You can't tell the difference between a new and refurbished switch. It works and boots up just like a brand new one. Finding a switch is very hard these days so going the "refurbished route" was my only option. My only complaint is that it did not come in the original packaging and instead came in a plain brown one. I'm giving this as a Christmas gift and although I don't think it matters that this is refurbished, it would have just been nicer to have the original box with the printing on it. (I'm also giving a refurbished switch lite as a Christmas gift and that came in the original packaging. Both gifts will be opened at the same time so not having the original box here hurts the surprise value.)