Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

chanyitian

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 3, 2012
115
0
Hey. I recently purchased a macbook air. How do you check if the macbook air is brand new? how do you check if it has been activated before? I purchased the macbook air from the online store but i returned it for another one as there was a fault with the original one. I was worried that they may give me a refurnished one. thanks
 
the model shouldnt be refurbished if it wasn't bought from the refurb store, but the online store, (with fresh stock). however, the 'faulty' macbook will be repaired and then put on the apple online refurbished store. :)
 
Does it look new? Is there anything to suggest it's not? Do you have the same guarantee?

If the answer is Yes - No - Yes does it matter if it's new/repaired/refurbished?
 
If Apple sold you a refurb as new, then they've broken all sorts of laws, local, state, and federal. So, the chances of them doing that are slim to none. No, actually, I take that back. The chances are actually none.

Think about what would have to happen. First, your returned unit would need to be sent somewhere specific to be placed in new packaging along with accessories that would have to be placed in new packaging. Then the box would have to be sent to wherever the new inventory is being warehoused, and slipstreamed into the new inventory which was sent in lots from the factory. The serial number would have to be reset in their system, assuming you logged into your Apple ID with the unit (which was probably already linked since you bought it online, not sure how that works).

All of this would have to be done on purpose. There's no way it could happen accidentally. And so, Apple would be purposefully breaking the law, and to what purpose? Making a few extra dollars rather than just selling as a refurb?
 
Check the battery cycles. If you bought it new then it should be around zero or at least very low (depending on how many times you charged it already).

If it is refurbished then it would've come to you with about 30+ battery cycles already.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.