Looking at new computer (mac) & wondering why

[Flyliner]

yup, that is a perfectly valid reason and why i as well purchase macs for my grandparents and mother. my dad likes android so he got a samsung tablet and phone. my mom got my old note 5 but ipads and an imac.

After your last post I see that you seem to get it, so I will edit my post..



OP: Others have answered your question. The refurbished machines are most likely from leases. If you want a new machine and are not seeing them just get it at apple.com or the apple store (assuming you want a Mac). You will not see much if any price differences on Apple hardware among the various outlets due to the markup being very slim on NEW Apple hardware..

[SuperGrover]

I've built my own PCs since the early 90s. I transitioned to mostly laptop use in the last 6 years. I'm typing this on a Surface Pro 4. This Surface Pro 4 is a game changer. I have had hardly any problems with it, and when you buy their warranty, if anything physically breaks, just bring it to the Microsoft store, and they'll hand you a new one.

Back to the topic at hand, Macs are sold at tomorrow's prices with yesterday's hardware. They crash too. They are far from perfect.

[Flyliner]

I've built my own PCs since the early 90s. I transitioned to mostly laptop use in the last 6 years. I'm typing this on a Surface Pro 4. This Surface Pro 4 is a game changer. I have had hardly any problems with it, and when you buy their warranty, if anything physically breaks, just bring it to the Microsoft store, and they'll hand you a new one.

Back to the topic at hand, Macs are sold at tomorrow's prices with yesterday's hardware. They crash too. They are far from perfect.

The irony is strong in this post..

[Flyliner]

OP I should add that if you want a refurbished PC you can go that route as well. Just Google it, there is a huge refurbished PC market as well. When I want a inexpensive box for a learning platform (Linux etc) thats what I have done several times. There is a used PC computer store not to far from my house I drop in to once in a while. You might have one near your house as well.

This would also be a good time to remind one of backups! Even on new hardware,PC or Mac, make sure you have a backup of your data...

[tanakasan]

yup, they sure do. the debate here is if its worth the price (for a refurb) seeing how mac is always a generation behind.

if you go buy a brand new $2500 macbook pro like mine today, it will come with an i7 cpu... a skylake cpu.

if you go buy a dell, it will be an i7... but the new kaby lake cpu.

so that means you just paid a premium price for a processor that came out two years ago.

Exactly!

I waited for the new Macbook Pro to come out. It was disappointing. Even the prices for the 2015 MBP were astronomical because of that.

I ended up with a Dell 9360. Better in almost every respect. 13" screen in a 11" MBA size case, current gen Skylake i7, faster RAM, 4k touch screen, SDHC reader, USB3 + USB-C with Power Delivery, etc. At a price half that of the new MBP and slightly less than the used 2015 model. Happy camper here.

Don't get me wrong, I love my 2011 Macbook Air. And my iPads and iPhones and iPods. All still going strong.

Robert

[numpty]

I have to agree. I've got three generations of Ipads at my house that all Still function perfectly even the First Gen. Thing is like a tank. All the ipads where my kids while going thru high school before off to college. Let just say they were not treated lightly as all the kids were year round athletes.

I doubt very seriously most PC laptops could have stood up to the same usage with out some internal damage.

My kids, since they were about 2 were using ours (I think gen 2). My son even peed on it. It's probably 4 yrs old? Granted we had a super duper case on it in anticipation, but it's been dropped, thrown, kicked, you name it. Thing still works flawlessly.

I've always like Mac stuff, but could never justify the cost. Technology moves too fast to pay $3000 for a computer that does what I need it to do when I can pay $1000 for something that does everything, just isn't quite as sexy.

[ExtremeX]

Technology moves too fast to pay $3000 for a computer that does what I need it to do when I can pay $1000 for something that does everything, just isn't quite as sexy.

Tech moves fast but that has nothing to do with what you should be paying for a computer.

Buying expensive technology is fine... IF you actually need it.

Buying expensive computers without a real need or application for it is just throwing away money...

My last desktop PC I paid over 5k for the setup, but I was doing enough heavy lifting (Virtualization Workstation) at the time to justify it. My needs have changed a lot over the past 10 years and these days a $1200 machine is all I need.

I've learned with technology is to buy what you need when you need it. If you need bleeding edge tech, then you better have a need for it.

Attempting to future proof is silly... its already out of date by the time it hits your door step.

[cvigue]

Why someone would be buying a Mac is a question in and of itself.

[Dragunov]

For around 70% of people, an old, refurbished Thinkpad T400(or its equivalent), with its Core2 Duo processor, 8gb/Ram, and a 500gb HDD, is all they need, or may ever need. Technology has slowed WAY down since around 2010. Soon to come to a grinding halt, if not already there.

A good T400, in good, working order, can be had from between 95 dollars, and 175 dollars. If bought from me, around $225 (mine are very "spit polished", run perfectly, and come with a limited, lifetime warranty, if bought locally).

An R400 can be had even cheaper, and properly set up, will run most software you'll need, and do it efficiently. Including Windows 10, and Office 2013. Next to a Panasonic Toughbook, the R400/500 think pads, are without a doubt, the toughest laptop builds to be found anywhere. Both these models can be upgraded to SSD, and up to 8gb/ram. You can also upgrade the processors to higher Core2 Duo processors.

Want something a little better? Lenovo T420. Can be upgraded to a 2640 i7, and if you're willing to give up 8 of the 16gb/ram it will support, an i7, 2670Quad core.

My current machine, is a high "B"/low "A" grade, Thinkpad T420, has an i7 2640m processor, 16gb/ram, 7200rpm, 1tb HDD, updated BIOS, and nVidia 4200 graphics. I bought the "bare bones" machine (i5)for $60. Upgrades cost me $120. For $180, I have a machine that outclasses ANYTHING you can buy at wal-mart, and most things you can buy at three, or four times that price, any place else.

Not only that, it's a pretty decent, mid-level, gamer.

I sold one just like it last week, except it was an i5 2540, for $300, with a new battery, and Lenovo charger. Customer is VERY satisfied, he didn't have to go spend $1500 on a new laptop, that isn't near as good of quality. He gets a full warranty, and free tech support as long as he owns it. That's how confident I am in the machine.

I do some video editing, and photo manipulation with Photoshop (not real complicated stuff though). Computer doesn't slow down even a little bit.

I also understand that not everyone can do their own upgrades, but I'm willing to guess, that nearly everyone knows someone who does, and would be willing to do it for a few ducketts, and a 12 pack.

Right now, these older computers are dirt cheap, cheaper yet, if you're handy. I buy all of them that I can afford. Reason being, when people realize we are at the edge of technology improvement, used computer prices will shoot back up considerably, and I will have a hundred or so, to sell inexpensively to local customers.

Moore's law is coming to an end, if not already done.

[Air]

Fantastic Computers.

My main milling around computer is a 2009 iMac 20 inch and I also have a 2013 Macbook Pro that I bought used from a trusted Amazon dealer. Stable, no BS computers that always work. I have a Dell Laptop that I use for work stuff, I hate it.

[Dragunov]

Fantastic Computers.

My main milling around computer is a 2009 iMac 20 inch and I also have a 2013 Macbook Pro that I bought used from a trusted Amazon dealer. Stable, no BS computers that always work. I have a Dell Laptop that I use for work stuff, I hate it.

DELLete your video chipset, Horrible Product, Acer(tain) failure, E(chhh)Machines, Packard Hell, Gateway (to hell). Unless you buy VERY high end, these are ALL junk.

I actually like the older Macs.... a lot! I would pay a premium for an older Power PC, LC, Macintosh II, Macintosh SE, Mac Color Classic...... All upgraded, with all the options and software, of course ! I used to collect old Macs, and Apple IIe computers. I'm STILL fascinated with the 68xxx series, Motorola-based Macs!

Macintosh started going down hill, after CBM went belly up, and finished hitting bottom, when they started using Intel, and PC parts.

Had development continued with Motorola, and Macintosh, I would've NEVER touched a PC.

For that matter, if Commodore would've stayed in business, I would have never touched a Mac, OR a PC . Indeed! for a little over a year, A PowerPC was my DD, and an LC was my other work horse! I loved the "pizza box" Macs! For two years, I used an Amiga 4000. Commodore went belly up, shortly after its release. STILL the best computer I've ever owned. You could run dual video toaster boards, simultaneously, in the 4000. It not only had the 68040 CPU, it had a 68020 processing the video through "zip" video chips! I paid a little less than $6000 for it, with ALL the toys, including dual video toasters.

Oh the possibilities! What a shame.

[farmerjoe]

As previously stated buy a factory refurbished MB/MBP from Apple. Get Apple Care and never look back.

Over the years I've purchased several hundred Apple computers, going back to the Powerbook 500 series. Mostly refurbished when I can get the model I want. Same warranty as new with a 15-20% price difference. My understanding the majority are store displays and Apple employee turn ins. Either way, you can't go wrong.

[Iknownot]

I orginally was Apple II then Mac and eventually transitioned to PC once I started working and I needed to run specific software that was only available on windows. I was Windows / PC for many years and recently came back to Mac after Mac OS X.

I'm still using both platforms. I'm PC for work still (due to software) and I am Mac now for personal use.

I can tell you why i switched back to Mac for personal use at least and why macs hold their value.

They just work. It's really that simple. At one point, I was staying on top of keeping 3 Windows Desktops, 2 Windows lap tops and windows tablet running anything from Win XP to Win 7. It was just too time intensive to keep everything updated and running well. Not that I had issues all the time, but things just came up.

When my kids started really using PCs for school, I just didn't want to have to stay on top of their machines too, so I started transitioning to mac.

With Mac, I'm running a mini, two macbook airs and a old mac book pro I basically got free. It's just easier. That's the honest truth. It's basically plug and play. There really aren't software conflicts. The OS updates it self and you don't have to worry about it not working.

I'm running the last OS on the mac book pro, which isn't able to be updated to Sierra and it is running fine. Everything still works as it should and the mac book pro is about 10 years old at this point. I never had equal success running older PCs. Some would work ok. Some wouldn't. It just depended.

As for reliability, things go wrong with Macs, but generally, they just keep running. I have had to replace more parts on PCs to keep them running.

Now the flip side is that it is way less expensive and easier to keep a windows PC running. Apple uses a lot of specialty parts and you have to order from a couple specific places and hope for the best.

In any case, apple certified remanufactured from the apple store is the way to go. I have had only success buying apple products that way. You get the full 1 year warranty, you get a nice discount and it often brings the apple product you are looking at more in line with what market prices should be.

You definitely pay a premium for macs. THere are definitely better PCs with similar or better specs for less or the same money.

However, you are paying for packaging (ie apple does have a nice design) and for convenience (ie the OS just works and the computers keep working with it for a long time with few issues).

THat's why macs hold their value.

In any case, the short of the long of this post is: if you want to save a bit of money and have safety, go apple certified refurbished from the apple store. You can find good deals on used macs if you keep an eye out and you know what you are looking for if you want to save more money. In terms of future proofing though, I don't think I'd buy a mac that was older than about 3 years, as you may not be able to update to the latest OS's after a few years. 5 or so years old seems to be the cut off year with regards to Mac Os. Not that the mac won't still be able to run the old OS, but just in terms of longevity. Of course, if you get a really good deal (ie mac book pro for $200) why not?

[stonith3901]

I own a lot of apple products. I don't like computers, don't like to tinker with them, don't want to upgrade them. My Macs just work without drama. But then I don't game on it or do a lot of video editing or whatever PCs are good for.

I've bought refurbished MacBooks for my kids to take to college and haven't had any issues

Macs are to computers as a Prius is to transportation.

I pretty much agree with this guy. I know computers, I probably don't know how to fix a laptop, but honestly, I really don't care. My time is important. I am dealing with bigger fish and just want my device to "work" especially during mission critical times where I open the lid of my macbook and go into a shell and do "work." For me, troubleshooting a dirty fan, replacing a hard drive, or diving deep on client side stuff is not worth my time. I have to deal with high availability clustering nodes, why this proxy URL being blocked, doing tcp packet dumps and analyzing why the hell we are using a double NAT for a network collision all on top of issues happening in different time zones. I don't really have the time to switch out the keys on my mechanical keyboard nor do I care.