Subiklim said:
With all due respect, I never trust/believe what a ex-employee has to say about their former employer.
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Refurbished MBP? Should I buy one?
- Thread starter bobber205
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With all due respect, I never trust/believe what a ex-employee has to say about their former employer.
Pilgrims Pro said:
He's still a huge apple fan. This is really the only negative thing he'll ever say about apple.
Sure, some people do return their systems for stupid reasons (scratch, etc) but why risk it for a couple of bucks?
Subiklim said:
Wouldn't the AppleCare cover you anyway? What exactly is the advantage of buying new except that you know its new? Are there any differences with the return policy? What about with Amazon and their return policy....I like the rebate and no tax, but do I lose anything for that (like being able to return it if its got the much talked about issues)? As far as I know, you can buy AppleCare off ebay and as long as the code is legit, it works. I wanted to try to wait for the Macbook, but this wait is becoming too much and it might even be July now. I'd just like to know exactly what I'm in for if I go the refurbed or Amazon route.
EDIT: Do promo's go out the window with the refurbs? Like the printer and .mac promos? It says any new mac, I assume that means no go.
Waiting4MacBook said:
I can't answer all of your questions, but I do know that you can't get an edu discount with an refurb model.
Supposing apple care does cover you for an issue with a refurbished unit, they'll swap it out for another refurbished unit, to continue the circle (it's likely that you'll get a working machine, but again, why risk it?) Amazon does have a return policy, iirc they don't refund the shipping to you, but generally it's free. Apple takes 10% off the machine if it's open and you're returning it.
I doubt that you'll get the free printer, and I don't know about the .mac subscription, but it's a savings of what $30? I know it may add up in the end, but it's worth it if you get a good machine to start out with.
I think I might be ordering my MBP this weekend. Whee!
And w/o the RAM upgrade. I think I can handle that myself. I might use that extra money I then won't have to spend to get a nice case for it..
Wish me luck.
One question though. What's the advantage of buying Applecare one year at a time versus all at once. I'm thinking slight cost different and convenience.
And w/o the RAM upgrade. I think I can handle that myself. I might use that extra money I then won't have to spend to get a nice case for it..
Wish me luck.
One question though. What's the advantage of buying Applecare one year at a time versus all at once. I'm thinking slight cost different and convenience.
bobber205 said:
Why do you think this?
And can you buy applecare from Amazon anyway?
Why so adamant on AppleCare?
It sucks anyway, doesn't cover accidental damage, just get the 3rd party cover from Bestbuy/Fry's/Whoever.
It is way superior to Applecare.
I've bought two Macs through the Apple Store's refurb and an iPod... all we're flawless... not only that, came in the sealed packaging with little serial numbers and everything. Considering two Macs WERE bought new as well, I could not tell the difference between the refurbs and the new ones... NONE!
As someone said, they even have that great new computer smell. I've told some of my less financially inclined or non-edu pricing friends to buy refurbs and a couple have and they too had the "these look/smell/seem like new" experience.
Refurbs get my two thumbs WAY up! The only case where I may be a bit hesitant is the MBP refurbs but maybe they swapped the original motherboards with newer ones.
As someone said, they even have that great new computer smell. I've told some of my less financially inclined or non-edu pricing friends to buy refurbs and a couple have and they too had the "these look/smell/seem like new" experience.
Refurbs get my two thumbs WAY up! The only case where I may be a bit hesitant is the MBP refurbs but maybe they swapped the original motherboards with newer ones.
dferrara said:I think the refurbs even have the new computer smell.
I hear it's just a sprayed on smell from a can, kinda like how even used cars can smell like new cars.
Good Credit Card
If the Apple Credit Account doesn't work out (bad deal), does anybody have a recommendation for a low spending limit first time credit card for myself?
It has to be above 2000 obviously...
I am planning on paying it off ASAP. (graduation money and savings for the entire year)
If the Apple Credit Account doesn't work out (bad deal), does anybody have a recommendation for a low spending limit first time credit card for myself?
It has to be above 2000 obviously...
I am planning on paying it off ASAP. (graduation money and savings for the entire year)
Bobber, I think you're doin' the same thing as me. I was all set on buying a refurb MBP and then wham, 17 incher comes and pricedrops become a topic of discussion for the 15. I can't really tell you when the 15's will drop but I'd imagine it won't be that quick. Maybe when the Duo's price drops, maybe when the MacBook's are released (but could they? Wouldn't they be encroaching on the MB's lower price?). I think I might just go for the refurb tomorrow, I'm getting sick of waiting. In other news I just started a thread to see if anyone's gotten a refurb MBP yet so hopefully someone who's already done it can help with my decision (and yours). Good luck.
2 of my Macs have been refurbs, they have come in original Apple boxes, with all documentation, and sealed in whatever sort of packaging ''New'' Macs are.
They have both been flawless, and to be honest, there is no way to tell its a Refurb. other than whats on the receipt.
I have known other companies to sell Refurbs. with faults, scractches etc.. their idea of Refurbing is poppin in a new manual and stickin it all in a new box - but I think Apple go through everything.
I also have a few unexpected surprises, like bigger HD's, and Mem. and Software
DO IT!
They have both been flawless, and to be honest, there is no way to tell its a Refurb. other than whats on the receipt.
I have known other companies to sell Refurbs. with faults, scractches etc.. their idea of Refurbing is poppin in a new manual and stickin it all in a new box - but I think Apple go through everything.
I also have a few unexpected surprises, like bigger HD's, and Mem. and Software
DO IT!
I would.
I bought a refurb iMac G5 2.0 and I love it. I paid 950 for it last November. This is the weird part. It was sold to me listed with a 160 gig hard drive. Once I got it up and running I noticed that the hard drive was actually 250 gigs. Which was cool. Then after about 3 months the drive failed. I took it back to the apple store and they replaced the drive because it was under warranty still. They replaced it with another 250 gig drive. So I was happy about that. I think refurb is fine. If anything goes wrong with it the first year its still under warranty. So I would. I will probably by a refurb MBP 17 inch when they become available.
I bought a refurb iMac G5 2.0 and I love it. I paid 950 for it last November. This is the weird part. It was sold to me listed with a 160 gig hard drive. Once I got it up and running I noticed that the hard drive was actually 250 gigs. Which was cool. Then after about 3 months the drive failed. I took it back to the apple store and they replaced the drive because it was under warranty still. They replaced it with another 250 gig drive. So I was happy about that. I think refurb is fine. If anything goes wrong with it the first year its still under warranty. So I would. I will probably by a refurb MBP 17 inch when they become available.
It's nice to read good things about my decision.
I only regret that the lower end MBP doesn't have one gig of RAM. Will a gig make that much a difference, especially at the beginning?
I was going to buy the MBP with the apple credit account, but my dad and I have decided that its a cruddy deal.
Maybe mastercard?
I only regret that the lower end MBP doesn't have one gig of RAM. Will a gig make that much a difference, especially at the beginning?
I was going to buy the MBP with the apple credit account, but my dad and I have decided that its a cruddy deal.
Maybe mastercard?
Don't count on it but, as others have mentioned, your refurb computer might arrive with more RAM on it than advertised. That was the case with a friend who bought a refurb Power Mac (which worked like new, by the way). So, you might want to wait on the RAM.
BKF said:
Well I got my refurb'ed MBP, and I love it. My favorite Mac yet. I had also ordered some extra memory from newegg.com. So, before even turning on the computer I went to install the 1gb strip that I order, and I just happened to find an extra 512mb strip. I guess I will now sell both 512mb strips and just order a new 1gb from newegg.com again.
About the refurb'ed model. It is in absolute perfect shape. So I am rather happy. It does have the whine issue, but I don't find it bothering me one bit. I am going to do the firmware upgrade this evening and see if that takes care of the problem.
On another note.....is Clarisworks no longer included with Apples? I was unable to find any word processor or spreadsheet besides the trial of Office 2004.
I did it! I ordered one. You guys convinced me that refurb was the way to go. I can't wait. I'll let you all know how it is when I get it. Think I'll hold off on buying RAM until I see what's in there!
sjshaw said:
I had the whine, but i just did the firmware update and it doesn't seem to be whining anymore.
Here is my analysis of why you should NOT buy a refurbed MBP:
1) Usually overpriced
2) Usually has more problems than new ones
3) You don't know where the refurbed machine has been or what happened
4) The feeling you get for buying a new mbp is undeniably better than refurb
5) Price drop soon due to 17", so wait for 15.4" price to drop
1) Usually overpriced
2) Usually has more problems than new ones
3) You don't know where the refurbed machine has been or what happened
4) The feeling you get for buying a new mbp is undeniably better than refurb
5) Price drop soon due to 17", so wait for 15.4" price to drop
Say what you want, but many people have had great experiences with refurbs. You save a little money and get a "like new" machine. If it has problems, it goes right back (warrantied just like a new machine). So really it's just that "feeling" that you paid an extra $300 bux for, which is valid and gives you more peace-of-mind, but those buying refurbs have an equally valid position. I'll let you know my experience when I get it (On Monday!)
WOW! I just got my Refurb MBP (only took 2 days to get it) and it's amazing! I've had it running for about 6 hours now, 3 of which on strictly battery and I have no sign of whine or heat problems. I may be getting ahead of myself but so far so good. And, to my surprise, it even came with a gig of RAM! The only blemish is a tiny piece of metal above the latch button is slightly bent. I love this thing already.
Waiting4MacBook said:
Glad you have had the same positive experience that I have had with my refurb.