Should you buy a refurbished Mac? Pros, cons, savings, and what to avoid

We love Macs, but they aren’t cheap. Even with the arrival of lower-cost options like the MacBook Neo, buying a new Mac that meets your requirements can be expensive. Luckily there are cost-effective options, if you don’t mind buying a used Mac.

Not all used Macs are equal though. If budget is tight you might be tempted by a bargain on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or similar platforms. The price might look attractive, but buying a used Mac can introduce risks around security, longevity, and hardware reliability.

Luckily there is a safe way to get a used Mac for less. You can buy a Mac that has been refurbished.

In this article we’ll discuss what a refurbished Mac is, how to know whether it’s safe to buy a refurbished Mac, what protections you have if you buy a refurbished Mac, how much money you can save, and how old is too old when choosing a refurbished Mac.

Further reading

If you want to know more about buying a refurbished Mac, read this: Where to buy a Refurbished Mac.

We also have Best Place to buy a Mac and When is the best time to buy a Mac.

For advice about which Mac to buy read out Best Mac Buying Guide

And if you want a deal on a new Mac, read:

• Best MacBook Air deals

• Best MacBook Pro deals

• Best iMac deals

• Best Mac mini deals

Thinking of a refurbished iPhone? Read Best places to buy a refurbished iPhone and where to get the best deals.