Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
I think it depends on what you want... If you're after an i5 or an i7, then no, since they're not on there. But if you just want a C2D in 27", hell, that's a GREAT deal.
 
+1 and +1

I actually prefer Apple refurbs for those reasons. The warranty is as on a new unit and they're brought up to brand new cosmetically.
 
Yep, I'm probably going to get the 21.5" ATI iMac. :)

I'll race you to that one! Although there should be plenty more to come. With the 4670, I'll save $250 Canadian!!

Does anyone think all the issues would have been dealt with on these. I'm thinking things like the alleged loose connector supposedly causing the screen flicker, just to name one.
 
The duct tape holding together my 8 year old Dell no longer works and this will be my first mac. I am really stoked. I'd never even considered a refurb before, but given the prices and the fact that these should be basically brand spanking new machines, I now think this is the way I'll go.

Stupid question though. If there's an issue with the refurb and I have to take it into the Apple store, do they look at refurbs any differently than new ones?
 
That was really quick!

Refurbs make my skin tingle. :)

I've taken my refurbed MBP to the apple store under applecare. No problem.

If you're buying a new mac, I say go for a refurb.
 
Am I missing something?

So I'm thinking that the 21.5" iMac with 4670 refurb is the way I should go. On the Canadian store it's $1349, a savings of $250 off of a new one.
Just wondering if they will pre-install iWork for the $59 I would pay (Edu discount) if buying new or provide it for the same price. It seems that since this is a refurb, I have to select iWork separately (no pre-install option) and pay the $89 Education price.

Any thoughts would be appreciated?
 
What is interesting is that the quads - i5 and i7 have not shown up as yet. They've been out for almost a month, but still don't show up - and we know there are tons and tons and tons of faulty ones. That could be bad news - it could mean that Apple still has not found a way to fix these issues, so they are not putting them back on the market.

I suppose it would be a good indicator when the quads turn up on the apple store as refurbs - it means that they now know how to fix the issues, and it is safe(r) to now buy... basically a buy signal for new i5 and i7!
 
I wonder how a computer gets the refurbed status?

I mean I returned my i7 casue after about 30-60min it would start to flicker like crazy. I basically called up and said that i wanted a refund, i doubt the sales rep even knew what i was talking about with the flickers.

So my i7 goes back, someone will clean the system and reinstall SL and then I assume the computer will go out as a refurb. Though unless it flickers during hte rebuilding process it will be considered perfect. So I am assuming someone is about to score my faulty i7 in a few weeks.

My point is that alot fo the new imacs are having issues and are being returened so are you people not worried you are just getting these. Sure a DOA or cracked screen will be replaced but what about issues like the flickering? or are you u just happy to wait and get em fixed? This is one reason i never considerd a refurb, its hard to not like a new mac, only reason i or anyone i know has returned one is due to problems and they got a repalcement
 
I wonder how a computer gets the refurbed status?

I mean I returned my i7 casue after about 30-60min it would start to flicker like crazy. I basically called up and said that i wanted a refund, i doubt the sales rep even knew what i was talking about with the flickers.

So my i7 goes back, someone will clean the system and reinstall SL and then I assume the computer will go out as a refurb. Though unless it flickers during hte rebuilding process it will be considered perfect. So I am assuming someone is about to score my faulty i7 in a few weeks.

My point is that alot fo the new imacs are having issues and are being returened so are you people not worried you are just getting these. Sure a DOA or cracked screen will be replaced but what about issues like the flickering? or are you u just happy to wait and get em fixed? This is one reason i never considerd a refurb, its hard to not like a new mac, only reason i or anyone i know has returned one is due to problems and they got a repalcement

Well you are assuming wrong. Someone is going to get a mac without any problems as opposed to you who got one with problems.

Refurbs especially Apple refurbs go through a lot more than reinstalling snow leopard.
They are taken apart. Every part is thoroughly checked and re-checked for faults and tested and re-tested. The outer shell is almost never used. Most refurbs outer cases are brand new, this is why you cannot tell them from new. Because the outer shell is new, not like new. It is brand new. They are also put together better than their new counter parts as well.

Apple does not want to lose money sending a faulty machine out for a second time. They lose money just refurbishing these machines the first time.

The only thing that is not is the inside. But unlike a new one which was probably never checked as thoroughly is because they only check so many off the line, maybe every ten out of one hundred for example.

All refurbs are thoroughly tested and all most all of the time have fewer problems as a new one which was not as thoroughly tested.

And you save money. A refurb will have less problems all day every day. The keyboard is new as is the mouse is new.

It's a win win situation. I just might give my "new' base 21.5 to my dad and ship it too him since he wants one and get a refurb with the ATI card but mostly for the bigger hard-drive since I am happy with the 9400M G.
 
Seems from reading these and other forums - there will
be huge numbers of new iMacs hitting the refurb store.
So many problems out of the gate!
 
Really? So the case, keyboard and mouse are brand new on refurbs ? That makes me feel alot better about going with a refurb.

Do you think they'd test for issues other than what it's been returned for? For example if it was returned for screen flicker, would they also check for the yellow tinge, rumbling harddrive...etc before they let it out the door again?
 
Really? So the case, keyboard and mouse are brand new on refurbs ? That makes me feel alot better about going with a refurb.

Do you think they'd test for issues other than what it's been returned for? For example if it was returned for screen flicker, would they also check for the yellow tinge, rumbling harddrive...etc before they let it out the door again?


Yes the case, keyboard and mouse are brand new. I know they test everything. Not just what the computer was handed in for. The have a protocol of tests regardless of what the computer was handed in for.

I have a colleague who has a contract with Apples marketing department. He markets Macs for Apple to University's and Businesses. In bulk. And one option they have is to buy "refurbs' as a option if they are available at cost.He has to tell them why a "refurb' would make sense for their business and what testing the "refurbs' go through to get ready for sale. And how it compares with other companies who also refurbish their products and their testing involved.

I was shocked at what I saw. They test everything. I mean everything. The checklist he showed me was more than 40 points if I remember correctly since it has been a few years. I doubt that a new one goes through such testing procedures.
 
Yes the case, keyboard and mouse are brand new. I know they test everything. Not just what the computer was handed in for. The have a protocol of tests regardless of what the computer was handed in for.

I have a colleague who has a contract with Apples marketing department. He markets Macs for Apple to University's and Businesses. In bulk. And one option they have is to buy "refurbs' as a option if they are available at cost.He has to tell them why a "refurb' would make sense for their business and what testing the "refurbs' go through to get ready for sale. And how it compares with other companies who also refurbish their products and their testing involved.

I was shocked at what I saw. They test everything. I mean everything. The checklist he showed me was more than 40 points if I remember correctly since it has been a few years. I doubt that a new one goes through such testing procedures.

Wow, that's great info. Makes me wonder why more people don't buy refurbs .
 
Refurbished are great buy's

I have picked up two refurbished Mac's this year, iMac and Macbook Pro (signature). When the new iMac's came out I picked up a 24 inch and to my surprise it came with the ATI Radeon HD 4850. I thought I was getting the GT 130, but I checked System Profiler, I was surprised. I know they had some early problems with this card, but not me. I have Windows 7 Home 32 bit installed on Bootcamp Assistant on both my Mac's and works great. VM Fusion 3.0 was a bit buggy and slow after trying numerous fixes. Maybe I will try a clean install a bit later. I was happy Bootcamp Assistant worked perfect. I can barely fit a 24 inch on my desk and no way with the 27 inch. I am very happy with my purchase.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.