Quality of Apple store refurbished?

[supergod]

I called the Yorkdale applstore and they said that they were all sold out of 20" iMac G5s, which doesn't really make sense to me (that it would happen so soon). They said that they had some refurbished models. This also seems incredibly weird to me: I asked the salesperson I was talking to if they were the 2.1 ghz iSight model, and they said yes, but they frankly didn't sound like they knew what they were talking about.

Either way, the price on that would be $1575 CAD, the price for buying a new one online with education discoutn would be $1620.

Can anyone tell me what the quality of their refurbished productions are? The price is definitely very appealing but I need to make sure that the quality is perfect.

 

[PMacG5Dual2.7]

Applecare

Gotta add applecare as part of the cost then you have nothing to worry about. I got applecare on my refreshed G5 Dual 2.7 and 23 ACD. Only way to go.

 

[flyfish29]

Do a forum search for refurbished and you will get dozens of threads about this subject. I bought refurb. four years ago for my iMac and never had a problem- that is after they resent me a second computer. the first didn't get refurb. correctly, but Apple corrected the problem. DO NOT GET APPLECARE unless it is a laptop. Also do a search on Apple Care and read for yourself. The reason they sell these is to make money! They don't do it out of the kindness of their hearts. they are money makers for every company that sells (pushes) them. That is why best buy gives money to their employees for every one they sell. Most electronics break within the first year or after the third. It is a fact...most do this...not all, but most. Save your money. If your computer looks great out of the box then and works for one year then there is no reason to believe it is more suceptible to breaking the second or third year. Just my opinion, but I have purchased two extended warrenties in my life and regretted both. I have never wished after the fact that I had one either. good luck

 

[JCT]

I have only had one experience with Apple Refurb and unfortunately it was not positive.

Ordered a late Rev iBook 12" to surprise my son at the holidays -- shipped quickly, looked *great*. I always re-install Tiger on new machines to clear up wasted disk space (especially on laptops) -- for the life of me, could not get the machine to boot from the included restore disks OR a retail Tiger disk.

Went online and researched the problem, troubleshooting everything I could find and then called Applecare (I think they were a bit amazed that I had tried *everything*) and so they decided the machine was DOA. I felt terrible for my son, so I declined their offer of another refurb and managed to find a stock machine at an Apple store (EDU discount helped) -- on XMas eve no less.

Apple was very helpful, though. Sent me labels to pay for shipping the machine back and tossed in $50 to my credit for my troubles.

I would probably try again if the deal was particularly good -- if you go with a refurb, be sure to check it out from top to bottom, I think the problem with mine was a bit esoteric, but I'm very glad I found it right away.

Good luck,

JT