Apple Restocks Refurbished Mac Studio Models With Fast Delivery

[MacRumors]

Apple began selling refurbished Mac Studio models last week, but inventory quickly sold out in the United States. For customers who missed out, refurbished Mac Studio models have now been restocked on Apple's online store while supplies last.

A wide range of refurbished Mac Studio models with the M1 Max or M1 Ultra chips are available, including custom configurations with upgraded specs. Pricing starts at $1,799 for the base model with an M1 Max chip (10-core CPU and 24-core GPU), 32GB of unified memory, and a 512GB SSD, compared to $1,999 for the equivalent brand new model.

In our view, refurbished Macs sold by Apple are virtually indistinguishable from brand new models, so this is a decent opportunity to secure a Mac Studio with a discount and faster delivery. Apple says every certified refurbished Mac is thoroughly cleaned, tested, and repackaged in a new box with a power cord and manuals.

Apple's refurbished products are covered by Apple's standard one-year warranty and 14-day return policy, and are eligible for AppleCare+ coverage. AppleCare+ for the Mac Studio is priced at $169 or $59.99 per year on a rolling basis.

Apple first released the Mac Studio in March 2022. On the back of the computer, connectivity options include four Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A ports, one HDMI port, one 10-Gigabit Ethernet port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack with support for high-impedance headphones. On the front, there is an SD card slot, along with two USB-C ports for M1 Max models or two Thunderbolt 4 ports for M1 Ultra models.

This post has been updated to reflect availability of additional refurbished Mac Studio configurations.

Article Link: Apple Restocks Refurbished Mac Studio Models With Fast Delivery

 

[Leon Ze Professional]

Keep the good times rollin Apple.

 

[snak-atak]

Looks like they presently have only 512 GB models which leads me to believe that serious users who purchased Studio Macs w/ higher end storage, etc, are very happy owners. I am one of them! The returns are likely coming from 'curious' users who planned to return the device from the start and not 'serious' ones.

Can you imagine how much less these devices would cost if Apple never had to worry about returns? I once heard that retail prices for consumer products are doubled to cover overhead from theft (shoplifting), and returns.

 

[noone]

I'm so, so tempted. But I'd still need to buy a monitor for it. I haven't found anything I'd even consider besides the Studio Display (which isn't happening at that price) other than the Huawei MateView 28 which isn't even sold in the US.

 

[FightTheFuture]

Can you imagine how much less these devices would cost if Apple never had to worry about returns? I once heard that retail prices for consumer products are doubled to cover overhead from theft (shoplifting), and returns.

Amazon return freights are basically moving landfills.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

Looks like they presently have only 512 GB models which leads me to believe that serious users who purchased Studio Macs w/ higher end storage, etc, are very happy owners. I am one of them! The returns are likely coming from 'curious' users who planned to return the device from the start and not 'serious' ones.

Can you imagine how much less these devices would cost if Apple never had to worry about returns? I once heard that retail prices for consumer products are doubled to cover overhead from theft (shoplifting), and returns.

I wonder if many of these are purchased by some of the million YouTubers who want to post a review about these products.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

I'm so, so tempted. But I'd still need to buy a monitor for it. I haven't found anything I'd even consider besides the Studio Display (which isn't happening at that price) other than the Huawei MateView 28 which isn't even sold in the US.

LG 27GP950 if 27" is good for you.
Larger... LG is supposed to launch a 32" very soon.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I wonder if many of these are purchased by some of the million YouTubers who want to post a review about these products.

And, if so, does that make these celebrity Mac Studios? 🤩

 

[t0rqx]

The delivery is so fast that you might even hear the coil whine with these units.

 

[Malus120]

Looks like they presently have only 512 GB models which leads me to believe that serious users who purchased Studio Macs w/ higher end storage, etc, are very happy owners. I am one of them! The returns are likely coming from 'curious' users who planned to return the device from the start and not 'serious' ones.

Can you imagine how much less these devices would cost if Apple never had to worry about returns? I once heard that retail prices for consumer products are doubled to cover overhead from theft (shoplifting), and returns.

I think you underestimate how much good will, sales, and increased revenue Apple's generous return policy generates.

It's so much easier for someone who's never used a Mac before to buy one on a "trial basis" only to fall in love with it and become a reliable Apple consumer. Similarly, its much easier for sales reps (and even users themselves) to justify an upsell by telling them(selves) "Well if it ends up being more than needed it can always be returned or exchanged."

Also, given Apple's penchant for high margins (especially under Tim Cook,) I'm sure Apple's still making a healthy profit on these refurb units (even including the cost of return shipping, testing, refurbishing, repacking, etc.)
On the topic of margins, If Apple didn't do returns I'm pretty sure they'd just... pocket the extra money.

 

[snak-atak]

I think you underestimate how much good will, sales, and increased revenue Apple's generous return policy generates.

It's so much easier for someone who's never used a Mac before to buy one on a "trial basis" only to fall in love with it and become a reliable Apple consumer. Similarly, its much easier for sales reps (and even users themselves) to justify an upsell by telling them(selves) "Well if it ends up being more than needed it can always be returned or exchanged."

Also, given Apple's penchant for high margins (especially under Tim Cook,) I'm sure Apple's still making a healthy profit on these refurb units (even including the cost of return shipping, testing, refurbishing, repacking, etc.)
On the topic of margins, If Apple didn't do returns I'm pretty sure they'd just... pocket the extra money.

No argument here. Totally understand that returns are a necessity for any successful business. I've done my fair share of returns myself. But no matter how you slice it, returns are an expensive cost to the company. Warehouses, shipping, labor, retesting, repackaging. It all adds up. I am not saying that I want Apple to make returns more difficult, but if less people purchased with the intent to return, the savings would be considerable.

 

[mikethemartian]

I once heard that retail prices for consumer products are doubled to cover overhead from theft (shoplifting), and returns.

Just keep your returns: Stores weigh paying you not to bring back unwanted items

www.cnn.com

 

[snak-atak]

I'm so, so tempted. But I'd still need to buy a monitor for it. I haven't found anything I'd even consider besides the Studio Display (which isn't happening at that price) other than the Huawei MateView 28 which isn't even sold in the US.

LG Ultrafine 5k is a great monitor, no matter what others may say. I purchased mines about 3 years ago for about $900 at the time. It replaced my existing monitor, webcam, and speakers. Admittedly, I use it more for business than gaming, but it's more than sufficient for my needs. I later added a Huanuo mount to reclaim more desk space. Together with the Mac Studio, it's a very efficient setup with minimal cords, and lots of open desk space which cannot be ignored.

 

[FelixDerKater]

Are these mostly returns from people who had second thoughts or were there a lot of malfunctioning systems?

 

[snak-atak]

Amazon return freights are basically moving landfills.

No doubt. It's so convenient to purchase three pairs of shoes, try them on, and return two, sometimes all three pairs. And between Kohls and UPS, Amazon returns are so easy. Makes you wonder how many people might do the same for Macs. Buy a Mac Studio Max, and a Studio Ultra, try them both, and return the one they don't want, or perhaps both.

 

[Malus120]

No argument here. Totally understand that returns are a necessity for any successful business. I've done my fair share of returns myself. But no matter how you slice it, returns are an expensive cost to the company. Warehouses, shipping, labor, retesting, repackaging. It all adds up. I am not saying that I want Apple to make returns more difficult, but if less people purchased with the intent to return, the savings would be considerable.

Sure. I'm just not convinced Apple under Tim Cook would actually be willing to pass any of those savings on to us! 🤣

 

[EdT]

LG 27GP950 if 27" is good for you.
Larger... LG is supposed to launch a 32" very soon.

I think that I saw a review online about this monitor and although the screen was good the overall build quality was cheap, and looked it. I don’t remember if it had built in speakers either, but I can look that up.

//Edit: 4K not 5, the LG has higher refresh rate (160 Hz versus 60 Hz) although I don’t think Apple supplies a video signal beyond 60 Hz. so the 160 Hz doesn’t matter. I don’t see a mention for True Tone or something similar. It does have speakers.

 

[Mr. Dee]

I guess the YouTube video didn’t get enough views or the midlife crisis was averted. 😄

 

[no_idea]

A lot of buyers remorse going on. Too much $$$ for this machine when you can get by with a mini for a lot of consumer stuff

 

[no_idea]

I guess the YouTube video didn’t get enough views or the midlife crisis was averted. 😄

Would be cool if apple could detect the user purchasing if solely for a YouTube review and deny them the return 😝

 

[Nellisoft]

I'm so, so tempted. But I'd still need to buy a monitor for it. I haven't found anything I'd even consider besides the Studio Display (which isn't happening at that price) other than the Huawei MateView 28 which isn't even sold in the US.

You can get one shipped to the US if you order it through AmazonUK... returns/support may not be available, however.

I've been considering the MateView 28" non-wireless as a temporary display for my work Mac Studio until something mini-LED-based that's significantly better comes along, but that lack of support if anything goes wrong with it in the meantime is a problem.

 

[Mr. Dee]

Would be cool if apple could detect the user purchasing if solely for a YouTube review and deny them the return 😝

I’m sure they suspect who they are. What they likely do is log the address and credit card information internally. For big ticket purchases in the future, their shipping ends up getting delayed significantly.

If you look at the Studio forums during the order periods, there were a lot of delays. I think it was intentional because Apple knew a lot these were just buying these for YouTube first reviews. Apple knew once the excitement died down many would just cancel the orders along way. Especially once pro YouTubers got their reviews published.

Anybody you see whining on the forum about how long their order is taking to ship, they are a YouTuber.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Simpler than that (if Apple likes): Seller is not obligated to sell anyone. Ever back out of selling something you wanted to sell for any reason? Maybe the deal felt fishy? Maybe the buyer was trying to haggle or trade instead of pay cash? Etc. Apple has the same power to NOT execute any transaction.

So if there is a regular abuser who rents new Apple stuff for YouTube or similar purposes and then returns it, Apple can flag that person and refuse to sell them more if Apple doesn't want to deal with the return... AND/OR reach out to that buyer, explain the situation Apple notices and then offer to fulfill their new order but "sale is final- no returns." Then if buyer wishes to proceed, Apple flags the purchase as such and even stamps the receipt, putting a note in the file in case the person tries to return it at an Apple store too.

I've seen this many times in some years in retail. Stores can "notice" and call out abusers. Else, the fashion industry would collapse from wear it once "rentals" that are then returned.

Just as buyers are not obligated to buy, sellers are not obligated to sell. If this is a big problem for Apple, this is the simple, proven, commonplace way to manage the issue.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

I think that I saw a review online about this monitor and although the screen was good the overall build quality was cheap, and looked it. I don’t remember if it had built in speakers either, but I can look that up.

//Edit: 4K not 5, the LG has higher refresh rate (160 Hz versus 60 Hz) although I don’t think Apple supplies a video signal beyond 60 Hz. so the 160 Hz doesn’t matter. I don’t see a mention for True Tone or something similar. It does have speakers.

It's not a bad monitor.
I bought a pair of PreSonic Eris Studio Monitors. Much better sound than built-in speakers.
It's a gaming monitor, the colors are very good, 1 ms response time. I'm running it at 144 Hz.

it will look cheap if you compare it to Apple's monitors with aluminum case, which have aluminum enclosures.

 

[tastesliketailpipe]

Looks like they presently have only 512 GB models which leads me to believe that serious users who purchased Studio Macs w/ higher end storage, etc, are very happy owners. I am one of them! The returns are likely coming from 'curious' users who planned to return the device from the start and not 'serious' ones.

Can you imagine how much less these devices would cost if Apple never had to worry about returns? I once heard that retail prices for consumer products are doubled to cover overhead from theft (shoplifting), and returns.

These returns coming from YouTubers who return their units upon “reviewing” them.