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Bought a MBP - Doesn't match specs on box

B

biohead

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 18, 2010
431
7
West Drayton, UK
I've bought an Argos-Refurbished 13 MBP - it's advertised as 2.4GHz i5, 500Gb drive - so the late 2011 model.

The sticker on the bottom box, states the serial, MBP 13.3/2.4/2x2GB/500/SD/GLSY, so matches what I'd expect from it.

Turned on the laptop - got the intro to Snow Leopard... Ok I thought - maybe they've used an old restore disc and got lucky it actually works :confused: So first thing I check is system info - it's a 2.3Ghz i5, and 320Gb HDD - clearly an early 2011!
The sticker on the top of the box shows the Early 2011 specs.

Checked the serial number on the MBP - it matches the one on the sticker on the box :confused: Double checking the serial number on Apples website also reconfirms that it is an Early 2011 model.

I've rung Apple support, but all they suggest is to take it back to Argos. I got what I thought was a fairly good deal (£750) and it's a mighty upgrade from my current Macbook.

I've attached a photo of the box sticker - It looks like a standard Apple sticker to me, but could someone confirm?


***UPDATE*** The photo attached - that label is NOT one provided by Apple, despite all the Apple address being supplied etc.
 

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Last edited:
biohead said:
I've rung Apple support, but all they suggest is to take it back to Argos. I got what I thought was a fairly good deal (£750) and it's a mighty upgrade from my current Macbook.
Click to expand...
Apple Certified Refurbished Products are only available from the Apple Refurb Store and are not sold by any 3rd party or local Apple stores. Anything else is just used, regardless of what the seller may call "refurbished".
 
It's the fact the sticker is showing something it isn't.

The serial on the sticker and the serial on the macbook actually match.

If it didn't I'd just fire it straight back to Argos, wondering if it's worth a visit to the Apple store tonight or if they'll just turn me away and back to Argos.

I'm well aware this isn't an Apple refurbished product - but i'd expect that what the box says, matches whats in it.
 
does the serial number in the "about this mac" info also match the one on the bottom of the MBP and sticker?

maybe during their "refurb" process they bottom the wrong bottom cover on the wrong mbp
 
biohead said:
If it didn't I'd just fire it straight back to Argos, wondering if it's worth a visit to the Apple store tonight or if they'll just turn me away and back to Argos.
Click to expand...
There's nothing an Apple store can do about it, since it's a used model and they didn't sell it to you. You have to take it back to Argos.
 
For the third time - the serial number on the laptop AND on the box match each other.

The specifications don't.

But thanks to those confirming Apple won't actually touch it, and not accusing me of pulling a scam.
 
biohead said:
For the third time - the serial number on the laptop AND on the box match each other.

The specifications don't.
Click to expand...

not the serial number "on" the laptop the one you would see in "about this mac" so you saying all 3 spots the serial number is listed is the same?

if thats a yes than looks like they have the wrong specs
 
biohead said:
For the third time - the serial number on the laptop AND on the box match each other.

The specifications don't.

But thanks to those confirming Apple won't actually touch it, and not accusing me of pulling a scam.
Click to expand...

ON the laptop itself or in the "About this mac" ?
 
Sounds like the refurb was a repaired unit with an early 2011 board/drive instead of a late 2011 board/drive.

I doubt it is a scam, probably just an honest mistake. If you are not happy return it.
 
biohead said:
It's the fact the sticker is showing something it isn't.

The serial on the sticker and the serial on the macbook actually match.

If it didn't I'd just fire it straight back to Argos, wondering if it's worth a visit to the Apple store tonight or if they'll just turn me away and back to Argos.

I'm well aware this isn't an Apple refurbished product - but i'd expect that what the box says, matches whats in it.
Click to expand...

Sounds like the sticker was probably made and put on by Argos.
 
biohead said:
...
I've rung Apple support, but all they suggest is to take it back to Argos. I got what I thought was a fairly good deal (£750) and it's a mighty upgrade from my current Macbook.
...
Click to expand...
It sounds like Apple gave you the right advice. You bought a used item and it didn't match the box. Go to Argos.
 
Stetrain got it. Got the Apple store to take a look and it's just a case of that that label isn't an Apple one. Which I find weird considering it's got Airport ID, Ethernet etc etc etc on it and even Apple's address. Ho hum, thats life!

Now if Argos will refund me the cost of a 500gb HDD and the cost of Lion then I'll most likely keep it.

I suppose one final question: The box art is that of a Lion. The F3 and F4 keys are the new ones (not old expose). Should it have shipped with Lion, as like I mention, it is running SL at the moment.
 
biohead said:
Stetrain got it. Got the Apple store to take a look and it's just a case of that that label isn't an Apple one. Which I find weird considering it's got Airport ID, Ethernet etc etc etc on it and even Apple's address. Ho hum, thats life!

Now if Argos will refund me the cost of a 500gb HDD and the cost of Lion then I'll most likely keep it.

I suppose one final question: The box art is that of a Lion. The F3 and F4 keys are the new ones (not old expose). Should it have shipped with Lion, as like I mention, it is running SL at the moment.
Click to expand...

based on that it probably should of came with lion, maybe Argros has some redemption code they can give you for a free download or at least the cost of lion, it was probably easier for them to put SL on during their cleanup during their refurb process since SL was a disc and Lion is digital download
 
We keep feeding this. Clearly not an Apple problem, told the OP, STILL took it to the Apple store, only to be told it wasn't an Apple problem. Our advice is a clearly pointless exercise in typing.

Didn't get what you paid for. Not the right processor, hard drive, or OS. Live with it, or return it.
 
This is clearly an problem with whoever sold you the computer. Take it back to the seller to complain, not Apple.
 
biohead said:
It's the fact the sticker is showing something it isn't.

The serial on the sticker and the serial on the macbook actually match.

If it didn't I'd just fire it straight back to Argos, wondering if it's worth a visit to the Apple store tonight or if they'll just turn me away and back to Argos.

I'm well aware this isn't an Apple refurbished product - but i'd expect that what the box says, matches whats in it.
Click to expand...

What exactly is Apple supposed to do in this case and what are your expectations?

Imagine I sold you a second hand BMW that looks like a BMW M3 and it was advertised as a BMW M3. Now you go to a BMW dealer and try to check out the history and find out that the serial numbers do not match up with their M3 registry, it is a BMW 325 made to look like a BMW and I put on a dodgy exhaust and cone filter to make it sound faster. Is BMW responsible for this? What would you expect BMW to do for you?
 
Adidas Addict said:
1: Don't buy from Argos.
2: Don't buy second hand computers.
Click to expand...

Totally agree, don't buy a second hand computers, especially you can't check the item at the scene.
In your case, I would suggest you to bring the macbook pro back to Argos for full refund.
 
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