[srayle]

I'm in the market for a new laptop, as my Powerbook is five years old now and runs everything
really slowly and is beginning to drive me krazee...if you go to the Apple website Store and go down the
side panel, you see they have 'refurbished' computers of recent vintage, like the 17 inch Macbook Pro
with 2.16GH Intel Core Duo, which until recently sold for $2,799, now being sold for $1,999...I know its
not a Core Duo 2, but its probably good enough for my uses. They do have smaller Macbooks with
Core Duo 2 with lesser savings, but my question is what is the story with these computers? Are they risky?
Apple offers their protection plan for purchase...Also, if one looks on ebay, you see supposedly NEW computers
being auctioned for less than Apple's list price...how is that possible?

When it comes to spending money like this on a computer, I'm going to go down to the Apple Store and
pay full price, get the protection plan, Apple Care, etc., because I'm wary of going any other way and
getting burned.

Anybody know the story behind these refurbs and ebay offers?

[Brad]

I would definitely recommend the Applecare on a laptop - the new 'Books are really slick too.

Just me, but I don't think I'd buy one from ebay at a discount unless I personally knew the seller.
Apple is pretty strict about controlling their prices.

I wouldn't have a problem buying an Apple refurb, but the savings are not that much or you might be getting a previous generation model. 

If you're going to keep it for 5 years, buy a Core2 model....not much price difference spread out over a long period of time.

[SET Man]

Hey!

  I bought my 12" PowerBook G4 back in early '04 from Apple's site and this machine it a refurbished one. So, I saved couple of hundreds bucks.

   I was a worry about that too. But you shouldn't worry. If you buy refurbished one off Apple site it is pretty much covered by the warranty like the new one. You could also buy Apple care protection plan for your refurbished machine also... but I didn't. Although even than you rarely see the latest on in the refurbished one section. So, it is likely that they are returned or one that just got or will be replace by a new model.

   Ever since I got my PowerBook I had only one problem with it last year. The HDD died Well, I have to admit that I was pretty rough with it. I carry it out in soft case knocking it around a bit, my 13lbs Mr. Bubble the cat step on it and once spilled a bit of Coke on it.... good think I got PowerBook and the plastic iBook As for the HDD I managed to change it myself with a better HDD (Hitachi TravelStar) And good thing that I did backed up everything on my 2 external HDDs Also, I think it is time for me to buy a new batt for it now. Beside that this machine still work well.

   Anyway, like Brad, I do recommend you go for the one with Core Duo 2 processor. If you buy from Apple site than you'll be okay with new or refurbished one. I don't know about eBay... personally I don't think I will be comfortable buying a refurbished from eBay even if the the seller is an authorized reseller

Take care,
Buddy

[Woodsea]

I just bought a macbook from a guy that is going from white to black.  He had installed 2gb of ram and a 7200rpm 100gb HDD.  He also put on some coverings to help the porcelain like finish stay that way.  I am very happy with the deal.  I have had it for 2 days now.  He has been very easy to stay in touch with.
I am a pc guy and my wife wanted to make sure that I could not mess it up

[dB Cooper]

There are two kinds of "nused" Macs: Refurb and "refreshed". Refurbs have had some type of service work to correct a problem, and "refreshed" are simply units that are being resold after being returned for some reason, like the buyer got the glossy screen and decided they wanted the non-glare, etc. (I don't think the online store makes the distinction between refurb and refreshed.) Don't be afraid to buy either; Apple stands behind both as new. In fact, either will receive more thorough testing than a box off the production line.  Get the Applecare and just enjoy the machine.

Good deals can be had on eBay if you choose sellers carefully; I bought my current mac that way, with a year and a half of the (transferable!) Applecare left on it.

ps- hey SETman: Great avatar!