The best place to buy refurbished MacBooks? The question comes down to a few factors. So, we’ve put together a quick guide of what to look for, and what to expect.
Where’s the best place to buy a refurbished MacBook in Los Angeles?
First off, our customers think A1A Computing is the best place to buy a refurbished MacBook in Los Angeles or Santa Monica, just check out our Yelp reviews! But whether you buy from us or not, here are 5 tips and things you should look for in a refurbished MacBook or MacBook Pro reseller. Let’s start simple, then get more detailed.
1. Refurbished MacBook Guarantee
A quality Apple Reseller will offer a guarantee on every used Mac. We offer a 90-day warranty, and you can purchase a 1-year guarantee, if you’d like. A warranty shows that the reseller is confident they’ve returned the refurbished MacBook to near-new condition.
2. 24hrs of Diagnostic Testing
How long does it take them to run their diagnostics on an old MacBook before they purchase it to resell? At A1A Computing, it takes us about eight hours, over the course of two days to run all the tests. We test all used MacBooks carefully to detect the typical problems (bad RAM, broken fans), and the unusual problems (production defects or water spills.)
If the reseller says it only takes them a couple hours to make sure a refurbished MacBook is working properly, then beware. That’s not enough time to make sure everything is functioning properly.
3. The MacBook Restart Test
It might seem obvious, but one of the simplest ways to determine if a refurbished MacBook is functioning properly is to restart it. Here’s how to test it, and what should happen:
- You will hear the traditional Apple “Ding”
- It should take 20-40 seconds to boot up.
- You should see the log in screen
4. Do they only resell refurbished Apple Macs?
At A1A Computing, we only resell Apple Macs, because that’s what we specialize in. Does the reseller you’re considering only sell refurbished Macs, or do they sell other computers and laptops, too? If they’re selling refurbished Apple laptops alongside PC laptops, think twice. It’s hard for a computer reseller to be able to specialize in repairing both Macs and PCs. Why? Because it means they have to keep parts for Macs and PCs in stock. That means more overhead, and more costs. Sure, it’s possible to be great at refurbishing both, but it’s something to consider and watch out for, before purchasing a used Mac.
5. Apple Mac Inventory Condition
Look at all the entire inventory of the Apple reseller. Are all their Macs in great condition? Are all their Macs made in 2012 or newer? We recommend finding a refurbished Mac reseller that is picky about what they buy. We have to turn down a lot of the old MacBooks that people bring in, simply because we have to be super confident that we can return them to near-new condition. If anything comes up in the diagnostic testing that we can’t explain, then we can’t buy it.
So, check out the reseller’s inventory. Make sure all the exteriors are in great condition. All the keyboards exhibit perfect typing action. And if you can, do the restart test on a few MacBooks. To be sure your MacBook is gonna work perfectly, you should make sure that all the Macs in their inventory work perfectly.
Does A1A have refurbished MacBooks in stock today?
Yes. Come by, or we can even deliver to you today in Los Angeles. Check our inventory, click here.
Does A1A Computing buy used MacBooks and MacBook Pros?
Yes. If your old MacBook is 2012 or newer, we buy old Apple laptops. Call with questions about your old MacBook and how much it’s worth: (310) 914-3200, or email: art@a1acomputing.com
Have questions about selling or buying a used MacBook Pro?
Just call. We’ll answer your questions fast, and make the selling process easy. At A1A Computing, we are in the business of helping customers just like you. Ask us questions, it’s our job! So, give us a call anytime: (310) 914-3200, or email: art@a1acomputing.com