I want an Apple Macbook Pro, what are the pros and cons of Refurb thru the Apple Store??? any stories???
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REFURB or NOT REFURB
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My Macbook and MBP were both refurbs. The only difference is in the box. You get a brown box instead of a white one with graphics. For the MB I got a bonus 2 GB of RAM that were not explicit on the configuration.
B
Refurbs are great! Maybe better than brand new in most cases. When I was trying to buy my current 17in MBP, I kept getting brand new units that had this ridiculous high frequency squeal coming from the monitor, something relating to whatever is controlling the brightness.
Decided to try a refurb...absolutely perfect from the start!
Decided to try a refurb...absolutely perfect from the start!
My mate and I bought 13" MBPs at th same time, except mine was a refurb. The battery in mine was never as good. Other than that, all good. I do like the cheaper $$ too.
Had a 2009 iMac refurb - it arrived and was indistinguishable from new. And you get a same as new warranty.
The only con is you pay sales tax. Sometimes you can find a authorized dealer like B and H Photo, or Amazon that has below list pricing and no sales tax with free shipping. This is not as good a deal as the refurb with tax but sometimes that difference is low enough that one inclines towards now - that is why I bought my 2010 MBP new from Amazon for $1,670 last year.
Also, be aware that older model refurbs, like 2010's, may come with Snow Leopard instead of Lion installed, so that $30 price difference should be considered
The only con is you pay sales tax. Sometimes you can find a authorized dealer like B and H Photo, or Amazon that has below list pricing and no sales tax with free shipping. This is not as good a deal as the refurb with tax but sometimes that difference is low enough that one inclines towards now - that is why I bought my 2010 MBP new from Amazon for $1,670 last year.
Also, be aware that older model refurbs, like 2010's, may come with Snow Leopard instead of Lion installed, so that $30 price difference should be considered
Keep in mind you owe the sales tax for your state either way. It's a matter of whether the retailer charges it to you. I know not everyone pays it, but it's worth noting.
Go for a refurb if the model + spec combination you want is currently for sale on the Apple Store. They're exactly the same as brand new units. I've got a few refurb things from Apple before (an iPod and an iPhone) and they were exactly like brand new units.
I got a great deal on a 2008 15 inch MBP 6 months after it released... I soon found that it had a major flicker issue when on the 9600GT card. 2 years later I was able to get it fixed with a logic board change though... if it wasn't for that issue the MBP was great for the 2 years I kept it!
Refurbs are awesome. My first iPad was a refurb and a couple iPods as well. I only buy new if the refurb configuration I want is not available.
It's A Great Way Of Saving
And you have the knowledge that these macs have been tested, repaired and are like brand new....I'd say go for it. You still have Apples support, but I would buy AC with the money you save too.
And you have the knowledge that these macs have been tested, repaired and are like brand new....I'd say go for it. You still have Apples support, but I would buy AC with the money you save too.
I'd still buy a refurb in the future but I have one experience that indicates they may not be as perfect as some people think: Macrumors link
Greg
Greg
Let me sum up this thread for you...
Pros
Cons
I can vouch for all of these. I would highly recommend getting a refurb. I've had three Macs - only one of them was brand new, and that's only because when I got it, they didn't have a refurb unit of the one I wanted. I'm expecting a refurb iMac from FedEx today, and I'm sure it will be just as good as new as well.
Pros
- Cheaper - I just bought a refurb iMac, the one that Apple sells for $1699. I got it for $1419 before tax, but even after tax it was cheaper than Amazon, and I got free next-day shipping through Apple
- One year warranty just like a new Mac; eligible for AppleCare
- Virtually indentical to a new Mac
- Possibility of surprise upgrade (ie. 8GB of RAM when it was supposed to only come with 4GB)
Cons
- Box is either a plain cardboard or white box, no printing whatsoever. Some will have an Apple logo with "Certified Reconditioned Item" or something along those lines, though. MacBooks come in a larger box, iMacs are packaged identically to the new thing, as far as I can tell.
- You can't go to an Apple Store to get one, and you can't do the online in-store pick-up immediately, but they will ship it to the store if you want (takes about a week).
I can vouch for all of these. I would highly recommend getting a refurb. I've had three Macs - only one of them was brand new, and that's only because when I got it, they didn't have a refurb unit of the one I wanted. I'm expecting a refurb iMac from FedEx today, and I'm sure it will be just as good as new as well.
+1 for Refurb.
2009 Mini 2.66 Core 2 Duo w/320 GB HD, 2 GB RAM bought in 2010 for $499 when retail was $599.
Will install 6 GB of additional ram in a couple of weeks for under $130. Can't beat it with a stick.
2009 Mini 2.66 Core 2 Duo w/320 GB HD, 2 GB RAM bought in 2010 for $499 when retail was $599.
Will install 6 GB of additional ram in a couple of weeks for under $130. Can't beat it with a stick.
Refurbs are sometimes not as cheap as you think. Apple doesn't drop the prices enough for me to go with a used as sometimes Macmall or other macsites have them cheaper or close to the same price for a new one. A computer is something I personally wouldn't get used but to each their own.