Macbook air: is a refurb safe?

[ricowatatsu]

Hello everyone.

I have been in the market for a new laptop for a while, and the macbook air 13 is really looking like it fits the bill for me. Money, however, is tight because im a student. I was speccing prices for a base 13 inch with the 4gb ram upgrade, and with my student discount it was some $1330. The refurbs I have seen are at least 150 cheaper than that. Is it safe to buy a refurb? Does anyone have any experience with this? Its only 150 bucks, but that could be the difference between me using a class book on reserve in the library for a term, or eating ramen for a term. I trust in the greater wisdom of this forum, thank all of you for your time, and eagerly await your responses.

 

[Help Please]

Hello everyone.

I have been in the market for a new laptop for a while, and the macbook air 13 is really looking like it fits the bill for me. Money, however, is tight because im a student. I was speccing prices for a base 13 inch with the 4gb ram upgrade, and with my student discount it was some $1330. The refurbs I have seen are at least 150 cheaper than that. Is it safe to buy a refurb? Does anyone have any experience with this? Its only 150 bucks, but that could be the difference between me using a class book on reserve in the library for a term, or eating ramen for a term. I trust in the greater wisdom of this forum, thank all of you for your time, and eagerly await your responses.

Just bought one about a week ago. No problems so far. I love the thing.

See here.

 

[Apple OC]

refurbs are one of the best ways to buy a Mac ... don't worry, go for it

 

[ricowatatsu]

Glad to hear the two of you had positive experiences. What kind of condition can i expect to receive the machine in? Do I have the same 1 year window to purchase apple care? Is the warranty the same?

 

[Help Please]

Glad to hear the two of you had positive experiences. What kind of condition can i expect to receive the machine in? Do I have the same 1 year window to purchase apple care? Is the warranty the same?

Perfect condition. No scratches or dings - Zero charges on the battery. You still have 1 year from the original purchase date to buy Apple Care, yes.

 

[christophermdia]

ive bought macs new and bought macs refurb....if i have a chance to buy refurb I would buy everytime....no difference.....applecare is the same timeframe and quality of product is the same.....

 

[The Catalyst]

Absolutely. Purchased one myself about a month back and it arrived in perfect condition. Only real difference was that the Air arrived in a plain white apple box (which is fine with me if it saves me a few hundred bucks).

 

[jamesryanbell]

Every Mac I've ever owned except the very first one has been a refurb. NEVER HAD A SINGLE ISSUE.

 

[j4c3k69]

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You are more likely get the slower Toshiba SSD instead of Samsung seeing how many people on this forum were returning their Toshiba equipped MacBook Airs to apple.
Other than that it should be in pristine condition.

 

[TreoRenegade]

Purchased my MacBook Air 11 Ultimate refurb direct from Apple. Warranty same as new. My only regret is that I didn't think of this refurb business until AFTER I purchased my 27" iMac several months ago. In the future, I will stick to refurbs from Apple!

 

[bowlerman625]

Apple refurbs are like new products. Go for it. You'll be pleased.

 

[jamesryanbell]

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You are more likely get the slower Toshiba SSD instead of Samsung seeing how many people on this forum were returning their Toshiba equipped MacBook Airs to apple.
Other than that it should be in pristine condition.

I'm very aware of the SSD versions, but what do you mean "returning it to Apple"? You can't just say "ooh, I didn't get the good revision, so send me a refurb with the faster SSD", can you?

 

[Beau10]

Perfect condition. No scratches or dings - Zero charges on the battery. You still have 1 year from the original purchase date to buy Apple Care, yes.

I had 4 charges on my battery; out of the box after 2 calibrations I haven't been able to get it above 98% spec. That said, I believe the same can be said about new machines. Also the machine arrived without any damage, but the static wrap it came in had significant dust under it and a few smudges on the casing.

It comes in a plain vanilla box. Not a big deal on that, but it probably will nick some resale value I imagine.

Not applicable to OP but for others to consider: I bought a base 11". Accounting for tax, the cost was barely less than what I could have bought it for new at Amazon, and actually almost $80 more than MacMall selling on eBay over the past week. Of course BTO configs will be more constrained, but in my situation I would have thought this through a bit more and bought new from a 3rd party.

 

[bmat]

refurbs are great, but sometimes buying it from other retailers (if you're in the US might be effectively cheaper -- like Mac Mall or onsale via Amazon (which is the same as Mac Mall)).

 

[j4c3k69]

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You are more likely get the slower Toshiba SSD instead of Samsung seeing how many people on this forum were returning their Toshiba equipped MacBook Airs to apple.
Other than that it should be in pristine condition.

I'm very aware of the SSD versions, but what do you mean "returning it to Apple"? You can't just say "ooh, I didn't get the good revision, so send me a refurb with the faster SSD", can you?

How do you explain so many refurbished machines coming with zero battery cycles? To me it looks like they were just powered up to check the revision number and then returned.
As for giving a reason for the return, do they require any?
Anyway, refurbs are a great value and you may be lucky getting the perfect one!

 

[jamesryanbell]

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How do you explain so many refurbished machines coming with zero battery cycles? To me it looks like they were just powered up to check the revision number and then returned.
As for giving a reason for the return, do they require any?
Anyway, refurbs are a great value and you may be lucky getting the perfect one!

I understand your point, but I'm saying that if you return it, what's the replacement? Just keep blindly buying refurbs and hoping an "AX" revision SSD comes through?? ...or just dumping the refurb idea altogether and paying for a new one?

 

[Beau10]

I understand your point, but I'm saying that if you return it, what's the replacement? Just keep blindly buying refurbs and hoping an "AX" revision SSD comes through?? ...or just dumping the refurb idea altogether and paying for a new one?

He said "seeing how many people on this forum were returning their Toshiba equipped MacBook Airs to apple." Not necessarily talking about swapping refurbs - swapping new for new, with those formerly 'new' units now going into the refurb pool.

It's just a general observation, I made the same in the past about the potential of getting screens with stuck pixels. If the issue a customer returns an item for is considered a nit-picky within spec issue, then it's clearly not going to get fixed and sent right into the refurb pool, increasing your chances of getting a machine with that issue.

 

[jamesryanbell]

He said "seeing how many people on this forum were returning their Toshiba equipped MacBook Airs to apple." Not necessarily talking about swapping refurbs - swapping new for new, with those formerly 'new' units now going into the refurb pool.

It's just a general observation, I made the same in the past about the potential of getting screens with stuck pixels. If the issue a customer returns an item for is considered a nit-picky within spec issue, then it's clearly not going to get fixed and sent right into the refurb pool, increasing your chances of getting a machine with that issue.

That makes perfect sense. I wasn't thinking about it like that. Thanks.

 

[ricowatatsu]

Is the other ssd that much slower?

Also, if i get an issue like stuck pixels, or a bad battery, do i just take it to a nearby apple store and complain?

 

[mstrze]

It's just a general observation, I made the same in the past about the potential of getting screens with stuck pixels. If the issue a customer returns an item for is considered a nit-picky within spec issue, then it's clearly not going to get fixed and sent right into the refurb pool, increasing your chances of getting a machine with that issue.

Yet many of us are not 'nit-picky' so perhaps a stuck pixel or two may not be an issue.

For me, I may ONLY buy refurbs from now on. We have had excellent 'luck' with an iPhone 3G, 4 and now an ATV2. Best deal: paid $99 for the 4 through AT&T store and sold the 3G back to eBay using their 'green' recycle/buy back program for $135! (I know I could have gotten more just doing a regular auction or craigslist, but I avoided the hassle of a bum buyer and shipping charges...I just printed up a pre-paid FedEX slip, boxed it up and I had my money in 2 days!)

Both iPhones came to us in absolutely pristine condition. I'll let you know about the ATV2 when it gets here in 2 days.

 

[kallyq]

I received my refurb today and so far so good. It has no scratches on it. I have been downloading a ton of software today and have had no problems so far. I have not really looked for dead pixels or anything like that. It seems fine. I would order a refurb again

 

[hyzerspike]

i just bought a refurb air and i love this thing! if you gave it as a gift and didnt tell the person it was a refurb i dont think they would ever be able to tell....get it!

 

[Cheffy Dave]

Glad to hear the two of you had positive experiences. What kind of condition can i expect to receive the machine in? Do I have the same 1 year window to purchase apple care? Is the warranty the same?

My first Mac was a 2007 Core 2Duo 2.2 BMB,(Black Mac Book) and it was a refub, as was my wife's 2008 2.4 C2D BMB, I am ONLY buying Refurbs, same warranty as a new one, AND eligible for Apple Care. Buy with confidence, btw, BOTH BMB's are still running strong, so what's not to like?

 

[j_maddison]

Get the refurb and add the Applecare. I"m pretty sure you get it for free, or a small fee, when you're a student

So you should be safe

 

[jonnysods]

Refrubs are great. I have owned around 12 refurbed macs. All you miss out on is the retail packaging IMO.

Totally safe, totally recommended.