why oh why don't they make macbooks anymore?
April 25, 2012 1:22 PM Subscribe
what kind of refurbished macbook pro do I want?
My dearly loved white macbook (2006 vintage) is on it's last legs. since I must have an optical drive, and not spend $$$, I'm looking at refurbished macbook pros. I'm not looking to do anything particularly demanding in terms of computing on this thing, but the ability to withstand abuse and neglect is paramount. The local mac guy touted one he had in the store as 'unibody' and thus more durable- but aren't they all unibody? When did they stop being this way? And finally, is it better to get something from the local guy or from apple.com, if I'm moving soon? I'm already definitely getting applecare.
My dearly loved white macbook (2006 vintage) is on it's last legs. since I must have an optical drive, and not spend $$$, I'm looking at refurbished macbook pros. I'm not looking to do anything particularly demanding in terms of computing on this thing, but the ability to withstand abuse and neglect is paramount. The local mac guy touted one he had in the store as 'unibody' and thus more durable- but aren't they all unibody? When did they stop being this way? And finally, is it better to get something from the local guy or from apple.com, if I'm moving soon? I'm already definitely getting applecare.
Refurbs from Apple have a standard one-year Apple warranty, and are treated like every new MacBook. And, all the semi-current MBP are unibody. You might find better prices elsewhere, but if you're looking for some peace of mind without a brand-new machine, they're hard to beat. Have shopped there many, many times.
In terms of sturdiness, I would highly, highly recommend a snap-on case like this for your MBP; I've put them on almost every machine I've sourced for friends and co-workers, and all have been very happy with the extra protection.
posted by liquado at 1:32 PM on April 25, 2012
In terms of sturdiness, I would highly, highly recommend a snap-on case like this for your MBP; I've put them on almost every machine I've sourced for friends and co-workers, and all have been very happy with the extra protection.
posted by liquado at 1:32 PM on April 25, 2012
Best answer: I've been nosing around for a refurb MacBook Pro. Based on my covetous investigations, I don't think any are not unibody models--they're all much more recent vintages.
Two things to consider:
If you need an optical drive, you can just get the external superdrive sold by Apple and get an Air. I don't know if that's something you'd be interested in, but it works fine--and if you're going on a trip and can leave the drive at home, you save on weight. You can also get a Pro, take the superdrive out, add a second drive/SSD and put the Superdrive into an external housing. It sounds complicated, but isn't; it takes 30 minutes or so and can be done by pretty much anyone.
The other thing is that the refurbs are at a 15-25% discount, depending on how old they are. But Apple charges sales tax, so depending on the state you're in, that 15% discount may just be an 8% discount.
I go back and forth on this, but I don't think an 8% discount is worth it in all scenarios to get a refurb machine from last year versus a new model you can customize that just came out yesterday. (Figuratively speaking, the MacBooks are in dire need of a refresh).
And speaking of refreshes, you probably would be better served by waiting, even if you don't want a new machine--once the new models are released, the older models will go on steeper discount, and, after a month or two, the new models will start appearing as refurbs.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 1:38 PM on April 25, 2012
Two things to consider:
If you need an optical drive, you can just get the external superdrive sold by Apple and get an Air. I don't know if that's something you'd be interested in, but it works fine--and if you're going on a trip and can leave the drive at home, you save on weight. You can also get a Pro, take the superdrive out, add a second drive/SSD and put the Superdrive into an external housing. It sounds complicated, but isn't; it takes 30 minutes or so and can be done by pretty much anyone.
The other thing is that the refurbs are at a 15-25% discount, depending on how old they are. But Apple charges sales tax, so depending on the state you're in, that 15% discount may just be an 8% discount.
I go back and forth on this, but I don't think an 8% discount is worth it in all scenarios to get a refurb machine from last year versus a new model you can customize that just came out yesterday. (Figuratively speaking, the MacBooks are in dire need of a refresh).
And speaking of refreshes, you probably would be better served by waiting, even if you don't want a new machine--once the new models are released, the older models will go on steeper discount, and, after a month or two, the new models will start appearing as refurbs.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 1:38 PM on April 25, 2012
I'd second waiting. It seems highly likely that the MBP line will be refreshed soon, at which point you can either pick up a new one (rumours suggest they'll all be quad-core, where the 13" one is currently only dual-core) or else get a refurbished one at an even better discount.
posted by anaximander at 1:44 PM on April 25, 2012
posted by anaximander at 1:44 PM on April 25, 2012
Also: enjoy! I have a black 2006 MacBook (2 ghz Core Duo), and when you get a new machine you will plotz over how fast it is, particularly if you end up with SSD. Six years is a huge amount of time in computerland.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 1:44 PM on April 25, 2012
posted by Admiral Haddock at 1:44 PM on April 25, 2012
Nthing that the Macbook Pros will be refreshed soon (possibly VERY soon). This may either effect your desire to buy new, or send many "old" ones to the market, so your refurb options may expand
posted by Patbon at 1:56 PM on April 25, 2012
posted by Patbon at 1:56 PM on April 25, 2012
Best answer: FWIW, it looks like the refurb prices on the MacBook pros dropped sometime in the last 2 days (we bought a MacBook Air online on Sunday). The cheapest MBP (13", Core 2 Duo) is now $870, down from $930. This drop in price is surely in anticipation of the impending refresh, so I wouldn't expect refurbed prices to go down any further when new models are introduced. That being said, the Core 2 Duo model would probably suit you fine if you don't do any heavy duty work on your computer, but the i5 is a worthy upgrade and might make your laptop a little more future-proof.
Note that the MacBook Air refurb prices didn't drop, so that refresh won't be coming for several months probably.
posted by puritycontrol at 5:10 PM on April 25, 2012
Note that the MacBook Air refurb prices didn't drop, so that refresh won't be coming for several months probably.
posted by puritycontrol at 5:10 PM on April 25, 2012
If you're getting a refurb, note when it was introduced (it'll say on the item's listing.) The latest MacBooks (i.e., the ones currently selling as new) are from "late 2011," while the older ones may come with bigger discounts. It's pretty rare to see them offer anything older than a year and some change, though.
My last three macs have been refurbs; I've been very happy with them.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 11:42 AM on April 26, 2012
My last three macs have been refurbs; I've been very happy with them.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 11:42 AM on April 26, 2012
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And honestly, most of the refurb stuff there is perfectly fine. Since you don't need heavy duty power (and the Apple Store doesn't sell refurbs that are that old...all MBPs there sure be the aluminum unibody) you can just get whatever meets your budget.
posted by inturnaround at 1:28 PM on April 25, 2012