Mac Guys: How about refurb units?

[Big Ed]

Considering a switch to the MacBook. Pretty decent savings buying a refurb unit direct from Apple. Any experience with these?

Other advice in general to a new Mac user would be appreciated.

[stomachmonkey]

What a lot of people do not realize is refurbs are sometimes nothing more than an open box return. IE; there was nothing wrng with it, it was just returned. Girl I worked with bought a white one and then decided she really wanted the black one, white one went back and since she'd broken the seal it's considered a refurb.

They are generally subject to an in depth inspection before they go back out.

You have up to a year to buy the Applecare extended warranty.

A number of people on the board have picked up the refurbed books. have not heard anything negative yet.

[jyl]

No problem, I've bought four refurbs (iMac, iBook, MacBook, iPod) and they were all the same as new. Same packaging, same software, same condition, same warranty, etc. Maybe a tiny scratch or mark but I probably put more use marks on them in the first week.

[fastpat]

It's a good way to break into a Mac. Go for it.

[dd74]

I know a couple people who bought refurbished Macs. None of them had a single problem that I recall.

[Big Ed]

Thanks, guys. Question 2: how do you feel about the Core Duo versus the Core 2 Duo processors?

[jyl]

Checked the refurb page on apple.com, only $50 difference between refurb MacBook white CoreDuo 2.0GHz and refurb MacBook white Core2Duo 1.83GHz, so seems like a no-brainer to get the Core2 Duo. I don't have a PC w/ Core2Duo but from reading tests seems the difference is worth $50.

One thing, I have 2GB DRAM in all my Macs. Recommend it, my MacBook runs much better than it did at 512MB. Bought at www.memoryx.net, the cheaper non-OEM version, currently $109 per 1GB. If the $50 savings btwn CoreDuo and Core2Duo would make the diff btwn getting more memory or not, I'd go for the additional memory.

[Big Ed]

wow, between last night and right now, the refurb inventory went from something like 6-7 different configurations to only 2. Guess that isn't really surprising.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally posted by Big Ed
wow, between last night and right now, the refurb inventory went from something like 6-7 different configurations to only 2. Guess that isn't really surprising.

THat could go back up in a day or so. Constant flux.

+1 on memory. I'd get the Core 2 and as much RAM as you can afford.

memoryx is a good source.

I just picked up 2 GB for my MacPro tower. $350 vs $700+ from Apple.

Funny thing is the RAM from memoryx came in an Apple parts box. It's memory that is sold for service desks so it's the official Apple approved stuff which is critical on the tower as it uses expanded heat sinks.

[Porsche]

Definitely go for as much memory as possible. OSX is comfortable with at least 1 Gb, especially if you want to use MS Office for Mac.

Keep in mind that the RAM provided by Apple is meant to be slightly faster than the generic but cheaper RAM out there, and also generic RAM will not be covered by the Apple warranty (which should apply even with refurbished units).

[rs6er]

Apple refurbs are great. I've never need more than 1 gig of RAM.