In the market for a new laptop, need a Mac that can run two monitors and my Air is not cutting it. Just need a base model 14" MBP for general office work, MS Office, Slack, Zoom, etc. The refurb is $460 less than the new Macbook. Do I really need the performance boost of the new model?
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2021 MBP refurb or 2023 MBP new?
- Thread starter mikosk
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I went refurb. Didn't really see the point of increasing my budget for an incremental upgrade. Don't need HDMI 2.1 or WiFi 6 for now either
But the mantra remains; "Buy the most computer you can, when you can, at the price you can afford"
But the mantra remains; "Buy the most computer you can, when you can, at the price you can afford"
I went with a 2021 refurb, as Apple had the non-stock configuration I wanted for $700 off this morning. I do not need HDMI 2.1 or WiFi 6E, and I'll use the savings towards a refurb of the 2024 or 2025 models. I have a specific use case for this machine that is beyond what an M1/2 Air can handle, but beyond that, my needs for the foreseeable future are modest. But if there is anything wrong or off with the unit they send, I may just wait a bit more for the new models to be discounted.
In the UK store, the refurb (and quite possibly brand-new) M1 Pro & Max models have just had hefty discounts. Just ordered a 10/16 core M1 Pro 14 inch (16GB/1TB) £500 saving over same spec M2 Pro (again, 10/16 core version). It probably won't last me as long as the MacBook it's replacing (early 2009, bought new...!).
I was holding out to see what the M2 Pro had to offer. Ended up getting a refurb M1 Pro 16-inch (10/16, 16GB, 1TB) after seeing the price had dropped to £1999 on the refurb store. I just couldn’t justify £900 more for the equivalent M2 Pro machine.
I realize that not everyone will qualify for it, but...
... I found that by "piggybacking" the Apple veteran's discount "on top of" buying from the Apple online refurbished store, a 2021 MacBook Pro 14" (base configuration) comes out like this:
![Screen Shot 2023-01-17 at 1.15.31 PM.jpg]( "Screen Shot 2023-01-17 at 1.15.31 PM.jpg")
I'm wondering if this "double-discount" will work for those who can use "educational discounts", as well...?
... I found that by "piggybacking" the Apple veteran's discount "on top of" buying from the Apple online refurbished store, a 2021 MacBook Pro 14" (base configuration) comes out like this:
I'm wondering if this "double-discount" will work for those who can use "educational discounts", as well...?
"What a great deal! Did you get it?"
I already have one (bought new using veteran's discount).
I was looking because a friend was interested in a new Mac...
I already have one (bought new using veteran's discount).
I was looking because a friend was interested in a new Mac...
I ended up going for a discounted 2021 M1 Pro. It works out a lot more money for a little more power that I just won't use. I could get away with the Air but with the discount it was cheaper to get the M1 Pro over a 16gb Air.