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Refurbished MBP? Should I buy one?

Is Getting A Refurbished Model A Good Idea (as described below)

  • Yes

    Votes: 55 82.1%

  • No

    Votes: 12 17.9%
  • Total voters
    67
bobber205

bobber205

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Nov 15, 2005
2,183
8
Oregon
Should I buy a refurbished MBP?

I posted this question on another one of my topics, but since that topic is now pretty much dead (may it rest in peace), I thought it would be good to post a new topic.

The MBP for refurb are 1699. If I get the three year applecare plan, I will be spending roughly the same amount of money as I was planning to when I first decided to get the computer (about 2K).

Is this a good idea?

Can I trust a refurb?
 
Refurbs are often personally checked for problems. You're far less likely to get a troubled computer through refurb than a brand new one...I'd go for it. I've done it and a lot of my friends have gotten refurbed computers and none of us have every had problems. Definitely get AppleCare though.
 
Yeah the AppleCare seals the deal, if they can't fix something you get a new one. I think the refurbs even have the new computer smell. :D I'm such a dork.
 
I have never gotten a refurb, so I can't say if they're good or not, but I suffer from must-get-top-of-the-line syndrome, so most of the refurbs don't meet my requirements.

If money is a problem, get it. I personally feel more reassured with new, but… it's your choice.
 
eva01 said:
I have a refurb Dual 1.8 G5 and have yet to have a problem with it.
Click to expand...

This is sounding very nicely.

Important question for eva01. Did it smell like a "new" computer when you got it.

Several of my family members are very sensitive to smells like that and I thought a refurb might be worth the money.
 
It smelt new. Typical of what i would think a new computer would smell like.

No bad smell if that is what you are asking.

And i am very sensitive to smells as well, (causes my headaches to get worse) and the powermac did not give me any complaints and the powerbook didn't give me any complaints (powerbook was brand new)

Refurbs are nice to get and totally worth it. And from what i have heard before sometimes they get returns that were custom built (more RAM or different HD for example) and they ship those as the refurbs with the upgrades in them because they don't want to change it again.

Didn't happen to me but i have heard it happen before
 
I was thinking about going this route too. Looks like a good deal, and I've heard good things about Apple re-furbs.
 
I just picked up a refurbished powerbook. So far, so good. No problems & and it seems like new. Just came in an ugly box (compared to the nice boxes macs usually ship in).

Overall, I'll give it a thumbs up, just like comic book guy is doing in my avatar! :)
 
One more thing here to clarify. Is it possible to use your students discount for these refurbs.:D
Ok. I guess not:( . Pl correct me if I m wrong.
So it`d be much better to get a new MBP for 1799 after students discount instead of a refurb for 1699. For 100$ more you are getting a brand new laptop.

Bu that`s only if you happen to be a student. Like me.:p
 
My Powermac is refurbished, and I love it, no problems with it and it was immaculate when it was delivered.

In fact, if the uk refurb store had macbook pros in stock (Which it doesn't, and probably won't for at least another 9 months, because it apsolutely sucks....but that's another story) I'd buy one in a flash....
 
nihilisticmonk said:
My Powermac is refurbished, and I love it, no problems with it and it was immaculate when it was delivered.

In fact, if the uk refurb store had macbook pros in stock (Which it doesn't, and probably won't for at least another 9 months, because it apsolutely sucks....but that's another story) I'd buy one in a flash....
Click to expand...
i love the refurb store LOL like the time i went to buy an iBook off it and by the time i clicked add to basket it had sold out

they must really be selling them 1's and 2's units quick in the UK

and whats with them dam Xserves always being on the store !!!
 
vikas soni said:
One more thing here to clarify. Is it possible to use your students discount for these refurbs.:D
Ok. I guess not:( . Pl correct me if I m wrong.
So it`d be much better to get a new MBP for 1799 after students discount instead of a refurb for 1699. For 100$ more you are getting a brand new laptop.

Bu that`s only if you happen to be a student. Like me.:p
Click to expand...

I am a staff member at a high school, so I am eligible for the education discount, but I still took the $100 off. The refurb's are completely gone over and you wouldn't even know that it was a refurb if the didn't tell you.

If I wasn't buying apple care I would have just got the new one, but with applecare I have nothing to worry about.
 
Refurbs

In the UK store it looks as though that refurbs are pretty much the same as new products, and are tested thoroughly, and under the terms and conditions seem to have the same guidlines for returns, satisfaction and the ussual stuff.

I would only be hesitant on recieving a laptop with dead pixels, as that is one thing they aren't too keen to replace under apple care.

Nicko
 
No. The way apple refurbs systems is probably the worst in the industry.

Buy your MPB from amazon, you'll get the $150 rebate, not as much as you'd save w/ the refurb, but a more reliable computer.
 
Subiklim said:
No. The way apple refurbs systems is probably the worst in the industry.

Buy your MPB from amazon, you'll get the $150 rebate, not as much as you'd save w/ the refurb, but a more reliable computer.
Click to expand...

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Why do you think this?

And can you buy applecare from Amazon anyway?
 
I bought a refurbished iBook as my first Mac and still regret selling it to this day. It was a great machine.:(
I'm planning on buying my mum a refurbished intel iMac later this year so that I can load windoze on there for her as well. I think refurbs are a great deal. They are quality checked. Don't pay attention to the haters.
The only issue I had is that I didn't get the cool box that comes with the new ones. I think for the savings though, I can deal with it.
 
It's settled then.

I have to go to school for about an hour soon... for a project presentation.

But after that, maybe I'll come home, sign up for the apple credit account, and buy my MBP.

There's no sense in waiting now... the refurbs aren't going to get some speed bump or price lowering anytime soon. They're refurbs, after all.
 
bobber205 said:
:eek: :eek: :eek:

Why do you think this?

And can you buy applecare from Amazon anyway?
Click to expand...

I know someone who used to work for Apple. They send their 'broken' equipment to a third party refurbisher, the HD is formatted, if it mounts, and an OS can be installed to it, it is considered refurbished. Seriously, use amazon.
 
I Love The Refurbs!!

Subiklim said:
I know someone who used to work for Apple. They send their 'broken' equipment to a third party refurbisher, the HD is formatted, if it mounts, and an OS can be installed to it, it is considered refurbished. Seriously, use amazon.
Click to expand...

Huh.
Well I bought a refurb 12" Powerbook 1.33 GHZ 1 1/2 years ago = perfect.
Bought a refurb iMac 17" 2.0 G5 6 months ago = perfect.
I LOVE THE REFURBS!!
 
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