of ebay sellers like to hide their location. Presumably they're irritated by people wanting local pickup, which would prevent the seller from charging $15 to ship a memory chip. This leads to frustration, as I'm never exactly sure where "Great Bargains!" and "Fantastic Deals!" are on the map...

IMHO, let them play their games. If that's why they're hiding their location, they wouldn't let a buyer pick something up locally anyhow - so, when it comes to buying electronics, I wouldn't buy from them. There are still enough sellers who give their locations to make eBay worth trying as a possible source of an inexpensive MacBook.

I found a machine from a fellow, established FTer. Hear the point about trying to buy local but I (currently) live figuratively in the middle of nowhere and accordingl inventory is low.

Excellent outcome, and once again hooray for FT! I'll have to try that next time, even before eBay!

Check the Refubished section on Apples site, Ive seen the MacBook as low as $749. Ive ordered 4 refurbs from Apple with no problem at all