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Can you tell if it is a refurb?

Brandhaus

Brandhaus

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 9, 2003
370
9
A friend of mine is going to purchase a used Mac. He asked me if there was any way to tell (looking up serical # maybe?) if it was a refurb, or bought brand new from the apple store? I've never thought about this. I tried looking at apple's website, but didn't come up with anything.

Any thoughts?
 
lazyboy922 said:
A friend of mine is going to purchase a used Mac. He asked me if there was any way to tell (looking up serical # maybe?) if it was a refurb, or bought brand new from the apple store? I've never thought about this. I tried looking at apple's website, but didn't come up with anything.

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

If it is a refurb it should say so somewhere on the computer itself, but I don't know if you can look up the SN anywhere to find out...
 
The serial number is located in the battery compartment. On the serial number label it will say "Apple Certified Reconditioned". Directly below that will be the serial number, which will begin with "RM" (Re Manufactured).
 
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP...e.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=D8593B5A&nclm=CertifiedMac


From the apple store site:

Apple Certified Refurbished Products
Frequently Asked Questions:
(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. These products have been returned under Apple's Return and Refund Policies. 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. See each products "Learn More" for more details.
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.


(2) What should I expect when I purchase an Apple Certified Refurbished Product?
Substantial savings
A fully functional unit with complete documentation
The assurance that the unit meets Apple's premiere quality standards, and that its defective components have been replaced by genuine Apple components

(3) Can I purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan for my Apple Certified Refurbished Product?

All Apple Certified Refurbished Products are covered by Apple's One-Year Limited Warranty. For extended coverage, you have the option of purchasing the AppleCare Protection Plan with your Apple Certified Refurbished Product. The AppleCare Protection Plan extends the complimentary coverage on your Apple Certified Refurbished Product to up to three years of world-class support.

For your convenience, we have placed the appropriate AppleCare Protection Plan at the bottom of each product collection on the Apple Certified Refurbished products page.
Click to expand...
 
I highly recommend going for Apple reburbs. I have a refurb Macbook and a refurb 30GB 5G iPod. Both arrived as good as new, but I only had to pay 179 for the iPod and 949 for the Macbook.
 
To help you along. I have bought several refurb products in the past and I have not had a single issue with any of them. I have yet to buy an apple product but It should be good to go.

If my work place would allow me to get a refurb with our computer plan I would, just to save some money. :D
 
I was seriously considering a refurbrished PB at the Apple Store about 3 years ago until they took it out of the box, and literally the bottom-right side of the casing partially fell-off.

I ended up buying a new PB that day... ever since then, I've been reluctant and unsure about the quality of refurbs. But maybe that was just my rotten luck
 
statistically, refurbs are more reliable, because they've been inspected closer...but wut does anyone care about science when the refurbs come in a boring brown box? on the other hand ur wallet will love u
 
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