[wfermin]

Apple MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.4 15"
Identifiers: Early 2008 - MB133LL/A - MacBookPro4,1 - A1260 - 2198

Cosmetically everything looks fine. Still runs very good.
Basically they used it for surfing, email, storing photos, spread sheets and word docs.
Battery does not hold charge for very long.

My MacBook Pro was stolen and can't afford a brand new one.

Essentially it will be a trade for a 3TB Time capsule drive.

I will be using it mainly for graphic design; photoshop, illustrator and dreamweaver.

Initially would be paying
$500 3TB time capsule drive

Extras
$100-$150 for RAM
$100+ new battery

Is this trade worth it?
Will this last me at least 2yrs?

[Big Mac]

That's a Penryn MBP, so I hope you know about the 8600M GPU issue. I'm not sure that's the best price for that model MBP. Have you seen what similar models are going for on Craigslist or ebay?

[SierraDragon]

Originally Posted by wfermin 

I will be using it mainly for graphic design; photoshop, illustrator and dreamweaver.

Initially would be paying
$500 3TB time capsule drive

Extras
$100-$150 for RAM
$100+ new battery

Is this trade worth it?

No. A refurb or discounted 2011 MBP or MBA can be had for ~$1,000 or less, which is WAY better value than $500+150+125 old hardware. However I do question why the 3 TB drive is valued at $500; a quality brand new 3 TB external drive can be had for half that:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firew...b/eliteclassic.

Valuing the 3 TB drive at $250 the swap becomes a good deal., especially if you seek out cheap RAM and a $60 crap battery which should work for your time frame. Note however that (unlike RAM and drives) the half-price non-Apple batteries usually are half as good.

Will this last me at least 2yrs?

For those apps the box is already old. The RAM will make the apps keep working for 2 years if you do not upgrade OS or apps, but the GPU is weak and you are in a graphics world, not the "most" users some here refer to. Future versions of your apps and the OS will likely do much better on modern hardware. And the box is also physically old in terms of the hardware failing due to age.

I used those apps, CS3, on a 2.33 GHz 17" C2D MBP with (max) 3 GB RAM for years, no problem but not the fastest. The RAM can be very limiting for CS apps, especially with a stock MBP hard drive for boot drive. I upgraded the box to a 7200 rpm drive and the difference was very obvious (probably mostly the faster page outs). An SSD would also be good, but in your price range for those apps RAM is what is key.

The old MBP still works and does have a $60 crap battery in it. It is on OS 10.6.8 and I will not take it above 10.6.x.

HTH

-Allen