Best used or refurbished MBP for $2200 or less?

[YoitsTmac]

Me and my buddy both upgraded our Macs from https://ipowerresale.com/. We both had a great experience. That Microcenter is a good deal, but in person only. It wouldn't be feasible for me and probably not for you. I got my 14" fully max spec for $2,600 for in pristine condition. Not that that spec fits your budget, but I recommend their products and service.

If you're thrifty and resourceful, r/appleswap can have amazing steals if you're quick about it.

 

[dgerch]

Hi guys, update. I went to Micro Center in Tustin yesterday and purchased a 2021 16inch MBP M1 Max with 32GB ram and 1TB of memory for almost $2300 after tax. So far so good. Cosmetically the Mac is very clean. There are a few minor scratches around the corners of the bottom but you really have to look for them. I bought this because my old 2012 MBP (which is still, amazingly running fine) was struggling to run my intense Logic Pro sessions and very laggy with Photoshop and Lightroom. I still need to pull all of my Audio Plug-Ins and Logic sessions into the new computer before I can determine if it's running these apps smoothly. If not, I will return.

The bad:
(1) They put the wrong charger in the box!!! They gave me an older incompatible charger that doesn't fit into the charging port. Just got off the phone with Micro Center and they said the manager will call me back. I live in hour away, and I don't want to make another drive... Hopefully they will mail it to me. Meanwhile, charging off of USB.
(2) This was not an Apple refurb. The Refurb was done by some company called Diamond. I tried looking online for info on this company but couldn't find any reviews. Because it's not an Apple refurb, it doesn't come with apple care and I'll need to buy Micro Center's extended warranty (an extra $300-400 depending on the duration).
(3) The battery has 280 cycles on it. Seems like a lot.

The questions:
(1) Did I get a good deal?
(2) Is 280 battery cycles too much for a used MBP? It says that the condition is "Normal" and Maximum capacity is "90%".
(3) Do you recommend I shell out for the extended warranty from Micro Center? They seemed to have a large repair staff in the store. It looked legit, I guess.
(4) I'm realizing that, like everyone, I could use more hard drive space. Ideally I'd get a computer with 2 TB. My last computer lasted 12 years and could've lasted longer. This was the top end of my budget but over the course of a decade, another $1000 dollars to get exactly what works for you won't make that much difference. I can afford paying more for a computer right now but I'm not rich. Maybe return this and hold out for something else?

Ok, thanks for reading and sorry for the long-ass post.

 

[YoitsTmac]

I mean to be honest it seems an eBay deal would have been just as good if not better. My M2 Max 14 CPU/ 38 GPU with 64GB RAM and 1TB was $2,600. Just feels like a lot more computer. It’s indistinguishable from new and has about 24 cycles on it now.

My buddy got a 16” M2 Max 32GB/1TB 14CPU/38GPU for $2,300. Under 50 cycles.

 

[dgerch]

I mean to be honest it seems an eBay deal would have been just as good if not better. My M2 Max 14 CPU/ 38 GPU with 64GB RAM and 1TB was $2,600. Just feels like a lot more computer. It’s indistinguishable from new and has about 24 cycles on it now.

My buddy got a 16” M2 Max 32GB/1TB 14CPU/38GPU for $2,300. Under 50 cycles.

Thanks. This is great advice. I have 2 weeks to return this. How do you vet the seller/product on Ebay to ensure that you're not getting a lemon or outright scammed? Is there a particular seller or sellers you recommend? Thanks for the insight!

 

[YoitsTmac]

Thanks. This is great advice. I have 2 weeks to return this. How do you vet the seller/product on Ebay to ensure that you're not getting a lemon or outright scammed. Is there are particular seller or sellers you recommend. Thanks for the insight!

I love eBay. First, pay with PayPal. PayPal has a money back guarantee that is super buyer friendly. It has to be as described. So lots of sellers will say “excellent, almost like new.” I look for those. If it’s an individual seller, if they don’t say like new or anything, I ask them in the comments so my buyer guarantee can be held to that. Don’t work with new sellers. I don’t venture away from individuals with under 50 posts because how often I sell stuff, as long as their rating is good. When they’re selling an $1,900 or so laptop on eBay, they’re generally going to have a 100% rating.

I can’t say enough great things about iPowerResale but they don’t seem to have what you’re looking for in stock. Let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[dgerch]

I love eBay. First, pay with PayPal. PayPal has a money back guarantee that is super buyer friendly. It has to be as described. So lots of sellers will say “excellent, almost like new.” I look for those. If it’s an individual seller, if they don’t say like new or anything, I ask them in the comments so my buyer guarantee can be held to that. Don’t work with new sellers. I don’t venture away from individuals with under 50 posts because how often I sell stuff, as long as their rating is good. When they’re selling an $1,900 or so laptop on eBay, they’re generally going to have a 100% rating.

I can’t say enough great things about iPowerResale but they don’t seem to have what you’re looking for in stock. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Thanks! I just looked on iPowerResale and it doesn't look like they have what I need right now but I'll check on Ebay. Basically, I need a 16inch screen and a Max chip (it can be M1, doesn't make much difference). After that I need at least a 1tb hard drive (preferably more) and as much Ram as possible. Will keep everyone posted.

In the meantime, if anybody else wants to chime in about buying a used computer with 280 battery cycles, would love to hear more input. For the computer I just bought, it feels like this could be a problem.

 

[YoitsTmac]

Here’s a couple I found. I always search for “buy it now” because I don’t want to be locked in a bid and find something better, and I always filter for used because I generally think refurbished is BS outside of Apple.

Apple MacBook Pro Space Gray 16" 2TB SSD 64GB RAM M1 Max Processor Fully Tested | eBay

3.2 GHZ 16-Core M1 Max. 16" MacBook Pro. Model A2485 Space Gray. Battery passed all tests and has 166 cycle counts.

www.ebay.com

Apple MacBook Pro 16" (1TB SSD, M1 Max, 32GB) Laptop - Space Gray - MK1A3LL/A (October, 2021) for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Apple MacBook Pro 16" (1TB SSD, M1 Max, 32GB) Laptop - Space Gray - MK1A3LL/A (October, 2021) at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Apple MacBook Pro 16" (1TB SSD, M1 Max, 32GB) Laptop - Space Gray - MK1A3LL/A (October, 2021) for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Apple MacBook Pro 16" (1TB SSD, M1 Max, 32GB) Laptop - Space Gray - MK1A3LL/A (October, 2021) at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

MacBook Pro 16 M1 Max 2021 3.2GHz 10-Core CPU 32-Core GPU 32GB 512GB - Good | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for MacBook Pro 16 M1 Max 2021 3.2GHz 10-Core CPU 32-Core GPU 32GB 512GB - Good at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[dgerch]

Here’s a couple I found. I always search for “buy it now” because I don’t want to be locked in a bid and find something better, and I always filter for used because I generally think refurbished is BS outside of Apple.

Apple MacBook Pro Space Gray 16" 2TB SSD 64GB RAM M1 Max Processor Fully Tested | eBay

3.2 GHZ 16-Core M1 Max. 16" MacBook Pro. Model A2485 Space Gray. Battery passed all tests and has 166 cycle counts.

www.ebay.com

Apple MacBook Pro 16" (1TB SSD, M1 Max, 32GB) Laptop - Space Gray - MK1A3LL/A (October, 2021) for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Apple MacBook Pro 16" (1TB SSD, M1 Max, 32GB) Laptop - Space Gray - MK1A3LL/A (October, 2021) at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Apple MacBook Pro 16" (1TB SSD, M1 Max, 32GB) Laptop - Space Gray - MK1A3LL/A (October, 2021) for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Apple MacBook Pro 16" (1TB SSD, M1 Max, 32GB) Laptop - Space Gray - MK1A3LL/A (October, 2021) at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

MacBook Pro 16 M1 Max 2021 3.2GHz 10-Core CPU 32-Core GPU 32GB 512GB - Good | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for MacBook Pro 16 M1 Max 2021 3.2GHz 10-Core CPU 32-Core GPU 32GB 512GB - Good at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Dude. You're the man. Thanks!

 

[dgerch]

Ok, this top one is perfect for me:

Apple MacBook Pro Space Gray 16" 2TB SSD 64GB RAM M1 Max Processor Fully Tested | eBay

Probably gonna pull the trigger on this one.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP posted and complained:
"The bad..."

Go back and RE-READ reply 8 in this thread.
You were duly warned beforehand.

Take it back, then get an APPLE refurbished unit from Apple's online refurbished store.

Buy from ebay?????
I'm gonna warn you with an old saw:
"Once bitten, twice shy".
Want to be "bitten" again ???

 

[YoitsTmac]

Ok, this top one is perfect for me:

Apple MacBook Pro Space Gray 16" 2TB SSD 64GB RAM M1 Max Processor Fully Tested | eBay

Probably gonna pull the trigger on this one.

166 cycles and a scratch reported on the display in the description. The cycles wouldn’t bother me and I didn’t see the scratch. Not a bad buy on specs though

Take it back, then get an APPLE refurbished unit from Apple's online refurbished store.

Buy from ebay?????
I'm gonna warn you with an old saw:
"Once bitten, twice shy".
Want to be "bitten" again ???

Apple refurbished is often a poor value on non-current models. Sometimes, retailers will beat refurbished on previous models when unloading stock. I don’t know what your issue is with eBay when there’s the buyer guarantee through PayPal. I’ve never had to use that and I have recommended eBay to cost-conscious clients back when I did Mac support. I have only seen one bad Mac and it was already super old. These newer models cost a lot new, and are likely handled by work professionals. In my opinion, some of the safest buy laptops.

 

[dgerch]

The seller has a 97% rating with high volume. Would you consider that acceptable?

 

[YoitsTmac]

I would. Remember PayPal payment for buyer protection

 

[HDFan]

It's a question of balancing cost vs security. You can save money on eBay but you have to be very careful. See the posts on MacRumors from people who lost all of their money. Safest and more expensive option is buying Apple Refurbished.

 

[YoitsTmac]

It's a question of balancing cost vs security. You can save money on eBay but you have to be very careful. See the posts on MacRumors from people who lost all of their money. Safest and more expensive option is buying Apple Refurbished.

As previously said, Apple Refurbished rarely offers a good value on, non current, custom upgraded models. OP just tried refurb and got a questionable value.

Buying from a reputable seller, checking the condition, and having buyer protection is about as safe as it gets for used.