[jonpsimer]

Hello, looking to buy a MacBook Pro to run Final Cut 5, and I'm completely new to the Apple buying process. I found a refurbished machine with everything I'm looking for, save for a couple of upgrades I would have to make later on. Are the refurb. machines reliable? I'd be willing to spend the $$ to buy new, but would rather not if buying refurbished is a good option.

[azzaman]

I have owned a refurbish machine for over 4 years with no worries. You might want to get the apple protection plan for the piece of mind. Keep an eye out for new product releases (althought not always reliable).

[mdawson]

Unlike the vast majority of new products, refurbs (B stock) has been factory tested, so the manufacturer knows it works. Any issue that may have existed would have to be addressed before resale. Also, many people falsely assume that products relegated to B stock were faulty, when in fact scratch and dent products that are otherwise perfectly fine, and returns constitute a significant if not substantial portion of refurbished items.

Superficially damaged items, while new and otherwise working as advertised, cannot be sold at full retail price; otherwise the condition of every product you ever purchase would be a dice roll. Open box returns that are otherwise new looking, must be tested to check for faults that the original buyer may have introduced and as a second had item cannot be sold at the same price as a new unopened item for the same reason described above.

The only reason I currently have a 30-inch Cinema Display is due to the fact that Apple sells refurbished displays at a considerable discount. Absolutely nothing is wrong with my display beyond a very minor dark scuff about 5 mm long along the top right edge at the front of the display?s pedestal that I may have very well caused myself during set up.

[Dubbalubagis]

I currently own a Macbook that I got through the Apple store which was refurbished. My experience has been great thus far with the one I have but the process to get it was not at all easy.

I replaced my mini with this machine but I kept the mini until I was certain my new machine was up and running the way I wanted it to be. The first one that was shipped to me was DOA. Every single time I tried to get updates it kernel panicked on me. I did all the normal trouble shooting things and then decided to call Apple in which they walked me through steps and nothing worked. They replaced it without question but I had to waste so much time. Plus, neither of the machines shipped with Apple remotes in which on the site they said it would be in the box.

Now on the upside of things Apple's customer support was great. The machine I have now is aesthetically pleasing and haven't had an issue since. Apple told me they were sending me a remote (about a month ago) but I gave up hope. No worries there as I don't really need it.

All in all I think refurbished products are worth the risk if you have patience and time just in case it doesn't work out the way you thought it would.