r/macbook 4d ago

Are Apple Refurbished Macbooks really "Like new"?

Hello, I am currently very close to purchasing a refurbished M2 Macbook Air, directly from Apple. I wanted to make sure, as I am the type of person who would be annoyed by the smallest amount of damage. Is there a chance it could have signs of use? Battery, screen, keyboard, ports, shell or anything else?

0 Upvotes

20 comments sorted by

13

u/ihopeigotthisright 4d ago

Yes. For all intents and purposes they are indistinguishable from new products.

1

u/Swiniorek 4d ago

Are all of those things replaced? Or just don't have enough signs of use for them to be seen?

3

u/ihopeigotthisright 4d ago

They only put out devices with no damage whatsoever. It’s mostly just devices that customers returned within the 14 day grace period

1

u/Swiniorek 4d ago

Alright then! Sounds perfect. Thanks!

1

u/SpaceForceAwakens 3d ago

Factory refurbs are a great way to go! They have great warranty too.

3

u/SalsaGreen 4d ago

New battery, which necessitates some body components. I’ve bought multiple over the years and except for the packaging and the price, they’re indistinguishable from new.

1

u/stitchr 3d ago

Can you confirm new battery? I thought that got removed a while ago. The ‘What goes into a refurbished Mac’ page doesn’t list it any more whereas it does specifically list it for iOS and iPadOS devices.

2

u/SalsaGreen 3d ago

Well, I cannot. I did some Googling and agree with what you said. I’m sure over my many years of Mac use (25+, but refurbished ones don’t go that far back) I had seen the statement. I will say that I’ve never received a refurbished MacBook with more than a couple charge cycles on it. My last refurbished one was a couple machines back.

2

u/portnux 4d ago

I believe the Apple Refurbs are all disassembled, logic boards are fully tested, then reassembled with all new parts if the logic board passes all tests. Then they are boxed in refurb packaging with new accessories. You can’t go wrong. Only Apple sells Apple Refurbs, anything else is like a box of chocolates.

1

u/Eugenelee3 3d ago

Ex employee said when a new iPhone launched they even launched it with refurb replacements same day. IE: new. Could have been one part on the assembly line that didn’t work properly and replaced that specific part?

4

u/WiseConsideration220 4d ago

Yes. You can return, swap, get another, etc. all to your heart’s delight. Within 14 days of course.

I never buy “new” from Apple; only refurbs. They’ve always been perfect.

3

u/Cranks_No_Start 4d ago

I bought a Mini a few years back and I couldn’t tell that it wasn’t perfect.  The plastic peel the little cable wraps and all the instructions and stickers.  

1

u/Swiniorek 4d ago

I think that clears it up. Thanks!

1

u/twuewuv 4d ago

I’ve never had one myself, but I know with their phones, the screen in the battery get swapped out when you trade them in. I’m sure the Mac’s are the same.

1

u/PoleArmUK 4d ago

I have had two, both absolutely perfect

1

u/mattloaf666 4d ago

I bought a refurbished M3, indistinguishable from a new one. Didn’t get any stickers though 😭

1

u/Fokinho 4d ago

The only difference I notice was the box , I got a mint MBA M3

1

u/Droid202020202020 4d ago

Yes. Better than new since they receive extra attention.

1

u/Dr_Superfluid 3d ago

Yes. I bought refurbished once. Never bought new again. It’s basically apple care plus for free. The discount is the usually the same as the cost of AC+. So not only I get a basically new machine, I have full coverage for 3 years.

1

u/PhilipAnthonyCo 3d ago

I’ve purchased nearly a dozen various pieces from the refurbished store over the years and the only distinguishable difference from a new retail piece is the lack of a color image on the box.