What if we told you that you could pick any Apple product of your choice for up to 50% of the price discounted or even more? Sounds a bit far-fetched, right?

This is where the overlooked world of refurbishment and certified pre-owned Apple products come in. Refurbished Apple products offer you the same quality guarantees, functionality, and features as a new MacBook Pro, iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch—except they’re cheaper.

This post will show you the pros and cons of owning a refurbished MacBook Pro and know if you should buy one. Read on.

What does certified pre-owned mean?

A certified pre-owned product can have the following three definitions:

  • It was used as a display model in a store.
  • It was a product with a technical glitch or imperfection and was restored by the manufacturer or a seller.
  • It was returned by the customer for whatever reason.

Refurbished products mainly exist in the electronic category, such as laptops, tablets, phones, smart TVs, and smartwatches. They underwent a rigorous refurbishment process, testing, and quality check. Only then are they sold again with the corresponding cosmetic condition.

The difference between refurbished Apple products and other brands is in the quality controls. There are very strict guidelines followed by Apple when it comes to selling a pre-owned MacBook Pro—they follow extensive quality checks and testing before a product goes live.

Person using a MacBook

How is a refurbished MacBook Pro different from a used one?

A certified pre-owned MacBook Pro has undergone rigorous testing and cleaning. If there are any faults, they are repaired by a skilled and qualified technician.

A refurbished product is different from a used product. A used product doesn’t come with any warranty in many cases and is often sold by individuals. Even if third-party companies sell them, they may not have been checked and tested. Hence, a fault could go unnoticed, and you could risk losing money or falling prey to a scam.

A used product without a warranty won’t ensure the device will work properly. You could also be prone to potential identity theft frauds or malicious activity as you don’t know the person you’re buying a used MacBook Pro from, putting you at significant risk.

In addition, when you buy a used Macbook Pro, you’ll purchase it in the same condition as the previous owner had it.

A certified pre-owned Apple product works perfectly and is in excellent technical health, warranty included.

What are the pros and cons of owning a certified pre-owned MacBook Pro?

There’s some stigma or misunderstanding regarding the terms refurbished and pre-owned.

This post will help dispel some common myths while acting as a guide to understanding the benefits and drawbacks of buying a certified pre-owned Macbook Pro.

So, without further ado: here are the pros and cons!

PRO: You save a lot of money

One of the most obvious and important reasons for buying a certified pre-owned MacBook is that it will make you save a ton of money. As an example, see all available models from multiple merchants here:

Even with fluctuating prices, you can save anything between 10% and 50% while buying a refurbished Macbook Pro, and even more. If you’re in a cash crunch or don’t want to spend much money, then it is the right choice.

If you are a college student or trying to save money, a certified pre-owned MacBook Pro is the perfect option, regardless of your choice. You could save money for what’s essentially as good as a new model.

PRO: Quality assurance

Refurbished MacBook Pros go through rigorous testing and quality check. To the untrained eye, it’s challenging to differentiate them from a new one. That’s how well they’re taken care of.

The only difference is there could be minor wear and tear, but the hardware and software are in perfect working condition. Apple makes sure to take care of any minor superficial issues as well.

CON: You don’t get to choose

When buying a certified pre-owned MacBook Pro, you don’t always get the make and model of your choice. It all depends on the current availability of Apple’s inventory.

You might be able to get the laptop of your dreams, or you might have to settle for a different color, model, or variant—therein lies the real drawback of buying refurbished.

It’s a bit like buying off the lot at a dealership.

However, to hedge against this, you can use RefurbMe, which will notify you when the MacBook Pro that you want is available on Apple Store or third-party sites. This ensures you do not miss out on it and don’t have to settle for something you don’t like or need.

PRO: Warranty period

Did you know that Apple offers the same warranty period for a refurbished Macbook Pro as it does for a new one? It can also be extended to three years with AppleCare.

Other third-party Apple refurbishers might provide a different warranty.

CON(-ISH): The potential of fraud or scam

Many websites or individuals claim to offer refurbished or pre-owned MacBook Pros, usually just quick repairs done on an old laptop. You run the risk of possible fraud or being scammed by such sellers.

To avoid this, you must ensure that the product is sold by a certified refurbisher with high-quality control check and with a good warranty and return policies.

On RefurbMe, we compared all public reviews of every refurbisher listed so that you can make sure that the refurbisher is trustworthy—hence the “ish.”

PRO: Environmentally friendly

A certified pre-owned MacBook Pro is a value-conscious choice with the rising need for sustainability and environmentally conscious decisions. These would’ve otherwise been discarded, thus adding to our already overflowing levels of human waste.

The e-waste generated is very difficult and sometimes impossible to process. By purchasing refurbished, you are saving money, positively impacting the environment, and boosting the circular economy.

Isn’t that a cause you can easily get behind?

A MacBook and a plant

PRO: They are thoroughly cleaned

Obviously, no one wants a dirty laptop.

When buying a certified pre-owned MacBook Pro, you can rest assured that they are spotless.

The laptops are polished externally, the internal drives, fan, and internal components are cleaned, the gunk stuck under the keyboard is removed, and they undergo sterilization to eliminate germs.

Apart from light scratches here and there, there’s no gunk or anything unwanted that comes with it.

PRO: It works like a brand-new MacBook

When buying a certified pre-owned MacBook Pro, you’re guaranteed to get a 100% functional device.

They undergo rigorous testing and are treated to the same quality standard as a new MacBook Pro. You also get an updated macOS—which, let’s face it, is a huge part of Apple’s appeal in the first place.

No shortcuts are taken, especially if you buy them from a trusted source that connects you directly to Apple’s refurbished product inventory (like here on RefurbMe!)

PRO: You can get it directly from Apple Store

If you rather pay a bit more than for third-party refurbishers, there’s an option to get a refurbished MacBook Pro directly from the manufacturer. It eliminates any third-party intervention, thus guaranteeing you a safe, trusted, and certified device.

Apple Store sells its own refurbished MacBooks Pro, and they get the same treatment as factory-new products. If you have any issues with your laptop, you can go to the nearest Apple Store to receive official support.

👉 Related: 10 Best MacBook Pro Accessories for 2023

Looking for your next Apple product? Buy refurbished

Buying any piece of technology comes with a risk. Your brand-new MacBook Pro is just as prone to unknown damage as a certified pre-owned one is. They all come with varying levels of risk, which a consumer inadvertently takes.

However, this shouldn’t stop you from saving money, among other benefits that come with buying refurbished tech items. Ultimately, you’re given the same level of service that anyone else is entitled to.

The decision to buy a certified pre-owned Macbook pro depends entirely on you and your needs. The points above are generalizations based on our customers, but they’ll hopefully act as a guide when purchasing anything online, especially a refurbished or a pre-owned product.

👉 Learn more: 5 Best Refurbished MacBooks in 2023

Final thoughts

The essential aspect while buying a refurbished or certified pre-owned MacBook Pro is to buy it from a trusted source. Many websites sell them but can lack proper certification and authenticity.

If you use RefurbMe, our platform will connect you to the official Apple website and third-party sellers to easily compare all available models in their inventories. Once you’ve chosen your MacBook Pro, we will redirect you to the seller’s site.

It’s the easiest way to get an authentic refurbished MacBook Pro with the highest quality standards from reputable sellers and with a warranty.