iPod touch apple refurb question

[slapshotman]

hey,
just wanted to ask a quick question, it might be dumb

apple sells 8gb ipod touches that are refurbs. has anyone had any bad luck with these or does apple do a pretty good job?

also, one is $20 cheaper because it doesn't have the newest software. can't i just download the new software rather than spending $20 more for the up to date software?

 

[Ivan P]

The $20 is to pay for the new applications that are featured in the new software; purchasing this "upgrade" downloads a small file that unlocks these apps. Unless you pay this money you won't have these new programs (unless you jailbreak, which risks bricking your iPod).

 

[davidy]

hey,
just wanted to ask a quick question, it might be dumb

apple sells 8gb ipod touches that are refurbs. has anyone had any bad luck with these or does apple do a pretty good job?

also, one is $20 cheaper because it doesn't have the newest software. can't i just download the new software rather than spending $20 more for the up to date software?

A new unit comes off the production line with maybe one in a hundred being checked by quality control.

A refurbished unit is pretty much a hands-on rebuild with full quality control. They do put them in new, clean, unscratched outer cases.

You're probably better off with a refurbished unit, and you get the same warranty as with a new one.

 

[slapshotman]

A new unit comes off the production line with maybe one in a hundred being checked by quality control. They do put them in new, clean, unscratched outer cases.

A refurbished unit is pretty much a hands-on rebuild with full quality control.

You're probably better off with a refurbished unit, and you get the same warranty as with a new one.

thats a pretty good point. as far as the software goes, would it be worth the $20 to get the current software release as opposed to the original software?

 

[donaldj]

Well... would you use the Mail, Stocks, Weather, Notes, or Web apps?

 

[goosnarrggh]

Well... would you use the Mail, Stocks, Weather, Notes, or Web apps?

To be clear, most iPhone/iPod Touch-targeted Web apps will run just fine in Safari Mobile which is already included in the iPod Touch without needing to purchase the upgrade. Mail, Stocks, Weather, and Maps... those would require the upgrade.

Also, the risks of jailbreaking your iPod Touch are being slightly misrepresented... It is very rare that a jailbreak would actually "brick" the iPod Touch. Unless you do something silly like, say, delete the root filesystem, the odds are very good that you could always use the Restore feature in iTunes to bring a jailbroken iPod Touch back to its factory initial state, leaving no trace of the fact that it had even been jailbroken in the first place. (Unlike the SIM unlock process in an iPhone, which many people erroneously consider to be synonymous to the jailbreak process, there is no need to make any modifications to the bootloader or any other permanent changes in hardware or software to do the jailbreak.)

However, as the jailbreak is a violation of the software's EULA, you shouldn't expect to get very willing support from Apple in the event that you try to get warranty service without having first fully erased any traces of having previously performed the jailbreak.

As well, the jailbreak is very likely a violation of the DMCA, so if you live in the USA (or other jurisdictions which have similar laws) then you may want to consider the potential punishment you may face if Apple ever decided to actively pursue such cases of infringement.

 

[Hmm]

You could always get the unit without the new software and then just buy the update later from the iTunes store if you want it.

I just think it's neat that a refurb 8GB touch is only $30 more than a brand new 8GB nano.