Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Refurbished MB 2.26 or MBP 2.26?

So I went to the Microcenter website to check if they have stock on the $799 MB at my local store. Maybe you all knew this, but I didn't realize the MBs were "open box". The description says:

The products marked as Open Box are products that have been returned to Micro Center or may be products previously on display. Returned or open box items may be missing non-essential parts - manuals, original packaging, etc. - however they are still functional, working products. Because of the nature of these products, it is possible that the condition of items will vary when ordering more than one.
Click to expand...

And for warranty it says:

Balance Of Manufacturer Warranty Applies
Click to expand...

I have no idea what to make of that. Sounds possible that if it's been a display product, there may not be much warranty left.

Has anyone bought from Microcenter? Is this how it normally goes?
 
They do have 'Open Box' but they also have New for $799. Mine, the New Jersey one, has two open box and 132 New. Which store is near you? Try listing the store then when the page with the MB's come up, showing the Open Box specials, just ignore those and click on 'Add to Cart' on the right side and it should add a brand new one to the cart at $799. Just ignore the Open Box options or 'Add to Cart' below the description.

I did a quick check of most of the stores and the lowest inventory was about 60 new in Chicago, and most the other stores have about 100 new in stock. In their effort to offer great deals the made the site confusing. But, it is there

Also, the "Balance of Warranty" means what is left of the warranty. I bet some people bought a New MB, registered it, then returned it for one of the New MBP's so since it was registered, the remainder of the year is the 'balance of the warranty'
 
Okay, I see what you mean. Yes, they do have new ones in stock. Thanks for setting me straight.
 
The plot thickens a bit. I just realized my external backup drive that I use with my current MB is firewire-only. The new MB has no FW port. That means I'll have to buy a new backup drive. MacSales has what I need for about $85.

The Microcenter MB 2.26 is $800, plus $85 tax, plus $85 for the drive. Total is $970.

MacConnetion.com has the MB Pro with 4 GB of RAM, firewire, SD, etc. and a 250 GB HD for $1,100 - no tax and no shipping.

Hmmmm. For an extra $130 I get quite a bit more. Maybe I should do that.
 
badlydrawnboy said:
The plot thickens a bit. I just realized my external backup drive that I use with my current MB is firewire-only. The new MB has no FW port. That means I'll have to buy a new backup drive. MacSales has what I need for about $85.

The Microcenter MB 2.26 is $800, plus $85 tax, plus $85 for the drive. Total is $970.

MacConnetion.com has the MB Pro with 4 GB of RAM, firewire, SD, etc. and a 250 GB HD for $1,100 - no tax and no shipping.

Hmmmm. For an extra $130 I get quite a bit more. Maybe I should do that.
Click to expand...

I would definitely get that. Add 100$ to MB as you really want 4GB of RAM and MBP will be only 30$ more, much better deal IMO
 
badlydrawnboy said:
The plot thickens a bit. I just realized my external backup drive that I use with my current MB is firewire-only. The new MB has no FW port. That means I'll have to buy a new backup drive. MacSales has what I need for about $85.

The Microcenter MB 2.26 is $800, plus $85 tax, plus $85 for the drive. Total is $970.

MacConnetion.com has the MB Pro with 4 GB of RAM, firewire, SD, etc. and a 250 GB HD for $1,100 - no tax and no shipping.

Hmmmm. For an extra $130 I get quite a bit more. Maybe I should do that.
Click to expand...

I'm in a similar quandary - MB 2.26 vs MBP 13/2.4. I'm thinking that when adding the additional money for the 4GB of RAM puts it close enough to the MBP to justify going that route.

In your situation of having a FW drive already and wanting 4GB of RAM, the choice is looking very clear - MBP. And all of the other improvements that the MBP offers are icing on the cake...
 
Squonk said:
I'm in a similar quandary - MB 2.26 vs MBP 13/2.4. I'm thinking that when adding the additional money for the 4GB of RAM puts it close enough to the MBP to justify going that route.

In your situation of having a FW drive already and wanting 4GB of RAM, the choice is looking very clear - MBP. And all of the other improvements that the MBP offers are icing on the cake...
Click to expand...

Well, that's the thing. I'm not totally sure I need 4 GB of RAM. I probably wouldn't upgrade to 4 GB right away if I got the MB.

So I'm looking at it as a $170 difference. Question is whether the extra 2 GB of RAM, the upgradability, the SD port (which I've never used and don't know that I will), the aluminum vs. white, is worth it.
 
badlydrawnboy said:
Well, that's the thing. I'm not totally sure I need 4 GB of RAM. I probably wouldn't upgrade to 4 GB right away if I got the MB.

So I'm looking at it as a $170 difference. Question is whether the extra 2 GB of RAM, the upgradability, the SD port (which I've never used and don't know that I will), the aluminum vs. white, is worth it.
Click to expand...

Ah, that does tip the scales back a bit toward the MB. Have you played with both computers in a store? I have not. If memory serves the MBP should be a bit nicer, but it may not be all that noticeable (more rigid, larger color gamut).

I'm trying not to over-think this purchase either. For me, the Microcenter purchase would be $858 with tax. That is an easier sell to the Mrs. than $1100 for the MBP. The RAM upgrade would be slightly down the road if I do put VMWare and Win7 on there, but I already have that on my MacPro so I probably don't need to do work work on the couch.
 
Wait a sec. The FW port on the MBP is FW800, right? I think my Smartdisk FW external drive is FW400 only. That means I can't use it with the MBP anyways, right? Or is there an adapter?

If that's the case, looks like it's definitely leaning back towards the MB now, since I'd have to buy another backup drive anyways to use with the MBP.
 
badlydrawnboy said:
Wait a sec. The FW port on the MBP is FW800, right? I think my Smartdisk FW external drive is FW400 only. That means I can't use it with the MBP anyways, right? Or is there an adapter?

If that's the case, looks like it's definitely leaning back towards the MB now, since I'd have to buy another backup drive anyways to use with the MBP.
Click to expand...

Yes there are adapters to go from 800 to 400. I just found one on Amazon for under $12.00.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back