Thoughts on refurb macs?

[Hikaru12]

Didn't know where to else put this so mods please move this if necessary. Now, I actually sold off my Toshiba 17" laptop a little while back because it was bulky, hard to carry around and I needed the money. I originally paid $750 for it and it was top of the line at the time. Now, I'm on the search for a new laptop for university in the fall (right now I just use my desktop for any real work). I was wondering if any of you guys have had any experience with refurbished MacBooks? I found a pretty good deal on Best Buy (yes I know they're prices are outrageous and Apple is expensive) for about $400. Here's the laptop I'm referring to: LINK

 

I have no real reason to go with Apple other then I've always wanted to try it. I wanted to build a good gaming Hackingtosh for about $800 but if I need a laptop and I'm just using it for papers then I don't see why the above wouldn't be a good deal if I upgrade the RAM and swap for a SSD if possible.

 

If you guys do have horror stories from Apple refurbished, then by all means please recommend a good $400 laptop (with an i3 if possible ) to install Linux Mint on. Again, I just need something small around the 11" to 13" range to write papers on and I don't want to use Windows because I want to try something new.

 

Thanks!

[Jogostar]

I got an Macbook 2009/10 refurbished, and had no problems so far.

Only one time, where the HDD failed, but that can happen to any Laptop.

[DarrenP]

Didn't know where to else put this so mods please move this if necessary. Now, I actually sold off my Toshiba 17" laptop a little while back because it was bulky, hard to carry around and I needed the money. I originally paid $750 for it and it was top of the line at the time. Now, I'm on the search for a new laptop for university in the fall (right now I just use my desktop for any real work). I was wondering if any of you guys have had any experience with refurbished MacBooks? I found a pretty good deal on Best Buy (yes I know they're prices are outrageous and Apple is expensive) for about $400. Here's the laptop I'm referring to: LINK

 

I have no real reason to go with Apple other then I've always wanted to try it. I wanted to build a good gaming Hackingtosh for about $800 but if I need a laptop and I'm just using it for papers then I don't see why the above wouldn't be a good deal if I upgrade the RAM and swap for a SSD if possible.

 

If you guys do have horror stories from Apple refurbished, then by all means please recommend a good $400 laptop (with an i3 if possible ) to install Linux Mint on. Again, I just need something small around the 11" to 13" range to write papers on and I don't want to use Windows because I want to try something new.

 

Thanks!

I had that Mac, It was okay like 3 years ago, Wouldn't buy again. I had the fully upgraded version though/ 

[Oshino Shinobu]

Despite all the flack that Apple gets, their products are built well. I've had a refurbished MacBook Aluminium (It's a MacBook Pro without Pro written on it) For a few years and haven't had any problems really. If you're just using it for web browsing, word etc then you should be fine with it.

[DarrenP]

Didn't know where to else put this so mods please move this if necessary. Now, I actually sold off my Toshiba 17" laptop a little while back because it was bulky, hard to carry around and I needed the money. I originally paid $750 for it and it was top of the line at the time. Now, I'm on the search for a new laptop for university in the fall (right now I just use my desktop for any real work). I was wondering if any of you guys have had any experience with refurbished MacBooks? I found a pretty good deal on Best Buy (yes I know they're prices are outrageous and Apple is expensive) for about $400. Here's the laptop I'm referring to: LINK

 

I have no real reason to go with Apple other then I've always wanted to try it. I wanted to build a good gaming Hackingtosh for about $800 but if I need a laptop and I'm just using it for papers then I don't see why the above wouldn't be a good deal if I upgrade the RAM and swap for a SSD if possible.

 

If you guys do have horror stories from Apple refurbished, then by all means please recommend a good $400 laptop (with an i3 if possible ) to install Linux Mint on. Again, I just need something small around the 11" to 13" range to write papers on and I don't want to use Windows because I want to try something new.

 

Thanks!

The thing i would recommend, is do what i did. Save up some money, get the cheap not retina, Macbook pro. And just deck the hell out of it as you can afford it.

 

I added:

16GB of RAM

256GB Samsung 840 Pro

OWC Data Doubler

500GB WD Blue Series drive.

 

Truth be told it out preforms my mums highest end brand new Macbook Pro the 15" one.

[Hans Christian | Teri]

The old 13" MBP's are starting to struggle somewhat. I definitely suggest you save up some money and at least get a gen that's running Core i5 / i7.

[Bonsai99]

I would say yes if it an aluminum one but it is one of those gross white plastic ones.

[Guest]

Didn't know where to else put this so mods please move this if necessary. Now, I actually sold off my Toshiba 17" laptop a little while back because it was bulky, hard to carry around and I needed the money. I originally paid $750 for it and it was top of the line at the time. Now, I'm on the search for a new laptop for university in the fall (right now I just use my desktop for any real work). I was wondering if any of you guys have had any experience with refurbished MacBooks? I found a pretty good deal on Best Buy (yes I know they're prices are outrageous and Apple is expensive) for about $400. Here's the laptop I'm referring to: LINK

 

I have no real reason to go with Apple other then I've always wanted to try it. I wanted to build a good gaming Hackingtosh for about $800 but if I need a laptop and I'm just using it for papers then I don't see why the above wouldn't be a good deal if I upgrade the RAM and swap for a SSD if possible.

 

If you guys do have horror stories from Apple refurbished, then by all means please recommend a good $400 laptop (with an i3 if possible ) to install Linux Mint on. Again, I just need something small around the 11" to 13" range to write papers on and I don't want to use Windows because I want to try something new.

 

Thanks!

Refurbished Macs are almost BETTER than normal ones, because they go through to make sure nothing is broken, and they replace it if they do. So it's basically a verified new mac; even scratched cases get replaced.

[Wauthar]

I'd say, for $400 a Mac is justifiable.

[xXxYOLOxSWAGxXx_420BlazeIt]

You might as well use the education discount and get it new. The education and refurbs are both 15% cheaper than the new price.

[Ertman]

Is it truly refurbished? The link provided is for a 3rd party seller, so who knows what testing and repairs they have actually performed. This also does not take into account warranty and support. Refurbished MacBooks are good buys from Apple, but I would hesitate from third parties.

$418 for that MacBook is too much. A better spec'd version and newer macbook can be had in the used market (so not refurbished) for around $300.

[applebook]

This thing is terrible. I wouldn't touch it for half that price. The screen is ATROCIOUS, not even acceptable for typing. There is no glass trackpad. The best part about Macbooks is the awesome trackpad. You won't find it on this dud. For this price, you can easily get a used, good condition 2010 unibody Macbook with a substantially better screen, glass trackpad, and other features that actually make it a Mac.

[Hikaru12]

Hmm I'm not sure what to do here. A new one would certainly be a good deal but I don't need something top of the line for papers and web browsing. I've never seen a I3 version MacBook. I'm willing to up myself to about 500 to 600 but that's about as high as I'd go. Great battery life isnt a must either but would be nice. If it is possible to get by on a Core 2 Duo on older versions of OSX then I might try eBay but I've gotten burned on eBay before so that's why I'm weary of buying a used laptop on there.