[fleabag]

Hello to all. I am sure this is not the first time this question has been asked but since this is my first posting I was wondering if anyone has purchased a refurbished computer from the Online Apple Store. I am thinking of a iMac i3. Concerned about if it will get to me safely with out any damage mainly. Thanks.

[ghporter]

Welcome to our forums!

Apple ships all their machines in packaging that handles some serious shipping issues, whether new or refurbished. It's not like they toss it in some flimsy box with a couple styro peanuts and hope for the best-they use the same boxes that computers come from the factory in.

[dav]

i'm still using a refurb powermac g5 w/ refurb 20" lcd i purchased back in 2004. if i recall correctly, the interior packing materials were the same as new, but the exterior box is plain. both items shipped to my home flawlessly, and the powermac actually exceeded specs from what i purchased (arrived with a larger hard drive, and better graphics card). i wouldn't hesitate to buy another refurbished apple product from the apple store.

[Laminar]

I had a refurbished Nano sent to me a couple weeks ago, and I accidentally used the wrong shipping address (for some reason Apple had my dorm address from 5 years ago). I've never had a company work so hard to make sure I still got my package and that I was happy with it.

[SpaceMonkey]

My current machine is a refurbished MacBook Pro purchased from the online store in August. No problems whatsoever with packaging or the computer itself.

[sdilley14]

I've purchased 3 laptops and 2-3 iPods from the refub site through the last 7-8 years. The shipping has always been free, well packaged, and arrived promptly. Also, I'm fairly certain that all refurb items come with a 1 year warranty. I've never had a single issue with shipping, performance of products, or appearance of any of the products I've purchased.

[olePigeon]

The only difference in packaging between a refurbished and a new Apple product is that the refurbished comes in a generic brown box instead of white box with graphics. The interior packing is the same, if I recall correctly. High impact foam and inserts to keep it safe during shipping. As for the product, often you still get a new Apple product versus a used one. Many returns were impulse buy items. If it was opened and returned, they have to sell it "used," even if it wasn't even actually used.

[The Final Dakar]

I completely forgot the iMac I picked up this year is a refurb. Which is to say, it's awesome.

[fleabag]

Thank you all for all the responces. I most likely will go with a refurbish 21.5 i3 iMac soon at the online Apple Store.

Add another vote for refurb - to me, it's just like new. I've bought several refurbs from the Apple store - never had a problem.

[LegendaryPinkOx]

I'm currently posting on a refurbished late 2008 Macbook, and have (to my shame) even dropped it on a couple occasions. But, its still chugging along as nicely as when I bought it two years ago.