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Refurbished Haswell MBA

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mounties99

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 29, 2013
10
0
Hey gang,

I'm in the market for a MBA for school but I've currently got a 15" MBP so it's not very urgent. I was wondering if anyone had a rough idea as to when Apple starts releasing current gen hardware into their refurb'd store. I can take advantage of the education pricing right now but the discount isn't really all that attractive compared to the refurb prices.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
 
scaredpoet

scaredpoet

macrumors 604
Apr 6, 2007
6,627
342
I'd start checking now. It's been over a month and returns should start trickling back into the retail system as refurbs by now.

Though for the moment, it seems they're chock full of 2012 models. Most likely they'll try to clear those out before putting any 2013s up for sale.
 
blesscheese

blesscheese

macrumors 6502a
Apr 3, 2010
698
178
Central CA
Keep in mind that with the tax Apple charges you, you could also buy a new model at an out of state store for about the same price.

I'm not into tax avoidance, but when you are a student, you need all the help you can get...seeing how all the banks and college towns look at you as a captive audience, to get sucked dry...

My favorite place to shop
 
scaredpoet

scaredpoet

macrumors 604
Apr 6, 2007
6,627
342
blesscheese said:
Keep in mind that with the tax Apple charges you, you could also buy a new model at an out of state store for about the same price.
Click to expand...

However, if you happen to live within say, half a gas tank's driving distance to an Apple store in a no-sales-tax state, you could get the refurb AND have it shipped to that store, having your cake and eating it too.
 
S

snowboardpunk

macrumors regular
Feb 28, 2013
109
5
if you do live in a non tax state i would go to best buy. there on sale for like 1045 or something like that. and then they give you 100 off plus i got a 100 dollar itunes gift card. a little bit better the bhphoto
 
K

kodeman53

macrumors 65816
May 4, 2012
1,091
1
blesscheese said:
FYI, there is a forum for political viewpoints and beliefs. I was answering the OP's question. You are starting to hijack this thread into a completely different topic.
Click to expand...

No, you were not just 'answering the OP's question.'

You started the political commentary with '...seeing how all the banks and college towns look at you as a captive audience, to get sucked dry...'.
 
M

mounties99

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 29, 2013
10
0
Unfortunately, I live in the most taxed state of all, Canada.

I appreciate everyone's input. I think I'm going to try and hold out as long as I can for the refurb'ed 2013 MBAs but it's going to be difficult to no impulse buy.

Also, if you're a compulsive refurb store checker like I am, refurb.me does a great job of telling you what's in stock, when it was last in stock and a pricing history.
 
scaredpoet

scaredpoet

macrumors 604
Apr 6, 2007
6,627
342
mounties99 said:
I appreciate everyone's input. I think I'm going to try and hold out as long as I can for the refurb'ed 2013 MBAs but it's going to be difficult to no impulse buy.
Click to expand...

Honestly, for the $100-150 you'd be saving by buying refurb, I'd almost say it's not worth waiting and playing refurb roulette. For the price of buying new you're getting one stressor taken off your back, and you get to use the latest MBA for a longer period of time before it becomes "last year's tech."
 
C

cxc273

macrumors regular
Dec 12, 2012
112
5
The refurbs are great if they're available, but it's hard to tell when the Haswells will make it into the refurb store.

If you bought a maxed out 13" Haswell MBA using your education discount, the cost would be $1,749 before tax. A comparably spec'd refurbished mid-2012 MBA currently goes for $1,449, or $300 less. If you count the $100 iTunes card, the difference becomes $200.

Maybe some other forum folks can speak to this, but I don't know if you'll see that steep of a discount on the refurbished Haswells right away (the aforementioned 2012 MBA goes for $2,199 new). The 34 percent discount on the 2012 model probably wasn't on day one when it appeared in the refurb store -- I suspect it was a gradual increase in discount.

But if you really want to wait on the refurb, go right ahead. I think Apple's back-to-school program runs through Sep. 6, so if you decide to go with a brand-new model, that's the date to pull the trigger by -- no point leaving free cash on the table!
 
Cheffy Dave

Cheffy Dave

macrumors 68030
Feb 5, 2007
2,646
309
Sunny Florida, on the Gulf Coast in Homosassa Fl
scaredpoet said:
Honestly, for the $100-150 you'd be saving by buying refurb, I'd almost say it's not worth waiting and playing refurb roulette. For the price of buying new you're getting one stressor taken off your back, and you get to use the latest MBA for a longer period of time before it becomes "last year's tech."
Click to expand...

bought nothing but refurbs, not a clinker in the bunch
 
scaredpoet

scaredpoet

macrumors 604
Apr 6, 2007
6,627
342
Cheffy Dave said:
bought nothing but refurbs, not a clinker in the bunch
Click to expand...

Oh, I'm not saying Apple refurbs are bad quality-wise. On the contrary. The problem is the delay in waiting for the exact model the OP wants to finally show up... and order it before it's snatched up by others.
 
blesscheese

blesscheese

macrumors 6502a
Apr 3, 2010
698
178
Central CA
scaredpoet said:
Oh, I'm not saying Apple refurbs are bad quality-wise. On the contrary. The problem is the delay in waiting for the exact model the OP wants to finally show up... and order it before it's snatched up by others.
Click to expand...

I have bought a number of refurbs from Apple; all have been A #1 quality. As pointed out however, when you see them on the store, only a limited number are available, and you have to act relatively fast or else they are gone.

----------
kodeman53 said:
No, you were not just 'answering the OP's question.'

You started the political commentary with '...seeing how all the banks and college towns look at you as a captive audience, to get sucked dry...'.
Click to expand...

Have you added anything of value to this thread? Besides arguing like my 9 year old sister?
 
blesscheese

blesscheese

macrumors 6502a
Apr 3, 2010
698
178
Central CA
kahkityoong said:
If the time I waited for the 2012 MBA took to turn up in the refurb store after release is any indication, you'll be waiting for months.
Click to expand...

That's (unfortunately) quite true.

Also, my opinion is, the new MBA is so much better than the previous generation, it would not be worth saving $100 or $x00 buying the previous model. The newer one (better chip, much better graphics, and hugely better battery life) is definitely worth the extra bucks...er, loonies, in your case ;)
 
M

mounties99

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 29, 2013
10
0
Alright, you've all convinced me. Going to pull the trigger on one tomorrow.

Thanks for everyone's input!
 
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