Apple Begins Selling Refurbished 2023 MacBook Pro Models

[MistrSynistr]

My conspiracy theory is refurbs are actually brand new items in cheaper boxes.
I’ve gotten two MB pros and a few iMacs from there and they were absolutely new.

 

[Anglagard]

I dont know about these discounts, Amazon and Costco sometimes surprises with deep discounts, others too.

 

[svish]

Good to see refurbished models on sale. Some good discounts and savings!!

 

[3rdpath]

Oddly, the 14" M2 Pro 16gb/1tb is cheaper than the same spec refurbished M1 model.

 

[deaglecat]

Generally safe to buy refurbs for "normal" people.

With one caveat. If you are SUPER picky about those components where there is inevitably some variation (e.g. display panels) then you risk getting one that hasn't met somebody else's demanding standards or (historically) the "wrong" panel in the panel lottery. It is amazing how many units some folk go through before finding a perfect example. Also there is no way of indicating to Apple if there is a slight issue...so it will just get resold.

 

[sdjcl]

I don't think it's a good deal. we see Amazon and D&H have 15% discount on brand new device.

 

[MajorFubar]

Anyone ever purchase one refurbished wondering if its worth the extra money to just get new ?

Yep. Every Mac I've ever bought except for my current Mac Studio came from the Refurb Store. 100% zero issues. It's like buying a Mac that's been hand-made and tested specifically just for you, except you didn't decide the spec's.

 

[Ubele]

I also have had A+ experiences buying direct from Apple refurbished.

What I DON'T recommend is buying open box from anywhere. I bought an open box 2015 MBP from Best Buy. Yeah, it was returned for a reason. After several days of playing: why are my files randomly corrupted? It went to Apple for a full logic board replacement.

I've been buying Apple products for my family and myself for over 20 years. Unless I need a product when it's first released, I buy from the Refurbished store. They all appear brand new, except that the box is plain white. I've never had a problem with any refurbished item. Three weeks ago, I got a refurbished 2021 M1 16" MBP with 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage for $2,079 US. The comparable 2023 M2 refurbished model is $2,289. If I were buying today, I'd probably still go with the M1 to save $210. It has more power than I need, but that 16" screen is perfect for the multimedia stuff I do.

As for open-box items, it depends. In December 2021, I bought an open-box 12.9" iPad Pro from Best Buy for $200 off the new price. All the pieces were sealed in their plastic wrappers, which had no fingerprints on them, so I suspect someone literally just opened the box and decided they didn't want it. It's been flawless.

 

[ESabis]

Thank you Ryan Gregg. We have been waiting for  to drop these models since the rumor surfaced a few weeks ago. Our company only buys refurbished MacBook Pros from  and we have never had anything but good luck. In fact, I just finished ordering one about 5 minutes ago thanks to this tip.
Thanks MacRumors, you guys are a real plus to this industry.

 

[antibolo]

Still nothing on the Canadian store, grr. And we actually need those, since we don't get huge discounts every five nanoseconds like the US gets, if the almost daily occurence of those annoying US-centric "Deals" articles on MacRumors is any indication.

 

[TigerNike23]

Desperately want an M2 Mac Mini to splurge on. Preferably the 16/512 variety.

 

[okkibs]

Also there is no way of indicating to Apple if there is a slight issue...so it will just get resold.

Or rather, often these issues are within tolerances for manufacturers, like some panels Apple uses in these devices have just insane smearing/ghosting making the 120Hz useless, but who really notices that. Apple probably doesn't want to trash subpar hardware that is "good enough" for many people.

I had one of these new MBPs that had a single pixel stuck always on, and the store employee thankfully had a colleague check it as well because he couldn't see it on the various diagnostic test screens. A single employee confirming they can see it was enough to sign off on an immediate display assembly replacement. If that had happened during the return window I doubt Apple would have replaced it before releasing it again as a refurb unit.

There's this claim that refurb is better than brand new because refurbs get checked thoroughly individually. I'd rather take my chances with a brand new unit. And contrary to refurb iPhones and iPads neither the battery nor the housing has to be brand new. I would only buy refurb iPhones and iPads. And even then the deals I found with retailers were so far always better than Apple's refurb offers...

 

[Anglagard]

Anyone ever purchase one refurbished wondering if its worth the extra money to just get new ?

It's not worth getting new.

 

[gevalt]

Anyone ever purchase one refurbished wondering if its worth the extra money to just get new ?

never.
apple refurbs are as good as new.
same warranty as new.
same availability to buy applecare if you want to.
just less expensive.

over the years i've bought multiple apple refurbs.
love 'em.

 

[MacHeritage]

Strangely, these are not available in the Canadian Apple Store yet, which is not normal. They normally open it up on both stores at the same time. Hope they open up the Canadian ones since they seem to share the same inventory and ship from California.

 

[Macbenible]

APPLE does not allow you to buy ANY refurbished item, use your APPLE credit card and make monthly payments . . . UGH!!!

I purchased using my Apple card. No, I didn't get the twelve month, zero interest option, BUT I did get the refurbished and military store discount. Combined it was a HUGE savings off of buying new.

 

[antibolo]

Finally available in Canada!

 

[MacHeritage]

Thanks for the update antibolo! Great to see them... finally. Strange that it is taking so long now for Canada. Same with the M2 Mac Mini, only USA again. This must be the new normal Apple has decided to run with.

 

[antibolo]

Thanks for the update antibolo! Great to see them... finally. Strange that it is taking so long now for Canada. Same with the M2 Mac Mini, only USA again. This must be the new normal Apple has decided to run with.

I recommend using https://refurb-tracker.com/ for getting notified when a model you want is available. That's how I found out that they were being added.

 

[Macbenible]

Typing this on my brand-new, refurbished 16" MacBook Pro. It's new I tell ya. The only difference is the box didn't have a four color image of a laptop. Combining the Military, Refurbished, Apple Cash Rebate, and trading in my 2013, I saved $1,821.00 over buying new. It must be some very expensive ink on that box.

 

[MacHeritage]

I recommend using https://refurb-tracker.com/ for getting notified when a model you want is available. That's how I found out that they were being added.

Didn't know about that one. I normally use https://www.refurb.me since 2009 or somewhere around there. I purchased the MacPro and Cinema Display in 2010 & 2011 that way.