iPad Pro Apple Certified Refurbished iPad Pros?

[iPad Bro]

Has anyone bought a Certified Refurbished iPad Pro from Apple? They tend to have some great deals on the 2018 and 2020 models and from what I hear they replace everything on these bad boys with new parts from the chassis to the screens, so it seems like a no brainer to me. You get a 1 year Apple warranty and you can still purchase Apple Care. I don’t like buying used, but the fact that everything is done so thoroughly to clean, inspect, and renew these things they are practically brand new again.

My budget is just over $1000 and I could get a refurb from Apple for around $600ish and have enough to get a Magic Keyboard and an Apple Pencil 2. That would be so wonderful! So, has anyone here bought an iPad, Pro or otherwise from the Apple Refurb Store and if so, how did it turn out for you?

I’m OCD about things like this, but Apple isn’t like all the others since they show great attention to making them as “new” as possible for the buyer. So I think I’d be okay with it in this case.

Also, do these come with the plastic wrap on them or I’m assuming not? I just like that part so much when I unbox an iPad. It’s sooo satisfying.

 

[TechRunner]

I purchased a refurb iPad once, and it was a great experience. The only difference in the packaging is the box it came in didn't have the iPad photo on it. That's it. Otherwise, it looked, felt and worked like a brand-new unit. I kept it three years and sold it to a friend. I would recommend any Apple refurbs without hesitation. I've purchased several different refurbished items from Apple, and all have been perfectly fine.

 

[iPad Bro]

Sounds pretty awesome! Did it have the plastic wrapping on the iPad too? Just curious.

Also, in regards to Apple Care, do you have to buy it outright at the time of sale or is it just like a new unit where you can pay in monthly installments if you so desire?

 

[TechRunner]

Sounds pretty awesome! Did it have the plastic wrapping on the iPad too? Just curious.

Also, in regards to Apple Care, do you have to buy it outright at the time of sale or is it just like a new unit where you can pay in monthly installments if you so desire?

It's been awhile, so I can't remember exactly how it came wrapped, only that it did. It gave that "unboxing" vibe when I opened it, as I recall.

I've never purchased AC, so that's a question for wiser heads than mine!

 

[Dfds]

Sounds pretty awesome! Did it have the plastic wrapping on the iPad too? Just curious.

Also, in regards to Apple Care, do you have to buy it outright at the time of sale or is it just like a new unit where you can pay in monthly installments if you so desire?

They do come wrapped exactly like a new device.

 

[rui no onna]

Sounds pretty awesome! Did it have the plastic wrapping on the iPad too? Just curious.

Also, in regards to Apple Care, do you have to buy it outright at the time of sale or is it just like a new unit where you can pay in monthly installments if you so desire?

Yes, plastic wrapping and same packaging. Only difference is simpler box art that specifically mentions it's refurbished.

You can buy AC+ within 60 days of purchase. You have the option of doing 2 years ($129) or monthly ($5.99/mo or around $144 every 2 years).

 

[achappy]

With the exception of my Mini 6 all of our iPads are refurbished. Two 2018 12.9" Pros and an iPad Air.

Apple's SOC so good that it really makes no sense to buy new or current model if a refurbished is available. Same warranty, new battery and casing. The 2018 IPP still flies and I never sit using it thinking "man, if this were an M1 I could do...."

 

[noone]

I've bought refurbed iPads, iMacs, MacBooks, iPods, etc. They've never had any problems outside of widespread issues (recalls, etc.) or my own clumsiness.

The refurbished products actually go through more QC checks than the standard products. They only way you'll notice as someone mentioned is that the packaging is different. It's the same general shape/design, its just plain white and says refurbished.

 

[SkiHound2]

Not an iPad but did purchase a Macbook Pro from the refurb store. Couldn't tell it from new. I wouldn't be scared to purchase from the refurb store if it's a product and price you find appealing. I've not really heard of anything but good experiences. And, if there's a problem (happens with brand new as well) Apple will make you whole.

 

[xxray]

Apple certified refurbs are as good as new. In early 2019, I got a $800 discount on a 2018 15” MBP at Micro Center with an Apple certified refurb. I would’ve never been able to tell it was refurbished if I hadn’t bought it myself.

 

[snipr125]

I had a negative experience when I brought a refurb iPad Air 3rd gen from the Apple store in late 2019. Brought it and it arrived quickly in the same white box everyone has mentioned, all nicely packaged like new. The refurb iPad itself looked and smelled brand new.

Powered it on and everything was as normal, entered my wifi password etc, but then when it tried to communicate with Apple servers it kept failing and failing no matter how many times I tried. Took it to my local Apple store Genius bar, and despite updating it etc they could not get it to work either. I asked if they could just give me another refurb, they had none so I asked for a refund.

The genius guy and his manager said they could not refund me directly in the store, as the refurb stock was a separate branch of the apple store so I had to get a refund online via a separate process, where they send you a box to return it. I was not going to take this nonsense, so insisted politely to just give me my money back as I was so disappointed. Eventually the manager, did give me my money back so they could have just done it in the first place!!! Anyway that was very disappointing, as I had heard so many positive experiences from other members but it didn’t work so well for me. Couple of months later I just brought the iPad Air 3 brand new on Amazon with no issues at all.

 

[Cassr]

I bought a refurbished 10.5 pro last year and it had the white spot out of the box.
I just bought a refurb 2020 pro and it's great, no issues at all. Think I was just unlucky the first time.