Refurbished Macs? Good, bad, or ugly?

[ArkabaS]

Hi forum people,

I need help deciding whether to buy a MBP with an education discount for $1799 (USD) vs. a refurbished MBP for $1699 (same specs). The price difference is minor, and generally I would not go anywhere near a used computer, however recently I have been informed that refurbished computers are often better than brand new ones. Brand new computers, especially the recent (post-Intel) macs, tend to have a high rate of flaws/glitches, so refurbished computers are essentially those which have been ironed out and fixed. Is this fair logic? Any advise or words of wisdom regarding refurbished computers?

Many thanks

 

[noodle654]

Hi forum people,

I need help deciding whether to buy a MBP with an education discount for $1799 (USD) vs. a refurbished MBP for $1699 (same specs). The price difference is minor, and generally I would not go anywhere near a used computer, however recently I have been informed that refurbished computers are often better than brand new ones. Brand new computers, especially the recent (post-Intel) macs, tend to have a high rate of flaws/glitches, so refurbished computers are essentially those which have been ironed out and fixed. Is this fair logic? Any advise or words of wisdom regarding refurbished computers?

Many thanks

If I were you I would go with the Refurb. But if you need to upgrade your HD I think you need to buy a new one. I have heard great things about Apple Refurbs, so go for it!!

 

[DMC-12]

I also recommend the refurb. You save some cash that you can put toward an external HD, and you know that the Mac has been given a little extra inspection.

 

[aaron.lee2006]

I personally would never go with Apple refurb machines again. First gen MBP had many horrible problems. Had it repaired 3-4 times and finally got a replacement. Then again it was Rev A so I am sure you would be fine buying a refurb Mac.

 

[turnstylez18]

i got a refurb ...it is good as new...but the price difference is only 100 which is not really a big of a deal..well to some people

 

[arcobb]

i got a refurb ...it is good as new...but the price difference is only 100 which is not really a big of a deal..well to some people

2.2 GHz
New = $1999
Edu Discound = $1799 ($200 less then retail)
Refurb = $1699 ($300 less then retail)

Three hundred dollars is nothing to sneeze at ... especially when you consider the value loss with in a couple of months. It's kinda like buying a new car ... the new car is never a great value because it deprecates so much the second you drive it off the lot. A use car has already lost that and you could resell it and not lose nearly as much. I say go for the refurb, it has the same warranty and you could use the savings to purchase apple care for it if you wished. So for the price of a new mac ... you can get a refurb and apple care.

 

[timnosenzo]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/hspr-H102; Blazer/4.2) 16;320x320)

I've always been very happy with the refurbed Apple products I've bought, and the fact that they have the same warranty as new products is great.

 

[Mr. MacBook]

No free iPod with purchase of refurb mac, is there?

Otherwise, i would definitely reccomend the refurb. I got mine and it literally IS new. You cant tell(except packaging, that was ugly.)

For people who think refurb macs are unreliable, eat this.

 

[rapidrobert]

You can't tell the difference between a "new" and refurb apple product, I take that back you can tell the difference, the price.

 

[foidulus]

Ordinarily I would say

go with the refurb, but since you seem to be a student(otherwise you couldn't get the edu price) go with a new one if you are buying before Sept. because then you can get a free iPod nano.

Even if you don't want it you could chuck it on ebay and still come out a little bit ahead and you would have a new mbp.