Which refurb Mac laptop to buy?! Help please!

[Becca182]

Hello all,
I was hoping for some input from others about which of the current laptops on the Apple refurbished site is the best deal/best for my needs aren’t too great, using the internet, email, photo editing, video chatting, music and streaming movies. Also some work with Google suite, also downloading software for several kids toys that need to be linked to a computer. I’ve narrowed it down to the following I think will be sufficient for my needs, any input would be greatly appreciated! Is anyone a better deal/investment? I don’t care too much about size/weight as I won’t travel often with it. Does it matter how recently it was released, better to buy a 2017 than ‘16? I’d like to stay under $1300.
Thanks everyone!


Refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Air 1.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
Originally released June 2017
13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with support for millions of colors
8GB of 1600MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
256GB PCIe-based SSD
720p FaceTime HD Camera
Intel HD Graphics 6000
$1019, 15% off


Refurbished 12-inch MacBook 1.2GHz dual-core Intel Core m3 - Rose Gold
Originally released June 2017
12-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display; 2304-by-1440 resolution at 226 pixels per inch
8GB of 1866MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
256GB PCIe-based onboard flash storage
480p FaceTime camera
Intel HD Graphics 615
$1099, 15% off


Refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Pro 2.0GHz Dual-core Intel Core i5 with Retina Display - Space Gray
Originally released October 2016
13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display; 2560-by-1600 native resolution at 227 pixels per inch
8GB of 1866MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
256GB PCIe-based onboard SSD
720p FaceTime HD Camera
Intel Iris Graphics 540
$1189, 15% off


Refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Pro 2.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 with Retina display - Space Gray
Originally released June 2017
13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2560-by-1600 native resolution at 227 pixels per inch
8GB of 2133MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
256GB PCIe-based onboard SSD
720p FaceTime HD Camera
Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640
$1269, 15% off

Refurbished 12-inch MacBook 1.2GHz Dual-core Intel Core m5- Silver
Originally released April 2016
12-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display; 2304-by-1440 resolution at 226 pixels per inch
8GB of 1866MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
512GB PCIe-based onboard flash storage
480p FaceTime Camera
Intel HD Graphics 515
$1209, 19% off

 

[eXan]

In that case go for the 2017 MBP.
Stay away from Air as it is very out of date. As for MB, it doesn't make sense to pay more for portability if you don't value it above all else.

 

[ToroidalZeus]

I would highly recommend a 16GB RAM model with a Skylake or Kaby Lake CPU. I have 8GB right now and it's terrible with multiple tabs.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1128944-REG/apple_z0qn_mf8401_13_3_macbook_pro_notebook.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1343073-REG/apple_z0uh_mpxq21_bh_macbook_pro_i5_2_3ghz.html

 

[Fishrrman]

MacBook Pro 2.3ghz.

I wouldn't buy anything other than a MacBook Pro.
You won't regret spending the extra money for the extra power and connectibility.

 

[Becca182]

I would highly recommend a 16GB RAM model with a Skylake or Kaby Lake CPU. I have 8GB right now and it's terrible with multiple tabs.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1128944-REG/apple_z0qn_mf8401_13_3_macbook_pro_notebook.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1343073-REG/apple_z0uh_mpxq21_bh_macbook_pro_i5_2_3ghz.html

Are these new or refurbished ones that you’ve sent the links to?

 

[ToroidalZeus]

Are these new or refurbished ones that you’ve sent the links to?

New. No taxes in most states. I've bought from that company before and they are a really good firm. Authorized reseller for all products.

 

[Becca182]

New. No taxes in most states. I've bought from that company before and they are a really good firm. Authorized reseller for all products.

Thanks, I think I will go with the first one! You don’t think the fact it’s a 2015 makes it too out of date or anything like that?

 

[kschendel]

Being a 2015 model should make not the slightest difference for your stated needs.

 

[TekAdvice]

I would definitely recommend the fourth one you mentioned out of those options.
"Refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Pro 2.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 with Retina display - Space Gray"
Go for the best specs you can. I would strongly discourage purchasing a MacBook or MacBook Air because they are never as good as the MacBook Pro in terms of specs. As the old adage says, "You get what you pay for."

 

[ToroidalZeus]

Thanks, I think I will go with the first one! You don’t think the fact it’s a 2015 makes it too out of date or anything like that?

Current CPU Gen is Skylake/Kaby Lake
2015 model is 1 prior version Broadwell.

Bang for the buck, the 1st link with the Broadwell CPU is better. But if you have the cash to spend, then I'd get the Skylake model because it'll be more energy efficient and run cooler.

 

[Becca182]

Thank you all, I’ve ended up purchasing the first link, the 2015 MacBook Pro! I really appreciate all of the help and input!