Never opened, 2012 mac mini?

[punter7768]

Hello,

I've searched the site, but can't find a similar situation...

I purchased a late 2012 mac min, quad core with 4 gb ram and 1 TB hard drive. The ebay seller claimed it was "overstock" and was brand new, never used, never open in the original packaging.

Questions:
How can I verify it was never used?
Is there some kind of utility I can run to check previous use?
Is this a common scam; someone will take their old mac mini, stick it in packaging and reshrink wrap?
Is there something I can do to verify health of the mac mini?
Is there a website I can go to check the serial number to see if it was stolen or previously repaired?

It did come with in packaging, and it was shrink wrapped. I'm just a little suspect.

 

[hallux]

Did it have the plastic wrap on the Mini itself (not just shrink-wrap on the box)? I seem to recall my refurbished Mini had that plastic on it similar to what the iPhone, iPad and MBP come with, you have to tear a sticker agreeing to the EULA as you unwrap the unit.

 

[punter7768]

yes, on the inside, the mac mini was wrapped in a plastic with a sticker seal...but it was easy enough to keep the sticker intact by opening from the other side.

Let's presume that it was actually a used mac mini. if the previous owner wiped the drive and reinstalled the original OS, does that mean that there is no way for me to see previous logs or evidence of use?

 

[Micky Do]

Hello,

I've searched the site, but can't find a similar situation...

I purchased a late 2012 mac min, quad core with 4 gb ram and 1 TB hard drive. The ebay seller claimed it was "overstock" and was brand new, never used, never open in the original packaging.

Questions:
How can I verify it was never used?
Is there some kind of utility I can run to check previous use?
Is this a common scam; someone will take their old mac mini, stick it in packaging and reshrink wrap?
Is there something I can do to verify health of the mac mini?
Is there a website I can go to check the serial number to see if it was stolen or previously repaired?

It did come with in packaging, and it was shrink wrapped. I'm just a little suspect.

Why on earth does it matter? You've purchased the machine, now move on. Use it.

 

[Celerondon]

I want to agree with Micky Do and say, Equi donati dentes non inspiciuntur. (Never look a gift horse in the mouth.) Because for the right price, a stock quad core 2012 is that proverbial pony.

But maybe the OP is concerned or curious about the warranty. In that case, punter7768 can check here:
https://checkcoverage.apple.com

Just plug your serial number in and this page will tell the story. If it is new or refurbished then the serial number will be fresh and unused.

 

[campyguy]

FWIW, I bought a refurb 2012 quad-core i7 Mini Server last year from Apple (this has nothing to with this thread...). While I was searching, B&H Photo offered several of the same Mac on their website, but I missed out as others bought them first. B&H also was selling i5 and i7 Minis at the same time. All were advertised as "brand new" and as NOS (new old stock), so the OP's seller could have been passing on one of those Macs. I have one in our company's back room as an emergency back up that's never been unwrapped, in case we opt for newer tech and choose to sell it. Just saying...