The different between New & Refurbished MBP

Hi Khalid,

A refurbished computer from Apple does not automatically mean it is a "used" computer. Apple doesn't sell used computers they sell new computers and refurbished computers. A refurbished computer is not brand new, if it was then it would be sold as new... not refurbished.

A refurbished machine indicates that at some point the "new from factory" seal was broken and thus the machine can no longer be sold as brand new. The degree of what qualified the machine as refurbished varies and there's absolutely no way to tell or know for certain. Apple has a unique serial number identifier for refurbished computers that is different than the machine's original serial number.

To the end user, there will be zero discernible difference (externally) between a new Apple computer and a refurbished computer. So no, you're not going to get someone's used, broken and repaired computer.

There is no difference between a refurbished Mac and a new one (provided you're looking at the same models and you're talking about Apple's refurbished store). A refurbished Mac will come in a plain brown box vs. Apple's "off the shelf" packaging. You get the same warranty, plus the benefit of a machine that has been checked out and confirmed to be working properly... all at a significant savings.

A number of people are likely to post there experiences here with refurbished Apple products. Most people are very happy with them. Products end up in the refurbished store for any number of reasons. The most common is returns. For example, someone buys a new MacBook and in two days a new model comes out so they decide they want the new one. They take the one they just bought back so they can upgrade to the new model. Apple can no longer sell that machine as "new" if it had been opened. So a tech will test out the machine and it ends up in Apple's refurbished store.

There is no maximum length of time that a refurbished machine might have been used previously, except that Apple doesn't sell any refurbs older than one generation prior to the current models. You can generally assume that a refurb has been used lightly for a very short time, though it's possible for a refurb machine to be one that was returned because it was nonfunctional, restored to new condition and put back on the market. Ultimately it makes no difference to you as the buyer how long your refurb was used before you bought it, because it has the same warranty as a brand new machine.

Apple undoubtedly has reasons for pricing things as it does, but you won't get any explanation of them.

Message was edited by: eww