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Refurbs From Apple

xfiftyfour

xfiftyfour

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Apr 14, 2006
2,573
0
Clemson, SC
hey, just curious to all of those that have dealt with apple refurbs.. how are they cosmetically? i know the actual hardware and insides are QCed, and i'm assuming the screen is a crucial part as well, but do you typically expect cosmetic scratches on the body, or are those buffed/replaced/whatever? (basically, when you get a refurb do you KNOW it's used, or are they basically like new machines that are cheaper because apple can't sell them as new?)

and, while i'm asking, has anyone had any serious issues with their refurbs?

thanks for the info! :)
 
I am typing this on a refurb powerbook that I bought for my wife.

I'll say this: Outside of the fact that it came in a brown box rather than a white box, I can tell no difference between this and a new powerbook. I have had no issues whatsoever.

Now, that being said this is a 12 inch, 1.33 Ghz powerbook, so it is a late revision. But, I saw that Macbooks are now in refurb store and it was very hard for me NOT to buy one. And there are great deals on iMacs out there.

I would recommend a refurb and my next Mac will probably be one.
 
i'm typing this on a refurb Rev. B iMac G5.
can't tell the difference honestly. and i doubt that for the vast majority of refurbs you'll be able to tell that it isn't brand new.
 
If a macbook was sent back to apple for a moo problem...wouldn't aple have to have corrected it to be able to put it back on the refurbished market? Or heat/ other issues?

therefore, could I assume that refurbs could have less problems than a brand new one?
 
WillMak said:
If a macbook was sent back to apple for a moo problem...wouldn't aple have to have corrected it to be able to put it back on the refurbished market? Or heat/ other issues?

therefore, could I assume that refurbs could have less problems than a brand new one?
Click to expand...

i've heard this theory before as well. have never purchased a refurbished mac, so i don't know first hand, but i know that many figure that a machine that's gone through apple's QC twice must be better than a computer that's gone through once.
 
I've bought two refurbished Mac's, and they both looked brand new. I think that they might replace the outer casing on some models (I bought an Intel mini and a PPC mini).

The idea that the refurbished models might be more reliable than a new model makes perfect sense to me. The new computers are spit out by factories, while the refurbished computers are tested and repaired by Apple technicians in the USA. Perhaps when repairing the issue that caused the computer to be returned, the technicians may find and correct other unnoticed problems. Just my opinion...
 
I can certainly tell the difference between my refurbished PowerBook G4 and a new one. Mine didn't have any problems left and cost $500 fewer.

Cosmetically, it was as good as new. Besides, aren't you going to use it anyway?
 
Currently have a last revision refurbished 12" iBook- it was in perfect condition cosmetically and operationally when I got it. Will definately buy refurbished again from apple.
 
bousozoku said:
Cosmetically, it was as good as new. Besides, aren't you going to use it anyway?
Click to expand...

yes, certainly, but i take good care of my computers, so mine don't end up with scratches and such. and i'm anal.. so buying a refurbished that was scratched to crap would definitely be a disappointment. for ipods and that sort of thing? you're certainly right, and i wouldn't care much because those scratches are inevitable.. but for my 2000 dollar laptops? no-sir-ee.
 
Regarding the refurbs, has anyone who's purchased one gotten anything extra from Apple such as extra RAM or a larger hard drive? I've heard that on occasion Apple sometimes does this. Just wondering how many people have gotten this little extra surprise.
 
I bought 2x 12" iBooks from the refurb store (UK) a couple of months ago. Both are in 'as new' condition, and 1 even had twice the storage that I was expecting! (80gb not 40gb!)
1 had a single dead pixel, but that could happen with a brank spanking new machine, and apple won't replace unless there's 6 (i think) dodgy pixels anyway.

I've been so happy with my refurb purchases that I've just ordered a Macbook Pro from the refurb store, too.
 
sw1tcher said:
Regarding the refurbs, has anyone who's purchased one gotten anything extra from Apple such as extra RAM or a larger hard drive? I've heard that on occasion Apple sometimes does this. Just wondering how many people have gotten this little extra surprise.
Click to expand...

My Power Mac came with 1GB RAM rather than 512MB which was a great surprise!

I think it makes sense for Apple to sometimes do this as its probably more effort to advertise many many models with slight changes to their configuration rather than to bundle the majority of systems together into one 'minimum spec' and allow the odd upgrade to be given to a customer.
 
My refurbished iMac 20" 2.0 Intel Dual Core is on it's way. I ordered it with standard everything because there weren't any customization options... but I'm reallllllly hoping that it comes at least semi-hooked up. ;)
 
I bought my Powermac G5 ( dual 2.7GHz ) as a refurb. It looked brand new, and came with a 400GB 7200rpm drive instead of a 250Gb 5400rpm.

It looked like it had never been touched by human hands.

Now i will be totally honest. i did develop a catastrophic problem, both processors and the power supply needed to be replaced all at once. But apple took care of it and did it all for free. essentially giving me a new computer.

so with this computer, the additional 6GB of ram i bought ( from OWC ) and the 23" cinema display i bought all at once, for just a hair over $3k

i was a little miffed at the problem it developed. but was so pleased that apple repaired it all for free, no questions asked.
 
I ordered a 3g 30 gig ipod refurb a few summers ago and it was perfect. never had any problems whatsoever.
 
I had a refurbished 20GB 4th gen iPod (monochrome) in 2004 after my 2 week old new one died. I would have thought it was literally brand new, it was perfect in every way.
 
sw1tcher said:
Regarding the refurbs, has anyone who's purchased one gotten anything extra from Apple such as extra RAM or a larger hard drive? I've heard that on occasion Apple sometimes does this. Just wondering how many people have gotten this little extra surprise.
Click to expand...


unfortunatley, no. :(
however, if you know any apple employees you can save an extra 8% off refurb prices. :)

i have a refurb imac 20". love it. the only difference i noticed was the refurb box which can be an issue for people that like to ebay a computer when they upgrade.
 
I have a G5 PowerMac that I bought as a refurb. The funny thing is that the Apple installed ram failed about six months after I purchased it. And, of course, I checked everything but that ram before I headed to the local Apple store.:rolleyes:
 
Refurbished items have been sent to the factory and have damaged parts replaced: the damaged parts are either reimbursed as a new part or furnished so it works like new. Hence this is how I think they get the name Refurbished lol. I don't know - but yes they do send the product back to the factory to remove defects whether it be heavy cosmetical, logic board issue, etc.

I know this is used and not new or refurbished but: I purchased my iB G3 (sold it) off of Tech Restore and it came with 256MB more RAM and a 30GB HDD instead of a 20GB one, so refurbished (and some old items) can be better than purchasing brand new ones. Plus they give you a warranty on them + you can add protection to that warranty. All in all, Refurbs are the way to go.
 
Agreed. Going through the Applestore and buying refurbished is a great way to go. Plus, the computers have free shipping and are still eligible for Applecare. If anything goes wrong with the refurbished unit, then you're covered (just buy applecare).
 
Yeah, I just got my refurbished iMac 20" 2.0 Dual Core from the applesite today and am EXTREMELY happy with it. It's basically in mint condition, and they hooked me up. When I ordered it, it was ordered with the default everything since there wasn't an option to upgrade.... I got it and they maxed out the RAM for me with 2G and also upgraded my video card to 256MB VRAM. All in all, very awesome. Now all I need is AppleCare.
 
Very pleased

I am typing on a Refurb iBook G3 1.2ghz that I bought late last year. It is a great computer, and when it isn't fast enough for me, I use my G5 Dual 2.0 Refurb that I bought on April 1st 2005 and have had no problems with either.

I say go for it, the worst thing that can happen, is to get a DOA or have a problem (just like a brand new one). Even so, you still have a full warranty, and the option for Apple Care :) .
 
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