So I plan on heading to university in the fall and I am trying to figure out which computer/computers would be best for me. At the moment I am considering buying both a refurbished 21.5'' iMac (2011) and a refurbished 2010 11'' Macbook Air. My question is, once the Macbook Air line is refreshed in July, will the price of the refurbished 2010 Macbook Airs come down immediately or will they take a while to drop?
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Refurbished Prices
- Thread starter JephJ
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As the above poster stated, it might only be a little bit at first then more so as more 2011 SB MBAs are sold and fill the shelves. What I would do (seeing that you're a student) is to just wait until the new MBAs come out and get one at a student discount. I thought about getting a baseline Pro and with the student discount, you save 100 bucks which is.. *checks* 81 bucks more than a refurbished.
You'll probably save more with a refurb but you could just get a new machine with the 100 dollar voucher (thereby technically eliminating the difference).
With the performance gains you would be getting with a SB over C2D I'd get a new one. I'm trying to sell my blackbook right now and go without a MB for a few weeks to get a new Air when they're released.
You'll probably save more with a refurb but you could just get a new machine with the 100 dollar voucher (thereby technically eliminating the difference).
With the performance gains you would be getting with a SB over C2D I'd get a new one. I'm trying to sell my blackbook right now and go without a MB for a few weeks to get a new Air when they're released.
Another nice thing with '11 Airs (assuming they get Thunderbolts of course) is that:
- Airs can finally have Target Disk mode and,
- could use either of '11 iMacs as external display (when you want to resume what you were working on in class, on a bigger screen when back in dorm)
- Airs can finally have Target Disk mode and,
- could use either of '11 iMacs as external display (when you want to resume what you were working on in class, on a bigger screen when back in dorm)
I have a feeling refurbished prices will drop faster than people think because going from Core 2 Duo to Sandy Bridge is a big jump.
Id wait and get the new air. How much extra would it be, 2-300? or even less with the student discount. Yet the SB will outlast the C2D by at least a year, if not more. Id say the price difference would be a small premium to pay for the faster laptop and thus its longevity.
Actually, the loss of CPU speed would mean a slower Mac, whereas the loss of a real GPU in favor of Intel HD 3000 underclocked on a low and ultra low voltage Sandy Bridge could mean complete loss of ability to run certain apps/games.
I really cannot wait to see the real world results of this new MBA, as I don't have a lot of hope for the Intel IGP in underclocked low and ultra low voltage variants. It will NOT be anywhere near as fast as the IGP in the 13" MBP either, so that cannot be used as a determining factor.
If it were getting a Sandy Bridge CPU paired with an Nvidia GPU, I would COMPLETELY AGREE with you... but the problem is Intel couldn't play fair and that's what happens when competition isn't permitted to provide the best products and technologies for consumers. WE are the losers whether Apple fans want to admit it or not.
Really appreciate the variety of responses guys, I understand that many of you are saying to just get the new 2011 Air rather than buying the refurbished 2010. At this point however, I am at the top of my budget. Yes the student discount will reduce the price of a new one significantly, but I have no use for $100 towards the app store.
It was said that usually prices go down by 10% once the new models come out, I am correct then in saying that the refurbished model would end up being 27% off the original, at a price of $766?
It was said that usually prices go down by 10% once the new models come out, I am correct then in saying that the refurbished model would end up being 27% off the original, at a price of $766?
It will be $817-$861,I'd say $838
I'll bet you half a penny that it will be $819
I guess we will have to wait and see who the daddy is, cause I ain't payin' child support.
Oh I also assumed you were talking about the base $999 model.
Now is this immediate refurb price change or is there a timeframe involved? We need to get the details down now
Well you will have *some* use when you have to pay the $30 (plus tax) for the Lion upgrade, if in fact you want to upgrade.
I am sure down the line you can find a way to spend that other $65.
You can also try maybe selling it on eBay or something? $90 for a $100 card or something.
I was under the impression that if I bought a Mac 30 days prior to the release of Lion, I got a free upgrade? Also I understand that there is probably some use for the card, but either way it costs more money when I am trying to keep costs low. I would prefer to get direct money discounts and a free printer rather than take my discounts in the form of a card that I can buy only certain things with.
That's the catch about coming here for advice the majority of people seem to think that everyone here has a "limitless budget" and will always suggest the most expensive options. I think you should look at your budget and what you need and make the decision from there.
Also, I'm not 100% but I don't believe the upgrade deal applies to refurbs.
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Ah yeah, sorry, I completely forgot that you do get the upgrade. BUT, it is only new Macs. I am pretty sure that if you go refurb route, you will not qualify for the upgrade, so you will no doubt have to end up paying for it.
Just my thoughts on this: I would wait for the new SB Airs for all the reasons some posters stated above. But, you can also consider the resale value on a machine bought new vs. a machine bought refurb. Sure, the computers will look the same aesthetically, but having that original box has allowed me to consistently resell things higher than what I normally see them listed for. Just something to keep in mind.
I do a new mac about every 3 months, between desktop, air, and mbp.
I have never had the refurbs sell less than a new unit. Applecare matters, DVD's matter.
The rest doesn't.