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Well I think I am gonna go with a refurb.
- Thread starter Bootsie
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Can someone tell me the difference between the clearance and the refurbs. I see the clearance has the 2.4 and 2.5 gHz models that say previous generation. Their marked at 1599 and 1799.
The refurb 2.4 and 2.5 are marked at 1349 and 1499, and the 2.6 at 1799.
Are these the same generations? The clearance ones are just more expensive because they are actually new, right?
Or are the refurbs actually an older previous version?
Just a little confused. I don't want a really, really old one
Excited though, this will be my first mac. I'm generally a PC user, but i want Logic Studio badly. Looks like i'm going to have to indulge.
IMHO the refurbished price points are where these should've been in the first place.
The refurb 2.4 and 2.5 are marked at 1349 and 1499, and the 2.6 at 1799.
Are these the same generations? The clearance ones are just more expensive because they are actually new, right?
Or are the refurbs actually an older previous version?
Just a little confused. I don't want a really, really old one
Excited though, this will be my first mac. I'm generally a PC user, but i want Logic Studio badly. Looks like i'm going to have to indulge.
IMHO the refurbished price points are where these should've been in the first place.
Both are same generation
Clearance is brand new from factory sealed in box
Refurbished is cheaper because not only is it an old model (hence clearance discount), but it is also used, and returned so there may be some very minor scratches and other damage, so they mark it cheaper.
Clearance is brand new from factory sealed in box
Refurbished is cheaper because not only is it an old model (hence clearance discount), but it is also used, and returned so there may be some very minor scratches and other damage, so they mark it cheaper.
Bought the clearance MBP with student discount. $1599 for 2.5, 250GB and 8600GT w/ 512mb is definitely a good deal, esp since it's only $100 more than the refurb equivalent. The new MB and MBP are very cool, but this time, I preferred the old design. First time ever in my life. It's a funny feeling.
THanks for clarifying that for me, appreciate it.
I went to the store tonight and saw i can get the 2.5 on clearance there for 1599 with my student discount.
So, i guess my next question would be, is it worth the $100 to buy new?
And how much more horse power will the 2.5 give me compared to the 2.4. I will be running some heavy duty Logic and pro tools projects with lots of audio and lots of plug-ins. And some post production projects too. Money IS an issue, obviously, or i'd be buying a new one. So maybe i could save even more on the 2.4. But then i feel if i get the 2.4, why not just get the MB for even cheaper. Although i do value the bigger screen size of the MBP, and the dedicated graphics which i'm sure will assist in post-production work. I think the fsb speed is faster on the MBP if i'm not mistaken.
Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. Upper-management(the wife) has given me the go-ahead, so i'm ready to pull the trigger!
btw- congrats on the purchase SkylerXR! Hopefully i'll be joining your ranks soon!
It depends on what you think is worthy for $100. My only concern with the refurb model was that it could have been a very new unit that was refurb'd or it could be a relatively old unit that was refurb'd. Because of that, I thought it was worth it to spend that extra $100 to get a new unit. Yes, I realize that all refurb models are certified the same way, but still, $100 on a grand and half wasn't too bad for me. If there was no clearance sale though, I'd have gone with the refurb without hesitation.
P.S. Just saw your edit, the 2.4 is a good deal, if you're trying to save as much as possible, that'd be the way to go. Clearance on the 2.4 brings it down to $50 more than the refurb.
Only when I have to, but I like it to be an option.
That is what I bought! And it is great! I am so glad that I went with the clearance one, I just don't feel like the new one is worth the extra money. I am so happy!!!!!
Just did the same thing, I'm just hoping that the theory about the faster (2.5s and 2.6s) from the affected 8600 generation having larger soldering to account for additional heat are at least somewhat true. This would hopefully give them a good life span without too much constant hardcore temp variances. On the other hand just run the hell out of it and make sure it dies in the first two years
As I understand it every refurb unit has been examined, tested, cleaned, rebuilt and put back to new condition by hand by a technician. Clearance units are just surplus pulled from the end of the assembly line and put aside due to excess inventory. That suggests a refurb unit theoretically would be the best aligned and adjusted of any units. I'm seriously considering a refurb MBP myself.
ldb, yes that is true about the refurbs. However this is a different situation. This is a known problem, one the graphics card maker tried to hide. In July it came out and even then they told Apple it wouldn't effect their machines. Wrong. It did and Apple did their investigation and found out. However, instead of doing the right thing, a complete recall, they chose to just let people find out for themselves they had a faulty machine.
Now even though the refurbs have been tested, it still does not fix the 8600 time bomb problem unless it had already gone bad. These machines are just as likely to go on the fritz as the other mbs and mbs that were bought in this time period.
The clearance units are now all the old model mbs and mbps. So they also have just as high a chance of failure.
"Despite Nvidia's claim that its graphics chip failures were limited to a certain number of chips manufactured for a certain number of notebooks, the Inquirer in July charged the company with masking the severity of the problem, alleging that "all the G84 and G86 parts are bad. Period. No exceptions."
"All of them, mobile and desktop, use the exact same ASIC, so expect them to go south in inordinate numbers as well," the publication said. "
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles...dia_chips.html
Because it is a known issue problem with these mb and mbps (some made in 07 and almost all in 08 until or through Sept), I decided not to purchase the last model. Apple has a page about it but it is not linked to their refurb or clearance store site, which I think is unfair to the buyer.
For me, paying $2000 is too much to buy a machine with a known issue. If you are lucky and the graphics card does not die during the first two years, then what's the resale value? This is not just a little thing, this is already a class action lawsuit in terms of the card maker.
Why should we the consumer be gambling with our money this way? It's fine if you know all the facts and still feel it is worth the price. For me it's not.
Now even though the refurbs have been tested, it still does not fix the 8600 time bomb problem unless it had already gone bad. These machines are just as likely to go on the fritz as the other mbs and mbs that were bought in this time period.
The clearance units are now all the old model mbs and mbps. So they also have just as high a chance of failure.
"Despite Nvidia's claim that its graphics chip failures were limited to a certain number of chips manufactured for a certain number of notebooks, the Inquirer in July charged the company with masking the severity of the problem, alleging that "all the G84 and G86 parts are bad. Period. No exceptions."
"All of them, mobile and desktop, use the exact same ASIC, so expect them to go south in inordinate numbers as well," the publication said. "
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles...dia_chips.html
Because it is a known issue problem with these mb and mbps (some made in 07 and almost all in 08 until or through Sept), I decided not to purchase the last model. Apple has a page about it but it is not linked to their refurb or clearance store site, which I think is unfair to the buyer.
For me, paying $2000 is too much to buy a machine with a known issue. If you are lucky and the graphics card does not die during the first two years, then what's the resale value? This is not just a little thing, this is already a class action lawsuit in terms of the card maker.
Why should we the consumer be gambling with our money this way? It's fine if you know all the facts and still feel it is worth the price. For me it's not.
I agree with you. My point was just that if the choice was between a clearance or refurb model the refurb in theory would be at least as good and maybe better since it's somewhat hand rebuilt. I was seriously considering the old MBP refurb 2.4/2/200 for $1349 or 2.5/2/250 for $1499 and then add the Applecare for 3 years total. The video situation does give pause to the decision.
Maybe Apple will see the light in two years and do the right thing - issue a recall. But I hate buying something (for $2000 in my case) that is a gamble.
My current TiPb I've used for a long time (since 2000). Eight years.
And when I do sell my electronics, I like to be sure the buyer is getting something they can trust. I could not resell one of these refurbs/clearance 8600 gpu models without telling the person that there is a known problem (unlike Apple!). So I'm not buying one because the resale value is reduced greatly.
My current TiPb I've used for a long time (since 2000). Eight years.
And when I do sell my electronics, I like to be sure the buyer is getting something they can trust. I could not resell one of these refurbs/clearance 8600 gpu models without telling the person that there is a known problem (unlike Apple!). So I'm not buying one because the resale value is reduced greatly.
I almost got a refurb 2.5, but I got Best Buy to match the Apple's Store student discount price of $1599. It's a $100 more than the refurb, but it's brand new also.
I got a refurb MBP SR 2.2 15.4" in April for $1449 (2gig ram, 120 g hd, included remote, dvi adapter, the whole works. Only practical difference between it and brand new... the box color. It came in a brown box marked "Certified Reconditioned Product" and was shipped directly from Cupertino, CA.
The cosmetics were perfect. Brand new perfect. The warranty identical to brand new unit. In fact, the age of the MBP reflects the age of a brand new out of the box unit. The registration of product with Apple is identical to the process with a "new" unit. The fact is, there is really no difference between refurb and brand new, other than price.
I'm inclined to think a refurb is actually less of a risk than a brand new machine, because it had to be individually reconditioned to brand-new specs, inside and out. Most visible parts are, in fact, brand new. Battery is brand new (just check # of cycles to know what I'm saying is true.) Keyboard is brand new. Palm rest area - brand new. Exterior surface - brand new. Power adapter - brand new. There is not one single cosmetic blemish, scratch or sign of anyone ever having handled the refurb unit. Chances are, you'll have a good display, too, because someone actually took the time to check it out.
I'm strictly a refurb man from now on. Best products at the best prices. But, only directly from Apple.com - no eBay or third-party open-box refurb BS.
The cosmetics were perfect. Brand new perfect. The warranty identical to brand new unit. In fact, the age of the MBP reflects the age of a brand new out of the box unit. The registration of product with Apple is identical to the process with a "new" unit. The fact is, there is really no difference between refurb and brand new, other than price.
I'm inclined to think a refurb is actually less of a risk than a brand new machine, because it had to be individually reconditioned to brand-new specs, inside and out. Most visible parts are, in fact, brand new. Battery is brand new (just check # of cycles to know what I'm saying is true.) Keyboard is brand new. Palm rest area - brand new. Exterior surface - brand new. Power adapter - brand new. There is not one single cosmetic blemish, scratch or sign of anyone ever having handled the refurb unit. Chances are, you'll have a good display, too, because someone actually took the time to check it out.
I'm strictly a refurb man from now on. Best products at the best prices. But, only directly from Apple.com - no eBay or third-party open-box refurb BS.
Just got the 2.4 MPB refurb
I've been buying Apple computers going back to almost the Mac Plus and I have to say I was really curious how the unit would come out of the box.
Well it was perfect. Great machine and in the same style as the 2003 powerbook, especially the aluminum keyboard.
It's just the gpu card that has me concerned. On that front, we're all doomed.
I've been buying Apple computers going back to almost the Mac Plus and I have to say I was really curious how the unit would come out of the box.
Well it was perfect. Great machine and in the same style as the 2003 powerbook, especially the aluminum keyboard.
It's just the gpu card that has me concerned. On that front, we're all doomed.
I believe you are misinformed. From what I've heard they replace anything that is damaged in any way and what you are basically getting is a brand new machine. The key word being "refurbished" not "used."
I'm with the...
MowingDevil on this one.
First thing I did when I got the refurb was take it out of the plain paper wrapper and look for any signs of wear on the exterior.
Absolutely nothing. It looked and smelled new.
I've joked that its original problem was a badly seated ram chip as I upgraded it immediately to 4GB and saw that one of the screws was missing of the three to access the memory area.
I find that more amusing than anything.
Really, this is my first refurb and other than the doomed graffic card, I have to say I am very impressed with Apple on this.
MowingDevil on this one.
First thing I did when I got the refurb was take it out of the plain paper wrapper and look for any signs of wear on the exterior.
Absolutely nothing. It looked and smelled new.
I've joked that its original problem was a badly seated ram chip as I upgraded it immediately to 4GB and saw that one of the screws was missing of the three to access the memory area.
I find that more amusing than anything.
Really, this is my first refurb and other than the doomed graffic card, I have to say I am very impressed with Apple on this.