Refurbished 2015 Retina MacBook Now Available From Apple's Online Store

[MacRumors]

Apple recently began offering the 12-inch Retina MacBook in its online store for refurbished products, marking the first time refurbished versions of the Retina MacBook have been made available for purchase.

Released in April of 2015, the Retina MacBook is Apple's thinnest, lightest Mac product, measuring in at just 13.1mm thick and weighing 2 pounds. The machine has a full edge-to-edge keyboard, a fanless design enabled by a low power Core-M chip from Intel, and a Retina Display.

While the main refurbished site does not yet have a listing for the Retina MacBook, refurbished models are available on a dedicated MacBook page. All of the refurbished machines are available at a 15 percent discount.

Apple has four refurbished Retina MacBook models for sale at the current time, including two entry-level 1.1GHz models for $1,099, a $200 discount, and two higher end models. The 1.2GHz/8GB/512GB Retina MacBook in Silver is available for $1,359, a $240 discount, while an upgraded 1.3GHz/8GB/512GB machine in Silver is available for $1,489, $260 off the regular price of $1,749.

For many months after its launch, Retina MacBook supplies were constrained. Shipping estimates were upwards of a month for most models, and most Apple retail stores received very little stock. Personal Pickup for the MacBook wasn't available until August, four months after it was released. Refurbished editions of newly released Macs often show up in the refurbished store after a few months, but the supply issues may explain why refurbished MacBook models haven't previously been available.

Apple's refurbished inventory fluctuates on a regular basis based on available supply, so models that are available today may not be available tomorrow. All of Apple's refurbished products are tested, certified, and come with a one-year warranty.

(Thanks, Matt!)

Article Link: Refurbished 2015 Retina MacBook Now Available From Apple's Online Store

 

[macduke]

Still overpriced for what you get. But so was the first MacBook Air, which is now a nice little machine. I might pick one up in a few years unless the iPad Pro gets its crap together. I want to move from a rMBP to an iMac or Mac Pro and then get a really lightweight portable to fill in the gaps.

 

[SSD-GUY]

Got a 1.1 base model for almost half the price on Gumtree (UK version of craigslist). If I was in the market for a rMB now, I would either buy used or hold out, as the skylake update could be around the corner (in 2 months, it'll be exactly a year since it was announced in March 2015). Skylake for those that haven't read about it, should bring about an extra hour or 2 in battery life, 10/15% CPU improvements, and up to 40% in GPU improvements. Also, judging by the Windows Core M laptops that have been released recently, there could be a 2nd USB C port.

Look around online/ebay etc, there are some really good deals to be found. Just stay safe and make sure you check serial/warranty/stolen etc.

I transitioned from a rMBP 13 and MBA 11, still getting used to the keyboard but My God am I amazed by what this thin tiny thing can do! Battery life is on par with MBA 11, which is great as its lighter, almost the same in terms of power and the screen blows everything away, even my 13 rMBP. Colours come to life on it!

 

[KPOM]

Nice development. Hopefully it means that the refreshed Skylake version is coming soon.

 

[Josh M]

Damn, not available in the Australian store (yet?).

 

[Frankied22]

I have a 2012 13" MBA and I'm almost tempted to get one of these. I don't use my MBA for much and it would be so nice to have a Retina display.

 

[Porco]

I think it's a shame they can't add a second USB-C port when they refurbish...

 

[Mr. Dee]

I won't be buying a MacBook like this until 2025. Right now, I need some functionality, its too first gen and limited for what I want out of a notebook computer today. The 13 MBP is the right balance and even it has some significant trade offs. Still had to invest in a thunderbolt Ethernet adapter. I also don't like the tactile feedback, feel like it would trigger pain in your fingers. Even the MacBook Air 9 years later is still too limited for my needs.

 

[John.B]

I think it's a shame they can't add a second USB-C port when they refurbish...

I logged in specifically to say they should refurb that headphone jack with a second USB-C port. Great minds think alike.

 

[blut haus]

Darn. I bought my MacBook Air less than 30 days ago. I would have picked one of these up.

 

[Aleco]

Darn. I bought my MacBook Air less than 30 days ago. I would have picked one of these up.

Return it.

 

[jonnysods]

please update the rMBP 15"!!

 

[pika2000]

Will be waiting for skylake and hoping for a significantly improved battery life. This first gen's battery lifeis not enough for me to sacrifice ports and magsafe. If Apple intended this to be a completely wireless laptop, then the battery life should be significantly better. I want at least 12 to 15 hours per charge for wireless usage.

 

[atomicparker]

Still overpriced for what you get. But so was the first MacBook Air, which is now a nice little machine. I might pick one up in a few years unless the iPad Pro gets its crap together. I want to move from a rMBP to an iMac or Mac Pro and then get a really lightweight portable to fill in the gaps.

I don't know how anyone could possibly justify buying one of these over an Air. It defies logic.

 

[Winter Charm]

I don't know how anyone could possibly justify buying one of these over an Air. It defies logic.

It's quite simple. If you only use your mac for internet/email/word processing then the retina display alone is worth it.

 

[Trey M]

I don't know how anyone could possibly justify buying one of these over an Air. It defies logic.

What's the first thing you look at when you open a computer?
the screen

 

[KPOM]

I don't know how anyone could possibly justify buying one of these over an Air. It defies logic.

Well, it has nearly 4 times the resolution of an Air, is thinner, lighter, has a smaller bezel, and IMO, looks better. Once you experience a hi-res display it's hard to go back. It's everything I liked about the 11.6" MacBook Air with a screen as good as an iPad Air.

 

[hauntvictim]

I'm craving all of these, but to loose all my ports for one USB C port, then need to buy a dock for my iPhone, iPad and external drive. Not sure I'm ready yet.

 

[a.gomez]

still overpriced. specially now Razer has the stealth.... pretty much will own the 12.5 space for people who actually do work. The core M is a disaster.

 

[SvenSvenson]

I think it's a shame they can't add a second USB-C port when they refurbish...

The might do - the CPU in the current MacBook only supports 1 USB-C port; Skylake-M supports 2.
[doublepost=1453455733][/doublepost]

I don't know how anyone could possibly justify buying one of these over an Air. It defies logic.

Not really - if size, weight and screen size (capacity, not physical dimensions) are your prime criteria, then the rMB makes sense.

 

[The Bad Guy]

Still an overpriced toy, unless all you do is browse the web and read emails. Even then, iPads are a cheaper overpriced toy.

 

[Tech198]

I had to double check to make sure i was looking at the right model, the 12-inch fan-less one already up on refurb store ?? And it's been a year already... Time sure flies.

 

[tlinford]

...... I bought a refurbished 13inch Pro Retina last Summer. It was like new, no sign of previous use. I got one with an i7 and 16Gb of memory plus Apple Care for the same price as a standard machine.. I was told that refurbished machines are often customer returns. Given there was a spike in i7 machines at the time, I wonder if people were swithering between the pimped 13 dual core pro retina and the more expensive quad 15inch Pro retina - getting the 13 changing their minds and returning it for a 15? .... for me this was a sweet deal...

 

[ozziegn]

I bought an early 2016 13" MBA last year for $720 on one of Best Buy's crazy sales. Six months later I decided to buy a 13" rMBP for $1100 (also from Best Buy) because I wanted a retina screen. I then realized the shorter battery life and the pretty big difference in weight wasn't worth the "upgrade" from my MBA.

Needless to say I returned the rMBP and I'm now more than happier with my MBA.

 

[Rojam]

Also seeing the MB refurb in the UK. Although, it's set as collection from an Apple Store.
I've been considering one for work (BYOD), no heavy lifting needed on the application front, just email, web, IM, Office/iWork. Ideal for that. Although, with this model now being nearly a year old and available in the refurb store, that makes me think the next generation are on their way. I can wait!