Is it worth buying a refurbished MacBookPro? Giving out $AU 4.000 for one seems kinda risky, or isn't it? What exactly are refurbished products?
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Refurbished... are they worth it?
- Thread starter zoran
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When buying a Mac, given the choice between new and retail price, and Apple Refurbished at a decent discount, I would go for the refurbished every time.
I have purchased a lot of Apple Refurbished devices over the years, with a few Macs included, and they have never disappointed.
Actually, my 2006 Mac Pro 1,1 was an Apple Refurbished Mac, I purchased it as soon as the refurbished Mac Pros started showing up in the Apple Refurbished Store. It is still daily used, and has never given me any trouble.
I would purchase all Apple Refurbished Macs, but the trouble is the wait until they start appearing in the Refurbished Store, and then trying to find the desired configuration. If you find it, you got to get it quick, because they sell quick, and that configuration may not come back for a long time.
It could actually be less "risky" to buy an Apple Refurbished Mac than a new one.
What I am about to say about Apple Refurbished products, applies to the US, as I am unsure of how it is handled outside of the US,
Apple Refurbished Macs are tested well beyond the tests that the new Mac are subject to, so (in theory), the Apple Refurbished Macs that pass these tests are less likely to develop problems due to a manufacture flaw, such as a faulty component.
A side note, again this applies to the US and maybe elsewhere, but in the in US there are no consumer protection laws governing what constitutes a "refurbished" product. Anyone that sells a something called "refurbished" could just mean that the seller or business wipes the device down with a damp cloth.
Apple advertises its refurbished process, letting the customers know what to expect.
Basically, a refurbished Mac sold by anyone other than Apple is not the same thing as an Apple Refurbished Mac.
Apple used to have a more detailed description of their how they refurbish their devices, but they seemed to have shorten it a bit.
I have purchased a lot of Apple Refurbished devices over the years, with a few Macs included, and they have never disappointed.
Actually, my 2006 Mac Pro 1,1 was an Apple Refurbished Mac, I purchased it as soon as the refurbished Mac Pros started showing up in the Apple Refurbished Store. It is still daily used, and has never given me any trouble.
I would purchase all Apple Refurbished Macs, but the trouble is the wait until they start appearing in the Refurbished Store, and then trying to find the desired configuration. If you find it, you got to get it quick, because they sell quick, and that configuration may not come back for a long time.
It could actually be less "risky" to buy an Apple Refurbished Mac than a new one.
What I am about to say about Apple Refurbished products, applies to the US, as I am unsure of how it is handled outside of the US,
Apple Refurbished Macs are tested well beyond the tests that the new Mac are subject to, so (in theory), the Apple Refurbished Macs that pass these tests are less likely to develop problems due to a manufacture flaw, such as a faulty component.
A side note, again this applies to the US and maybe elsewhere, but in the in US there are no consumer protection laws governing what constitutes a "refurbished" product. Anyone that sells a something called "refurbished" could just mean that the seller or business wipes the device down with a damp cloth.
Apple advertises its refurbished process, letting the customers know what to expect.
Basically, a refurbished Mac sold by anyone other than Apple is not the same thing as an Apple Refurbished Mac.
Here is a link:
Why Refurbished
Save up to 15% and get a one-year warranty with the Apple Refurbished purchasing program. Read more on the Apple Refurbished promise.
www.apple.com
Apple used to have a more detailed description of their how they refurbish their devices, but they seemed to have shorten it a bit.
Recently bought a refurbished MBP 14 M1 Pro base model. Absolutely not a mark on it, battery only 2 cycles. Same warranty as a new MBP. I put the money I saved to 3 years of Applecare.
I always bought refurb. Even if the military bases sell tax free, I still buy refurb from apple, its still cheaper.
Yes refurbished on Apple.com is “worth it”… most places I would not do so but after reading many good reviews of the site such as the above posters, I used the site at least once and it was a great experience, I forget how much money was saved but at least a few hundred…
It's worth it.
I found good offers through this price guide.
www.macrumors.com
I found good offers through this price guide.
Apple Deals: The Best Discounts on Apple Products
Before you buy an Apple product, make sure to check out our deals roundup to find sales and get the best prices. We have price charts for Apple's...
www.macrumors.com
I think most refurbished are product sits on the store table, not much moving around except people click it around. It is probably why there is no much scratches on it.
Probably, but mine was absolutely pristine. Not even the rubber feet had any mark, no oily fingers on keyboard.
I personally won't be buying brand new anymore. The only thing with refurbished is you have to wait for the configuration you want to pop up on the store and the higher or unique the specs, the less chance it'll appear quickly.
It's very much worth it. I've only been buying refurbished Apple products for the last 20+ years, for myself, family and small business. Much better value than "brand new", especially with Apple's silly prices outside the US. You won't regret it, provided you can find the exact configuration you need. It might require a little patience. And, obviously, M2 Macs probably won't be available refurbished for some time ...
Refurbished items from Apple's site are definitely worth it. I've purchased several refurb devices from Apple over the years, all were flawless and functioned well with the same warranty as new. Buy with confidence.
The only problem I see with refurbished Apple products is that, at least in my country, you can’t finance them and you can’t trade your current device in, even at a discount, those devices still come with an important price tag.
They come in a brand new package. The box is not the same on the outside though.
Yes, definitely. In the past I've always bought my Apple products (iMacs and iPods) from the Apple refurbished store and as others have said, the packaging may not be exactly the same as the brand new ones but you wouldn't be able to tell the products themselves weren't brand new. They don't sell different condition grades as some refurbished sellers would - official Apple refurbs are like buying a brand new product but with a couple of hundred off. I've been thinking of getting a new Mac Mini M2 but might just wait until they are available from the refurb store. 
The only difference is the box - plain white rather than a nice picture of a Macbook in front. The cable and charger brick are new.
I, for one, don't want to pay $250+ more for a box which you'll pack or throw away after taking out your Macbook.
When you buy an Apple product from the Apple Store you can get financing and you can trade your current device in for a credit on the price of the new device you’re buying; in my country, you can’t do those two things when buying a refurbished device from Apple, you must pay the price in full when buying.
You can get financing or a credit via the trade in program only when buying a new device.
People may choose to buy new so that they can get either financing or credit by trading their current device in, that’s because, even if refurbished products are discounted, they’re still not cheap.
Considering the sheer number of people who impulse buy the new Mac models then turn around and return them for no other reason than because they can, I think the odds are very much in your favor of receiving basically a new device for the price.
Kind of like buying a new car... every one of them has been driven at least once before you buy it.
Kind of like buying a new car... every one of them has been driven at least once before you buy it.
Agree with everyone else here. Direct from Apple Refurb is a great deal typically and I have good personal experience with two laptops from them. Just check against some deals from other locations (Amazon and Best Buy) which seem to offer some random great deals lately.
I can't comment on a mac per se' (as I don't own one) but I've bought various refurb items on apple.com and wouldn't think twice about buying more.
As long as you don't need today's release the following Friday, it is a great deal.
Two caveats:
iPhones: as many times there are carrier deals on a NIB previous gen models at a much discounted price than an apple.com refurb.
Supply: you just have to keep checking apple.com as refurb offering changes often.
As long as you don't need today's release the following Friday, it is a great deal.
Two caveats:
iPhones: as many times there are carrier deals on a NIB previous gen models at a much discounted price than an apple.com refurb.
Supply: you just have to keep checking apple.com as refurb offering changes often.
On Apple refurbished straight from Apple, yes, it's worth it. Apple refurbished comes with the same warranty as the new ones, and you can buy AppleCare for it as well.
Apple refurbished is in a new exterior case with a new battery, so there's zero external indication that it's not new.