Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple Begins Selling Refurbished Apple Pencil for $85

Irrespective of refurbishments, I have been surprised by my Apple Pencil. I bought it as a curious accessory to my 10.5" iPad Pro, and didn't really expect to get much use out of it. I now find it a much more delicate and accurate way to interact with iOS. In fact fingers now feel a little clumsy.

I like it a lot.
 
  • Like
Reactions: digitalexplr
zahuh said:
Why do people dislike refurbished products? I would think if Apple could go back and recheck the item, fix anything wrong and give you 15% off, it's a good thing. Is it just because it's not new?
Click to expand...
Probably because they should be much better value.
 
shaunp said:
Is it just me or does anyone else struggle with 'refurbished Pencil'. The whole concept sounds just complete and utter b***ocks!!!
Click to expand...
Me too. This is a glued-together, disposable gadget, a manufacturing "innovation" Apple seems to have perfected of late. There is no way they can move these around multiple times, inspect, refurb, test and ship, and then sell them again for $80. Apple is losing money, their decision of course, but why?
 
RogerWilco said:
Me too. This is a glued-together, disposable gadget, a manufacturing "innovation" Apple seems to have perfected of late. There is no way they can move these around multiple times, inspect, refurb, test and ship, and then sell them again for $80. Apple is losing money, their decision of course, but why?
Click to expand...
Because it was 2015 and with their $ billions and thousands of sleeping patents, they had to come up with a single "innovation": a pencil that was a stylus/doubling as a selfie stick.
Its pressurized thick lines might help blur the distinction between graphic artists and real Pro's
 
Last edited:
zahuh said:
Why do people dislike refurbished products? I would think if Apple could go back and recheck the item, fix anything wrong and give you 15% off, it's a good thing. Is it just because it's not new?
Click to expand...
I have bought many refurbished Apple products over the years, and I have never been disappointed. The way I look at it, if you were going to buy the item anyways, you might as well save some cash and get a refurbished model.

I purchased Apple refurbished Macs, iPods, ATVs, and Airports to name a few thing.

Out of the box, you would never know that it was refurbished.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bobob
recoil80 said:
I think they replace the battery. They usually do it with other refurbished products.
So you can buy something that is almost pristine with a little discount. But as someone already said you can get brand new pencil for the same price or even less, so it is not a bid deal
Click to expand...

I do not see how they could replace the battery with this product if Apple is "washing" the outer casing and not replacing it. Further, it seems that replacing the outer casing would cost more money than just throwing the unit away and making brand new ones. It seems this is a used product with a used battery that has been washed/sterilized. And while I see nothing wrong with that, I think the pricing is pretty silly. I think this would be a great value at like $50-60. But at $85, I see more potential risk than potential benefit, IMHO.

Part of my reasoning is because of the potential for a shorter service life. If the battery is not being replaced, it is not always easy to tell whether or not the battery has been improperly used/stored (even with advanced diagnostics in some instances.) Consequently, if it was stored/used improperly, the service life of this refurbished unit could be much shorter than new.
 
  • Like
Reactions: haruhiko
Babu Life said:
Still over priced
Click to expand...

Not for a sophisticated computer packed into a sleek package that enables on if the most advantaged digital interactions we've seen.


However, for $15 more I'd buy new and get that magical unbloxing delight.
 
I would have bought it if I could only charge it from underneath the MagicMouse or from underneath my MacBook. Unfortunately the MacBook does not have a charging port on the outside (opposite side of keyboard), but I expect they put a finger print scanner or an USB-D port there in the future. It would also be nice if they removed the keyboard from the MacBook Pro (because courage) and replaced MacOS with iOS (because the future)
 
travelsheep said:
I would have bought it if I could only charge it from underneath the MagicMouse or from underneath my MacBook. Unfortunately the MacBook does not have a charging port on the outside (opposite side of keyboard), but I expect they put a finger print scanner or an USB-D port there in the future. It would also be nice if they removed the keyboard from the MacBook Pro (because courage) and replaced MacOS with iOS (because the future)
Click to expand...
Yeah, daisychaining MacBook => MagicMouse => iPad => Pencil => AppleWatch (while using the pencil as a selfiestick) might save us a lot of clutter and halfworking iOS charging nuisance.
Great idead. They should add you to the overinspired 300 man design team !
Courreuge as only Apple can do - thx to Kim Yong Phil !
 
zahuh said:
Why do people dislike refurbished products? I would think if Apple could go back and recheck the item, fix anything wrong and give you 15% off, it's a good thing. Is it just because it's not new?
Click to expand...

I don't know if people "dislike" them per se. It's just that they are still "used" products no matter how they are labeled and as such Apple's discount on them is pretty measly compared to a retail store clearance bin. If it's not a bargain what is the point? Take a look at Apple's current refurb computers. Many of then you can find new for pretty similar price or over priced given their age. Apple's % off is always off the original MSRP/MAP not current price. So, for example, Apple has a refurb late 2015 15" MBP 2.6Ghz for a bit under $2000. Adorama as the same MBP but brand new in retail packaging for a bit over $2K. If you don't live in NYC or NJ the new one is actually less expensive. And at any rate a $80 difference between used and new is not enticing enough to go for the used model.

There is also the perception that a refurb could be a "lemon" who's issues won't reemerge until after the warranty expires. Unlike new retail products credit card's extended warranty does not cover refurbs.
 
If they were $50 or $60 then it would be worth to get the refurbished pencil. I'm assuming these were simply fully functional returned pencils so there was really no refurbishment other than cleaning.
 
Jim Lahey said:
Irrespective of refurbishments, I have been surprised by my Apple Pencil. I bought it as a curious accessory to my 10.5" iPad Pro, and didn't really expect to get much use out of it. I now find it a much more delicate and accurate way to interact with iOS. In fact fingers now feel a little clumsy.

I like it a lot.
Click to expand...

Yes, the biggest problem with the Apple Pencil is, surprisingly, external design. My own beefs with it are:

1. Not grippy at the base -- it's like a cheap Bic.
2. The way it charges is awkward, but also the removable cap is a PITA
3. Even in the newest iPad Pro Apple didn't find a way to for users to keep the pencil stored on the iPad.

There are 3rd party solutions to all of these issues, and I have implemented them. But Apple boasts "good user experience" is its first priority. That isn't the case with the pencil. Users shouldn't have to employ dime store workarounds for a $100 Apple pencil anymore than I would for a Montblanc. Also the nibs are way overpriced even by Apple standards.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Niklas_nick
ZapNZs said:
They could have just put the brand new ones on sale...

I'm not sure if saving $14 justifies playing the battery lottery...? In the long run, the cost of ownership for these might wind up being higher than the cost of ownership for a new pen
Click to expand...
If the battery shows non-negligible signs of deterioration, they’ll replace it.
 
jiggad369 said:
It's $10 more on online retailers for brand new...
Click to expand...
And a few of those don't charge tax, which negates any savings from Apple refurbished.
[doublepost=1498578100][/doublepost]
kazmac said:
As others have said, for $85 I would buy new.
Click to expand...

You can get them new-in-box via eBay, when the run that regular $15 off $75 special/promo. I paid ~$79 for mine last week via eBay.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kazmac
myrtlebee said:
Not worth it. Find a sale or a good deal on eBay for a new one.
Click to expand...
Why is it not worth it? You still get the same warranty as new and save $14. Anything I have bought refurbished from Apple has looked and worked like a brand new item.
[doublepost=1498579524][/doublepost]Complainers gonna complain.

Have a great day everyone!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back