In this article, we’ll dive into the differences between the three, and will discuss why buying a used mac that has been renewed by a trusted seller is always the best option. So how can you tell that you are getting a computer that will function as powerfully as you need it to for as long as you’d like it to ? It starts by understanding the common terms used by Apple resellers: renewed, refurbished and used. And even though used Apple computers are deemed to be some of the most reliable on the market, they may have problems if they haven’t been properly renewed (or haven’t been renewed at all - as can be the case if you buy a laptop simply labeled “used,” but we’ll dive deeper into that in a minute) or if they come from a seller with a less-than-perfect reputation. After all, many hesitate to jump into the world of buying used laptops because it can be difficult to tell exactly what you are going to get. For any product category you're evaluating, click the Learn more link at the top of the page to see exactly what you're getting.If you’re a first-time buyer of a used MacBook, used MacBook Pro, used MacBook Air or other used computer, it can be difficult to know where to start. Refurbished MacBooks don't get quite the same loving treatment - no new shell, no new battery - but you still get a full one-year warranty. Just as good, you get the same one-year warranty Apple extends to new hardware. iPhones and iPads, for example, come with a new outer shell and new battery, meaning you get same-as-new appearance and performance.

(The aforementioned HomePod is a perfect example.)Īnyway, those refurbs must be 'less than' in some way, right? What exactly do you give up by opting for refurbished Apple gear over new? There might be a sale at, say, Amazon or Best Buy that would net you a new item for the same price or less than an Apple refurb. Needless to say, you should always do your homework when shopping for Apple gear. And right now, many of Apple's prices on refurbished Apple Watches are actually the same as for new ones. That HomePod, for example, is currently on sale for $198 at MacSales, and it's new (though in bulk, nonretail packaging). That said, don't automatically assume that Apple's refurb deals are the best deals. You can even get a refurbished HomePod speaker for $259, a savings of $40. A current-gen 13.3-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,299, but you can save $200 by opting for its refurbished counterpart - more if you choose a higher-end configuration. (The 256GB model is available for $100 more.) How about an iPhone? At this writing, you can get an iPhone X (64GB) for $599, which is $300 less than the original price.

Buying a refurbished macbook air