Blackbook refurb - Can it be trusted?

[-Nick]

So, I was planning on ordering a highend white Macbook today, when I popped into the refurb section and say that I could get a current revision Blackbook (2.16 and everything) for $75 more than the new Macbook - the white Macbook having the education discount applied. I definitely would prefer the black over the white (and the extra 40GB wouldn't hurt either), but I have two questions first.

First off and foremost, can the refurb be trusted? Because we are talking about more expensive stuff, I'm cautious about getting something thats been refurbished over something brand new. Has anyone else here gotten a refurbished MB recently? Had any issues with it at all? And can the Apple refurb process be trusted? I just know very little about it, and you guys seem to be the experts on this stuff .

Secondly, is the Applecare for new MBs any different than the Rrefurbished models? And by that, I mean am I purchasing the same thing wither way. Because when I view the refurbished items page, it logs me out of the education store. So the Applecare is the full $299 (CAD) there, while with the education discount its usually $218. So could I put the refurbished Blackbook into my cart, then go into the education store and get the discounted Applecare, and have that cover it? If I had to pay extra for the Applecare, I'd probably just stick with the white.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Cybergypsy]

I only bought one refurb, a 24" imac, it came loaded BUT had a few issues, I buy new now....

 

[island]

I have purchased many times from the refurbished stores for my customers and I never had any complaints or problems. Myself, needing the latest and greatest, have to buy new since I cannot wait for stuff to hit the refurb store.

 

[yetanotherdave]

My MacBook is a refurb, it's perfect.
I reckon, as the refurbs have been checked over by a technician, they are probably better in terms of QC than regular ones, which just come off the production line. They come with the regular one year warantee, and you can still buy applecare.
I say get the refurb, unless of course, the white one with edu discount gives you the free iPod offer...

 

[geoffy]

Refurbs are often nightmares. I would go for the student discount on a new model. The other option is to buy the older versions as soon as the new one are released. Don't you also get a free ipod if you are a student?