Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Are Refurbished Macs as high quality their new counterparts?
- Thread starter BBSwany
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
hmmm Apple just took away my 8-month-old unibody macbook (swapped for a new 13" mbp). You could be buying a heavily used, 8-month-old 2Ghz MacBook if you go refurb.
You think it's still good as new?
Logic: Every refurbished Mac is put into a state that is as good as factory new. You doubt that an 8 month old Mac can be put into that state. You're probably right. That means Apple can't turn it into a refurbished Mac.
That is correct. I bought a BNIB HP Pavillion laptop that arrived with a stuck pixel. Called customer support and they told me anything 5 or less was "acceptable". I don't think so.
Needless to say, it was sent back to the seller. I have never had a problem with Apple screens though. I do like the concept of someone actually going through it by hand to make sure it is up to spec. Are the refurbs shipped from the US or do they go back to China for repair?
That is correct. I bought a BNIB HP Pavillion laptop that arrived with a stuck pixel. Called customer support and they told me anything 5 or less was "acceptable". I don't think so.
I do like the concept of someone actually going through it by hand to make sure it is up to spec. Are the refurbs shipped from the US or do they go back to China for repair?
Everything is done in the US.
I know it's a crapshoot and your mileage may vary, but a lot of times refurbs will come with more ram then they are sold as. If a customer ordered a machine with upgraded RAM and returned it, guess who benefits? You!
I lucked out this way with my mini. Was so happy that I took the chance.
Also for anyone questioning the reliability of a refurb, don't. Unless you just have to have the fancy packaging with a glossy apple logo on it, you are basically getting the same thing. All the stuff is wrapped up in little bags like normal. I couldn't even tell mine wasn't new. The only thing mine "lacked" was it was packed in a cardboard box. For a free ram upgrade and less money to begin with, I think I can live with the cardboard.
I don't agree.
I agree refurbs are a great value...but in my experience the quality is not the same.
I buy all the computer for my family. In the last 5 years I have bought 10 new Macs and 6 refurbs. All of the new Macs were great. 4 of the 6 refurbs were also great. But 2 of the 6 refurbs were horrible. One was a white MacBook, it had many trips to the Apple Store and six times needed to be sent in to Apple hardware service before Apple finally replaced it.
The second was an iMac that needed hardware repairs twice the first week, after which I sent it back to Apple for a refund.
In every case Apple stood by the refurbs and finally replaced the losers, so I have no problem with Apple. But while the refurbs are a good deal and you may get a great one, you also may get one of the losers, they definitely are not the same quality as the new Macs.
I agree refurbs are a great value...but in my experience the quality is not the same.
I buy all the computer for my family. In the last 5 years I have bought 10 new Macs and 6 refurbs. All of the new Macs were great. 4 of the 6 refurbs were also great. But 2 of the 6 refurbs were horrible. One was a white MacBook, it had many trips to the Apple Store and six times needed to be sent in to Apple hardware service before Apple finally replaced it.
The second was an iMac that needed hardware repairs twice the first week, after which I sent it back to Apple for a refund.
In every case Apple stood by the refurbs and finally replaced the losers, so I have no problem with Apple. But while the refurbs are a good deal and you may get a great one, you also may get one of the losers, they definitely are not the same quality as the new Macs.
I've purchased two refurbished Apple products: an MBP, and an AEBS. I am extremely please with both purchases, and they continue to perform as expected.
100% satisfied customer
100% satisfied customer
But most of the time, you don't get a clunker.
I don't know why everybody doesn't buy refurb. I got a refurb Mac mini, fault free. A Dell Studio 540, which was in the scratch and dent section, without flaw, except a very small paint chip. My mom got a Studio 1537 from the scratch and dent area, again without flaw, aside from a microscopic chip near the camera and a near-invisible scratch on the underside. A few years ago, a Dimension 4300S, which was perfect, until a few months ago when it wouldn't load the BIOS.
Couldn't this go both ways? What if the customer had removed one of the RAM sticks?
Because
doesn't ***** ship to US military and they charge us tax = wish they would change those policies... reshipping via APO box is too expensive when I have a USA address and they ship for free in the USA