When buying an apple computer, is there any reason to not go for a refurb?

rm01 · 7 months

If apple care can be purchased I say why not try it.

Muddybulldog · 6 months

Apple provides the same exact service for their refurbished products as their new products. Same warranty, same service, fully eligible for AppleCare. It's treated exactly the same from a support perspective.

Their quality control is supposed to be that if you took a refurb product and put it next to a brand new one you should see no difference. They don't send out scuffed, dented or blemished product. They only send out product that appears and acts brand new.

Bear in mind, the bulk of Apple's refurb equipment is likely unused or briefly used. No questions asked product returns are a significant source of refurb equipment during the product's sales-cycle and once a product reaches the end of it's sales-cycle it only gets sold as a refurb, even if it's brand new.

mbrady · 6 months

It's been scientifically proven that 45% of refurb products are in fact contaminated with cooties.

mike413 · 7 months

I bought a refurb iPod nano. Came in a plain cardboard box and the headphones were shorter than normal ones. They won't reach from my ears to my pocket. The iPod looked brand new and I've had no issue with it. I would definitely do it again. And you get a 1 year built in warranty with all Apple computers anyway.

dav · 6 months

still using a PowerMac G5, purchased in 2004. It arrived with an upgraded hard drive and graphics card (better than what was listed in the Apple store refurb site). I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Apple refurbished product.

Mattyi · 6 months

I bought a refurb iMac in Oct 2008. Used the extra cash to buy an applecare package.

I'm typing this message on it right now. It's my primary computer still, and I've had absolutely zero problems with it.

lukejames · 6 months

I have purchased nothing but refurb for about 5 years now. When there's no problem. Cool. No problem. But to be honest, there has often a problem... but the problem pops up early on. I take it in, they give me a new one. Voila! Saved money, got it new anyway. So it works for me.

dz1262 · 6 months

My father bought a refurb MacBook pro. Has never given him a single problem. Runs like butter. He got apple care for it and in the three years he has had the machine he has never actually needed to use it. He in no way needed the latest and greatest and he still does not push that machine to its limit.

technicolormotorhome · 6 months

I have bought several computers via refurb over the years. I recommend it.

beatmaster23 · 6 months

Owner of 2 refurbished macs here. They looked brand new when i got them back in 2006 and 2008, no complaints at all. Go for it, same some bucks.

floydiandroid · 6 months

I've bought laptops, desktops, monitors, and ipods refurb from Apple..all are 100%.

Pratchett · 6 months

I have a Macbook refurb that has had absolutely no problems nearly a year later.

fix3r · 6 months

I bought a refurb 2010 MacBook Pro 17" about a year ago.

They come in different boxes (non-retail), you may get iLife on a separate disk. Apart from that it was a new laptop for all intents and purposes. A year on it's still as good as new, not a problem in sight.

And I saved £500!

mike413 · 6 months

I have bought MANY apple refurbs over the years, ibook, powermac g5, mac pro, imac, ipad x 3.

Cosmetically, they were all perfect, and not one of them has had any kind of premature failure. The only difference was money, and that they come in a brown outer shipping box.

SproutandtheBean · 6 months

None. I've owned two refurbs and they've been amazing. One lasted 4 years and I'm currently about a year into my second.

The way an apple Genius friend of mine put it: Most electronic devices have an "early failure period." After this period of time, things usually last quite a bit longer. Refurb Macs have had a part of their system hit this "early failure period" and have had the item that failed repaired and completely recertified by Apple. So in theory, the rest of hte system should be fine. Plus they have the full warranty on them and you can buy AppleCare. Great deals.

They're great deals. I don't buy things any other way from Apple.

Also, should say that i don't ever buy refurb electronics. But I do from Apple.

ebbv · 6 months

There are reasons but most of them are irrational (e.g. "I don't like used electronics.)

The best reason is right after a hardware refresh there will be a delay until that updated hardware is available as a refurb. So if you want to buy the latest and greatest, you may or may not be able to get it as a refurb right now.

But most of the reasons are dumb. It comes with a warranty and anything that was wrong with it has been fixed. You can buy AppleCare just like a new product (and you should for a laptop/iMac.)

Stingray88 · 7 months

Personally, if I'm already paying over a grand for a product, I'd much rather have a brand new and pay a couple extra hundred. I also just don't like the idea of used electronics, refurbed or not. I don't trust people's ability to take care of things.

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