Apple Store MBP M1 14 Refurb: Quick Advice

[Tiber3m]

Below listed are currently the least expensive options available at this time for these machines. I hoped for an 8/14 Core with 1TB but they are in extremely short supply —basically unavailable

I also get an additional 10% Veteran discount through Apple, so I would prefer not to buy elsewhere for a Used machine.

Assuming those are the only options at those prices, which would you choose if all you were really interested in was the additional storage space?

Before / Afer the Vets Discount:

MBP 14 M1 Pro (8/14 core) with 512GB ($1539/$1385)

MBP 14 M1 Pro (10/16 core) with 1TB ($1929/$1736)

Thanks for the feedback

 

[IncreasinglyFrustrated]

Option 3: Get a new 14" M2 Pro, 10/16 16GB 512GB for $1,799 (w/ mil discount) and I will mail you a 5TB SSD for free; (I have a few spares from work).

Storage space is the least crucial part of the purchase.

 

[Tiber3m]

Option 3: Get a new 14" M2 Pro, 10/16 16GB 512GB for $1,799 (w/ mil discount) and I will mail you a 5TB SSD for free; (I have a few spares from work).

Storage space is the least crucial part of the purchase.

Thanks. I really appreciate the advice.

 

[raythompsontn]

I will mail you a 5TB SSD for free; (I have a few spares from work).

I will take one of those 5TB SSDs you have as spares. How do I get one? I will pay the postage.

 

[IncreasinglyFrustrated]

I will take one of those 5TB SSDs you have as spares. How do I get one? I will pay the postage.

If you're a current or former service member fighting to stay within a budget, I'd be happy to. Message me.

 

[FriendlyMackle]

Below listed are currently the least expensive options available at this time for these machines. I hoped for an 8/14 Core with 1TB but they are in extremely short supply —basically unavailable

I also get an additional 10% Veteran discount through Apple, so I would prefer not to buy elsewhere for a Used machine.

Assuming those are the only options at those prices, which would you choose if all you were really interested in was the additional storage space?

Before / Afer the Vets Discount:

MBP 14 M1 Pro (8/14 core) with 512GB ($1539/$1385)

MBP 14 M1 Pro (10/16 core) with 1TB ($1929/$1736)

Thanks for the feedback

I think the 1TB SSD will have a much faster speed than the 512GB. If that’s a consideration for you, it might be worth the extra spend.

 

[Tiber3m]

I have received good advice and things to consider. I'll make my decision soon.

To Mr. Thompson: Sir, you are a gentleman and a patriot with a generous heart. I am blessed enough that I do not need to take advantage of your offer of the SSD, but your offer genuinely touches me. Thank you, sir.

 

[luked14]

I think the 1TB SSD will have a much faster speed than the 512GB. If that’s a consideration for you, it might be worth the extra spend.

I think that with the M1, all SSD speeds were the same regardless of capacity.

 

[smirking]

I have to agree and disagree with @IncreasinglyFrustrated. I do agree that the storage is the least consequential in terms of general usage because the Thunderbolt 3 ports are so damn fast. Plug in even a slow SSD and you have very capable hybrid storage. There are people here booting their machines off of external drives and it was fine.

I had to downgrade my laptop for a while and I learned that I can get by quite handily with only 512GB and external storage, but I still buy at least the 2TB model because the convenience is worth it to me.

If you can wait a bit, I'd hang in there a bit longer to see if the perfect spec 8/14 - 1TB shows up soon. I'd presume that given the introduction of the M2 MBP machines, there may be less demand for the M1 models and probably more than a few people who bought a little before or a little after the M2 release will return their M1's and get an M2 instead.

You'll have a better idea than I would given that I haven't been watching the Apple Refurb Store, but I'd expect that the base spec 14" M1 Pro probably won't vanish anytime soon. The base models are usually in good supply.

 

[raythompsontn]

I have received good advice and things to consider. I'll make my decision soon.

To Mr. Thompson: Sir, you are a gentleman and a patriot with a generous heart. I am blessed enough that I do not need to take advantage of your offer of the SSD, but your offer genuinely touches me. Thank you, sir.

That was “IncreasinglyFrustrated” that made the offer of the external drive, not I. Accolades belong to him.

 

[gradi]

How does one get the Veteran discount?

 

[raythompsontn]

You have to prove you are active military or a veteran.

As a veteran this is what I use.

Get online with VA.GOV. This requires an account through ID.ME used to verify your VA status. You then go to the Apple veteran site, which requires you be validated with ID.ME. The discount is only available through that Apple website. The discount cannot be used in the store or through the app.

 

[gradi]

You have to prove you are active military or a veteran.

As a veteran this is what I use.

Get online with VA.GOV. This requires an account through ID.ME used to verify your VA status. You then go to the Apple veteran site, which requires you be validated with ID.ME. The discount is only available through that Apple website. The discount cannot be used in the store or through the app.

Thank you for the info. I created an id at ID.ME a few years ago through the va.gov website. I have not tried to login with it for at least 5 years though.

I did not know about this discount. I bought my M1 Mac Mini 16gb/512gb about a year ago from the Apple website and paid full price.

 

[raythompsontn]

ID.ME has to have your affiliation with military as one of its groups. Just having an ID.ME login is halfway there.

 

[Tiber3m]

Thanks to Mr. Thompson for pointing out my error. I should have addressed the following message to —

increasingly frustrated: Sir, you are a gentleman and a patriot with a generous heart. I am blessed enough that I do not need to take advantage of your offer of the SSD, but your offer genuinely touches me. Thank you, sir.