A certified refurbished mac? Or is there some major downside to getting one that I should know about? I have no problem with getting a used computer if it saves me some money.
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Is it safe to buy a refurbished mac?
- Thread starter Ecodisk
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If you're getting it through the Apple Store then there should be no problem. In fact, the refurbished models have probably been subject to more attention to make sure they're working!
croshtique said:
im not sure how much extra attention they get . . . i just (2 months ago) got a 15" PB refurbished from apple. when it arrived you could see that the keyboard was not on flat, some keys were higher than others and it looked like it was very poor quality. then some of they keys would stick when pressed then pop back up a few seconds later. so i dont know how that got by any quality control. but the advantage to having a refurbished computer from apple is that it has the FULL warrantee of a normal new computer (90 full coverage then 1 year hardware) so i was able to get my keyboard replaced for no charge and everything is great now.
so my point is . . . refurbs are good as long as you get them from apple(so you have the full warrantee and service of apple). its a great way to save money.
Ecodisk said:
Make sure that those refurbs. come from an authorized and reputable store or reseller. The best route would be through the apple store. Most of those refurbs. from apple come with a pretty decent warranty and you can get apple care for them as well. All in all it's a good deal.
wPod said:
Oh man thats weird, same exact thing was wrong with my 12" refurb PB. Like you they replaced my keyboard free of charge, but stupid me I didn't test every key after they did it, and when I got it home, at least 12 keys or so aren't working, still haven't gotten around to getting it fixed again since my nearest apple store is over an hour away.
But dispite this problem, I still reccommend refurbs as well (from apple.com anyways). Every Mac I have bought, and most of my family has bought have been refurbs, and they have always been totally worth it. And if you get a desktop system they even seem to always give you brand new keyboards and mice, so thats always nice.
I've purchased a 15" iMac G4 and a 15GB iPod from the Apple refurbished store in the past 2 years and both have been wonderful.
I would have done the same with my 15" PowerBook, but I got an educational discount for about $50 more (and without waiting for them to get the new models in the refurb store).
Good luck,
reality
I would have done the same with my 15" PowerBook, but I got an educational discount for about $50 more (and without waiting for them to get the new models in the refurb store).
Good luck,
reality
I saved around $400 by getting my dual 2ghz power mac as a refurb, and I got the better motherboard. The first one came in DOA, wouldn't turn on. They quickly sent me another one, within a week of when the dead one came in, I had another that worked. Plus, I got upgraded, 128mb vid card instead of 64, 1gb of ram instead of 512mb. Apple refurb is the way to go. I'm not even sure I'll buy a new one again unless I ever hit it rich or something.
Of course, I recommend (wether new or refurb) getting apple care.
Of course, I recommend (wether new or refurb) getting apple care.
I just bought an iMac G5 Rev B 17" from the Apple store (my son already had the 20" version of same that we bought new) and it is perfect in every way so far. I have been very pleased with it.
You can save some money with a refurbished system from Apple, but you have to be willing to go get your free replacements (or a repair) if parts of the system aren't in shipshape order.
Paying for a new system gives you convenience over buying a refurb, even if they both (eventually) work perfectly. Even with a full warranty, you get more peace of mind with a new system, and that's worth more to some people than to others.
Of course, sometimes a new system needs to go back to the shop too, but you are always playing the odds with purchases. The odds for a hassle-free purchase are higher with a new system, and higher for an Apple refurb than for a refurb from a lesser-known company, but you pay for that difference.
Paying for a new system gives you convenience over buying a refurb, even if they both (eventually) work perfectly. Even with a full warranty, you get more peace of mind with a new system, and that's worth more to some people than to others.
Of course, sometimes a new system needs to go back to the shop too, but you are always playing the odds with purchases. The odds for a hassle-free purchase are higher with a new system, and higher for an Apple refurb than for a refurb from a lesser-known company, but you pay for that difference.
A got a refurb iMac and I whole heartedly recommend it. Mine came with double the RAM, more HD, and BT...which wasn't advertised.
Completely covered under same warranty.
Sometimes refurbs are just returns that someone decided they didn't want. It doesn't necessarily mean it was a repaired product.
Completely covered under same warranty.
Sometimes refurbs are just returns that someone decided they didn't want. It doesn't necessarily mean it was a repaired product.
even for the same money, i think refurbs might at times be the better purchase because they traditionally go through more testing and therefore have a lower chance of them being DOA
Refurbs should always be considered when shopping around. There can be some big savings, and they come w/the same warranty as a brand new unit.
Lethal
Lethal
Another recommendation for refurbs.....
I've had several refurb PowerBooks and several refurb iPods.
I've had several refurb PowerBooks and several refurb iPods.
Apple refurbs are generally excellent, but I would stick to current models only.
If you qualify for the education discount, then I wouldn't bother and i'd buy new for roughly the same price.
A 1.33 GHz 12" iBook for $799 is a great deal because you get all the current features at a savings of $200.00
A refurbished REV A iMac or a single processor 1.8 PowerMac would NOT be a good deal.
There are some models you need to watch out for, but in general it's the best way to save money.
If you qualify for the education discount, then I wouldn't bother and i'd buy new for roughly the same price.
A 1.33 GHz 12" iBook for $799 is a great deal because you get all the current features at a savings of $200.00
A refurbished REV A iMac or a single processor 1.8 PowerMac would NOT be a good deal.
There are some models you need to watch out for, but in general it's the best way to save money.
Refurbs are a great deal. I got my eMac and it came with a 160GB HD, instead of the advertised 80GB and came with 512MB RAM, instead of the advertised 256MB. I've had it over a year now and it's been completely trouble free. My friend bought a refurb iBook and he's really happy with his, as well.
I have a question, and thought I'd dig up this thread instead of starting a new one. For a while I was thinking of looking for an iBook G3 just for personal use, to carry around because my family's PowerBook G4 isn't allowed to leave the house (parents' orders). However, looking on the U.S. Apple Refurb site, I could easily buy an iBook G4 instead. The only problem is, I'm in Canada. Will Apple ship refurbed Macs to Canada?