Opinions on buying refurb Retina MBP

RavingMac

Well-known member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jan 7, 2008
Messages
8,303
Reaction score
242
Points
63
Location
In Denial
Your Mac's Specs
16Gb Mac Mini 2018, 15" MacBook Pro 2012 1 TB SSD
I just pulled the trigger and ordered this

Refurbished 15.4-inch MacBook Pro 2.8GHz Quad-core Intel i7 with Retina Display - Apple Store (U.S.)

$2459
Originally released February 2013
15.4-inch (diagonal) Retina display; 2880-by-1800 resolution at 220 pixels per inch
16GB of 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
768GB Flash Storage
720p FaceTime HD Camera
NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1GB of GDDR5 memory


So, if anyone has any good reasons why I should cancel and go for a new Haswell based MBP, let's here them.
 

chscag

Well-known member
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
65,248
Reaction score
1,833
Points
113
Location
Keller, Texas
Your Mac's Specs
2017 27" iMac, 10.5" iPad Pro, iPhone 8, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 Mini, Numerous iPods, Monterey
Sounds like a fantastic machine Mike. Good price too. I love that 768 GB flash drive! Go for it and don't look back! (Don't forget to buy Apple Care from B & H.)
 
OP
RavingMac

RavingMac

Well-known member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jan 7, 2008
Messages
8,303
Reaction score
242
Points
63
Location
In Denial
Your Mac's Specs
16Gb Mac Mini 2018, 15" MacBook Pro 2012 1 TB SSD
Sounds like a fantastic machine Mike. Good price too. I love that 768 GB flash drive! Go for it and don't look back! (Don't forget to buy Apple Care from B & H.)

Thanks, Charlie!

Just suffering a bit of 'Big Ticket Item' angst. Got my eye on Apple Care at B&H, $244 instead of $349 from Apple.
 

chscag

Well-known member
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
65,248
Reaction score
1,833
Points
113
Location
Keller, Texas
Your Mac's Specs
2017 27" iMac, 10.5" iPad Pro, iPhone 8, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 Mini, Numerous iPods, Monterey
Yeah, I know the feeling. I felt the same way when I purchased a new Camry for the wife some years ago. Ever since, I've been too cheap to purchase another new car. ;P
 
OP
RavingMac

RavingMac

Well-known member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jan 7, 2008
Messages
8,303
Reaction score
242
Points
63
Location
In Denial
Your Mac's Specs
16Gb Mac Mini 2018, 15" MacBook Pro 2012 1 TB SSD
Yeah, I know the feeling. I felt the same way when I purchased a new Camry for the wife some years ago. Ever since, I've been too cheap to purchase another new car. ;P

We owned 3 Camrys (all bought used). Great cars!
 

cwa107


Retired Staff
Joined
Dec 20, 2006
Messages
27,042
Reaction score
812
Points
113
Location
Lake Mary, Florida
Your Mac's Specs
14" MacBook Pro M1 Pro, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD
Mike, you know my opinion of the rMBP, so I will only say that it is my sincere hope that it holds up for you.
 
OP
RavingMac

RavingMac

Well-known member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jan 7, 2008
Messages
8,303
Reaction score
242
Points
63
Location
In Denial
Your Mac's Specs
16Gb Mac Mini 2018, 15" MacBook Pro 2012 1 TB SSD
Mike, you know my opinion of the rMBP, so I will only say that it is my sincere hope that it holds up for you.

I understand and agree.

Just couldn't pass on the Retina screen for photography. Gritting my teeth on the rest. :p
 

pigoo3

Well-known member
Staff member
Admin
Joined
May 20, 2008
Messages
44,210
Reaction score
1,418
Points
113
Location
U.S.
Your Mac's Specs
2017 15" MBP, 16gig ram, 1TB SSD, OS 10.15
Looks like a nice computer Mike!:) Definitely a great idea to get the 15" if you don't want to have to always "fool" with an external monitor...yet still have decent screen real estate for photgraphy work.

Also...according to Everymac.com...there was no official/stock 2.8ghz i7 15" Early 2013 MBP...just a 2.7ghz model. So this refurbished unit must have been an upgraded/pre-configured with the faster 2.8ghz cpu. :)

The only "watch-out" I can see is...the cost of that 768gig of flash storage. That's got to add a decent amount to the cost. I know that Apple doesn't expect us to be able to upgrade the storage after purchase...but it does seem to be possible...as long as someone (OWC) comes up with a solution.

I know that you're going to enjoy it. Especially upgrading from a 2007 MBP!:)

- Nick
 
OP
RavingMac

RavingMac

Well-known member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jan 7, 2008
Messages
8,303
Reaction score
242
Points
63
Location
In Denial
Your Mac's Specs
16Gb Mac Mini 2018, 15" MacBook Pro 2012 1 TB SSD
Looks like a nice computer Mike!:) Definitely a great idea to get the 15" if you don't want to have to always "fool" with an external monitor...yet still have decent screen real estate for photgraphy work.

Also...according to Everymac.com...there was no official/stock 2.8ghz i7 15" Early 2013 MBP...just a 2.7ghz model. So this refurbished unit must have been an upgraded/pre-configured with the faster 2.8ghz cpu. :)

The only "watch-out" I can see is...the cost of that 768gig of flash storage. That's got to add a decent amount to the cost. I know that Apple doesn't expect us to be able to upgrade the storage after purchase...but it does seem to be possible...as long as someone (OWC) comes up with a solution.

I know that you're going to enjoy it. Especially upgrading from a 2007 MBP!:)

- Nick

I guess at this point the only thing I'm waffling on is whether a Haswell MBP would be better.

For almost the same price I can get the i7 2.3 GHz Haswell based, that is almost identical in speed, but has a 512 instead of 768 flash drive.
 

pigoo3

Well-known member
Staff member
Admin
Joined
May 20, 2008
Messages
44,210
Reaction score
1,418
Points
113
Location
U.S.
Your Mac's Specs
2017 15" MBP, 16gig ram, 1TB SSD, OS 10.15
I guess at this point the only thing I'm waffling on is whether a Haswell MBP would be better.

For almost the same price I can get the i7 2.3 GHz Haswell based, that is almost identical in speed, but has a 512 instead of 768 flash drive.

I hate to confuse things. But if it were me...I would go with the latest & greatest if we're talking the same price (but less storage)...especially if reviews of the new MBP's are favorable vs. previous models.

Apple is always changing things, adding features, adding abilities...and sometimes only the newer models are capable of taking advantage of these things. For example there are features in newer MacBook Pro's that even 2011/2012 MBP's cannot take advantage of.

So I'm thinking you might as well go with the latest & greatest (I really hate the term "future-proof")...but I guess that can apply.

The rMBP you have ordered already has the downsides of non-upgradeability...so it's not like we're taking an upgradeable MBP vs. non-upgradeable. I think that you will be fine with 512gig of storage. And who knows...it may be upgradeable at some point.

For what you're spending...treat yourself to something brand spanking new. How the heck often do we get to do that! And since the price tag is essentially the same between the two models...that's a plus as well. If the price tags were a lot different...then I would say stick with the refurbished.

Hope this helps,:)

- Nick

p.s. I haven't really done the research on the two models...but of course look very closely at the graphics abilities of the two models (from reviews and benchmarks). I think that this is a very important area. Graphics improvements on newer computers is where a lot of the "action" is...versus just cpu speed improvements.
 
OP
RavingMac

RavingMac

Well-known member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jan 7, 2008
Messages
8,303
Reaction score
242
Points
63
Location
In Denial
Your Mac's Specs
16Gb Mac Mini 2018, 15" MacBook Pro 2012 1 TB SSD
Well . . . cold feet got the best of me and I cancelled the order.

I'll probably wait a bit for reviews to come out on the new MBPs before reordering.
 

dtravis7


Retired Staff
Joined
Jan 4, 2005
Messages
30,133
Reaction score
703
Points
113
Location
Modesto, Ca.
Your Mac's Specs
MacMini M-1 MacOS Monterey, iMac 2010 27"Quad I7 , MBPLate2011, iPad Pro10.5", iPhoneSE
On the surface the Haswell one should get better battery life. Otherwise till someone does some proper testing, not sure what to say.
 

pigoo3

Well-known member
Staff member
Admin
Joined
May 20, 2008
Messages
44,210
Reaction score
1,418
Points
113
Location
U.S.
Your Mac's Specs
2017 15" MBP, 16gig ram, 1TB SSD, OS 10.15
Well . . . cold feet got the best of me and I cancelled the order.

I'll probably wait a bit for reviews to come out on the new MBPs before reordering.

As difficult as a decision it must have been to cancel the order...I bet that you'll feel better once you have all the info on the new models.:)

At about $2500 for that MBP...who knows...maybe you'll end up with the new Mac Pro!;)

- Nick
 
OP
RavingMac

RavingMac

Well-known member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jan 7, 2008
Messages
8,303
Reaction score
242
Points
63
Location
In Denial
Your Mac's Specs
16Gb Mac Mini 2018, 15" MacBook Pro 2012 1 TB SSD
Just read the Techcrunch review (member Checco posted a link in another thread), and am now glad I cancelled.
 
OP
RavingMac

RavingMac

Well-known member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jan 7, 2008
Messages
8,303
Reaction score
242
Points
63
Location
In Denial
Your Mac's Specs
16Gb Mac Mini 2018, 15" MacBook Pro 2012 1 TB SSD

cwa107


Retired Staff
Joined
Dec 20, 2006
Messages
27,042
Reaction score
812
Points
113
Location
Lake Mary, Florida
Your Mac's Specs
14" MacBook Pro M1 Pro, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD

dtravis7


Retired Staff
Joined
Jan 4, 2005
Messages
30,133
Reaction score
703
Points
113
Location
Modesto, Ca.
Your Mac's Specs
MacMini M-1 MacOS Monterey, iMac 2010 27"Quad I7 , MBPLate2011, iPad Pro10.5", iPhoneSE
Great machine. Think you will be very happy.
 

pigoo3

Well-known member
Staff member
Admin
Joined
May 20, 2008
Messages
44,210
Reaction score
1,418
Points
113
Location
U.S.
Your Mac's Specs
2017 15" MBP, 16gig ram, 1TB SSD, OS 10.15
Pulled the trigger again, but this time I'm not having buyer's remorse.

If you don't mind sharing...what made you decide on this computer? (maybe I answered this question in my post-script below);).

Also...did you order it from Amazon.com (the link in your post)? Amazon is selling it for $1698.99...the Apple refurbished store is selling it for $1449:

Refurbished 15.4-inch MacBook Pro 2.3GHz Quad-core Intel i7 - Apple Store (U.S.)

- Nick

p.s. I think that it's a fine choice as well.:) The ram and storage are user upgradeable...as well as the battery is user replaceable. And I'm not sure the retina display is really a must.

p.p.s. This is definitely a model I would have ordered if I was looking for a new/newer MacBook Pro!:):)
 
OP
RavingMac

RavingMac

Well-known member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jan 7, 2008
Messages
8,303
Reaction score
242
Points
63
Location
In Denial
Your Mac's Specs
16Gb Mac Mini 2018, 15" MacBook Pro 2012 1 TB SSD
If you don't mind sharing...what made you decide on this computer? (maybe I answered this question in my post-script below);). It's significantly different than the other model. This one is non-retina...and it has a traditional hard drive vs. flash storage.

Also...did you order it from Amazon.com (the link in your post)? Amazon is selling it for $1698.99...the Apple refurbished store is selling it for $1449:

Refurbished 15.4-inch MacBook Pro 2.3GHz Quad-core Intel i7 - Apple Store (U.S.)

- Nick

p.s. I think that it's a fine choice as well.:) The ram and storage are user upgradeable...as well as the battery is user replaceable. And I'm not sure the retina display is really a must.

I got it for $1599 (temporary price drop). Refurb from Apple would have cost me $1449 + $115.92 tax = $1564.92. So for ~$35 more I'm getting a brand new rather than refurb MBP.

Why did I choose thus one over the retina version?

1) Saved almost $1000
2) Not a throwaway product
3) Has FireWire and Ethernet ports for those of us who still use them
4) With the saved cash I can setup a second hi-res (Thunderbolt possibly) display to use when I do photo editing.
5) Geekbench scores close to what Retina model has
 

Shop Amazon


Shop for your Apple, Mac, iPhone and other computer products on Amazon.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
Top