Shopping For An Apple Product? Why You Should First Check Out Refurbished Every Time

CNET’s Rick Broida says that when it comes to Apple products, he can see no reason to choose anything but refurbs. An affirmation made not as gushing Apple fanboy, but rather as someone who thinks most Apple hardware is overpriced — and sees refurbs as a rare opportunity to get it for less.

Broida notes that the Apple store’s refurbished iPad section offers the 16GB iPad 2 Wi-Fi for $419 shipped – a full $80 less than what you’d pay for a new one. A refurbished 32GB iPad 2 Wi-Fi is $499.

You can get a Core 2 Duo MacBook Air for as little as $699. A 13-inch refurbished Macbook Air can be had for $899 – $300 less than new, while a refurbished 15-inch Macbook Pro is $540 less.

So what’s the catch? What do you give up by opting for refurbished Apple gear? “Nothing,” says Broida, noting that Apple’s refurbs come with a new outer shell and new battery, meaning you get same-as-new appearance and performance. You also get the same one-year warranty Apple extends to new hardware. There is literally no downside unless you count the small cosmetic difference of refurbs shipping in nondescript cardboard boxes rather then the fancy white ones new Apple gear comes in.

Broida thinks the Apple Store’s refurbished section is the only logical place to start your shopping, noting that he’s purchased refurbished iPhones, iPods, and iPads, and every one of them arrived in perfect, like-new condition.

I couldn’t agree more. My last two main production Macs have been Apple Certified Refurbished machines, and they’ve been completely relaible and trouble-free performers that were cosmetically indistinguishable from new machines. I’ve also purchased two ACR iPods for relatives that have been similarly flawless. I would have bought a refurb. iPad 2 last spring as well had any been available. Alas, I paid full retail for that.

For the full commentary visit here:
http://cnet.co/sphbzZ

Apple’s Refurbished and Clearance page:
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals

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