http://www.macnn.com/articles/07/11/21/refurb.macs.5.gift.wrap/
Apple offers refurb Macs, $5 gift wrap
updated 05:55 pm EST, Wed November 21, 2007
Refurb Macs, $5 gift wrap
Apple is offering a wide variety of reconditioned Macs alongside $5 gift wrap for iPods, iPhones, Apple software, and select accessories. Signature gift wrapping features a white gift box with a bright red ribbon and a personalized greeting card. The Cupertino-based company's online store currently lists numerous refurbished MacBook Pro (from $1,699-$2,399) and MacBook models ($899-$1,249) alongside a slew of Mac Pro workstations (from $2,199-$3,399) in various configurations. As always every refurbished item is guaranteed good-as-new, comes with a one-year warranty, and ships for free.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2005
I always buy refurbished!
For some reason, the machines seem to come out of the factory in varying states of operation. Not all, but some need a reformat/reinstall, others have undetected hardware issues...it can be a pain in the arse.
That's why I always buy refurbished machines from Apple. Why? Because refurbished machines are exactly the same as their new counterparts, except these machines have been lovingly tested and repaired by the Apple techs here in the states. They have been put through the paces, and come out wholly operational.
It's like the best quality control you can ask for...so why buy new?