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Thinking about buying a refurb macbook but..

D

djnonsense

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 22, 2008
9
0
Ive done some research and found refurbs to be a good deal and pretty much the same as a new one except the different box. But I have a couple of questions im unsure of.

Can I exchange it if it comes with cosmetic damages? ( Scratches, dents, etc)

How does the warranty differ from buying a new one?
 
djnonsense said:
Ive done some research and found refurbs to be a good deal and pretty much the same as a new one except the different box. But I have a couple of questions im unsure of.

Can I exchange it if it comes with cosmetic damages? ( Scratches, dents, etc)

How does the warranty differ from buying a new one?
Click to expand...


I bought several refurbs and not one have any scratches on it. They all looked brand new. As for the warranty it comes with the standard 1 year. You can also buy the extended care for it.
 
gettingmy1stmac said:
As far as I know, cosmetic damages are a part of buying any refurbished product. You're not getting a brand new item; you're getting a like new item cosmetically speaking.

As for the warranty, apple's website shows that the refurbished macbooks are covered by apple's 1 year limited warranty.

http://images.apple.com/legal/warranty/docs/cpuwarranty.pdf
Click to expand...

Uh no, apple would not sell you a cosmetic damaged machine. If it is damaged apple's repair shop will replace it before it is sold.
 
djnonsense said:
Ive done some research and found refurbs to be a good deal and pretty much the same as a new one except the different box. But I have a couple of questions im unsure of.

Can I exchange it if it comes with cosmetic damages? ( Scratches, dents, etc)

How does the warranty differ from buying a new one?
Click to expand...

You have the same protection with a refurbished Mac as you do with a new one. Furthermore, a refurbished Mac will have an equal or lesser chance of cosmetic damage as a new one.
 
heatmiser said:
You have the same protection with a refurbished Mac as you do with a new one. Furthermore, a refurbished Mac will have an equal or lesser chance of cosmetic damage as a new one.
Click to expand...

Exactly. In theory, these machines endure more rigorous testing than those brand new from Apple. Of course, the idea that they'll be in brilliant condition doesn't always hold true. It would be legitimate to assume that you'd receive a very clean unit though.
 
gettingmy1stmac said:
You're not getting a brand new item; you're getting a like new item cosmetically speaking.
Click to expand...


My refurb blackbook was brand new. The battery had 0 cycles and there was plastic still stuck in the heat escape vent by the screen.

Timing a reverb purchase within days of release of a new model raises the odds of getting a machine that would have been sold as new.;)
 
My MBP was a refurb, and it was in perfect condition :). All has been well with it (excepting user errors on my part).
 
My MBP also came in perfect condition, no scratches, dents, dings, or otherwise. Go for it!
The basic warranty is exactly the same as if you had walked into an Apple store and paid with cash. Chances are your refurb unit will be less prone to failures as refurbs pass through a rigorous QA session before being sold.
 
I have bought five refurb macs in the past four years. Two ibooks, one macbook, and two imacs.

Once they didn't have a refurb in stock so the guy (over the phone apple store)
sold me a new one at education discount although I am not a student.

I have been very happy with all these machines.

I have never once received anything "extra" (Ram, software, etc.) so I guess I am unlucky.

My G5 imac, which recently died, had somes scratches on the front. The previous owner must have had it face down on a hard surface, but it wasn't noticable, really.

m
 
moik said:
I have never once received anything "extra" (Ram, software, etc.) so I guess I am unlucky.
Click to expand...

Wait - I forgot something. The refurb imac G5's keyboard was missing one key - the letter "C." It still worked, but I called Apple asking for a new letter "C." They wouldn't send me a single key, but instead sent me a new keyboard that was bigger and fancier than the one that originally came with the G5, and a box with which to return the defective keyboard.

m
 
With laptops, technicians replace the top cases, bottom cases and screen bezel before sending it out. It's part of the refurbishment process =)
 
Me too, I'm unsure what to get. With the higher Education discount plus applecare (at £47 which is on offer for students at the mo) will cost £648. There is a refurb same spec for £579 without apple care. Any help and advice would be welcomed by me too.
 
mulletman13 said:
With laptops, technicians replace the top cases, bottom cases and screen bezel before sending it out. It's part of the refurbishment process =)
Click to expand...


Yup. I had the same ?'s when I ordered my refurbed macbook. It should be here Thursday so I can give you an update. They said I can return with in 14 days if there is anything wrong.
 
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