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Why only Mac Mini servers in refurb store?

glenthompson

glenthompson

macrumors demi-god
Original poster
Apr 27, 2011
2,984
848
Virginia
It seems like any time I check the Mac Mini listings in the refurb store, it's only servers available. Any conjecture on why this is? I wouldn't think that there would be at may Mini servers returned.

Of course, I just checked and there's a base model now available. Figures :)
 
Mac Mini fly off the shelf - have you considered using refurb.me to send you email notifications when a certain model becomes available?
 
glenthompson said:
It seems like any time I check the Mac Mini listings in the refurb store, it's only servers available. Any conjecture on why this is? I wouldn't think that there would be at may Mini servers returned.

Of course, I just checked and there's a base model now available. Figures :)
Click to expand...

The mini server can effectively be made from any mini with OSX server app from the App Store and some parts that are much cheaper from newegg. Thus they sell slower and probably have have a higher return rate from folks that are money conscious. The refurb normal minis sell like hot cakes by comparison and are a great value by most standards.
 
Last edited:
there's one in there right now 7:30est:

Refurbished Mac mini 2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5

Originally released October 2012
4GB memory

500GB hard drive

Thunderbolt port (up to 10 Gbps)
HDMI port supports multichannel audio output
Intel HD Graphics 4000

$509.00

Save $90.00
15% off

...sooooo tempted. ugh!

--rob
 
robo456 said:
there's one in there right now 7:30est:

Refurbished Mac mini 2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5

Originally released October 2012
4GB memory

500GB hard drive

Thunderbolt port (up to 10 Gbps)
HDMI port supports multichannel audio output
Intel HD Graphics 4000

$509.00

Save $90.00
15% off

...sooooo tempted. ugh!

--rob
Click to expand...

Over at j&r (http://www.jr.com/apple/pe/APP_MD387LL_SL_A/) you can pick up a new Mac Mini for $564, free shipping (and for me, no tax).With tax in the apple store if your state has it it is usually almost/near the same. I live in michigan so 6% sales tax is about 31$, + 509 = $540. You're saving about $23 buying refurbished from Apple vs new from j&r. Not a huge savings!
 
glenthompson said:
It seems like any time I check the Mac Mini listings in the refurb store, it's only servers available. Any conjecture on why this is? I wouldn't think that there would be at may Mini servers returned.

Of course, I just checked and there's a base model now available. Figures :)
Click to expand...

I went with the server edition anyway.

it's the only mini that comes with two hard drives already installed, which aren't exactly "easy" to install on your own after you get the thing home.

However, in the case that you're really just looking for a media server and want the baseline $599 mini, then I do sympathize.
 
troy14 said:
Over at j&r (http://www.jr.com/apple/pe/APP_MD387LL_SL_A/) you can pick up a new Mac Mini for $564, free shipping (and for me, no tax).With tax in the apple store if your state has it it is usually almost/near the same. I live in michigan so 6% sales tax is about 31$, + 509 = $540. You're saving about $23 buying refurbished from Apple vs new from j&r. Not a huge savings!
Click to expand...

In most states, if you don't pay sales tax you're merely deferring to pay it later as a use tax. In other words, the comparison of Tax vs. Tax Free is really flawed and utterly meaningless for those Americans in states with no sales tax at all. Also, that place is in NYC, for NYC buyers it's like 10% total sales tax applied on their purchase from j&r if you want to perform the tax to tax prices. Not to mention the fact that most folks have probably never heard of that random nyc retailer.
 
Omnius said:
In most states, if you don't pay sales tax you're merely deferring to pay it later as a use tax. In other words, the comparison of Tax vs. Tax Free is really flawed and utterly meaningless for those Americans in states with no sales tax at all. Also, that place is in NYC, for NYC buyers it's like 10% total sales tax applied on their purchase from j&r if you want to perform the tax to tax prices. Not to mention the fact that most folks have probably never heard of that random nyc retailer.
Click to expand...
1. J&R is hardly a random NYC retailer. It is a prominent online retailer.
2. Compliance rates on use tax are lower than the sales and use tax rates themselves in most states. Most folks don't even bother to pretend.

I'm in Ohio, so there is no sales tax from Amazon, J&R, or B&H--the random NYC retailer from which I bought my Mac mini--but there is sales tax from Apple. It does factor into my calculations.
 
It's hardly a good idea to assume people will engage in criminal behavior or to counsel people to engage in such behavior.
 
Omnius said:
It's hardly a good idea to assume people will engage in criminal behavior or to counsel people to engage in such behavior.
Click to expand...
1. I don't really disagree with you.

But...
2. I didn't counsel anyone to engage in criminal behavior.
3. It's not simply an assumption. Individual use tax compliance rates in pure self-assessment states like Ohio are negligible. So I understand the calculation folks are making.

It's unfortunate, but we live in a legal system under which we each innocently commit countless crimes, many of them felonies, every day. This reality does little to promote respect for the law...including easily evaded taxes.
 
I was curious... do retail Apple stores have refurbs? or is it just online? (I guess I can always check Best Buy for open box stuff too)

--rob
 
robo456 said:
I was curious... do retail Apple stores have refurbs? or is it just online? (I guess I can always check Best Buy for open box stuff too)

--rob
Click to expand...

Just apple.com has the refurbs. They usually update the store monday night. I know all the Mini's were available for a couple hours on Monday and then gone by Tuesday. Best advice is to check always and check often. They won't go more than week or so without being updated but if they are then you have to be ready to buy that second.
 
[[ It's unfortunate, but we live in a legal system under which we each innocently commit countless crimes, many of them felonies, every day. This reality does little to promote respect for the law...including easily evaded taxes. ]]

"There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them...you create a nation of lawbreakers – and then you cash in on guilt. Now that's the system, Mr. Rearden."

-- Ayn Rand, "Atlas Shrugged"
 
glenthompson said:
It seems like any time I check the Mac Mini listings in the refurb store, it's only servers available. Any conjecture on why this is? I wouldn't think that there would be at may Mini servers returned.

Of course, I just checked and there's a base model now available. Figures :)
Click to expand...

People looking for a deal on a cheap mini are going to be checking the refurb store a lot and will snatch them up quickly when there's a good deal. People willing to pay a premium for a server model probably aren't as concerned about paying a few extra bucks for a new one, or may be weary about a refurb (not that they should be).

Just my two cents.
 
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