Are refurb MBPs reliable?

[Eric_WVGG]

I've bought many refurb Macbooks over the years. Only one showed an issue, screen would flicker after being on for ten minutes or so. They swapped it out, no questions asked. Extra extended warranty, IMO it's a great way to go.

 

[Yebubbleman]

I read often on this forum of people who buy refurbished Apple hardware. I am kinda tempted due to the savings but I am worried about possible hardware problems if the unit is not new. What's your experience with refurbished devices?

It's honestly fine. And if ever it isn't, you take it to Apple and they make it fine. Warranty and AppleCare+ policies are the exact same as they are on brand new products. You are also getting a brand new exterior and battery. So, really, other than the display and the logic boards, everything is brand new and ALL of it is more thoroughly inspected than the new stuff is.

The only time Apple Certified Refurb becomes annoying is when you want something that is CTO. Then you have to hope you get lucky and that your desired configuration is available.

 

[VitoBotta]

Yes. Just like you would for a new device. I had ordered a MBA in 2013 from refurb store. Apple bumped up the processor, RAM and storage when I got the delivery. I guess they ran out of lower end model I ordered.

This is the second or third time I hear of people who have received higher specs with the refurbs than what they ordered. Sounds pretty cool

 

[AssassuN]

I think I will only buy Apple refurb from now on myself, unless I desperately require an unavailable configuration. You save money and arguably it's more reliable than brand new.

 

[Macdctr]

I just took delivery of my refurbished 14-inch M3 Pro MBP and you can't tell the difference between a new one and this refurbished one except for the box my laptop came in. Other than that, everything looked brand new. I would buy a refurbished Mac from Apple again.

Knowing these refurbished computers are put through a much more thorough testing to ensure there is nothing wrong with them is reassuring. You still get the standard factory warranty and can increase the warranty coverage by getting AppleCare+ if you choose.

 

[bousozoku]

I would rather buy refurbished because whatever problem was there should be gone and other things are checked, as well. I've been buying such machines from Apple since the PowerBook G4 was new. I had a problem with one of the fans, and once identified, they fixed it.

My more recent M1 MacBook Air seemed new, since they use a new case for them now.

 

[mreg376]

I read often on this forum of people who buy refurbished Apple hardware. I am kinda tempted due to the savings but I am worried about possible hardware problems if the unit is not new. What's your experience with refurbished devices?

If you're talking about buying through Apple's clearance store, it's virtually the same as buying new from Apple (with a less fancy box), except that they have available just what they happen to have on any particular day. If you're buying refurbished from any other source caveat emptor.

 

[AZhappyjack]

I read often on this forum of people who buy refurbished Apple hardware. I am kinda tempted due to the savings but I am worried about possible hardware problems if the unit is not new. What's your experience with refurbished devices?

Absolutely zero risk. Apple goes through them, replaces batteries and guarantees them like new. I’ve bought 10 or 12 devices from the Apple refurb store over the years and not had a single problem.

 

[M.Brane]

Still rockin' this mid 2015 MBP 15" 16GB/1TB refurb purchased in 2016 when they introduced the touch bar/ butterfly crap.

The battery is finally starting to show signs of needing replacement. Other than that it's rock solid. I upgraded the SSD to 2TB with a Sabrent Rocket about 5 years ago for capacity reasons alone, though the Rocket is faster than the OEM 1TB