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Are Refurbs worth it ?

Goohfy

Goohfy

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 22, 2011
203
0
I will be upgrading my Dell lapto to some sort of Mac this year, and will definitely spend less on a refurb if I can , but I have a question. When Apple say "refurb" what is usually wrong with it? I'd rather not receive a dented Mac or one with a cosmetic problem. are they usually just internal problems there fixed or cosmetic?
 
MacRumors Guides: Apple Refurbished Store

Apple Certified Refurbished Products
1) What are Apple Certified Refurbished Products?
Apple Certified Refurbished Products are pre-owned Apple products that undergo Apple's stringent refurbishment process prior to being offered for sale. While only some units are returned due to technical issues, all units undergo Apple's stringent quality refurbishment process.

Each Apple Certified Refurbished Product:
is fully tested (including full burn-in testing).
is refurbished with replacement parts for any defective modules identified in testing.
is put through a thorough cleaning process and inspection.
is repackaged (including appropriate manuals, cables, new boxes, etc.).
includes the operating software originally shipped with the unit and the custom software offered with that system.
is given a new refurbished part number and serial number.
is placed into a Final QA inspection prior to being added to sellable refurbished stock.
Refurbishment procedures follow the same basic technical guidelines as Apple's Finished Goods testing procedures.​
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If you want more information, here are just a few of many threads on this topic, found by searching the forum with MRoogle:
Refurbished MBP or New?
Getting an iMac - New or Refurbished?
Refurbished vs new
HELP: Refurbished 17" or New High End 15"?!
Are Refurbished Macs as high quality their new counterparts?
Do refurbished fail more often than new MBP's?
New MPB or refurbished model?

search results by GGJstudios​
 
Goohfy said:
I will be upgrading my Dell lapto to some sort of Mac this year, and will definitely spend less on a refurb if I can , but I have a question. When Apple say "refurb" what is usually wrong with it? I'd rather not receive a dented Mac or one with a cosmetic problem. are they usually just internal problems there fixed or cosmetic?
Click to expand...

I've bought several things from thenrefurb store - never a Mac - but an Apple TV, Airport Express and iPod Touch.

All were top notch and wouldn't hesitate to buy my next Mac from there.

Some say the computers are better than 'off-the-shelf' Macs as they may have had a hardware issue but, because of that, they have had that part replaced plus the work will have been carried out with more care and another full burn-in.

If there is another problem, then you still have the full one year Apple warranty and you can buy AppleCare. That to me, says Apple have full confidence in them.

HTH

- D
 
I have had nothing but good experiences with refurbs. I acutally think its better.
 
Sounds like you guys really likes em, so I'm probably gonna pickup the first i3 or i5 I find that's pretty cheap, thanks a lot guys.
 
dwright1974 said:
Some say the computers are better than 'off-the-shelf' Macs as they may have had a hardware issue but, because of that, they have had that part replaced plus the work will have been carried out with more care and another full burn-in.
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Some are also just returned products - so it is just an open box discount in such cases. Can't really go wrong with a refurb. Especially if you get one that has free upgrades.
 
From everything I've read, and heard from others refurbs are they way to go. Besides waiting for them to ship and lack of a fancy box, you basically get a new machine.
 
Refurbs are great! If you're patient, and don't need a lot of custom options, it's the way to go...
 
I've bought 2 refurbished MacBooks, 2 refurbished Mac minis, and a refurbished Airport Extreme. Never had a problem with any of them.
 
I run a photo studio with 12 Mac systems and all were bought off the refurb site. No complaints, all systems run great and I have saved $$$thousands over the years
 
I would not hesitate to purchase a refurb. I've purchased 2 and both have been flawless. I would have gotten a refurb MBA this time around had the shipping not been so long on it.
 
How long does it take generally before the lastest 2011 iMacs will show up in the refurb store?
I'm probably looking at getting one around September.
 
kwk1 said:
How long does it take generally before the lastest 2011 iMacs will show up in the refurb store?
I'm probably looking at getting one around September.
Click to expand...

I would guess several months. There are Early 2011 MBP listed already.
 
Usually you can get a brand new macbook pro on amazon for less than a refurbished one from apple. Amazon=lower starting price+no tax+and usually free shipping!
 
gaps said:
Usually you can get a brand new macbook pro on amazon for less than a refurbished one from apple. Amazon=lower starting price+no tax+and usually free shipping!
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Totally dependent on where you live. Apple has free shipping as well.

Refurb 13" MacBook Pro, base model $1019 shipped from Apple Store.
13" MacBook Pro, base model $1138.00 shipped from Amazon.com

Tax difference would have to be over 10%.

AppleCare is less expensive from Amazon, no matter where you live.
 
Just got a refurb iPod Touch, the box was rather scruffy and looked like it had been dragged along behind a car for a while, but the iPod itself was absolutely immaculate - not a single mark on it, software was wiped and as-new, and all the accessories (headphones and cable) were brand new and unwrapped.

But other thongs I still buy new, mostly because they're available when refurbs aren't.

I tend to think of a refurb as giving me the equivalent of a mid-life price drop (which pretty much every manufacturer except Apple does anyway).

David
 
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