Unpacking a Refurbished Apple MacBook
October 31, 2006
Everyone always gets to see the latest and greatest Apple hardware in all its unpacking glory but what about those of us that go the refurbished route. It is no surprise that Apple offers some great deals when it comes to purchasing a refurbished Mac from their online store. Everyone likes to save a few bucks now and then. But what exactly are you getting when you purchase a refurbished product? You may be a little surprised when the refurbished product shows up on your doorstep, because if this is the first time you have purchased a Mac your computer won’t be arriving in that great packaging that Apple is known for. The price to pay for saving some money I guess.
Now rest assured that all Apple Certified Refurbished products are covered by Apple’s One-Year Limited Warranty. And for extended coverage, you also have the option of purchasing the AppleCare Protection Plan with your Apple Certified Refurbished product.
Basically you just don’t get the fancy box.
Apple Reconditioned Product is displayed on the side of the box.
After opening the box you will find the included accessories in an insert just inside the box. Not quite as impressive as the Non Refurbished MacBook.
After lifting out the tray you can see the MacBook securely placed in the bottom of the box.
After opening the tray you can see all of the included MacBook accessories.
After lifting out the accessory tray completely the MacBook can be seen in all its glory.
The refurbished MacBook comes completely wrapped in plastic.
Once the MacBook is completely unpacked it boots up just fine.
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44 Responses to “Unpacking a Refurbished Apple MacBook”
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Hi!
I was woundering if the refurbished Mac is cheaper?
Than a new mac!?
Best regards; Roberto A.
Yes, they are. I purchased a refurbished Macbook this past summer, and it was considerably less than a new one (I also lucked out and got a few free upgrades in the process-a larger harddrive and some extra RAM).
Mine has been smoking since day one.
Quote: “Mine has been smoking since day one.”
I’d send it back!
[...] What you get when you unpack an Apple refurbished product… [...]
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Hi Chet,
If you got a few free extras, did apple let you know or did they just forget that when the person returned it, it was an upgraded model?
At least you don’t have to worry about keeping the box it came in around. I just can’t make myself throw away my 3G iPod’s box because it feels so valuable.
[...] Original post by Macsupport and software by Elliott Back [...]
hey, I’m thinking about getting the same thing. I just thought the outside would be scratched, so both inside and out the mac is new-looking?
I’m thinking of getting a refurbed MacBook, but a bit worried that the casing make look worn. Is this a possibility? Or does Apple “clean” them up to look brand spanking new? Perhaps a new case alltogether?
Stephen,
The MacBook inside was in perfect condition. No case scratches what so ever. The only difference from what I can tell is it just shipped in a different box.
I bought a 14″ iBook last Feb. It was packed as this MacBook is/was. It looked like a new one. I saved $300 over the price of a new one. It works like a charm. Going to upgrade here soon and probably will go the same route. Just waiting for things to cycle for a while so maybe when i am ready to jump the Core2duos will be avalible refubed.
Rj
I bought a refurbished MacBook at the Apple Store in Seattle. They were really nice and let me look at all the MacBooks before picking one. None of them seemed worn or used. The only thing I would recommend if you do this is to turn on the computer and check for dead pixels. I ended up finding 2 on my computer. But, I did get it for a decent price, so I’m not going to complain.
I bought a refurbished Nano once and was prepared for some scratches but was surprised to find it in pristine condition. Maybe Apple replaces the shells? I heard from representatives of other companies that a lot of times what they sell as refurbished are products that are new and were returned because the original package was damaged in shipment or something like that.
Raj Mandalia : You are right my brother works at circuit city and he tells me they send all the damaged packaging goods and open box items back to manufacturers refurb department. He says some times the manufacturer is so into quality that if any seals or tape is damaged regardless of the rest of the package return it to them. So they are deals to be made. I personally only by refurb with a couple of companies because of their quality: Apple, HP printers, Creative Labs and Sony plasmas.
“I bought a refurbished Nano once and was prepared for some scratches but was surprised to find it in pristine condition. Maybe Apple replaces the shells?”
Ha. Um, not a chance. Anything sold and opened from apple can not be sold as new. It seems people take ‘refurbished’ as having been used for a year. Most of these items were either never opened before being sent back, or opened for a day, there was something the buyer didn’t like, so he sends it back.
>
Mike,
They didn’t say anything about it. I only found out when I booted up the system and happened to pull up the “About This Mac” info. I don’t know if they just forgot, or if an error was made or what. I just counted my blessings, and went on with life (funny thing was, I almost didn’t go for a refurb because I need to be able to customize, specifically, I needed more RAM and a bigger harddrive).
Chet
i purchased a refurbished powermac dual 2.0 g5 two years ago. still using, no problems, and it came with an upgraded graphics card and hd!
This is good info. I ordered myself a refurb MacBook Pro (My first Mac) a few days ago and it should be here tomorrow. I’m actually pretty excited, and maye I’ll luck out like Chet did, though I’m just happy to be getting anything at all…:)
Yeah, a lot of reports of getting “free” upgrades when ordering refurbs. I myself bought a refurb 20″ iMac Core Duo and got no free upgrades, but I’ve heard lots of stories of people who have gotten upgrades.
[...] No, it’ll come in a brown cardboard "Apple Refurbished" box. Something like this: Unpacking a Refurbished Apple MacBook at Macsupport It’s nothing fancy, but the money saved is well worth it. __________________ [...]
Can I buy a refurb from a Mac store. If I go the online route, which site have you bought from… is the best to buy from?
Sam, I believe the Apple online store is the only place you can purchase a refurbished Macintosh. Anyone know anywhere else that you can pickup a refurbished Mac?
Apple does not sell refurbished MAcs in their retail stores. Only at the online store. The retail stores sell opened box returns which are not refurbished, just restored (erased).
The thing with the free upgrades is that Apple only lists the base configurations on the refurb website. There are not enough units with certain upgrades (and too many different configurations) to list them separately.
So, if they get a machine that has been upgraded, they don’t take out the extra components (then they’d have to sell refurbished RAM and HD’s), but just leave it in.
My father just got a refurbished MacBook for his work, and had ordered 2GB’s of RAM and a 120 GB HD to self-upgrade it. When we started it up, I told him to check if he had any free upgrades. Lo and behold, he already had a 120GB HD.
I’m ordering a refurb MacBook for myself next week, so hopefully I’ll be as lucky.
Macs that are sold in store after being returned are sold as REFRESHED. This means they’ve been erased and have had the OS and original Software reinstalled. If you notice, they are exactly 10% cheaper than a new one (because Apple charges a 10% restocking fee).
[...] But don’t forget about Apple’s refurbished products service, which was also updated earlier today to accommodate the new upgrades. A white refurbished MacBook 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo is now available for only $899 with a one-year limited warranty. A black refurbished MacBook 2.0GHz Intel Core Duo is now only $1,099. MacSupport has a great article with pictures describing his experience unpacking his refurbished MacBook. [...]
I have been considering purchasing a refurbished macbook pro, and I think you guys just swayed my vote! We already own an emac, which we bought new four years ago, but since I run a business, I was wanting a more portable model…
NOW, my hardest decision is whether to go with a 15inch or the 17 inch! But perhaps I won’t be so greedy and I’ll just get the 15! :^) thanks for all the words of encouragement on this product! I really appreciate it!
I bought a 20″ iMac G4 refurbished and had to take it in and get a new motherboard. Then a year later the iMac died. What waste! I have had good results before. I bought a PowerBook 1400CS and had good luck with it. So, You do take your chances sometimes.
I’m getting a new Macbook (Black) this thursday which I ordered online. But after reading all your comments, I COULD HAVE SAVED $300!! But hey, it is still a spanking new Mac.
I like the idea of buying a refurbished MacBook Pro since it’s cheaper, but do you think they’ll give away a refurbished MacBook, MacBook Pro, iBook, or PowerBook for free? Part of the reason why I’d rather do this is I don’t want to be disappointed assuming that it’s as best as a non-refurbished one.
I’d really like to have an Apple notebook right beside my 12 inch HP Pavillion tx1000. I don’t know why, but it’ll definitely make me stop admiring them.
I just bought my daughter a refurb MacBook at $500 OFF the retail ($1300 vs. $800).
Just be warned that the deals come and go in a flash. I saw two others the day before and by the time I got my CC number, they were GONE! I set up the ‘1-click’ option so that wouldn’t happen again.
She hasn’t received it yet but I’ve only heard good things about refurbished Apple products.
I believe most of what Apple has as a “Refurbished” unit has not even made it to a customer. If they are refurbs, more than likely they did not pass through quality inspection first time around. A non working unit would be tested for failed components, repaired and then packed back up as a refurb.
Now on to more radical theories…When Apple unveils a new computer, for instants a new Macbook, or Macbook Pro, I’m sure there are still plenty of older logic boards, processors, graphic cards, LCD’s etc left over from the older model. It only makes sense to use these components to sell computers. What better way to do this than to call it a “Refurbished” unit. Who wants to buy a new computer with last years technologies when a brand new one is available for the same price. If you keep building it and call it a refurb, people know they are getting last build technologies and they accept it. Apple gets the best of both worlds. They get to sell brand new units to those who must have the latest and greatest and they get to deplete their inventory of old parts and sell old stock to everyone else who loves to save a few bucks!
So, to answer a few questions about how new the computer looks…It probably looks new because it is new… Just my two cents.
-Ed
I’m looking for some advice if anyone has the time.
I teach high school English. Word processing, email, research of course. But, I need to develop a killer website with links for my students who miss classess. I am planning to video and download my lectures and field trips that go with my curriculum–for example, I plan to visit Cold Mtn and create a lecture series to go with the novel since my kids can’t get a field trip. Plus, it will be great to have the info on my website for students who are absent, sick, etc. I want to download video, edit with the iLife software, maybe purchasing Final Cut software. What capabilities on a MacBook? Extended warranty? .Mac for website support?
I was recently thinking of purchasing a refurbished MacBook but I am a little short on money. What is the cheapest price online for a refurbished MacBook?
~Audry
Audry,
It’s been my experience that Amazon (when in stock) will sometimes have both the cheapest and not so cheap when it comes to refurbished units. Recently I had just missed out on buying a MB061LL/A unit (White 2.0Ghz, 1 gig, 80 gig hardrive and combo CDR/DVD ) for $826.39. This normally sells at $1099 as a new unit. I seen the same sell for more than Apple would sell a refurbished unit for also. What Amazon does is resell returns that have a damaged box. They check the unit for damage and blemishes. If no damage is done, they reseal the box and sell it through their subsidiary “Warehouse Deals” found only through Amazon as a refurbished unit. The other nice thing about Amazon…no sales tax. Apple charges sales tax even online. This is because they have retail stores in the state you live in. Not unless you live in a state with no sales tax.
Just do a search on Amazons website “Macbook” and check it daily. I expect a new batch of reburbs to be available before Christmas. So keep a close eye….when they have them for a good price, they don’t last long.
-Ed
Thanks, I’ll look.
…anybody any BAD experiences they’d like to share with buying a refurbished MacBook? Im considering getting a refurbished one…
Hi, I just bought a refurb 15″ MacBook Pro. On the very first night after I opened up the box, my macbook pro screen go blank!!!! No choice but to call apple care centre, and they promise to exhange 1 for 1, of course the new one will still be a refurb. And one I am waiting for a new piece to arrive. Keep my finger cross.
[...] another guy’s opinion on his purchase of a refurbished Apple Macbook, you can read his blog here. He has pictures that he’s posted showing everything that he got in the mail. Like he [...]
I just ordered a refurb MacBook from Apple Canada. It’s amazing, I’m so impressed, this week I’ll be upgrading from Tiger to the Leopard upgrade which was included in the box. I think this computer was mid 07 issue, I got it in March-08 for $999 Cdn Apple online store, it has the superdrive which I wanted the new Intel chip. Take off $100 for the software upgrade? excellent, but I think I’ll order Apple Care before 3 months, just to be sure, cause I’m really loving this book and want us to be together for a long long time. I went refurb cause new with taxes etc. were out of reach, as long as you have Apple Care???? how can you lose???????? new machines can kake out too.
Suzanne, Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
How do I get to buy the laptop like this.
Are you able to return a refurbished macbook if you are unsatisfied with it?
Does anyone know if refurbished products can be returned or refunded? I’m considering buying a refurbished macbook but I’m worried that it may have cosmetic imperfections, such as scratches or discolouration?