High end 13" vs low end 15"

[iamthedudeman]

Apple refurbs have brand new external parts (everything you can see/touch) and brand new battery. The only parts that are "used" are the internals, like the CPU, RAM, mobo, etc. But those things outlast the rest of your laptop by a huge margin, so there is nothing to lose by getting a refurb, except to save money.

Bingo. Most people don't realize this. They are essentially new machines. The only thing that will hurt you is the box they come in for resale value.

With tax the refurb comes out to 1600. Better yet for $30 more you get the box.

http://www.macmall.com/p/product~dp...e=APPINSDRMWB32657&couponBox=APPINSDRMWB32657

 

[cperry2]

15". Wait, since you can afford to - it's a win-win because refurb prices will go down when the new models come out. You could even wait a short while after the new one comes out to snag a 2012 refurb, but maybe that's being too enthusiastic.

As for lasting 7 years, yeah it's technically possible, but only if you're willing to stay on older software after a certain point, and even an older OS (Lion doesn't work on most pre-2007 machines). You can certainly get some longevity by adding more RAM (up to 16gigs) and an SSD later on.

Personally I think a good upgrade cycle is 3-4 years. You can still resell for about 1/3-1/2 original value at that point, and comfortably keep on the crest of what's happening in software. But everyone's needs are different, and you can definitely get 7 years out of a macbook as long as you don't demand too much of it going forward.

Hard to say what things will be like in seven years - heck, seven years ago macs were still on power pc.

 

[Suno]

I ordered a refurbed iPod touch once from Apple. I was expecting a pretty much new iPod touch, just without the fancy box and accessories that came with it. What I got a was a fairly clean, but still obviously used iPod touch that had scratches and whatnot.

My point being that while refurb is a great deal, don't expect a pristine mint condition Macbook like I did with my iPod touch.

You can call me foolish for expecting something like that, but just read all of the comments on this forum regarding refurbs and you might understand why I thought that way.

 

[NewGuyHere]

yes also, is the anti glare screen worth it? I really want the high resolution too.

 

[mobilebuddha]

That's strange.. I've gotten a couple of iPod touch refurbs in the last year or so (for gifts, etc) and I've always gotten brand new ones. In each case I opened it up and examined the iPod. Couldn't tell it was ever used. Did I just get lucky?

Did you try to talk to the apple store/return the unit?

I ordered a refurbed iPod touch once from Apple. I was expecting a pretty much new iPod touch, just without the fancy box and accessories that came with it. What I got a was a fairly clean, but still obviously used iPod touch that had scratches and whatnot.

My point being that while refurb is a great deal, don't expect a pristine mint condition Macbook like I did with my iPod touch.

You can call me foolish for expecting something like that, but just read all of the comments on this forum regarding refurbs and you might understand why I thought that way.

 

[bozz2006]

They're supposed to look brand new. If yours didn't look new, Apple goofed it.