These days, there is so much value in owning the latest gadgets. There are many benefits of Buying Refurbished Apple Products. They pack the newest features that are sometimes super cool and fun. Sometimes, these new features make life so much easier—or lightning fast in the case of the latest MacBook. However, these devices come with a huge price tag, but don’t fret. There’s one solution to this problem: buy a used Macbook.
What does “refurbished” mean?
Refurbished products are devices that have been used, returned—in this case, to Apple—and have been fixed. They are either returned due to a factory defect or a malfunction. It could also be an exchanged item. Apple refurbishes these devices and sells them for a much lower price.
Although they’re not brand new, refurbished products run smoothly—almost like they’re brand new. Thanks to official Apple parts used for replacement and their stringent quality control, you wouldn’t have to worry about defects. They could be covered by warranty as well, depending on where you purchase your product.
Benefits of Buying Refurbished Apple Products
Competitive prices, quality control, almost flawless products—these are only a few of the benefits you’ll encounter when you buy refurbished Apple products. Here are excellent reasons why you should consider used Apple products:
- Discounted prices
The most appealing quality of refurbished products is their discounted prices. For products with the same functionality as brand-new ones, refurbished products sell at a competitive price. You can purchase Apple products for more than $100 off.
Prices may vary, depending on the model. You can check the products on Apple’s Certified Refurbished Products to see the range of prices. If you’re looking for upgrades or planning to purchase new gadgets, refurbished products can be a great financial decision.
- Refurbished products are like new
The thing with refurbished products is that their parts are replaced with new ones. So, the product will run smoothly as if it’s never been used. The quality of the product will also depend on its “Grade.” Some stores use these grades to measure the item’s overall condition.
Grade A means that it’s so much like a brand-new item, and you’ll see little to no signs of wear. Naturally, Grade A is the most expensive. Grade B, on the other hand, shows more signs of wear, although it’s not that disturbing. Finally, Grade C has obvious signs of wear, making it the cheapest option.
Take note that the presence of these grades depends on the store you’re purchasing the product from. Ultimately, it boils down to the quality control of the products.
- No one will notice—not even you
Quality control in refurbished Apple products is excellent. Even if you place a brand new product side by side with a refurbished one, you won’t notice the difference. When you have a fully functioning refurbished iPhone with zero issues, it’s easy to forget that you purchased it at a lower price.
Because refurbished Apple products are in pristine conditions, nobody will be able to tell just by looking at them with their bare eyes. Some of these products don’t even have aesthetic flaws at all.
- High resale value
Apple products are known for having a high resale value. In addition, they’re considered high-end compared to their competitors. The tech titan is known to use high-quality materials on all of its products. While the initial price is expensive, the performance you’ll get from the product is undoubtedly better than the others.
If you decide to sell your Apple device in the future, even if it’s a refurbished device, you can still list it for a reasonable price.
- You’re promoting sustainable practices
Every year, new technology emerges. Apple alone releases a new iPhone every year, not to mention new Macbooks, Apple Watches, and iPads. People swapping out their old gadgets for a new one every year creates a lot of e-waste. Others simply store their old gadgets in a drawer at home.
Repurposing and extending the life span of gadgets prevents their parts from turning into e-waste. Refurbishing and recycling promote a circular electronics system where “resources are not extracted, used and wasted, but re-used in countless ways.” This system not only saves the environment but also produces more jobs in the industry.
When you recycle a Macbook, you’re increasing its usage and preventing it from going to a landfill. Instead, parts of Apple products are re-used for other, more functional products. As a result, manufacturing companies don’t need to source minerals that will lead to the production of more carbon emissions.
Some Reminders When Buying Refurbished
When you’ve decided you’re getting a good deal from these products, it’s time to add an extra layer of protection for yourself. The following is a checklist of things you should go over when buying refurbished Apple laptop.
Refurbished vs. Open-Box
An open-box return is a product that has not been used, but the box has been opened. The consumer probably returned the item for various reasons, such as changing their minds or damaged packaging. For the most part, the item is brand new without any flaws. Therefore, its components have not been replaced or repaired—unlike a refurbished item.
Deciding between the two could be a matter of preference. Remember that refurbished Apple products still work great because of Apple’s quality control.
Refurbishment Standards
Whether you’re getting your refurbished product from the official Apple Store or a different retailer, it’s important to check their refurbishment standards. These standards are the quality control measures retailers perform before the product is available for selling.
Apple upholds the quality of their refurbished products by conducting a thorough assessment and ensuring the refurb device looks and feels the same as brand new items. As a result, you’re guaranteed to have a “like new” product. For other retailers, consider checking if they inspect the operating system, battery life, cosmetics grading, and life cycle of the product.
Warranty and Return Policy
Warranty is a crucial aspect of huge purchasing decisions. For some, it’s a make-or-break factor. When buying a refurbished product, the warranty should not be a concern. The apple store provides a one-year warranty for their refurbished products, and other retailers offer the same thing as well.
Another factor to look into is the return policy of the seller. If there appears to be a problem with the device, will you still be able to return it and get a refund? What are the seller’s policies when it comes to damages? Return policies and warranty tend to go hand-in-hand, so it’s best to review the guidelines before opening your purse.
Old User Data
You’re not the first user of the refurbished product. Before purchasing the item, make sure that previous data has been erased from the device. Everything should have been reset, from settings to personal data in the item you’re buying. It’s also a security measure to guarantee that no prior software has been installed in the device to compromise your data.
To test it out, you can consider booting up the product while you’re at the store. Once you’ve turned on the item, it should automatically lead you to the setup screen.
In Conclusion
Many people are skeptical about buying used Apple products, and that’s completely understandable. It’s a major purchase, and there are risks with buying a used product. Yet, Apple and other third-party retailers undergo specific measures that ensure you get the best product possible. On top of this, you’ll be saving money and helping the environment as well.
Author: Garry Everrett
Author Bio:
Garry Everrett is a Tech Geek who is a freelance writer by passion. Mostly, he writes about topics revolving around the latest gadget and technology, specializing in new or used Mac computers. In his free time, he likes to read sci-fi novels, and play golf.
Author Picture: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rly2rLVL-oYkv_jEKMj3tWOgOWL7P8wT/view?usp=sharing
