New Macbook vs. Refurbished MacBook?

Ok- before I just ask that question, let me "paint a picture" of what I will be using my soon to be purchased MacBook for:
My wife and I are looking to replace our home PC with a MacBook, because we like it's portability around the house, and have enjoyed our recent apple purchases (Ipod and Iphone) enough to want to switch over. We will primarily be using it to surf the net, store photos, and eventually movies. I like the concept of burning dvds, and will probably be using it for that as well. I'm not a computer gamer, although the idea of possibly editing future home movies and photos does appeal to me.
So with all those things said, which is the better option for us?
A) A refurbished MacBook from Apple for $999.99:
2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo - White
13.3-inch glossy widescreen display
1GB memory
120GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Built-in iSight camera
B) A new Macbook from Amazon (they give more detail in their specs- I'll just include it all) for $1224.99:
2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3 MB shared L2 Cache-White
2 GB (two SO-DIMM) 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM;
160 GB 5400 rpm Serial ATA hard drive;
8x Double-Layer SuperDrive
One FireWire 400, two USB 2.0 ports, DVI, VGA, S-video, and composite video (requires adapters, sold separately)
Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit) Ethernet; Built-in AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11n); built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) module
13.3-inch (diagonal) glossy TFT widescreen display, 1280 x 800 resolution; Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard
Built-in iSight camera
Thanks in advance for your help- I'll try to return the favor down the road!

I just made this decision myself several weeks ago and went with the refurb model. For me, the RAM and HD configuration of the new machine didn't matter because the first thing I planned to do with the machine was upgrade to 4GB of RAM and a 320GB HD.
While the new machine is faster and runs cooler it does have slightly less processor cache. I would think any differences in speed would be almost undetectable unless you are running a benchmark program.
Personally, I think the real choice is between the refurb MacBook and the refurb MacBook Pro for $1449.00.
Unfortunately for me, my experience with the refurb hasn't been without problems. The machine that was sent to me was DOA. Between a missing return box shipment and repair turn-around time it was two weeks before I had a working machine. Since the repair it has been perfect.

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Can you tell a refurbish from brand new macbook by the Serial Number?

Just wondering if there is any way to tell a refurbished macbook from a brand new macbooking using the serial number?
Thanks

So what I'm wondering is if I purchase a macbook online from them there's no guarantee that it's new??? It could be a refurb?
No, if you buy a new MacBook it will be new. If you go to the page and choose a refurbished computer, then you'll get a refurbished computer. There is no way to check the serial number until it arrives. If you went to an Apple retail store, the serial number is on the outside of the box. You could ask to see the box before you pay for it.
-Doug

Differentiate between brand new and factory refurbished macbook pro

How to spot the difference whether it is a brand new or factory refurbished macbook pro?

I had a problem with my friends new MBP too. These steps fixed it. Keep me posted.
First, Check for software updates, by clicking on the Apple () and then on 'Software Update'
Then try
SMC Reset
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
PRAM Reset
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4405

Do refurbished macbook airs come with pages and the rest of the iLife suite as new macbook airs?

Thinking about adding a refurbished MacBook Air to the stable. Does anyone know if refurbished macbook airs come with pages the rest of the iLife suite the same as new macbook airs?

They may have iLife pre-installed, but not iWork. In any event you are able to get both for free when you buy a new computer. I don't know if this extends to refurbs. Nevertheless, you should be able to get iWork as a new Mavericks user. If you've already gotten them for your other computers, then the re-downloads are free.
iWork and iLife for Mac come free with every new Mac purchase. Existing users running Mavericks can update their apps for free from the Mac App Store℠. iWork and iLife for iOS are available for free from the App Store℠ for any new device running iOS 7, and are also available as free updates for existing users. GarageBand for Mac and iOS are free for all OS X Mavericks and iOS 7 users. Additional GarageBand instruments and sounds are available for a one-time in-app purchase of $4.99 for each platform.

Refurbished MacBook Core Duo or New MacBook Core 2 Duo w/Edu Discount?

I'm interested in getting an Apple notebook for school and can't decide whether to get the new MacBook Core 2 Duo and use my student discount or just get a refurbished MacBook Core Duo for a few hundred less. Is the Core 2 Duo chip worth the extra money? I plan on using it for my design courses, which use the Adobe and Macromedia suite of applications. Oh, and I plan on playing WoW on it as well.
Thanks!

Well theres a few important details here:
What version of the Core Duo were you after (Basic Middle or Black) for refurb?
What version are you thinking of for the Edu Discount?
Personally i'm going to university next year and am Planning on buying a Macbook in about March or June (What ever model is out then hopefully a 3rd revision). But from what is out the greatest value out of all Macbooks to date is the Middle Version of the MBC2D.
In the Core Duo generation, the jump from basic to Middle wasn't big. You got a slightly faster processor and Super Drive. Now for the same price difference you not only get the bonus C2D processor you get 1GB of Ram, A Superdrive, and a 80 GB Hard drive. For that reason, the best value i would say is the middle version of the C2D Macbooks.
You may not think that you really need 1 GB of Ram or a 80 GB Harddrive but after using a mac mini (which i unfortunately returned) I quickly realized how slow these machines are without sufficient ram. If you plan on using the Adobe suite which is not yet UB you will have a rough time without at least one gig of ram. By then it would probably be UB, but still, programs like Photoshop and Cinema 4D (If you are taking any computer animation courses) will not run well with just 512 MBs. Leopard, i'm expecting will also recommend aproximately 1 Gig of ram. If you plan on playing WoW and doing Work (Exactly what i'm planning on doing on MB) i'd go for 1 Gig of ram at least no matter what generation you get. The 80 Gigs is also in my opinion required if your running bootcamp. 60 Gig HD is insufficient, because, after being formated and having both Mac OSX and Windows XP (Or Vista) on it, the 60 GB HD may end up as more of 52 Gig HD which isn't much space to devide between to Operating Systems. (After installing +your suites that gives you like 45 Gigs to split+Music or videos you may have... brings you down to like 37 GBs + the 10 Gigs you should keep free for your computer to run fine that gives you about 27 Gigs to devide as freem space). If you plan on only running OSX then 60 Gigs should be sufficient if your not doing video editing. But if you want to run Bootcamp I'd get at least 80 Gigs (I'd go with 120 but the jump in price from 80 to 120 is huge compared the jump from 60 to 80). This is why i think the Middle CD2 is the best Macbook because you get 80 GB HD with 1 Gig of ram, a faster processor and they throw in your Superdrive from a relatively small jump in price. When looking to make a purchase try to get the cheap upgrades if they will help (Eg. a 80 Gig HD over a 60 gig HD for a small price) and try to stay away from expensive premium upgrades (120 GiG HD for much more money- unless you really need it).
Hope that helps your decision,
Sorry if the grammar/spelling is horrible, I wrote this very quickly and didn't bother with grammar/proof reading.
Good luck,
I'm sure you will be happy with w/e macbook you choose but like i said i recommend a 80GB HD and 1GB ram at least on either generation of MB. I
MacBookWannabe

I bought a brand new MacBook Pro Mid 2014, and my battery cycle count is on 2!!

As I said on the question, a brand new MacBook Pro I bought recently which I haven't even put on charge yet already has a cycle count of 2!
I'm just curious if this is normal and I want to make sure that I received a brand "new" one not a refurbished one.
Did anyone else order a new laptop and have cycle charge of 2 or more and is this normal or not?

The factory charges the battery, one cycle, they may then test that particular MacBook Pro as part of the production testing and it ends up with another cycle. Two cycles is not something to worry about. If you bought the unit from an Apple store or directly from Apple, it will not be a refurbished MBPr unless they specifically said it was. They don't do things like that.

4GB memory on new MacBook Pro Retina 13 with 2.4GHz dual core i5 processor &128GB flash storage

Hello,
I'm completely new to the mac world but I'm fed up with pc's and all the insanity with processor problems, viruses, etc. I'm seriously looking at replacing my HP laptop with the new MacBook Pro Retina 13 with 2.4GHz dual core i5 processor, 4GB memory (RAM) & 128GB flash storage, OS X Mavericks (not sure which version). My concern is whether this will be reliably & consistantly fast & smooth both in desktop apps & internet use. I don't need it to do somersaults or anything too advanced. I would mostly be using Pages & spreadsheet apps & internet. It would double as my daughter's computer for cyber school so it's crucial that it runs quickly & efficiently. If she can't complete everything on time or log in to her online sessions because of a computer issue we'll be up a creek without a paddle since this particular cyber school's tech department is still working off of pc's running Windows XP. My father, thus far a pc user, thought I should consider moving up to 8GB memory but I was hoping that with flash storage being faster, I would be able to avoid the extra $100 for the upgrade to 8GB. My biggest fear is finding myself as frustrated & angry as I am now with all of my pc's, ready to take a sledge hammer to them because they take forever to boot, launch apps, internet or do just about anything (that is if they're even fuctioning at all- not joking). Does anyone have any advice or input? Thanks!!
P.s. On Apple's site I found a refurbished late 2013 model of the MacBook Pro Retina 13 with all of the same specs as listed above (4GB, not 8GB), running OS X (doesn't say which one) but for a bit less than a brand new one. Is this the same model as what they're currently selling new in their store or did they just upgrade everything to match what is being offered in the current "new" model? I realize this may be a dumb question but I can't seem to find anything online indicated that Apple has released a model newer than what was released late last year (October 2013, I believe), except that the model released then came with SSD storage instead of flash.

No computer is fault free but Apple MBPs have a good track record. In those cases where problems do arise, Apple has the best support in the industry.
A MBP with 4 GB RAM with the SSD storage should be adequate for your needs.
lsmoondancer01 wrote:
P.s. On Apple's site I found a refurbished late 2013 model of the MacBook Pro Retina 13 with all of the same specs as listed above (4GB, not 8GB), running OS X (doesn't say which one) but for a bit less than a brand new one. Is this the same model as what they're currently selling new in their store or did they just upgrade everything to match what is being offered in the current "new" model?
The latest MBP models came out in October 2013, so it will be the same, with the same warranty and telephone support. The difference will be that the price will be less and it will be delivered in a plain white box.
I have purchased three MBPs from the refurbished section. I have never been able to detect any cosmetic differences and will go that route again.
Ciao.

Can I get a new macbook pro under the warranty?

Its been two months since I got my macbook pro. I got the newer 2011 version. Less than a month into getting it my keys started falling off and less than 2 months later my hard drive went out for no reason and I had to get it replaced. And now my other keys are all falling off too. I don't understand. I feel like I was sold a refurbished mac because everything keeps breaking. Do you think its better to just get a new macbook pro? Is that even possible? I also feel like it takes a while to turn on than when I first got it. How long is the normal start up time?

If you have had this Mac for less then a year then the computer is still under warranty.
I also feel like it takes a while to turn on than when I first got it. How long is the normal start up time?
It depends. If you have applications set to launch when you startup the Mac, that can slow down the amount of time it takes to boot your Mac.
Open System Preferences > Users & Groups then select the Login Items tab.

Aluminum of battery on new macbook looks splotchy

Hi All
Just got my new 15" macbook pro from Amazon (prior model). New unit, not refurbished. Seems to function fine, but the exterior aluminum surface of the battery compartment looks very splotchy, as if something was stuck on it. I think I've read that new batteries ship with plastic on them, and sometimes when you remove the plastic.... the splotchy affect is there from the adhesive. Either that, or something is funky with the battery.
A slightly damp microfiber doesn't seem to clean it. Would alcohol or a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser be okay to try? It'd be ideal to just clean it rather than exchange it.
There's also some slight scuff marks around a couple of the screws on the bottom, perhaps from manufacturing. It's probably common and could live with that.
Thanks in advance for input

It seems to me that with a brand new Mac, you should have neither splotchiness or scratches around the screws. If you have access to an Apple Store, you might want to take it in for evaluation. One possible cause of the splotchiness could even be a leak from the battery. Especially if the battery is swollen or distorted.
Was the Mac properly sealed in new packaging? It should have been. If not, it may have been opened and messed with.
Good luck!

No software discs with new Macbook

I did not receive any software discs with my new MacBook. I understand I should have had 2 discs. How can I remedy this?

Welcome to the discussions!
Apple provides restore disks with all Macs - new and refurbished. I bought a refurb and my packaging was different from yours, but I understand that they are hidden in the packaging. Double-check in the packing materials so be sure that the disks are not hidden in there.
If for some reason they were left out, by all means call Apple and they will take care of it.

New Macbook Air over Old Macbook Pro 13" ?

Essentially I would be using it for the following:
Word Processing (ms office suite)
Video editing (primarily YT videos) via FCP X
Music editing / production via Garageband, Logic Pro, and Melodyne
Adobe Photoshop CS6 (willing to live without retina)
Probably light gaming
Coding ( I don't think this should be an issue, but want the ability to write apps for iOS)
Web surfing obviously
Building itunes library (currently less than 10gb)
Budget is $1190 or less. I'm definitely getting at least 8gb of ram (16gb if older mbp and falls in budget or 4gb if that would be sufficient for what I'm planning to do) in either scenario. But not sure if I should go for 128 - 256 ssd gb or a higher capactiy hd that usually is found in mbp's. Is the 1.3 ghz processor in the MBA enough for all that? Should I be looking at retina MBP's? A bit lost / clueless.
Looking to purchase today so opinions are very much appreciated and needed asap. Which would work best for my needs? Looking at 13" models. SD card slot would be great, but not necessary since I currently have a PC that has an SD card slot as well as cd/dvd drive.
Mainly interested in new or seller refurbished. Not used unless less than month old or something. Most likely not getting apple care.

Thats just a new Macbook Air 13" base model sold by BH. with 8gig of RAM
Get the $100 upgrade at purchase of the 8gig of RAM over the 4gig, to be certain, yes your choice is correct on the RAM.
Same Air I use currently.
Youll save sales tax buying from them of course, however I dont know what shipping costs would be from BH.
You shoudnt worry about SSD space, all large media needs to be (most of it at any rate) on an external HD, and you need same for backups / Time Machine .
Solid State Drive usage premise, or the “more space / upgrade SSD” question
There have been questions posed and positions taken by many people who are trying to use their Macbook Air or Pro’s solid state drive (SSD) as a mass media storage device, for either pictures, videos, massive music collections or all three combined; but this should not be the working premise of a ‘limited’ SSD and its use.
In which, it’s the case of those users with either 128GB, 256GB, or even 512GB of internal SSD space, that have or are running “out of space”, that questions are raised. The immediate premise of some users can sometimes be “(how to / if) upgrading my SSD” when in fact in nearly all instances another approach is the logical and sensible one that needs to be looked into and exercised.
Any Macbook containing a SSD should be idealized as a ‘working platform’ notebook containing all your applications, documents, and weekly or bi-weekly necessary files. All collections of media files such as pictures, music, and videos, unless directly needed should be kept off the notebook and on an external hard drive or likewise. While the ‘working platform’ premise is also the case with larger internal conventional hard drives of 1TB+, its implementation isn't as critical except in terms of data protection.
Realistically, you should at most coordinate roughly 20 to 25% of your total SSD space to all audio-video personal use media (picture / music / video collections), leaving the remaining amount on an external HD.
Nobody should consider any notebook a data storage device at any time under any circumstance, rather a data creation, sending, and manipulation device; and in the case of a SSD, this is more important for purposes of having sufficient working space on the SSD and reducing SSD ‘bloat’ in which cases someone is wrongly attempting to use the SSD space as a large media storage nexus.
The rare exception to the collective usage and premise of SSD use in which a much larger SSD is truly needed are for those in video and photography professions that require both the extremely fast speeds of the SSD and the onboard storage for large and or many video and photography files. However this also falls under the premise of a ‘working platform’ for such peoples rather than the intent of many who are using the SSD as passive and static data storage for media files very infrequently needed or accessed.
All on-notebook data collections should be logically approached as to necessity, and evaluated as to whether it is active or passive data that likely doesn’t need to be on the notebook, allocations of space-percentages to as-needed work and use, apportioning space for your entertainment media, and questioning whether it should it be on the notebook for more than short-term consumption.
Considerations should be made in the mind of any user in differentiating the necessary system data (System hub) comprising the Mac OSX, applications, necessary documents that both must and should be on your internal SSD, and that of the users personal data (Data hub) comprising created files, pictures, music, videos, PDF files, data created or being created and otherwise, that likely unless being used soon or often should be parked on an external hard drive for consumption, or temporarily loading onto the internal SSD.
You both can and should purchase whichever SSD size you need or see fit, but even in the case of the largest of SSD, unless use-considerations are made, and SSD spaces are allocated as should be the case indicated above, one can easily and immediately run into this quandary of “needing more internal SSD space”, in which instance a different approach in usage must then be implemented.
However it is almost always the case, that such large media files are wanted to be stored internally rather than actually needed, in which case the external HD is both prudent as well as necessary. Additionally costs per MB are infinitely less on an external HD than an internal SSD in any consideration of data expansion needs.
A Professional Example
In the case of a Macbook Air or Macbook Pro Retina with ‘limited’ storage on the SSD, this distinction becomes more important in that in an ever rapidly increasing file-size world, you keep vital large media files, pics, video, PDF collections, music off your SSD and archived on external storage, for sake of the necessary room for your system to have free space to operate, store future applications and general workspace.
You should also never be put in the position of considering “deleting things” on your Macbook SSD in order to ‘make space’. This is especially what your external HD is for.
Professionals who create and import very large amounts of data have almost no change in the available space on their notebooks internal SSD because they are constantly archiving data to arrays of external or networked HD.
Or in the case of the consumer this means you keep folders for large imported or created data and you ritually offload and archive this data for safekeeping, not only to safeguard the data in case your Macbook has a SSD crash, or gets stolen, but importantly in keeping the ‘breathing room’ open for your notebook to operate, expand, create files, add applications, for your APPS to create temp files, and for general operation.
Slim USB3 1TB external hard drive
External Hard Drives
External hard drives are both extremely cheap and regardless of the size of your internal SSD (or even internal hard drive if the case), you need an external hard drive with your SSD equipped Macbook for several reasons:
1. Data backup and protection.
2. Redundancy for important data.
3. Necessitated ideal space for large media files for collections of pictures, videos, and music etc.
While ever changing in price, typical portable 2.5” external hard drives in USB3 run roughly $65 for 1TB or $120 for 2TB small portable USB3 hard drives. Such drives range in thickness between 5mm and 15mm, with recent improvements in storage of 500GB drives in 5mm profiles.
There is almost no premise in which a small 12mm thick 1 Terabyte USB hard drive cannot be taken along with any Macbook as an external large storage extension inside any Macbook carry case or pouch. Typically such external HD profiles are not much bigger than a deck of cards.
External hard drives are a foregone necessity for purchase with any Macbook for at the very least Time Machine backups, data redundancies, and ideally for large media storage.

Questions about buying new Macbook

I have a 2001 iBook, still going and going. It was my first computer. I want to replace it by buying a Macbook. I make webpages, blog, no videogaming, no heavy graphics apps (like PS), only a couple of third-party apps.
I'm very short of breath so, even though there is an Apple Store in town, it's much better for me to order the Macbook, printer, and any accessories at the online Apple Store, if possible.
1) The 2001 iBook out-of-box had 128mb RAM. I had to install more RAM (upped it to 384mb RAM) because 128mb was really not sufficient, even with my lightweight use. It had seemed slow and clunky performance-wise. I would rather just buy a Macbook with enough RAM to begin with. Is 1GB going to be the same problem - not quite enough? Should I buy the $1299 2GB model?
2) The HD was replaced through AppleCare a year after I got the iBook. I wondered if it was my fault in a way because I was new to computers (I had a lot of Kernel Panics at first and once, without thinking I unplugged the computer at the wall socket once during an electrical storm, not realizing that wasn't a good way to shut down). Since then there have been no problems. Now that I have a even touch, work speed, and a sense of how the computer files are organized, I'm not a raw novice. I don't plan to experiment with the Macbook or make myself a rootuser, just work within the GUI. Do I really need AppleCare on the new Macbook? Are those AppleCare repairs largely brought on by user damage? I don't want to buy AppleCare unless it's suicide not to.
3) I have the iBook on my desk on a piece of cardboard. It never overheats. It has never left my desk, and I don't ever use it on my lap. I like the iBook because it's compact, not because I want to carry it around to coffee shops. However, does a Macbook need some sort of special support like Rain Design iLap to raise it off the desk so it doesn't overheat?
4) Can I buy the $29 Apple iPod Earphones to plug into the Macbook?
5) Is iKlear really safe to use on screens? (I've always used water on my iBook, not very effective.)

You'll see a big difference switching from iBook to MacBook.
Unless you need the Superdrive, get the cheapest MB with a CD drive or for more money saving buy a refurbished from the online store. Adding RAM and changing the hard drive is easy to do in the MB if you need to do it later.
Applecare is only two years added to the original one year. You seemed to do fine without it for a number of years on the iBook so why worry about it. Applecare does not cover user inflicted damage, just manufacturing faults.
I have a new Penryn MB which does not seem to have any heat problem but I still use an incline base under it for the typing angle. I sometimes pressure the MB with PS, video, burning and such but no problems.
With the world aflame with iPods and other MP3 players, you can get a wide selection of earphones at most computer/electronic stores. I like the in-ear type which makes the music sound like it is in the middle of my brain instead of coming from the outside.
iKlear is recommended by Apple but I find it streaky. I use a moist cloth, don't touch the screen and keep my hands clean when using the computer.

I buy a new macbook pro but the system care not here for that is there store be buy it your self

ı buy a new macbook pro but in the web site to register the new macbook it will 2 or 4 gays to after mac buy but I'm buy the store the mac system care is 3.1 ghz ıntel-core i7 and 16 gb 1866 mhz sidearm computer buy them in store for today?

You can purchase a Mac customized to your preference from the Apple Online Store. It will be manufactured almost immediately, and can be delivered to you in as little as two or three days, depending on your location. You may also choose from a number of Macs available in the Refurbished and Clearance store.
If you want to purchase a Mac and have it immediately, you are limited to what an Apple Retail Store or reseller has in stock.

Can i install snow leopard on my new macbook pro

I'm looking at a new laptop but I understand Adobe CS4 won't work on Lion, so I'd rather install Snow Leopard on the new macbook. Is this possible?

Difficult, and even reported "success" is likely not consistent enough for your *need* for Adobe CS4.
You can try for a unit off the refurbished list (Apple.com > Store, bottom of the left hand margin is the link). Units from pre-July and last year can be found, and come with warranties just like brand new.

Brand new MacBook Air came out of box damaged?

I purchased a new early 2014 13" MacBook Air last week, and I'm already having troubles with it.
I noticed the minute I opened it that there was a small chip on the edge of the laptop near the trackpad and decided to just deal with it cause I thought the genius bar workers might blow me off or accuse me of somehow doing it. Tonight I was working on assignments when I shut the laptop and realised that the screen was very very slightly misaligned on the edges, and then when I flipped it over I found that the bottom casing had lifted on one side near the plastic hinges.
It hasn't left my room and I am very gentle with all my apple products. No one else has touched it, either.
I feel like if I pay $1,400, the product I buy should be pretty flawless?
I'm just looking for reassurance that going to the genius bar is the best thing to do (I've booked in for Saturday). I am also wondering if they replace it, will they give me a refurbished product instead of a brand new MacBook Air?
Thanks ☺️

You have a 14 day return policy if you purchased the MBA from Apple. If your MBA meets that criteria, return it.
Ciao.

New Macbook vs. Refurbished MacBook?

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