Originally posted over 4 years ago by Jeff Dingwell
With upcoming purchases on the horizon, many of us have wondered whether buying refurbished Apple products is a smart move. Jeff Dingwell posed the question: What’s the “mileage” on products from Apple’s certified refurbished bin? Have these devices—be it a MacBook, iMac, or iPad—lived up to expectations? The community shared a wealth of experience, offering insights into both the benefits and occasional drawbacks of opting for refurbished Apple gear.
The Case for Refurbished Apple Products
A dominant theme in the discussion is the high quality and reliability of Apple’s refurbished offerings when bought from the official Apple store:
- Quality That Matches New:
Several users, including Stephen Thomas and Ian Carr, noted that devices like Cinema Displays, Thunderbolt Displays, iMacs, MacBooks, and iPads have been indistinguishable from new products. Jake Mauer and Chris C have had consistently positive experiences with multiple devices purchased from Apple’s refurb section. - Value for Money:
Many commenters, such as Matt K, emphasized the attractive pricing—sometimes nearly half the price of the latest models—without sacrificing performance or build quality. Even when minor issues do arise (like a display coating problem on a 2015 MacBook Pro, as mentioned by Cameron Getty), repairs have been straightforward and effective. - Warranty and Peace of Mind:
Ian Carr and Nelson Taruc highlighted the benefit of being able to purchase AppleCare with refurbished products, adding an extra layer of confidence. The rigorous inspection process that Apple uses for these products ensures that only well-maintained items make it to the refurbished store.
A Few Caveats
While the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, there were a couple of points to consider:
- Packaging and Unboxing:
Luke Bugbee pointed out that the unboxing experience of refurbished products isn’t quite as “special” as that of a brand-new Apple device—typically arriving in plain cardboard instead of the signature Apple box. - Product History:
Manny Larios, a former Apple employee, explained that most refurbished products are returns that Apple has thoroughly inspected and restored. Knowing that these devices have been used doesn’t seem to negatively impact their performance, but it’s good to be aware of where they come from.
Conclusion
The consensus from users like Stephen Thomas, Ian Carr, and many others is clear: buying certified refurbished Apple products from apple.com is a safe bet for those who don’t need the very latest release. With most devices performing as well as new ones and significant savings on the price, refurbished products offer excellent value. As long as you stick with the official refurbished store—and consider adding AppleCare—you’re likely to end up very satisfied with your purchase.