Refurbished MacBook Pro M4 Max - Review

[HasanDaddy]

Had a MacBook Pro M2 Max that was failing - purchased in 2023. Purchased the MacBook Pro M4 Max 16" - some flash notes -

(Macbook Pro - M4 Max 16 core - 16" Nano-Texture Screen - 64 gig Ram, 1 TB drive)

1. Refurbished:
Apple Refurbished has never let me down. In fact, the computers work better from the refurbished division. At this point, I'm going to make every purchase from there. The extra testing these machines undergo in the refurbished dept really shows in their stability.

In addition, I went with the M4 Max with 64 gig in RAM. On the Apple Refurbished site, it was about $700 off, offering shipping immediately. Really could not have been a better deal, versus $700 more and a 2-week wait.

2. Migration Assistant:
I did migration assistant on my M2 Max and it really compromised the performance. The computer, overall, was still great - but some tasks were glitchy or slower than they should have been. It all compounded recently when graphics issues emerged. Genius Bar tested it, and found the hardware to be fine - they recommended I reinstall the entire system. It's funny because I've often "zeroed-out" the hadddrive on new computers - but I got lazy when I got the M2 and Migration Assistant seemed like a great salve for getting my next computer up and running without delay.

With the M4 Max, I avoided migration assistant. All pics and emails are on a cloud (much of it iCloud) so the download on that was a breeze. I installed all apps and preferences fresh - it's made a huge difference. Feels like there's zero glitches - all functions seem to be running solidly. Others have said use Migration Asst for photos and docs but not for apps and preferences - I agree 100% with this. Took 2 days to get my M4 up and running with the right preferences, but well worth it.

If you're a casual user, go with migration assistant - but if you're going to do "real" business on your computer, I would avoid it.

3. Matte Screen (Nano Texture):
I love the nano-texture screen! Less eye fatigue is happening as I use it - definitely less glare appears, as well. I think the colors on the matte screen are also better. If you want better longevity for your vision, go with the nano-texture screen.

4. Battery:
The battery is even better in the M4 than the M2 Macbooks. I can work on this thing all day and still have a ton of power left. The computer hardly ever gets hot - I still don't think I've heard the fans, despite the functions I'm running.

5. Computer Itself:
It's beautiful. This thing is so damn fast. What I notice most is the stability - there's literally no "beach ball of death" - everything switches so seamlessly.

If you're on the fence, don't ponder any longer. This is a wonderful laptop. Go refurbished - you'll get a better computer for less money.

 

[picpicmac]

Had a MacBook Pro M2 Max that was failing - purchased in 2023.

That's.... odd. You didn't have AppleCare?

MBP should not be "failing" after 2 years.

 

[HasanDaddy]

That's.... odd. You didn't have AppleCare?

MBP should not be "failing" after 2 years.

I have applecare - like I mentioned above, apple tested the machine and found zero hardware issues (which surprised me). They told me to wipe the drive and re-upload - in my heart, I was like "if I'm going to do that, maybe just buy a new one?"

The M2 is great and definitely could have lasted longer - but I decided to splurge, mainly because we've advanced by 2 generations and the refurbished price was also really advantageous.

Still running a lot of functions on the M4 and still haven't heard the fans. It's really remarkable. The energy management on this computer is outstanding.

 

[Jonnod III]

I recently went for a refurb M4 Max, 36GB and 2TB. I wanted more RAM, but a £600 discount and immediate despatch was too much to miss. It's a lovely machine and definitely a step up on my 2019 16" Intel. I also have done a clean start-up, no Migration Assistant. Too much potential crud to transfer over.

I had been looking at 14" machine, but once you start adding in RAM and storage they aren't that much cheaper than the 16".

 

[HasanDaddy]

I gotta image the upgrade from Intel is incredible!

 

[benwiggy]

I've often "zeroed-out" the hadddrive on new computers - but I got lazy when I got the M2 and Migration Assistant seemed like a great salve for getting my next computer up and running without delay.

There is absolutely no benefit of "zeroing" solid state storage.


I'm not convinced that you've established Migration Assistant as the cause of whatever problem you had with your old Mac.

I've Migrated (or even cloned) every Mac I've had. While some apps needs to have installers re-run, I don't see how copying your user account's would result in general glitch or slow performance (except for when caches are filling and Spotlight is indexing).

Genius Bar tested it, and found the hardware to be fine - they recommended I reinstall the entire system.

"Geniuses." The OS is the one thing you can guarantee will be ok and doesn't need reinstalling. It's signed, sealed, (and delivered); and won't boot if it's been altered. At most, you just need to erase the Data volume.
But I would have tested a new user account first, at least.

 

[HasanDaddy]

I'm definitely noticing better performance without migration assistant. To each his own - but I'm not planning on using that again in the future.

I still have the M2 as a backup - will look into data volume erase - thank you!

 

[wonderings]

I have applecare - like I mentioned above, apple tested the machine and found zero hardware issues (which surprised me). They told me to wipe the drive and re-upload - in my heart, I was like "if I'm going to do that, maybe just buy a new one?"

The M2 is great and definitely could have lasted longer - but I decided to splurge, mainly because we've advanced by 2 generations and the refurbished price was also really advantageous.

Still running a lot of functions on the M4 and still haven't heard the fans. It's really remarkable. The energy management on this computer is outstanding.

Seems a very odd response to a 2 year old machine that is covered. Not sure what you are using the computer for, but for most people you are not even going to notice a huge increase in speed for day to day tasks. I work with Adobe CC all day every day on an M1 Max, we have a few M3 and M4 Pro's around and there is nothing noticeable in terms of performance for our workload. I am sure it is faster, just fast enough that it is worth the cash? I am not so sure.

Wiping the drive and reinstalling is not a big deal and for $700 I would have certainly gone that route first, but each to their own.

I do agree though on buying refurbished, I have done it for a few people over the years and each and every time the product is perfect and runs like new, a great way to save a couple hundred bucks.... most of the time. I think there was a post on this forum about an M2 Studio going for way more then an M4 Pro Mini, the mini was way better spec'd but the Studio was still selling for more refurbished then brand new more powerful Mac mini, you definitely need to do your research.