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On the fence: refurb 2013 or new 2014 13"

G

graaaapes

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 26, 2014
4
0
Sorry I know there are several similar threads, but I need advice. Is it really just the processor bump that is the only difference? I can't seem to stop going back and forth between these two computers

2013 refurb 13" 512gb/8gb $1600
2014 new 13" 256/8gb $1536

These prices are in Canadian dollars with tax included (I have a friend who can get me the apple employee discount)

Would I be a fool to get the 2014? Thinking it would be better for resale value, and the mental benefits of using a brand new machine vs refurb.

Don't have to have the extra space, but it would be real nice
 
I was trying to decide the same thing a few days ago - base 13" 8/128 vs refurb 13 8/256 - the price difference in my case was 1499 new vs 1189 refurbished, so it really was a no brainer. I have yet to receive it, but i am pretty happy with my decision - everything i read says the apple refurbs are 99% new anyways.

Also, i know lots of ppl sell theirs, worry about resale value - its all relative...and a computer shouldnt be looked at as an investment opportunity - try to value the actual use of the computer.
 
graaaapes said:
Sorry I know there are several similar threads, but I need advice. Is it really just the processor bump that is the only difference? I can't seem to stop going back and forth between these two computers

2013 refurb 13" 512gb/8gb $1600
2014 new 13" 256/8gb $1536

These prices are in Canadian dollars with tax included (I have a friend who can get me the apple employee discount)

Would I be a fool to get the 2014? Thinking it would be better for resale value, and the mental benefits of using a brand new machine vs refurb.

Don't have to have the extra space, but it would be real nice
Click to expand...

I would go for the 2013 model. Twice the storage for just a few more dollars. The refurbs are just like new.
 
Im in the same boat...

1189 for the refurb

But

$1399 for the latest one just released with the education discount, plus a $100 itunes card. So it is really $1299 i guess.


The other part is I could just upgrade the ipad 3rd gen as it does everything i want. The main reason for considering macbook pro is so my kids can use it to do there homework, projects ect.. with it.
 
Is it assumed that most refurbs at the moment are not in fact refurbishments but old models that are left over from before the refresh?
 
lucasfunkt said:
Is it assumed that most refurbs at the moment are not in fact refurbishments but old models that are left over from before the refresh?
Click to expand...

IME their refurbs are indistinguishable from new, so how would you ever know? It has been said they offload stock to the refurb store during a refresh, but equally they could send that stock to third party channels instead, as they don't want to create moral hazard. So believe what you want to believe :)
 
graaaapes said:
Sorry I know there are several similar threads, but I need advice. Is it really just the processor bump that is the only difference? I can't seem to stop going back and forth between these two computers

2013 refurb 13" 512gb/8gb $1600
2014 new 13" 256/8gb $1536

These prices are in Canadian dollars with tax included (I have a friend who can get me the apple employee discount)

Would I be a fool to get the 2014? Thinking it would be better for resale value, and the mental benefits of using a brand new machine vs refurb.

Don't have to have the extra space, but it would be real nice
Click to expand...

I would imagine (and probably put money on) the 512GB SSD bolstering resale value more then a minuscule processor bump. Remember, when you come to sell they will both be old models. Unless Ofcourse you plan to sell within months, in which case you're set for such a swift kick in the nuts from the depreciation monster, it would be silly to quibble over which will be the harder kick :/
 
Last edited:
lucasfunkt said:
So what happens to those from before the refresh that remained unsold?
Click to expand...
Most should get sold by third parties like best buy or something we don't know.. Doub't they'd sell them as refurbished though cause they are simply not
 
Good advice all, thank you.

In the end I went with a 13" 2013 256gb/8gb for $1340 (CAD). I am trying to declutter my life in general these days, and I think limiting myself to 256 will help keep me from always carrying around a lot of music/pictures/videos that I rarely use. Lots of stories on here convinced me that 256 is a perfectly practical amount of storage for most everyone but video/photo editors. So thanks MR forums.

Plus that seems like a great price to me, one I can resell in a year or two, without taking too big of a hit in the nuts :)
 
5to1 said:
IME their refurbs are indistinguishable from new, so how would you ever know? It has been said they offload stock to the refurb store during a refresh, but equally they could send that stock to third party channels instead, as they don't want to create moral hazard. So believe what you want to believe :)
Click to expand...

Well aren't refurbs only sent in plain boxes, so you would know?


Has anyone ever received a new looking one, with the new box when buying refurbished?
 
lucasfunkt said:
Well aren't refurbs only sent in plain boxes, so you would know?


Has anyone ever received a new looking one, with the new box when buying refurbished?
Click to expand...

I've purchased a 15' late 2013 refurbished today on Manhattan 5th avenue store and they do not even come in a white box, just a huge cardboard box with a couple of foam part below-top and a box with the accessories.

I've purchased refurb iPads before and I always got a hit box with the "refurbished" label, but today it was weird, no packaging at all just a 15' inside a plain cardboard box. Is that common?
 
lucasfunkt said:
Well aren't refurbs only sent in plain boxes, so you would know?


Has anyone ever received a new looking one, with the new box when buying refurbished?
Click to expand...

I don't think anyone has got a new retail boxed machine from the refurb store. But the assumption has been made they offload to the refurb store after a refresh, since people have noticed "more machines then normal" post refresh. Of course that would be expected anyway, as many people within the 14 day return period would take their machine back and exchange it for the new model.

----------
curtoise said:
I've purchased a 15' late 2013 refurbished today on Manhattan 5th avenue store and they do not even come in a white box, just a huge cardboard box with a couple of foam part below-top and a box with the accessories.

I've purchased refurb iPads before and I always got a hit box with the "refurbished" label, but today it was weird, no packaging at all just a 15' inside a plain cardboard box. Is that common?
Click to expand...

Only ever got one MBP from the refurb store (several years ago) and that came in a cardboard box (with foam). Since we discovered the UK student store we just grab them through that (always have a student in the family somewhere :)).
 
I just ordered a refurbed 15" rMBP with the 2.3ghz, 16gb of RAM and the dGPU for $2039.

Apple added quite a few refurbs this afternoon, so anyone that is looking to buy it may be worth checking out.
 
kupkakez said:
I just ordered a refurbed 15" rMBP with the 2.3ghz, 16gb of RAM and the dGPU for $2039.

Apple added quite a few refurbs this afternoon, so anyone that is looking to buy it may be worth checking out.
Click to expand...

That is not 2013 correct? it is a 2012 15'?
 
kupkakez said:
October 2013.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/F...-23ghz-quad-core-intel-i7-with-retina-display


Originally released October 2013
15.4-inch (diagonal) Retina display; 2880-by-1800 resolution at 220 pixels per inch
16GB of 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
512GB Flash Storage1
720p FaceTime HD camera
Intel Iris Pro Graphics and NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M
Click to expand...


Yes I'm in the refurb section right now, this is great, more models now and I can have more ram and SSD for cheaper than the just refreshed model.

I wonder if the 512SSD will be faster or the 256SSD one? also any difference between 20.0 or 2.3 processor?

Thanks for sharing.
 
curtoise said:
Yes I'm in the refurb section right now, this is great, more models now and I can have more ram and SSD for cheaper than the just refreshed model.

I wonder if the 512SSD will be faster or the 256SSD one? also any difference between 20.0 or 2.3 processor?

Thanks for sharing.
Click to expand...

I would think the SSD's would be the same speed just one has more space, but I'm not certain on that.

The only difference between this refurb and the refreshed models from Tuesday is a 200mhz increase in the processor. It's doubtful you are going to notice that difference. For me it wasn't worth the $400 or $500 price increase, so I ordered the refurb.
 
Are you going to need the extra space? If not, then go with the cheaper/newer model.
 
mrnoglue said:
Are you going to need the extra space? If not, then go with the cheaper/newer model.
Click to expand...

Today you can get 16GB/512SSD/ plus the GeForce GT 750M 2GB for $2000 that is a much better deal than the 2014 without the dedicated video card, I'm going with that one I think.
 
curtoise said:
Today you can get 16GB/512SSD/ plus the GeForce GT 750M 2GB for $2000 that is a much better deal than the 2014 without the dedicated video card, I'm going with that one I think.
Click to expand...

Definitely a good deal! :cool: I would jump on that as soon as you can.
 
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