New MacBook Pro got a lot of uptime already

Do you have a copy of just that portion of the system log file or activity monitor

history? Could be the item you refer to is more along the line of 'processor cycle'

time. I see some of those in my computer if it sees some use; certain parts of

the system show inordinate uptime usage that does not parallel real time.

Some more recent macOS and OS X show different details in the Activity Monitor

views than older versions do. The details changed just after or before Mavericks

10.9 and then some changed more later on. As I don't have Sierra or El Capitan

running on my (4) Macs, recent macOS likely have different info & presentations.

You could post a screenshot using the Finder keyboard shortcuts then upload

to the topic thread by using the camera icon in your reply window. IF you've not

done that before, here is a link to some info in the method to make/share those:

•How to Post a screenshot to the Apple Discussion Forums

discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6591

In any event...

Good luck & happy trails! 🙂

edited

If you have any scanning antivirus or other third party utilities that

may be causing the processor to run extra cycles, that'd add up

& create an 'artificial use-level' such as you note, outside real time.

Several non-recommended applications, cleanmymac, & antivirus

can cause odd effects in macOS; several can cause damages, too.

So once that happens, to have had a good quality backup without

those kinds of corrupting influences installed, allows one to revert.

Or just download everything again and to a point, start over.

One thing, if you bought direct from Apple (official retail) Store or the

Apple (official) web store, you can return the computer within 14-days

from purchase without issue. If you don't like it, etc, or for any reason.

In any event...

Good luck & happy trails! 🙂

An all-new Mac recently removed from retail packaging

isn't going to have any run-time on it, nor should there

be any indication of time-zones being set, etc.

Evidence, unless cleverly repackaged as to deceive, is

near obvious to those who are aware; however I've not

had but a few 'fully new' Apple products. Often enough

even the official "Apple refurbished" will show zero time

on their clock because they have properly been re-set

with a total refurbish and test before sent out for resale.

But I can see that by someone whose purchase had come

from an independent amazon, ebay, or craigslist seller; it

may be like the guy finding the 'new iPhone' that has an

'activation lock' & wants to use it -- evidently been owned.

Anyway, you'd have 14-days from original date of purchase

if the retail product had been bought through official Apple

retail store or the official web site, to return. ~For my last item

--I held off nearly 14 days were up, before choosing to keep...

I called Apple direct to ask about the returns. I'd never broken

the retail seal; but all returns get sent into be fully 'refurbished.'

And I finally chose to keep the Mac, my first new one in 11 yrs.

So I guess it really depends on what the 'independent reseller' did.

Some may simply put the item back in box & call it 'open stock'.

Apple doesn't do that, if the item is sold, and returned unopened,

it goes directly back to be refurbished even if exactly as-shipped.

In any event...

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂