Getting a refurbished MacBook Pro
Hi all. I was going to get the "next" MacBook but I need a new laptop now, not a few months from now. My battery on my 12" PB, the third one, has been dead for months and it's killing me. I'm getting a new laptop so I'm not sinking money in to a fourth one. So, I noticed the refurb MacBook Pros, and they seems like particularly good deals, even for a refurb!
I'm going to get the one for $1499, the 15" with dual 2ghz, 1 gig RAM, 100 gig drive, and unfortunately a matte screen. I wish this setup came with a glossy screen. The same exact thing except a paltry .16ghz faster, but with the glossy screen, is $100 more. I'm going to call to see if there is a dual 2ghz with the 1 gig RAM with a glossy for $1499.
Anyway, what is everyone's experience with refurbs? Is the warranty still the same as if it was a new machine? How are they? Will the battery be new? Thanks for the input. This is my first refurb.
I'm going to get the one for $1499, the 15" with dual 2ghz, 1 gig RAM, 100 gig drive, and unfortunately a matte screen. I wish this setup came with a glossy screen. The same exact thing except a paltry .16ghz faster, but with the glossy screen, is $100 more. I'm going to call to see if there is a dual 2ghz with the 1 gig RAM with a glossy for $1499.
Anyway, what is everyone's experience with refurbs? Is the warranty still the same as if it was a new machine? How are they? Will the battery be new? Thanks for the input. This is my first refurb.
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Hi all. I was going to get the "next" MacBook but I need a new laptop now, not a few months from now. My battery on my 12" PB, the third one, has been dead for months and it's killing me. I'm getting a new laptop so I'm not sinking money in to a fourth one.
Don't the batteries have warranties? You don't say how old your current unit is, or how old the battery is, but I thought they had a decent warranty length.
Anyway, what is everyone's experience with refurbs? Is the warranty still the same as if it was a new machine? How are they? Will the battery be new? Thanks for the input. This is my first refurb.
I have bought four Apple computers through the Certified program. The warranty is the same, and it still qualifies for Apple Care at the same price. I don't think the battery is necessarily new, it may or may not be. My battery was exchanged a couple months ago with the recall program, but I couldn't tell the difference between them.
Incidentally, I can't get to the computer section of Apple's refurb store right now, it says that my session is expired but I don't understand why that would happen.
I think the $1499 model is occasionally offered in glossy, but maybe those in that price bracket are still pre-glossy.
Don't the batteries have warranties? You don't say how old your current unit is, or how old the battery is, but I thought they had a decent warranty length.
I have bought four Apple computers through the Certified program. The warranty is the same, and it still qualifies for Apple Care at the same price. I don't think the battery is necessarily new, it may or may not be. My battery was exchanged a couple months ago with the recall program, but I couldn't tell the difference between them.
Incidentally, I can't get to the computer section of Apple's refurb store right now, it says that my session is expired but I don't understand why that would happen.
I think the $1499 model is occasionally offered in glossy, but maybe those in that price bracket are still pre-glossy.
Batteries: Yes and no. If it's 18 months old or so, it's not going to be covered. They consider them "consumable items." I had this out with Apple with my 18 month old PBG4. They refused to replace it under Apple Care. On a side note, my Dell laptop's battery (Latitude D610, given to me at work) battery 90% gone after 15 months. It lasts for 15 minutes or so. Dell is replacing it, but still. Piece of shit!
I think I'm going to pull the trigger this week, or next, on the refurb. So, the battery in it won't be new? I'd expect it would have to be at least only a few months old, and that's stretching it. I was thinking they would perhaps stick in a new one? I guess not?
Still looks like a good deal all considered. The prices are just too damn good.
Man those prices are exceptional. I ordered a C2d MBP (should pick up today) and those prices almost make me wonder if I made the right move.
Aquatic,
Man those prices are exceptional. I ordered a C2d MBP (should pick up today) and those prices almost make me wonder if I made the right move.
I think you did. The Core 2 should have some significant performance gains. It's also a Rev B product which is almost always better from Apple. See AI's take on what they changed. Isn't the D/L superdrive new too? Plus, the 120GB drive is standard. I probably has the 256MB graphics standard. That's key.
Yep, batteries suck. I wish someone would invent a battery that doesn't die. Not a fuel cell, just a battery that lives forever. Or I'd settle for at least a few years. Come on Sony do something useful!
I think I'm going to pull the trigger this week, or next, on the refurb. So, the battery in it won't be new? I'd expect it would have to be at least only a few months old, and that's stretching it. I was thinking they would perhaps stick in a new one? I guess not?
Still looks like a good deal all considered. The prices are just too damn good.
Hell, I'd be happy if it last three years, or even two. I'm telling you...my PB was down to 60% or less in 18 months. I was getting about 1:15 out of it at the end. Sucks ass.
I also think you may be right about the battery for the refurb. It's got to be a few months old. Refurb stuff scares me anyway. It likely had something wrong with it when they took it back. Maybe it was the screen, or the HD or maybe the motherboard failed. Who knows. These things happen, and you'll never know what it was. It could just be a return, but I doubt it.
Hell, I'd be happy if it last three years, or even two. I'm telling you...my PB was down to 60% or less in 18 months. I was getting about 1:15 out of it at the end. Sucks ass.
I also think you may be right about the battery for the refurb. It's got to be a few months old. Refurb stuff scares me anyway. It likely had something wrong with it when they took it back. Maybe it was the screen, or the HD or maybe the motherboard failed. Who knows. These things happen, and you'll never know what it was. It could just be a return, but I doubt it.
Well I'm typing my reply from my new C2D MBP I just picked up at lunch. No regrets. A refurb at Apple's prices still an attractive option though.