Just got a refurbished Macbook

[Helianthus]

Hey everyone!

After lurking on this site for a few weeks, I ordered a macbook. One week later, it was at my doorstep. I booted it up and everything seems to work fine so far. At this stage, I have 2 questions:

1. Because of the way it was shipped, there are a lot of scuffs in the finish of my macbook. Is there any cleaner that will get these out?

2. This is my first mac and I was wondering what are the must have programs that I should get?

 

[mattscott306]

1. The only thing that may work is iKlear, but I don't think that'll get out the scratches. Speaking of scratches, thats strange, this is the second report of refurb scratches. I'd suggest calling apple, or bringing your refurb to an apple store, and seeing about getting new casing.

2. Alot of people will recommend Adium, it's a chat program. A favorite app of mine is youControl, which is an iTunes add-on.

 

[daze]

Hey everyone!

After lurking on this site for a few weeks, I ordered a macbook. One week later, it was at my doorstep. I booted it up and everything seems to work fine so far. At this stage, I have 2 questions:

1. Because of the way it was shipped, there are a lot of scuffs in the finish of my macbook. Is there any cleaner that will get these out?

2. This is my first mac and I was wondering what are the must have programs that I should get?

Call Apple, and say that this is unacceptable. They'll offer you a refund and/or a replacement. At the minimum, they'll give you a refund. I suggest you call ASAP.

 

[rogersmj]

Congrats! I too got a refurb Macbook a couple weeks ago. Fortunately, mine was in pristine condition.

On my Macs, I always have the following apps:

Quicksilver - the ultimate launcher. You hardly need the dock if you use this, and you'll never stop being amazed when you learn new tricks.
Adium - never has IM looked so slick
FireFox (because of the extensions)
MenuMeters (I like to keep track of what my CPU, memory, and network are doing)
Skype (for video/voice calls)
Growl notification system + GrowlTunes
Burn -- free CD/DVD burning program
VLC -- play any video file. Ever.
VirtueDesktops -- still somewhat buggy, but useful if you're consistently running dozens of apps at a time like I do and like to keep work/play/browsing on separate desktops
Smultron - great lightweight & free code/text editor

That's the minimum for me, and those are all free apps. Wonderful programs. If you need to FTP, Transmit is the world's best FTP app, although it's not free. I also run Parallels with Windows XP in Coherence mode on both of my Macs for that occasional Windows app I need.

 

[devilot]

1. The only thing that may work is iKlear, but I don't think that'll get out the scratches.

Er, no I disagree. iKlear is good for cleaning, not buffing out scratches.

You could try Ice Creme, buuut, I think you're better of seeing if Apple would indeed replace the casing for you.

 

[phidauex]

Check with apple first, I got a refurb two weeks ago and it was perfect. I couldn't find a single flaw.

However, if it comes to it, buy a can of Plexus plastic polish. It is actually sold for cleaning polycarbonate motorcycle windshields, but it is GREAT for polishing all clear plastic surfaces. I use it to fix scratched CDs, the cases on my turntables, headlights on cars, and yes, even my motorcycle windscreen.

Plus, its cheaper than apple-specific products (which are just rebranded general polishes).

BTW, its not abrasive, but it does have fill scratches. Shines stuff up like crazy too.

peace,
sam

 

[Helianthus]

Thanks for all the suggestions I will definitely have to try many of the programs suggested.

As for the scratches, they aren't that major so I don't know if they'll do anything. I can only see them in really good lighting. It seems foolish the way they shipped them. If they just put some plastic covering on the outer casing, I wouldn't even have this problem right now. I guess I'll give apple a call and see if they will help me out.

 

[rogersmj]

That is strange that they didn't have anything surrounding your laptop. My refurb Blackbook shipped with a plastic sheath around the laptop itself, which was then suspended in the foam holders. You're saying yours was just inserted into the foam without any other protection?

 

[Sam0r]

Check with apple first, I got a refurb two weeks ago and it was perfect. I couldn't find a single flaw.

However, if it comes to it, buy a can of Plexus plastic polish. It is actually sold for cleaning polycarbonate motorcycle windshields, but it is GREAT for polishing all clear plastic surfaces. I use it to fix scratched CDs, the cases on my turntables, headlights on cars, and yes, even my motorcycle windscreen.

Plus, its cheaper than apple-specific products (which are just rebranded general polishes).

BTW, its not abrasive, but it does have fill scratches. Shines stuff up like crazy too.

peace,
sam

Would that get out the micro-scratches on my iPod too? I left it in someones bag a few days ago and it managed to get out of its leather case and mingle with some keys

 

[Helianthus]

That is strange that they didn't have anything surrounding your laptop. My refurb Blackbook shipped with a plastic sheath around the laptop itself, which was then suspended in the foam holders. You're saying yours was just inserted into the foam without any other protection?

YES! That is EXACTLY how it shipped. How ridiculous! It went coast to coast like that. No wonder it is scratched up. Do you think apple will actually do anything for me? Has anyone else dealt with this problem?

 

[CEAbiscuit]

Be sure to download Flip4Mac. Key for playing any .wmw video through quicktime.

 

[e12a]

try AppleSauce for the finish.

 

[phidauex]

Plexus would probably help a lot on an iPod. It doesn't really remove scratches, since its not an abrasive, but it will fill them in with its own anti-static wax. Its really quite impressive, and its a lot cheaper than things like Applesauce. And even if you needed more scratch removal, I'd probably go with a generic plastic rubbing compound, and then Plexus for a final shine. But Plexus is good enough to make many of my unusable CDs usable again, and it works wonders on my motorcycle face shields. You get a giant can of it for about 12$, so even if it doesn't work wonders on your ipod, its worth a try, and you'll find lots of uses for it around the house.

peace,
sam

 

[phidauex]

YES! That is EXACTLY how it shipped. How ridiculous! It went coast to coast like that. No wonder it is scratched up. Do you think apple will actually do anything for me? Has anyone else dealt with this problem?

Hmm, definately odd.. Mine shipped in a plastic bag, which was then stuck in the foam holders.

Are the scuffs just from the foam? Do you have a picture? If it is just foam skuffs, then a simple plastic polish will probably make it look good enough to forget, and I don't know about you, but I'd rather live with a few scuffs than go two weeks without my mac. Besides, this way you won't feel as bad when you ding it the first time. (You know, the first scratch is always the hardest to take.. Then it gets easier and easier each time).

peace,
sam

 

[XP Defector]

OnyX - Great utility for OSX, offers system maintainence and other various customizations.

Transmission - If you're into torrents, this is the only way to go. Extremely easy to use, nice simple user interface.

Caminio - Excellent web-brower, probably the quickest out there but lacks a few of the features of Firefox and Safari (avoid safari though, it is awful).

Quicksilver - As someone mentioned, this is the ultimate time saver. Highly recommeded but will need a bit of a read up to get to grips with it.

VLC - Ultimate video player, **** anything else.

 

[Airship]

I believe they replace the case when they refurbish the units. When my MBP arrived, it was packaged exceptionally carefully with layers of protection. There's something very suspect about the way yours arrived. I have heard of refurb units having minor scuffs before, but I have a feeling that only applies to desktop machines.

 

[Helianthus]

Yea, the scratches are right where the foam was...it looks funny. Two bands going around the macbook about an inch wide. Its really not a huge deal to me as I'll probably scuff it up myself anyways. I'll try that plexus stuff and if that doesn't work, no big deal. I don't have pictures of the scuff marks and I don't know if my crappy camera could pick them up as they are quite light.

Thanks again for all the program suggestions...many very interesting sounding programs that I will have to try.

 

[nickster9224]

They should definitley change your casing for free.

 

[Helianthus]

Anyone know where I can find this plexus stuff in canada? I checked cdn tire and home depot but no luck.

 

[phidauex]

Make some phone calls. You know where I bought it? A Honda Motorcycle shop! Try calling a few motorcycle shops and dealers and ask if they carry Plexus Plastic Cleaner, I bet one of them will have it.

-sam

 

[schmintan]

quote from apple refurb store:

They are in 100% working condition, and are then sold as refurbished product. As these refurbished products have been unpacked and manipulated, they might however exhibit some minor cosmetic imperfection, such as scratches, marks or discolorations.

i learned this to my detrement with a macbook pro. ended up sending it back as the screen had quite a few pixels stuck constantly on bright blue. i have heard a lot of good reports of refurbished products from apple, but i, judging from my own expirience wont be buying another refurb from them. just my 2 cents and actual expirience.