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LGIR627

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 9, 2016
84
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I'm strongly considering purchasing a refurb 2016 13" TB MBP from Apple, but a little hesitant as I have never purchased refurbished before. Will it show any signs of wear/use?
 
BUY BUY BUY. Apple refurbs are the best. Apple goes through and fixes everything that could be wrong. This even happens on products that are just returned due to the costumer changing their mind. In many cases the refurbs are better than the new products. also, sometimes, just sometimes you may receive a better laptop than the one you ordered, just sometimes ;)
 
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I'm strongly considering purchasing a refurb 2016 13" TB MBP from Apple, but a little hesitant as I have never purchased refurbished before. Will it show any signs of wear/use?

Apple's refurbished MacBooks are thoroughly inspected and go through a rigorous checklist. In some cases, Apple's refurbished products are less likely to have issues over new products. And you have the warranty that is attached as well.
 
Yes Apple refurb products are great (I have owned several) but one thing to consider is that there have been so many sales lately on the 2016 models that going refurb may not be worth it. Remember that the resale value on a refurb will be less so the new route may actually be cheaper.
 
Yep, I did, non-TB model though.

Apart from 'refurbished' text on the white box, there's virtually no difference between new and refurb models.
 
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Not to sound like a cheapskate. I normally only buy refurbished. Good way to save money and still have the latest and greatest Apple gear. If you see an item you want in clearance, don't wait too long to purchase because it will not be there very long.
 
I ordered 2016 13" i7/16/512. Was supposed to be here Saturday, but will be delivered tomorrow instead. I'm starting to wonder though how badly the i7 will impact battery life. I really only wanted the 16gb of ram.
 
Buy ASAP. I sold off my 2015 12 inch MacBook for a 2016 13 inch refurb, and haven't looked back. Battery life is amazing, and I love the portability.
 
Refubs are great. You save ~$300 which you can use for AppleCare and dongles (am I right?)

Apple checks them for you. They even let you buy AC for them, which other refurb sellers will not allow. Save the money. No one will know it's a refurb.
 
Refubs are great. You save ~$300 which you can use for AppleCare and dongles (am I right?)

Apple checks them for you. They even let you buy AC for them, which other refurb sellers will not allow. Save the money. No one will know it's a refurb.
Yes but the sales have been almost as much and the refurb will reduce resale value somewhat. Normally I buy refurbs but in this case I would buy new on sale.
 
How will it being a refurb reduce resale? I've sold-on a number of refurb Macs in the past and its never made a difference.

2, 3 or 4 years down the line what's the difference between a refurb and a machine you bought new? I don't think I've ever seen a Mac ad stating its a refurb machine and I'd be surprised if most buyers would even twig from the different box it comes in or be bothered.
 
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Would checking the serial number indicate it was refurbished?

If I remember correctly it doesn't state that when you go to the Apple site. I'll check today when mine arrives and left you know for sure, if someone hasn't posted the answer already.

I'm still worried about the i7 dual core killing my battery life..

Edit: No, the serial number does not indicate that the machine is a refurb if you check the warranty status at apple.com
 
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Which model did you get of the 13"?
Just the standard base model non tb, since it was replacing my 12 inch macbook(I have no use for the touchbar, nor the extra processing power). I have a beefier 2015 15 inch for all my heavy lifting just in case.
 
Just the standard base model non tb, since it was replacing my 12 inch macbook(I have no use for the touchbar, nor the extra processing power). I have a beefier 2015 15 inch for all my heavy lifting just in case.

Well mine arrived today, all was good until the N key started acting up and clicking like mad. Not sure what to do at this point.
 
No, every refurb I have purchased looks brand new. I only go the refurb route because there is really no noticable difference. There was only one time something went wrong, when I ordered an iMac, it didn't turn on. I brought it into the Apple Store and they swapped it out with a new computer in store.
 
I believe it does because they do that with iPhones. They change the first letter but I doubt anyone ever looks at the serial number lol
Maybe nobody looks but it would be dishonest not to disclose that it is a refurb when selling it. After all, you got a break when buying it, why shouldn't the buyer get a break too? This to me makes the refurb worth less at resale. And yes I have bought multiple refurbs in the past, but I always disclosed that fact when I sold them. Look at it from the other side: If I were to buy a product and then find out after I got home that it was a refurb but it had not been described that way I would be very upset and would del like I had been cheated.
 
Maybe nobody looks but it would be dishonest not to disclose that it is a refurb when selling it. After all, you got a break when buying it, why shouldn't the buyer get a break too? This to me makes the refurb worth less at resale. And yes I have bought multiple refurbs in the past, but I always disclosed that fact when I sold them. Look at it from the other side: If I were to buy a product and then find out after I got home that it was a refurb but it had not been described that way I would be very upset and would del like I had been cheated.

Understood. The model will denote a refurb in iPhones too. New units have model numbers that start with "M" whereas refurb start with "N." I'm not sure if Macs are the same but I would highly assume this same conventions is used.

In summation, Apple does disclose that a unit is a refurb. The box will say "refurbished" and the model/serial number will follow a convention.
 
I love refurbished for electronics, I even got my DSLR refurbished from the manufacturer and it's been great. My first HT experience was refurbished and that thing is still playing great in a friends house. I don't have too much experience with Apple laptops but I got a refurbished Mac Mini and it's been flawless. I've really never had an issue with any refurbished electronics I've had honestly but I usually do get them from the manufacturer so that may help I guess. I do not buy open box from retailers though, just my experience I had a few issues so I don't bother with those.
 
I've never seen a used Mac on eBay or other selling sites disclosed as being a refurb. And I get that people who buy them first are getting a discount, but its not like buying a used car where its already x years old with so much use on it already which you have to factor in to the price.

If I'm buying a used Mac, I'm buying on condition, age and spec. I really don't care if its a refurb or not and wouldn't expect a discount on the price because it is. In 20 or so years of buying and selling Macs I can't remember seeing a machine being listed as being a refurb - I just don't think its a factor in the used market at all.
 
My only concern is the number of keyboard failures and repairs going on. Would a refurb be more prone to that sort of failure - I know that's mostly a rhetorical question.
 
My only concern is the number of keyboard failures and repairs going on. Would a refurb be more prone to that sort of failure - I know that's mostly a rhetorical question.

You would think not, but the one that arrived yesterday has/had a wonky 'N' key and 'delete' key. For the first 30+ minutes it sounded really bad. Like it was sticking. It's not doing it currently, but doesn't provide me hope for the future.

This machine is my fourth in 2 weeks:

1- died after 48 hours
2- misaligned touch bar (could see underneath it)
3 - 'D' key stopped working after a day.
4 - 'N' key / 'delete' key issues right out of the box.

I'm not sure how to proceed. I've been talking to a guy from customer relations who is relatively useless. I had a base 15" (first three machines), and he said to me "we've had some issues with the 15, maybe try the 13".

The 13" is an i7/16/512, nice machine, if the keyboard worked... clearly the problems aren't specific to one size.

Thoughts? Recommendations?
 
You would think not, but the one that arrived yesterday has/had a wonky 'N' key and 'delete' key. For the first 30+ minutes it sounded really bad. Like it was sticking. It's not doing it currently, but doesn't provide me hope for the future.

This machine is my fourth in 2 weeks:

1- died after 48 hours
2- misaligned touch bar (could see underneath it)
3 - 'D' key stopped working after a day.
4 - 'N' key / 'delete' key issues right out of the box.

I'm not sure how to proceed. I've been talking to a guy from customer relations who is relatively useless. I had a base 15" (first three machines), and he said to me "we've had some issues with the 15, maybe try the 13".

The 13" is an i7/16/512, nice machine, if the keyboard worked... clearly the problems aren't specific to one size.

Thoughts? Recommendations?

Try 12'' :D :D
 
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