If you’re considering buying a Mac, we would strongly recommend considering buying from the Apple Refurbished Store before you pay full price. Here, we explain what the Apple Refurbished Store is, what price you can expect to pay in the Apple Refurbished Store and other Refurbished Mac options to help you find a cheap Mac.

Apple makes great computers, but they’re not always the cheapest to buy: a brand-new Mac can be a quick way to empty your bank account. Many Mac buyers therefore look at secondhand options. You can get a great deal by buying a refurbished Apple Mac computer from the Apple Refurbished Store, or by picking up a second-hand computer from eBay or from your local Apple reseller.

Which is, of course, if you even know the Apple Refurb Store exists. Buying a new Mac is always a joy, but many people aren’t aware that it is also possible to pick up a price-reduced, refurbished Mac from the Apple website. This guide will show you how to get a great deal on a Mac by checking out the Apple Refurbished store and other reliable outlets.

Should I buy a refurbished Mac?

One great trick that every Apple fan should know is how to pick up kit from the Apple Refurbished Store. You can buy refurbished Apple Macs, as well as other Apple products, from this special section of the online store.

Click here to visit the Apple Refurbished Store

Refurbished Macs are likely to be returned models (if it is from a previous year), or reconditioned current models. A reconditioned Mac could be an ex-demonstration model used during Apple teaching programmes, or a unit sold to a customer who decided to return it.

The returned unit may have been faulty (and fixed) or may simply have been returned under the standard sale-and-returns procedure. (Apple allows any customer to return a Mac bought from the Apple Store within 14 days for a refund – see Standard Returns Policy).

Macs and MacBooks sold through the Apple Refurbished Store are not necessarily old models that have not been sold. Tim Cook has made Apple’s production so tight that the company is rumoured to turn over its entire inventory every five days (only McDonalds has a faster turnover!). So Apple does not need to stockpile its products and Macs sold on the refurb store are second hand.

The important thing to note is that Macs bought from the Apple Refurbished Store are not discernibly different from new ones bought direct from the Apple Store. All Macs bought from the Apple Refurbished Store are cleaned, checked, tested and visually indistinguishable from brand new models.

What is the warranty and returns procedure on a refurbished Mac?

Apple states: “Before we put a refurbished Mac, iPod, iPad or Apple TV up for sale in Special Deals, it undergoes a rigorous refurbishment process to make sure it’s up to Apple’s tough quality standards.” (iPhones are not currently sold through the Refurbished Store.)

More importantly, a reconditioned Mac comes with the same one-year warranty (extendable to three years with AppleCare protection.) You also get the same sales and return procedure with Apple, and can return a Mac bought from the Refurbished Store within 14 days if you’re not happy with it – but note you’ll have to post it back, as Apple will not accept returns to a physical Apple Store on refurbished products.

The only noticeable difference from our experience is that any refurbished Mac will be packaged in a brown box rather than the white retail box they normally arrive in. Aside from that we have yet to pick up a Mac from the Refurbished Store and find it wanting.

The price for reconditioned Macs changes frequently but is typically 10 to 20 percent less than the original price. With Macs commanding a high retail price this can be quite a difference.

For example, a 13.3-inch MacBook Pro can be found on the Refurbished Store for £759, a £140 saving on the price you’d pay for the exact same model on the Apple Store.

Check the specifications carefully

Because many Macs on the refurb store are last year’s models you should check the specifications carefully. It’s worth noting that most new Macs contain the very latest high-end components, so even last year’s model from the Apple Refurbished Store tends to have quite high specification components.

It’s worth taking a look at the Refurbished Store if you deliberately want to pick up an older model. Apple is often quick off the mark to phase out features it deems no longer necessary, such as optical drives, FireWire sockets, replaceable hard drives and so on. So some people may genuinely prefer an earlier model with a feature they don’t quite want to live without just yet.

However, if you catch the Store around six months after a Mac has come out, you’ll find it with money off. Getting a current, top-of-the-range Mac or MacBook for 15% off is surely a great feeling. 

Buying a second hand Mac from eBay

Amazon and eBay are worth considering, although where possible we’d recommend you opt for new, discounted Macs. Buying a second-hand Mac on eBay is a riskier business.

Buying and selling anything on sites like eBay can be fraught with problems, but this is particularly true with high-value products such as computers. The old adage runs ‘buyer beware’, but sellers need to take precautions as well.

In a bid to make money quickly, it is easy to be talked into handing over what you’re selling for much less than it is worth. Having done your research, be prepared to stand your ground. You may have to give way slightly on price, but don’t be swayed too much.

eBay requires a little caution and care, then, but you may find some bargains. For example, take a look at eBay’s dedicated Refurbished MacBook section to see if there are any deals to be had.

Buying a new or second hand Mac from an Apple reseller

If you’re going to buy from used or independent shops, your best bet is to seek out a certified Apple Premium Reseller. These are dealers and service providers certified by Apple for their expertise and quality. These can be found up and down the UK and Republic of Ireland. (You can find your nearest Apple Premium Reseller here and in the Republic of Ireland here.)

These will try to meet or exceed the service you’d get at an Apple Store – and prices may be cheaper then buying from Apple. We’ve often spotted Apple Premium Reseller stores having special events and discounts, normally when stores open for the first time in a new location.

Some resellers may offer discounts on older Mac models shortly after a new one launches, so look out for bargains! KRCS, for example, always has offers on Macs that you can order online, even configure-to-order models.

If you prefer shopping with a retailer that you’re familiar with, then John Lewis offers a two-year warranty on all Apple products as standard, which is twice as long as the standard one year offered by Apple.

Finally, take a look at Macworld partner mResell’s service, which buys and sells a range of secondhand Apple products.

Here’s everything you need to know about Shopping at an Apple Store, Apple Online, and using the Genius Bar