Specifics of refurbishment process

Apple does not publish the step by step process. However I can tell you first hand that you will not be able to tell an Apple Refurbished product from a new one. I am writing this on my 2011 27" iMac that has worked perfectly since day one. I also have a refurbished Mac mini (2012) that has also worked perfectly since I got it from Apple. Third, I had a MacBook Pro that was a refurb and it too was a great performer.

You won't find any downside to buying one.

You are assuming the machines are used, that isn't necessarily the case. It is common in retail to return stock for ANY reason down to a mark on the box that the computer comes in. Why would you even care, it comes with the same warranty as a new machine, is eligible for AppleCare which extends the warranty to 3 years and is virtually identical to a new machine.

By the way, Apple does not read or post on these forums we are all end users like yourself. They are simply the hosts of the forum.

Additionally, Apple allows you 14 days to return the device for any reason for a full refund. So, you can take it back if you don't like it. Remember though: you should not open the unit as the only parts user accessible are the RAM slots on 27" iMacs - anything else by anyone other than an authorized service technician will result in voiding your warranty.

FWIW, if you are that worried about malware or malicious hardware, I certainly would recommend not buying anything anywhere.

The specific refurbishment process is outlined on the Refurbished and Clearance Page of the website. Try this:

www.apple.com-->scroll down to Apple Store(Refurbished and Clearance), click on that link-->On that page, look for the link "Refurbishment Process" and click on that link.

That outlines the complete process.

First: we do not work for Apple. We are fellow users who help with your use of Apple products. We are not privy to Apple's policies, nor are we allowed to ever speculate.

No there isn't another forum - at least that a consumer would be privy to. My comment was in response to a question which implied that you do not trust anything and it is clear that you do not. Although no one here works for Apple, I do not believe that they would no more reveal their refurbishment process as they would their design process for new devices.

So, as one of the consumers here, I am not aware of any way that you could oversee or investigate the process. There would also not be any other forum. And I will repeat my earlier comment with good intentions: if you do not trust their statements about the process, buying such a product is not a good idea because you will always wonder.

There is no such forums.

These are it!

Like rkaufmann87 stated, there is no downside, AT ALL, purchasing a refurbished Apple Product.

They inspect and warranty as new and you have a 14 day return window if you find any issue with your refurbed Mac.

These refurbed products have had no issues with security.

Everyone on this post, including me, have many years of volunteering our knowledge in these forums and none of us have never seen any posts regarding any security issues or security breaches linked to purchasing Apple refurb computing products.

Your security concerns are overreaching and really should NOT be of concern.

Unless, of course, you actually work for a government agency.

Purchase the refurb Mac you like and enjoy it when you get it.

Good Luck to You!

z190 wrote:

Hello IdrisSeabright,

Per the original post, my question was regarding the semantics of the information presented on this webpage: "I would like to know what the refurbishment process performed at Apple entails ( i.e. when the process is described as "rigorous" on the Apple Certified Refurbishment webpage, or "undergoes full functionality testing and any defective modules identified in testing are replaced", to what depth is this done? )? " Does "full functionality testing" mean testing for data integrity in the underlying firmware/software, or something else? In short, I am looking for a more detailed description of the refurbishment process than what is presented in the "Apple Certified Refurbished Products" webpage, and would like to know, if one may exist, where to find it?

As I don't work for Apple (almost no one in these forums does), all I can do is refer you to the relevant documentation. I do not have anymore ability to interpret it than do you. I do however, probably have less interest in the answers than you do. I have purchased a refurbished MacBook Air now in it's sixth year of use so I don't feel much more need for clarification than that.

See this link:

http://www.apple.com/shop/browse/home/specialdeals/refurbfaq_popup

babowa wrote:

FWIW, if you are that worried about malware or malicious hardware, I certainly would recommend not buying anything anywhere.

😎