It's natural to be cautious when buying a computer, especially a used computer. I never recommend that people buy a computer they see listed on eBay or Craigslist, as there are just too many scams out there. It's vital to buy from a trusted source, but you still want a deal. Apple's best-kept secret is your answer: LaptopFactoryOutlet, PCDreamsOutlet and the refurbished section of Apple's online store.

Is it Safe?

When you go into an Apple Store and pick out the iMac or MacBook that you want, you know you're getting a brand new computer that is going to work right out of the box. At least you assume that, and there's the key to this whole discussion. The fact is that Apple manufactures millions of computers, and like with all manufacturing there is a small percentage that could have a problem. Now Apple backs all of its products very well, and in fact frequently wins awards for its service. But that won't erase the feeling you'll have if you're the one who gets a Mac that doesn't work right out of the box.

The thing is, those Macs are manufactured by machines, packaged by machines, and shipped by machines. It's simply not possible to check each one out and make sure it works great. Only a very small percentage ships with a problem that evades quality control. A refurbished Macbook, on the other hand, has gone through a thorough process of testing and certification to make sure that it works great, and is fully backed by the same one year warranty Apple includes with brand new computers.

So what exactly is a refurbished Macbook? In some cases they were slightly used, in some cases they were returned for technical issues (part of the small percentage), and believe it or not some are simply bought, opened, and returned because the buyer changed their mind and wants the black MacBook instead. In all of these situations, Apple fully tests the computer, replaces any part that needs replacing, thoroughly cleans and inspects it, makes sure all the original items are present (such as the power cord, manuals, etc.) and repackages it. In effect, this Mac can be seen as a better purchase, because you know this Mac has been fully tested and certified.

And what do you get for all the extra work Apple has done? Well, because it's refurbished Apple can't sell it the same as a new computer - they have to reduce the price. In many cases, savings can be substantial. What's available can change quickly, but at the time of this writing you could get an 21.5″ iMac with the same specs as the latest version for $1,099 - a savings of $400 off of the price of a brand new iMac. I've seen MacBooks as low as $749 for what was a $999 model. I use an iMac and a MacBook that were both purchase refurbished, and have had no issues at all with them.

If you're looking at buying a Mac, and knew you could get the same high quality, with the same full warranty, buy it directly from Apple, and save hundreds doing it - why wouldn't you buy a refurbished Macbook?

In addition to years of teaching people how to get the most out of their Mac, including coordinating all educational opportunities at Apple's flagship store in Chicago, Craig J. Burns founded Mac in a Minute! which provides one-on-one training on Apple products and software. With live training available online, Mac in a Minute! can help you wherever you live, and at times convenient to you. Beginners, pros, and everyone in between can get the help they need, when they need it.

Here're some models from Laptop Factory Outlet:

APPLE MacBook 12 Retina (CoreM3/8GB/256GB/Early-2016)

Specifications:

• Intel Core M3 @ 1.10GHz

• 8GB RAM / 256GB Flash Storage

• Intel HD Graphics 515 1536 MB

• macOS Sierra

• Retina Display 12-Inch (2304 x 1440)

• Cycle Count: 26

• Condition: Grade B (S319022200589)

• 1 Year Premium Warranty

• Peace of mind purchase with our 14 days NO QUESTION ASKED exchange/upgrade policy!

APPLE MacBook 12 Retina (i5/8GB/500GB/2017)

Specifications:

• Intel Core i5 @ 1.30GHz

• 8GB RAM / 500GB Flash Storage

• Intel HD Graphics 615 1536 MB

• macOS Sierra

• Retina Display 12-Inch (2304 x 1440)

• Cycle Count: 2

• Condition: Grade B (B519022801961)

• 1 Year Premium Warranty

• Peace of mind purchase with our 14 days NO QUESTION ASKED exchange/upgrade policy!