Notebook Return Policy

I haven't bought a Mac yet but am almost positive I am going to get one after January. I see a lot of posts about quality control and whatnot on the notebooks and see a lot of problems which has me worried, but I am wondering how the return policy is with Mac notebooks. I had an absolutely glowing experience with my Ipod when it broke they literally gave me a new (refurbished) one in under a minute no questions asked. Needless to say I was in shock. I am very close to an Apple store so if I get a dud will they just give me a new one? What if I buy a refurbished one? Will I have to wait for shipping again if there's a problem? I would worry less about a bad computer if it was easy and quick to get a working one.