Used Macbook Pro and Refurbished Mac Pro: What Is the Difference?

You have lots of purchase options when it comes to buying a replacement Macintosh. Today we'll be focusing on MacBook and MacBook Pro systems. We'll look at the differences between used systems and refurbished. Is there a difference? Let's find out.



Why would you want to buy a used, refurbished or restored Mac in the first place? To save money, of course! Used and restored or refurbished MacBook and MacBook Pro systems represent a great value to end users and businesses alike.

Used MacBook Systems

Used MacBook and MacBook Pro systems are typically pre-owned systems that come to you with a wipe-down and a smile. What we mean is that you don't get much when buying a used system, other than perhaps a photo of the unit you are buying and the word of the seller who tells you that everything works great. That's about it.

For some people, this is fine. Besides, you'll see some great deals on used systems at places like Craiglist and eBay. However, you need to be careful when buying a used system. After all, you're not buying a toaster. You're buying a complex piece of equipment that performs hundreds of different tasks as you use it.

So, be sure you test the system for things like a WiFi connection, optical drive, hard drive, memory, screen brightness, keyboard lights, hinges, etc. You get the picture. You certainly don't want to miss something that the seller may have hidden.

In fact, we suggest taking the system to a laptop repair store and having an Apple certified repair technician inspect it for problems. This simple step could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars down the road.

Restored or Refurbished MacBook Systems

Let's move on to restored or refurbished MacBook and MacBook Pro systems.

Typically, these systems have undergone an entirely different experience prior to being sold, which can include:

    A thorough diagnosis by Apple certified repair technicians to locate and replace any components that may have failed
    A thorough inspection to test and replace known hardware such as screen hinges that may be failing
    An extensive software diagnosis to insure that the hard drive, memory and optical drive are still operating within factory specifications. Any component that fails is replaced.
    A thorough cleaning
    In addition, the after sale experience is typically different for refurbished MacBook and MacBook Pro systems. Included with most refurbished or restored systems is:
    A warranty, which is typically 30 days to 1 year
    A return policy, in case you are not happy with the system
    Professional packaging
    Free shipping

So, clearly there are some big benefits to purchasing a restored or refurbished MacBook or used MacBook Pro system versus buying a used system. Even though restored or refurbished MacBook systems can cost a bit more than a comparable used system, we recommend that you at least take a look at the pros and cons of each and base your decision on the overall value of each condition.

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