Should You Purchase a Refurbished Macbook? We Look at the Main Pros and Cons

Refurbished or not refurbished? That is the question. Purchasing a macbook is a big investment, so you need to consider your options wisely. We take a look at the main benefits and a few cons of buying a laptop that has undergone refurbishment, so you can make a decision as to whether it’s right for you in no time.

Huge Savings on Macbooks

The number one reason for purchasing a refurbished macbook is that it can save you a huge amount of money. Depending on the year and model you are after, you can expect to save around 20%, and even up to 50% for some of the older ones. It really is a massive saving, which means you can buy a model up from what you could normally afford if purchasing a brand new one. Also, used macbooks and iMacs tend to keep their value quite well. Compared to when you purchase a Macbook brand new you instantly tend to lose a lot its value should you choose to resell it.

Quality Assurance

If you choose to purchased your macbook from a reputable seller then it is very likely to come with a quality assurance. This means that they will have in house technicians who have tested every aspect of the macbook from the battery life to the external appearance of the macbook. Everything will be listed in the products description and you will also often be given a warranty on the product.

Not the Newest

One of the downsides of choosing to buy a refurbished macbook is that it might not be the very top model. This means that you can’t get your hands on the latest release and greatest technology. However, as you know, Apple products have long been ahead of the game, so even if you are purchasing a macbook from a couple of years ago you know it will be packed full of features and programs, giving you everything that you need. You can also choose to update the operating system as and when apple make releases. You can see a list of all the MacBook models here and identify an existing one here.

Different Warranty

Another con is that your warranty will often not be as long as the one that Apple offers if you should purchase a macbook directly from them. This is because the refurbished macbook will have a warranty and quality assurance from a third party provider. This isn’t always that much of an issue. Some companies will provide a very decent warranty indeed, and you may even be able to choose to extend it or buy optional add-ons either through the refurbishing company or another third-party company. Always double check the warranty that you will receive before purchasing any refurbished macbook.

The Verdict

If you’re okay with a slightly older Macbook then hands down it’s a no-brainer. You can secure some incredible discount off of your new tech while also having a quality assurance, knowing that it has been tested and you have a warranty to back things up. There are a few rules you should abide by though when it comes to purchasing a refurbished macbook. We recommend avoiding sites like eBay and Gumtree and instead option for companies that specialise in selling refurbished macbooks. This way you know they have been properly tested by experts so you know they are fully functioning and operating well.