Apple Expands Availability of Refurbished 2018 MacBook Air, Mac Mini to U.S. and Canada

[lowkey]

I bought a MacBook in 2015 and have been using it for 3 years no problems. I love that little machine!

Since then the keyboard has been redesigned twice, now up to rev.3.

It’s possible to come up with excuses for ever. No computer is perfect but the little MacBook is the best Apple laptop I’ve owned.

I’d rather have used it the last 3 years than Be carrying around my 15” 2013 MBP with the old keyboard.

Won’t get any MacBooks until the keyboards are redesigned

Won’t get any Mac mini until the Bluetooth issue is fixed

Won’t get any iMacs until they refresh them

Isn’t it sad that I have a hard time spending my money on Apple nowadays

 

[PLin]

I usually buy Apple refurbished for custom configurations, which typically aren’t discounted by resellers as much as the stock configs are. I ended up ordering a refurbished i7 with 8GB RAM and 10G Ethernet. Also ordered a Crucial 32GB kit from Amazon for $215 to install myself.

 

[elmateo487]

When the price to buy someone else's rejected hardware is more than the new price at Amazon, Best Buy etc there's a problem.

Um no. They are not more expensive.
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It was all last week. The deal ended yesterday. Both had it for 999. Google Express had it for even less. And these sales aren't uncommon. Much better than taking a chance on someone else's unit they deemed wasn't good enough.

Apple Reburbs are basically brand new. They replace everything, have the same warranty and return period as new.. and you can buy AppleCare

 

[Mackinjosh]

No

uhhh the price listed in the article is not $999 and the refurb are 256gb instead of 128gb. I’d say that’s still a bargin.

Incorrect. Amazon, BH, and Google had the base Air for 999 or less all last week. The base unit refurbed from Apple is 1019. No one should waste money on a refurb when they can get new cheaper.
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Um no. They are not more expensive.
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Apple Reburbs are basically brand new. They replace everything, have the same warranty and return period as new.. and you can buy AppleCare

They dont replace everything, and it's still cheaper to buy new when it's regularly on sale elsewhere.Refurbs are also given special serial numbers so if you try to sell them later it comes up as a refurb, which can scare some potential buyers off. Again, cheaper and better to buy new.

 

[ibivibiv]

Won’t get any MacBooks until the keyboards are redesigned

Won’t get any Mac mini until the Bluetooth issue is fixed

Won’t get any iMacs until they refresh them

Isn’t it sad that I have a hard time spending my money on Apple nowadays

This is where I am at right now as well. I'm a very active Apple customer normally but for now I'm going to pump the brakes until Timmy and pals figure "some stuff out". I think I'm good for awhile.

 

[iKwick7]

Neither Amazon or B&H has theirs listed for $999. Check your links.

Neither Amazon or B&H has theirs listed for $999. Check your links.

This.

The article should have said “Amazon OFTEN has the MacBook Air for $999.” Even that is pushing it. I’ve seen it at that price a few times and , honestly, the price should be $999 new from Apple.

A $999 is tempting, especially if it were to go on sale. $1199 is too much- especially with the lack of ports.

 

[Shanpdx]

I can think of a couple of situations where the refurb is superior, but not many. Only two off the top of my head

1. You don't live by an Apple Store so you can't just go out and add AppleCare+ to your machine without significant inconvenience (the only realistic scenario)
2. You are, are friends with, or have a family member who is an Apple employee and you can get an additional 15% off the refurbished price AND get 15% off AppleCare. (small subset of people)

.

3. BTO/CTO (build to order/custom to order) Configs generally not available in Amazon/Best Buy (only through some re-sellers like MacMall, B&H and so on) and sales (discounts) on them are very rare and even if exists very negligible compare to the Stock Models; they do go on sales when it is in clearance time only (very limited quantity and the next year model is out). Example MacBook Air -512GB SSD/16GB configs

4. some People have Apple gift card

5. very obvious, Refurbished prices are fixed whereas Amazon/Best Buy other re seller discounts vary from time to time.

 

[AustinIllini]

3. BTO/CTO (build to order/custom to order) Configs generally not available in Amazon/Best Buy (only through some re-sellers like MacMall, B&H and so on) and sales (discounts) on them are very rare and even if exists very negligible compare to the Stock Models; they do go on sales when it is in clearance time only. Example MacBook Air -512GB SSD/16GB configs

4. some People have Apple gift card

5. very obvious, Refurbished prices are fixed whereas Amazon/Best Buy other re seller discounts vary from time to time.

Thanks. I'm still new to the refurb thing. My next iPhone (should I decide to get one) will probably be a refurb.

 

[Glockworkorange]

Yeah, I'm not sure these are a very good deal refurbished.

Not the Air’s, anyway. Especially with the lack of tax at BH.
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How is it a deal if your own official channel partners are selling brand new units for less??

And no tax from BH (if you’re not in NY or NJ)?

 

[alfonsog]

As far as BH technically you’re supposed to pay the sales tax anyway and they now add it to half the states now and soon it will be all states that have a sales tax. I like refurb but I usually buy brand new as soon as it’s released to get the most and best usage case. I might get one of the minis for my business office as I have a 2011 mini still going.

 

[BaltimoreMediaBlog]

It’s been like this for years. I never understood why people go crazy over the refurbished items. I find most much cheaper brand new at MicroCenter. I guess it’s good for those with limited local options.

Bingo! (bells, whistles, balloons fall)... I'm 150 miles from any Apple store or MicroCenter, 30+ from even a Best Buy. Staples is allegedly an Apple reseller, but I've never seen anything at the store here. This is the only option for a lot of people looking for discounts and Apple probably doesn't have that many refurbished units to even want to compete.

 

[Jack Neill]

anyone got that wallpaper?

 

[SeattleMoose]

I like the new Mac Mini but the refurbished should be at LEAST $200 cheaper. Else what is the incentive?

 

[wdwbunch]

I like the new Mac Mini but the refurbished should be at LEAST $200 cheaper. Else what is the incentive?

Found it here:
https://wallpapershome.com/download-wallpapers/macbook/macbook-air-abstract-blue-20870.html

 

[DeepIn2U]

Dump it on China … nice strategy

You mean Trump it on China?

 

[Val-kyrie]

I have a 2012 Mac mini with a 256 gig SSD and it’s almost empty because I store all my files on an external thunderbolt drive and that works well for me, so 128 gig would be fine for my needs.

If I were to buy a 2018 Mac mini, I would get the entry-level model. I don't quite trust that T2 chip to not lose all my data, so I would only use the internal SSD for the OS and applications. And 128GB is more than big enough for that. The 2018 Mac mini has four extremely fast ports, connecting external drives to those should be nearly as fast as the internal, T2-locked-down SSD.

I can see 256GB for the OS and most apps, but 128GB might be too tight for me. Unfortunately I have a couple apps that require all files for the app to be stored with the program on the main drive in order to work properly.
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Yup. I waited a couple years for better systems but finally gave up: Built a Linux desktop last spring and bought a Windows 2-in-1 this winter. I think Apple is only interested in one thing these days: iPhone.

I checked the pricing of these refurbs in my country and they're still overpriced for what they are. My 2012 Mac Mini is going strong. I'm actually in the process of installing Linux on it right now so I can use it as a small server for Pi-hole, etc.

I have the same model year Mini. I am currently looking into upgrading my network hardware, so I am curious how you are using / integrating it. Would you mind PM’ing me a bit about your setup?
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Not the Air’s, anyway. Especially with the lack of tax at BH.
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And no tax from BH (if you’re not in NY or NJ)?

Some of us live in states outside NY and NJ where you are legally required to pay sales tax on any item purchased from out of state on which you were not charged tax.

Does your state not have a line on its tax form for Sales and Use tax?

 

[Glockworkorange]

3. BTO/CTO (build to order/custom to order) Configs generally not available in Amazon/Best Buy (only through some re-sellers like MacMall, B&H and so on) and sales (discounts) on them are very rare and even if exists very negligible compare to the Stock Models; they do go on sales when it is in clearance time only (very limited quantity and the next year model is out). Example MacBook Air -512GB SSD/16GB configs

4. some People have Apple gift card

5. very obvious, Refurbished prices are fixed whereas Amazon/Best Buy other re seller discounts vary from time to time.

The sales they do sometimes have on BTO’s but are more often for TOTALLY maxed out units.

I can see 256GB for the OS and most apps, but 128GB might be too tight for me. Unfortunately I have a couple apps that require all files for the app to be stored with the program on the main drive in order to work properly.
[doublepost=1549891084][/doublepost]

I have the same model year Mini. I am currently looking into upgrading my network hardware, so I am curious how you are using / integrating it. Would you mind PM’ing me a bit about your setup?
[doublepost=1549891420][/doublepost]

Some of us live in states outside NY and NJ where you are legally required to pay sales tax on any item purchased from out of state on which you were not charged tax.

Does your state not have a line on its tax form for Sales and Use tax?

Are you serious?

I’ve bought two items from Adorama and B&H; the first Retina iMac and a 12.9 inch iPad Pro.

No, I did not report those purchases and I did not pay taxes.

 

[Val-kyrie]

If I were to buy a 2018 Mac mini, I would get the entry-level model. I don't quite trust that T2 chip to not lose all my data, so I would only use the internal SSD for the OS and applications. And 128GB is more than big enough for that. The 2018 Mac mini has four extremely fast ports, connecting external drives to those should be nearly as fast as the internal, T2-locked-down SSD.

The sales they do sometimes have on BTO’s but are more often for TOTALLY maxed out units.


Are you serious?

I’ve bought two items from Adorama and B&H; the first Retina iMac and a 12.9 inch iPad Pro.

No, I did not report those purchases and I did not pay taxes.

Yes, I am serious. It is a matter of integrity. “Pay unto Caesar, that which belongs to Caesar,...” I never said I liked paying the tax.

 

[Glockworkorange]

Yes, I am serious. It is a matter of integrity. “Pay unto Caesar, that which belongs to Caesar,...” I never said I liked paying the tax.

I don’t have any integrity then. The state of IL shakes me down enough. I skirt when I can get away with it.

You might be the first person I’ve ever heard admit he goes out of his way to pay taxes.

 

[Shanpdx]

The sales they do sometimes have on BTO’s but are more often for TOTALLY maxed out units.

true, generally those machines are not really for people looking for discounts/sales, agreed? very expensive with proportionate discounts (like $300 to $500 off on $2999 plus machines)

Maxed Out machines are generally for Professional use where company bears the cost. I could be wrong.

 

[Glockworkorange]

true, generally those machines are not really for people looking for discounts/sales, agreed? very expensive with proportionate discounts (like $300 to $500 off on $2999 plus machines)

Maxed Out machines are generally for Professional use where company bears the cost. I could be wrong.

For sure. Those high end BTO machines aren’t made for people just looking for deals. When I’ve bought from Adorama and B&H it’s just been base level stuff.