[doddPod]

Hey folks...
I've been submersed in the world of mac for a few years and by now I wouldn't have it any other way. The OS, the simplicity, the ability to go to sleep at night not having to worry that your PC is going to be posessed by the time you wake up.
I've decided to go with the MacBook. I'm fresh into the workforce and will be using my mac as my daily bridge to the outside world. Firefox, iChat, Office, iTunes, Dashboard, and maybe even run Parallels or BootCamp every now and then (I don't know if we'll have enough time). But I will also use the MB for video editing both for work and a budding hobby (both with Avid and Final Cut). I know all about the integrated graphics and this and that but for the price I simply cannot pass up the MB and feel with enough RAM I will be able to do basic video editing no problem. I don't do a lot of 3D rendering and deal mostly with low res media in the "pre-production" stage if you will. The move to a MB Pro would be nice and put my mind at ease, but as I'm not a gamer by any means, I don't feel the $700-1000 would be worth it.
So my first question...what is everyone's opinion on Apple Refurbished products?
I can save $200 going through the refurb program, which could easily get me to 2GB RAM and after all is said and done, I would be flying for less that $1300 (as long as I don't get a lemon). But is it worth it? I've read review after review and forum after forum about all the MB problems here and there, so is it safe to get a refurbished MacBook or should I just suck it up and get a new one? Or would the refurb be better even? Won't the refurb models be flawless as they have been scrutinized by Apple and essentially tuned up? Has anyone dealt with Apple Refurbished before?
And finally...please convince me that I'll be fine with the MacBook and 2GB RAM if I want to run Final Cut (or Avid Express through Parallels/BootCamp). I know they say it can't be done, but that can't be can it (betcha you can't say can't can you)? I know it might not meet benchmark standards but a little more elbow grease from the RAM and a little more heat on my lap isn't going to kill me is it?
Thanks for reading and thanks for your answers. If there is ANYTHING else you guys can suggest for a longtime user, first time buyer please don't hesitate. I'm all ears and hopefully I'll be a proud Mac owner soon...

[TylerS]

I have a refurbished macbook on the way right now. It should be here within a week. That waa pretty much my thought to... can't be anything wrong with it, because they fixed whatever it was sent back for...
I got the 2.0GHz white macbook for $1099
I'll let you know when mine comes in.

[RichL]

While I have not bought a refurbed Mac, I know folks who have and I've not seen any diff between them and new.
Having said that, I am the proud new owner of a new MB and I have not had ANY problems with mine..as some unfortunate people here on the forums have had.
As for running Final cut. I'm not a user but I do use Final Cut Express. this does run on the MB AND is support by Apple for the MB. The XLR8 site has some posts about people who installed Final Cut on their MBs and it ran fine. You may want to go take a look at those.
Don't know if that helps, but that's my 2 cents...
RichL

[poltroon]

A friend of mine has bought several items from the Refurb store over the years, including her current laptop, and has always been happy with them.

[AdamOnFirst]

Refurb is probobly smart, but those snobs of us out there like having new stuff.
If you don't mind thouhg, it is probobly just as good as new. Total hard drive wipe, componenents maintenenced...