Would you buy (or have you bought) a MacBook Pro/Air that was unopened for four years (or similar!)? (M1 MacBook Pro, in particular)

[Tozovac]

Considering buying an M1 MacBook Pro for my wife whose 2014 MBA is on its last legs.

Great deal from a good seller, but in an unopened box at least 4 years old I'd estimate.

I'd predict the battery is at 0% but --- has anyone purchased an unopened "gem" similarly, and had zero issues? Any issues? Battery health was OK after some charge up and maybe some recalibration?

And I'd hope, worst case, a battery replacement would fix any issues...

Thanks!

 

[Fishrrman]

I probably would not. Could be risky.

IF you have a brick n mortar Apple store nearby, and IF the price is really really low, then it might be "a buy". I would bring it to the Apple store and have them replace the battery...

 

[DouglasCarroll]

It’s less than $100 to get a brand new battery for the M1 Macs from OWC so it’s no big deal to replace if you need to do that. I put a new OWC battery in my Sons M1 and it’s been flawless for the last 3 years. If it’s really a “good deal” then a battery replacement should be no “big deal”.

😀

 

[PotentPeas]

I say it's fine. Of course it will have no battery charge, but since the battery has not been used at all, it should be in OK shape once you charge it up. If you find yourself unsatisfied with the battery performance, just have the battery replaced.

 

[Apathist]

Woot still feels comfortable selling "new" MacBook Pro M1s even today (albeit without warranty), if that tells you anything.

 

[Tozovac]

Thanks @Apathist @PotentPeas @DouglasCarroll @Fishrrman. I'm taking a plunge on an open box 16" M1 Max 8TB 32gb for $1850 with free returns and a high rated seller. First non-Apple MacBook purchase in 20 years so we'll see. Tired of dongles, tired of portable SSD's. Fine with more real estate on the screen to get more useful work done on the couch and away from a large 4K monitor. With so little differences between it and the M4's I'm hoping this should hold me for 10 years.

I started this thread hunting for a light-duty replacement computer for my wife. She'll inherit my M1 2TB 16gb MBA I think, which I bought refurbished from Apple 3-4 years ago at $75 less than the M1 Max above.

If that isn't the definition of Win Winningest, I don't know what is.

 

[ignatius345]

Sorry if this is a naïve question -- but, assuming it wasn't exposed to super high temperatures, why would a battery be wrecked after sitting in storage not being used? Is that just a characteristic of lithium batteries?

 

[DeepSix]

Likely opened, dropped them repackaged. Anyone can buy resealers on Amazon.

 

[chrfr]

Considering buying an M1 MacBook Pro for my wife whose 2014 MBA is on its last legs.

Great deal from a good seller, but in an unopened box at least 4 years old I'd estimate.

I'd predict the battery is at 0% but --- has anyone purchased an unopened "gem" similarly, and had zero issues? Any issues? Battery health was OK after some charge up and maybe some recalibration?

And I'd hope, worst case, a battery replacement would fix any issues...

Thanks!

On some Macs, if the battery has fully discharged, the computer will not start up until the battery is replaced. This definitely happens to Mac laptops with the T2 chip, and it may affect Apple Silicon laptops too. I would not buy this unless it could be returned for a full refund.

 

[Tozovac]

Likely opened, dropped them repackaged. Anyone can buy resealers on Amazon.

Aren’t you a ray of sunshine.

 

[DeepSix]

Aren’t you a ray of sunshine.

I've seen it happen before. Don't say I didnt warn you. Nobody in their right mind would keep a laptop sealed for that long.

 

[Tozovac]

I've seen it happen before. Don't say I didnt warn you. Nobody in their right mind would keep a laptop sealed for that long.

I guess we'll cross our fingers and see. 90 day warrantee, free returns, advertised as pristine/unused as far as physical condition, keys, screen. Supposedly with original packaging and accessories. Definitely have an out with the free returns. Hoping for a similar experience to this fellow, time will tell.

 

[wordsworth]

I bought an M1 Air in November via eBay in the UK. It was at a very good price. 512 storage, 16 memory, space grey. Listed as brand new in box. Seller advised that battery charge may have run down and thus replacement battery required. As brand new laptop, it was advised by the seller, upon registering the machine Apple would replace the battery if replacement necessary.

I bought one. I wanted one of the classic Air laptops while they were still available but with the ‘right' configuration of memory and storage.

The battery was indeed dead though the Air works when connected to mains power. I haven’t really used it yet, as we then moved house and I became really, really busy. (I have a desktop, too, and an older Air.)

I did contact Apple after registering the Air and after a longish but ultimately helpful conversation it was flagged with Apple as requiring battery replacement. I haven't had time to go to the nearest Apple store yet. Soon, hopefully. Meanwhile, just to play safe, I immediately took out Apple Care, too.

I look forward to getting the Air sorted and up and running. It’s a lovely machine.

My seller was very helpful, when I bought it. Good luck with your purchase.

 

[Tozovac]

I look forward to getting the Air sorted and up and running. It’s a lovely machine.

My seller was very helpful, when I bought it. Good luck with your purchase.

Good luck too!

After @DeepSix's posts, I confirmed that the seller is actually an Apple Authorized Reseller, so now I'm hoping I receive something similar to an Apple refurbished "new" M1 Max MBP. Keep us posted too on your findings as will I.

 

[Tozovac]

My seller was very helpful, when I bought it. Good luck with your purchase.

Well so far so good I think. Package was obviously opened but re-taped cleanly. Box in great shape and s/n matches the MBP's.

MBP itself looks pristine, not a mark on the body, keyboard or screen. 100% battery health, 2 cycles. Arrived with around 50% charge. And Ventura 13.0 which I guess puts it at around 2.5 years old?

Knowing what a configuration like this costs new I never thought I'd own anything better than the M1 MBA 2TB/16GB I got 2-3 years ago. Finding an Apple Authorized Reseller (assuming they really are) seems to have been worth it so far.

Color me happy! Am especially glad the MacRumors seller with an M1 Max ghosted me, this was a much better deal overall.