Refurb MacBook Pro. Good idea?

[pcguru83]

Hey guys,

I had every intention of going today to pick up a brand new Core 2 Duo MacBook. However, something caught my attention on Apple Refurb page.

I can get a 15" 2.0GHz Core Duo MacBook Pro w/glossy screen for only $1449! That's an awesome price! I've always wanted the Pro version, but they've just been too expensive. This I could probably pull off though.

My question is this: Should I expect the typical problems I've heard about with the MacBook Pro? Were the whining/mooing/buzzing/heat etc still a problem with the MacBook Pros? I've heard that Apple Refurbs are often time more dependable products than purchasing new because the issues have been corrected on these units. I also seem to recall that Apple had worked out most of the issues by the end of the Core Duo line.

Any thoughts on this? Thanks all.

 

[diadem]

the refurbs are sold as new, if there is any problem with them they are sorted befor they will sell them on again. it could get those problem it might not the chances will be the same as if you got it new.

 

[Warbrain]

The typical problems might still exist, but I would go for it. That's a pretty good deal.

 

[cantthinkofone]

i have bought my laptop, and my airport express as well as an ipod from the refurb site. i couldn't be happier. no problems what so ever. id go with it. im eyeing a 20" C2D imac on there right now

 

[pcguru83]

I appreciate the input everyone. The news potentially gets even better though. I called up my local Apple Store and spoke to their guy that is responsible for refurbs. He said he's got several that he is refreshing today, and to give him a call in a few hours. He said pricing should the be the same, or very close, to what's listed online.

Wow, this could work out really nicely...

<crosses fingers>

 

[djkny]

I appreciate the input everyone. The news potentially gets even better though. I called up my local Apple Store and spoke to their guy that is responsible for refurbs. He said he's got several that he is refreshing today, and to give him a call in a few hours. He said pricing should the be the same, or very close, to what's listed online.

Wow, this could work out really nicely...

<crosses fingers>

Get the new C2D. It's worth the extra few hundred.

 

[Waiting4MacBook]

I got a refurb CD MBP and it's amazing. Never had any of the problems people mentioned. I'd say the chances that the one you get will have any of those problems is slightly less than buying new just because someone has already returned it (for whatever reason) and it has been looked over again before finally being sold to you. The only difference I could see is that the new ones have the C2D processor. It's up to you whether or not the difference in price is enough to justify that. Refurbs are a great way to go.

EDIT: \/Haha, forgot it was also my sig.\/

 

[pcguru83]

Get the new C2D. It's worth the extra few hundred.

Unfortunately, that's not an option. I'm pushing it to make the $1449 work. However, if you'd like to spot me the extra, I'd love to go this route. I kid, I kid!!

 

[dhc]

I've bought 2 iBooks (one for me, one for my wife), 2 iPods (nano & 5g) and my MBP from the refurb store. All have been in SUPERB condition, and have shown no signs of use, and had zero problems. I think I'm actually going to sell my MBP, but intend on buying a Macbook from the refurb store to replace it. I have no reservations about shopping there, and from my experience, fully recommend it.

 

[BII]

I bought a MBP refurb when the C2D came out. Saved about $650, and I'm totally happy with it. No issues whatsoever.

 

[joanna94]

I bought my MBP from the Apple refurb site and it arrived very promptly and in immaculate condition saving me about £250. It's great and I wouldn't hesitate to buy a refurb again from Apple.

 

[iW00t]

Get the new one, the redesigned cooling system (aka big heat vents) make it so much cooler.

 

[Pressure]

Get the new one, the redesigned cooling system (aka big heat vents) make it so much cooler.

Might dish up with some evidence backing this claim up. I strongly believe that they are getting as toasty as they always have in heavy use.

 

[iW00t]

Might dish up with some evidence backing this claim up. I strongly believe that they are getting as toasty as they always have in heavy use.

If you sleep with it yes. The linen probably blocks the vents that way.

I find it even cooler to the touch even compared to my previous Powerbook, at least the top panel that is.

 

[jellomizer]

Refrubished are often good as new.

A lot of times they are perfectly fine systems that someone returned for some reason or an other.

Some examples

Joe baught a CD MBP the next weel the C2D MBP Came out so he returned it right after it was shipped to him and he got a C2D MBP.

A School bought 1000 MacBooks. After all is said and done they only needed 900 MacBooks so the return 100 MacBooks to Apple. Apple Can't sell them as new but they sell them on the refurbished market.

Starter Company Buys 10 MacBook for their employees a week later the Company goes bankrupt, and returns them without opening the boxes.

Bill got a MacBook the Hard Drive was DOA. So he shipped it back then apple took his system and put a new drive in and everything else is fine.

Unlike Used Cars with a lot of moving parts Refurbished computers have very little. And whatever was the problem usually requires just swapping a single component. Worst Case a Motherboard. But with it swapped out it works fine.

Refurbished systems are a good deal. I use to deal with Used Sun Equiptment. And very rarely we have any trouble with those and some of these systems have been quite well used a lot longer then a New MacBook.

 

[iW00t]

Just out of curiosity. With so many people here going "Bah! I am returning my MBP and getting a Dell!" Where do these MBPs all go?

Does Apple stockpile all these refurbs in a warehouse for a certain period (lest they steal sales from the "current" products) or something?

 

[djkny]

Just out of curiosity. With so many people here going "Bah! I am returning my MBP and getting a Dell!" Where do these MBPs all go?

Does Apple stockpile all these refurbs in a warehouse for a certain period (lest they steal sales from the "current" products) or something?

They're stockpiled alright, as WMD's for the PC generation.

 

[iW00t]

They're stockpiled alright, as WMD's for the PC generation.

Well, this is something that intrigued me quite some because I have been checking daily for refurbished 80GB iPods

 

[vader26]

I actually had a bad experience with a refurb CD MBP that i purchased in July. Not only did it include all the main problems that people reported, there was also a bulge just above the latch button and it would rarely wake from sleep (would have to hard reboot the thing all the time).. Finally got Apple to declare it DOA and i got my money back. Seems like I am in the minority, but I thought I would pass on my experience with Apple refurb.