Refurb vs. Clearance?

[jasimon9]

I have just about decided to pull the trigger on my first Mac.

My first post to Macrumors too, after lurking for some years.

In any case, I have decided to go with the previous gen iMac 24" 2.8, as the price savings against the current 2.93 are substantial.

The Apple store offers both refurbs and clearances at the same price. I am wondering what the tradeoffs might be between these choices?

Seems to me:

Refurb
- has been "burned in"
- has been checked over for function
- might have upgraded specs

Clearance
- new
- discount coupon available, such as educational

Seems like the refurb is a no-brainer, but am I missing something?

[nm156]

I have just about decided to pull the trigger on my first Mac.

My first post to Macrumors too, after lurking for some years.

In any case, I have decided to go with the previous gen iMac 24" 2.8, as the price savings against the current 2.93 are substantial.

The Apple store offers both refurbs and clearances at the same price. I am wondering what the tradeoffs might be between these choices?

Seems to me:

Refurb
- has been "burned in"
- has been checked over for function
- might have upgraded specs
- discount coupon available

Clearance
- new

Seems like the refurb is a no-brainer, but am I missing something?

What is this discount coupon you speak of?

I wish I had known before I bought my refurb.

[jasimon9]

What is this discount coupon you speak of?

I wish I had known before I bought my refurb.

Oops, got in wrong list, so edited.

[patricem]

I have just about decided to pull the trigger on my first Mac.

My first post to Macrumors too, after lurking for some years.

In any case, I have decided to go with the previous gen iMac 24" 2.8, as the price savings against the current 2.93 are substantial.

The Apple store offers both refurbs and clearances at the same price. I am wondering what the tradeoffs might be between these choices?

Seems to me:

Refurb
- has been "burned in"
- has been checked over for function
- might have upgraded specs

Clearance
- new
- discount coupon available, such as educational

Seems like the refurb is a no-brainer, but am I missing something?

Same price? US store? I see clearance listed $1399 refurb $1199

[Mike in Kansas]

Same price? US store? I see clearance listed $1399 refurb $1199

Same here - have always seen the $200 delta between the two.

It DOES appear that the refurb 24"/3.06 is now at a lower price however; I thought it was $1899 earlier this week and it's now at $1599. I could be wrong however...

[jasimon9]

Same price? US store? I see clearance listed $1399 refurb $1199

I have been checking the store, and getting timed out, and each time I got different offers. First there was a refurb for $1399 and a clearance for $1399. It must have been the specs which did not match.

Then that one was gone, and a different one for $1199. Now that is gone too.

[patricem]

Same here - have always seen the $200 delta between the two.

It DOES appear that the refurb 24"/3.06 is now at a lower price however; I thought it was $1899 earlier this week and it's now at $1599. I could be wrong however...

The US site was down all morning. I have been waiting for the 3.06 to go down, it never changed since before the updates, yes it was always $1899...until now. The question is, which one the old 3.06 which costs $1710 with tax, or the new 2.93 which cost $1788 at Powermax. I wish the 3.06 came down to $1399 then I would grab it. What do you think...anyone. Plus its only listed in refurb no clearance. What to do?

[Mike in Kansas]

I just bought my first Mac refurb ever, and I was pleasantly surprised by the condition. Not that they are all guaranteed to be in that good of shape, but the general consensus on here is that the quality of the refurbs are excellent, if that factors into your decision at all.

I understand the allure of getting something new, but I also understand the allure of getting something top of the line for a great price, even if it is 1 model prior!

Geekbench speed tests put the 3.06 at something like 5% faster processing speed than the 2009 2.93. The big difference to me is the graphics card, and the ultimate ability to put in 8GB of RAM if you ever need it.

[patricem]

I just bought my first Mac refurb ever, and I was pleasantly surprised by the condition. Not that they are all guaranteed to be in that good of shape, but the general consensus on here is that the quality of the refurbs are excellent, if that factors into your decision at all.

I understand the allure of getting something new, but I also understand the allure of getting something top of the line for a great price, even if it is 1 model prior!

Geekbench speed tests put the 3.06 at something like 5% faster processing speed than the 2009 2.93. The big difference to me is the graphics card, and the ultimate ability to put in 8GB of RAM if you ever need it.

Which graphics card do you think is better? I know there's been a lot of debate over this. What i was really hoping was to spend considerably less...thinking the 3.06 might be cheaper. I wonder if it will go down again, making the $1599 a clearance price and then a lower refurb price.

So you love your new 2.8??? Works great??

[Mike in Kansas]

So you love your new 2.8??? Works great??

I've had it since early October, and yes, I DO love it. It hurt a bit seeing the refurbs go down to $1,200 last week for the same machine I spent $1800 on just 5 months prior, but what 'cha gonna do?

I bought my 20"/2.66 refurb for my kids. They love it! I actually find it a little easier to look at, as I can take the whole screen in without having to move my eyes or head. With the higher resolution of the 24", the text is a bit small and I find it closer to my face than I would have originally thought (eyes going with old age!). But I really need/like the additional size and screen quality for photo/video editing.

The quality of the refurb has convinced me that refurb is the way to go unless you just have to get the newest available technology.

Regarding the graphics card, it seems that there is no conclusive evidence that puts one completely over the other, although I think the general opinion is that the 8800 is better than the 120, the 130 is about equal to the 8800, and the current high end is the best. All I know is that the 2600XT is fine for what I do.

[jena55]

I just got my first refurb as well. I have to say, it is in top notch condition. I would not have known it was a refurb if I hadn't of ordered it myself!!! I can definitely find use for the money I saved elsewhere!

[gmanrique]

I got it yesterday, in Canada, and it is quite nice.

BTW, in Canada the prices for refurbs were $1399 (2.8) and $1999 (3.06), now they are $1549 (2.8) and $1899 (3.06) :eek:

I am glad I got mine yesterday. I just got the memory to upgrade it to 4GB, btw, got the Kingston kit from Compunation here in Ottawa for an outstanding $68 + tax

[Ibonic]

My refurb was excellent. If you read the other refurb thread, generally excellent, there's exceptions.

I'm eying the MacBook Air refurb now. Not sure if I'll have any use for it since it's under powered... but I really want to put a laptop in an envelope.

[jasimon9]

Well, I pulled the trigger on the refurb 2.8 anyway. Seems like the sweet spot for now.

[Osprey]

Well, I pulled the trigger on the refurb 2.8 anyway. Seems like the sweet spot for now.

I ordered my clearance iMac 2.8 that is supposed to be delivered tomorrow. I got the $100 educational discount so it was $1299. If they had marked the refurb 3.06 to $1599 earlier, I probably would have ordered it instead.

[Advance The Man]

I have just about decided to pull the trigger on my first Mac.

My first post to Macrumors too, after lurking for some years.

In any case, I have decided to go with the previous gen iMac 24" 2.8, as the price savings against the current 2.93 are substantial.

The Apple store offers both refurbs and clearances at the same price. I am wondering what the tradeoffs might be between these choices?

Seems to me:

Refurb
- has been "burned in"
- has been checked over for function
- might have upgraded specs

Clearance
- new
- discount coupon available, such as educational

Seems like the refurb is a no-brainer, but am I missing something?

Appears refurb often includes the older iLife 2008 and clearance will have iLife 2009

[jena55]

Appears refurb often includes the older iLife 2008 and clearance will have iLife 2009

Currently, apple is including the iLife'09 drop in disc with all refurbs that still have iLife'08. I asked an apple rep about this before receiving my refurb, she said they are automatically being included with refurbs. Just as told, my refurb did, indeed, include the iLife'09 disc.

[Mike in Kansas]

Currently, apple is including the iLife'09 drop in disc with all refurbs that still have iLife'08. I asked an apple rep about this before receiving my refurb, she said they are automatically being included with refurbs. Just as told, my refurb did, indeed, include the iLife'09 disc.

ditto mine from last week...

[dborja]

Currently, apple is including the iLife'09 drop in disc with all refurbs that still have iLife'08. I asked an apple rep about this before receiving my refurb, she said they are automatically being included with refurbs. Just as told, my refurb did, indeed, include the iLife'09 disc.

If the drop-in disk is not in the package, you are eligible for the $9.99 "up-to-date" program: http://www.apple.com/ilife/uptodate/

[VoodooDaddy]

The quality of the refurb has convinced me that refurb is the way to go unless you just have to get the newest available technology.





Aside from my first mac, a mini almost 3 years ago that was bought new, all 5 macs since then were refurbs. I dont need the latest and greatest, last gens hardware suits me just fine at a nice savings.

I will never understand the mentality of alot of people here that say "new is better." Ive even read people say they literally can distinguish a "new smell." Gimme a break.

IMO buying new is no guarantee of getting defect free either. This board is littered with people having hardware issues right out of the box.

So as you say, and I agree, refurbs are the way to go.

[WndrWmn78]

Which graphics card do you think is better? I know there's been a lot of debate over this. What i was really hoping was to spend considerably less...thinking the 3.06 might be cheaper. I wonder if it will go down again, making the $1599 a clearance price and then a lower refurb price.

So you love your new 2.8??? Works great??

Have you pulled the trigger on anything yet? ;)

[papucla07]

If apple would have included in the top of the line imac a quad core many people would be buying that machine including me but since the upgrades are almost ridicules considering the prices that is why people is getting prev gen machines just like I did.

[patricem]

Have you pulled the trigger on anything yet? ;)

No I haven't decided yet! :confused::rolleyes:

[Zmmin3]

at this point in time I am trying to decide if I would have been better off getting the clearance item instead of the refurb I got.

[Ibonic]

at this point in time I am trying to decide if I would have been better off getting the clearance item instead of the refurb I got.

Who knows it's the draw of the luck as you can see from the forum: new, refurbs... no guarantee. I thought they were supposed to make sure the refurbs are okay before shipping them. Guess not. What happened to your computer really sucks.

[medic9317]

Check the refurb site often it changes constantly, tried to buy one this morning but it sold after I put it in my cart and was going through check out. They come off the site as they sell, I checked back tonite and got the one I wanted after I bought it I check the site and in a few minutes it was no longer listed, the price varies based on specs, I saved $450 off mine vs retail. This will be my first I-mac, my wife and I have mac books and love them the I-mac will replace a 9 year old desktop pc for the kids.

[Zmmin3]

Who knows it's the draw of the luck as you can see from the forum: new, refurbs... no guarantee. I thought they were supposed to make sure the refurbs are okay before shipping them. Guess not. What happened to your computer really sucks.

thanks...

I am wondering with the fact that the refurbs seem to go so fast what they will do about getting me another one. As in seeing as they dont have any in stock so I have to wait for my exchange?

[jasimon9]

Check the refurb site often it changes constantly, tried to buy one this morning but it sold after I put it in my cart and was going through check out. They come off the site as they sell, I checked back tonite and got the one I wanted after I bought it I check the site and in a few minutes it was no longer listed, the price varies based on specs, I saved $450 off mine vs retail. This will be my first I-mac, my wife and I have mac books and love them the I-mac will replace a 9 year old desktop pc for the kids.

In fact when I ordered it, I had the same experience as medic9317. While I dallied completing the order, the first machine I picked was sold. A bit later another one came on, but for more money due to a 500GB hard drive. Decided to go for it as they say "you can never have too much ...." Although for the last 3 years my 256 GB drive has been half empty.

[jasimon9]

In fact when I ordered it, I had the same experience as medic9317. While I dallied completing the order, the first machine I picked was sold. A bit later another one came on, but for more money due to a 500GB hard drive. Decided to go for it as they say "you can never have too much ...." Although for the last 3 years my 256 GB drive has been half empty.


I started this thread to pose the question about Refurb verses Clearance. My "Refurb" arrived today as expected. I am in the process of unboxing it now. Everything about the OOB experience ("out-of-box") says "they really did a great job of making it packaged up as if it were new" ... or maybe it is.


Will post more later.

[Advance The Man]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5H11 Safari/525.20)

In fact when I ordered it, I had the same experience as medic9317. While I dallied completing the order, the first machine I picked was sold. A bit later another one came on, but for more money due to a 500GB hard drive. Decided to go for it as they say "you can never have too much ...." Although for the last 3 years my 256 GB drive has been half empty.


I started this thread to pose the question about Refurb verses Clearance. My "Refurb" arrived today as expected. I am in the process of unboxing it now. Everything about the OOB experience ("out-of-box") says "they really did a great job of making it packaged up as if it were new" ... or maybe it is.


Will post more later.

Awesome! Did u get the 2.8?

[jasimon9]

Appears refurb often includes the older iLife 2008 and clearance will have iLife 2009

Mine included the 2009 disk in the box, as I have seen many others say too.

[jasimon9]

If apple would have included in the top of the line imac a quad core many people would be buying that machine including me but since the upgrades are almost ridicules considering the prices that is why people is getting prev gen machines just like I did.

My decision exactly.

[jasimon9]

I started this thread to pose the question about Refurb verses Clearance. My "Refurb" arrived today as expected. I am in the process of unboxing it now. Everything about the OOB experience ("out-of-box") says "they really did a great job of making it packaged up as if it were new" ... or maybe it is.


Will post more later.

Now it is later. Everything about this machine speaks "new".

One possible glitch. On a completely white screen, you can see "brownishness" at both lower corners. Not sure if that is something to live with, or do something about.

[jasimon9]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5H11 Safari/525.20)



Awesome! Did u get the 2.8?

Yep, 2.8.

[Advance The Man]

Now it is later. Everything about this machine speaks "new".

One possible glitch. On a completely white screen, you can see "brownishness" at both lower corners. Not sure if that is something to live with, or do something about.

Read about the same problem today on macrumors. Someone bought refurb and did a screen test and had brown in lower corners. Do a search - you might find the post

[jasimon9]

Read about the same problem today on macrumors. Someone bought refurb and did a screen test and had brown in lower corners. Do a search - you might find the post

Would be good if I could find it. Found some similar but not specific.

I made an appointment with the Apple Store, but then on the day I was going to bring it in, the brown "went away" so I cancelled.

But now it is back. My kids think I am nuts and it is just normal for LCD panels. I don't agree as I have never seen this before.

I am still within my first 14 days, so I am wondering whether to live with it. Or expend effort to improve it. I am thinking it is like the "devil I know compared against the devil I don't know" kind of thing means that a swap may not be better.

It would a snap to return/exchange in the first 14 days. Will it be harder after that?

[RDoe]

Would be good if I could find it. Found some similar but not specific.

I made an appointment with the Apple Store, but then on the day I was going to bring it in, the brown "went away" so I cancelled.

But now it is back. My kids think I am nuts and it is just normal for LCD panels. I don't agree as I have never seen this before.

I am still within my first 14 days, so I am wondering whether to live with it. Or expend effort to improve it. I am thinking it is like the "devil I know compared against the devil I don't know" kind of thing means that a swap may not be better.

It would a snap to return/exchange in the first 14 days. Will it be harder after that?

I've got similar issues, not very notacible, but sometimes it catches the eye and then you start to get annoyed. Anyway, with photo editing it is not notacible and the screen is lovely bright, sharp and contrasty. but with normal surfing, writing and such I notice it some times.
As stated by someone else I thing, as the screen is hotter on the left side, it is a design flaw. Maybe the panels can be a bit better themselves, but all in all I think we have to wait for LED LCD in the iMac to get a real perfect screen.

[jasimon9]

I've got similar issues, not very notacible, but sometimes it catches the eye and then you start to get annoyed. Anyway, with photo editing it is not notacible and the screen is lovely bright, sharp and contrasty. but with normal surfing, writing and such I notice it some times.
As stated by someone else I thing, as the screen is hotter on the left side, it is a design flaw. Maybe the panels can be a bit better themselves, but all in all I think we have to wait for LED LCD in the iMac to get a real perfect screen.

As part of my "study" of this issue, I went into a couple of local stores and looked at the 24" iMacs. They all had the problem to some degree: some less, some even more.

My conclusion is that with the size of the screen and the backlighting used, the lower corners are just to far away to get the full illumination needed. Or something similar to this thinking.

And further, that attempting to exchange would not have much effect, as they all seem to have it. So I will just live with it.