5 great options for buying refurbished Macs in the UK

How to get a bargain on a Mac

Tech buyers often complain about the high price of Macs and MacBooks. It’s true that they are premium devices with price tags to match, but you don’t have to break the bank if you know where to find a good deal. And one of the best options to consider is buying a Mac that’s been previously owned and then refurbished. You’ll get a much lower price, while retaining the peace of mind that comes with knowing the machine has been checked out by an expert. Buying new is expensive, and buying second-hand is a minefield; buying refurbished is the best of both worlds.

Of course, the next decision is choosing a reputable seller to buy your refurbished Mac from. It’s vital that you are able to rely on a quality service, or the entire point of refurbishment is lost. Here are several options, including the pros and cons of each.

Back Market

Back Market

A major player in the refurb sector with plenty of Macs to choose from. It’s important to bear in mind, however, that you’re not buying direct from Back Market, but from a third-party seller. There are benefits to this arrangement, but also complications.

Pros Cons
Huge range of devices It’s a marketplace, and you don’t buy directly
Competitive prices Can be difficult to contact original sellers, causing problems with picking a device, returns and warranty
Non-British keyboard languages available Extra fees added at checkout
Limited finance options
Unknown capability or certification of technicians as not buying directly. Quality could vary massively between purchases

MacFinder

MacFinder

MacFinder won’t sell you an iPhone, an Apple Watch, or the Eagles’ greatest hits on vinyl. What the company offers is total Mac focus, so you know the refurb has been done by an expert.

Pros Cons
Mac specialists Macs only; no iPhones, iPads or Apple Watches
Excellent sales & support from experts No rental or lease options
Part-exchange and trade-in available with 10% store credit bonus
0% finance up to 24 months on orders above £199
1-year battery service cover and up to 3 years warranty available
Quickest to have the latest refurbished models after release
Large range of models and specifications
Fast delivery
Apple certified technicians

MusicMagpie

MusicMagpie

One of the biggest names on this list, MusicMagpie lets you buy (and sell) all kinds of tech and even, as the name suggests, CDs and vinyl. Mac buyers may find this lack of specialisation worrying.

Pros Cons
Options to buy, rent and finance a Mac Limited purchase and technical support
Up to 36 months interest-bearing finance available No more than 12-month warranty available
Fast delivery Not Apple specialists
Unknown capability or certification of technicians

Apple Refurbished

Apple

Website: apple.com/uk/shop/refurbished
Trustpilot rating: 1.9/5 (8,500+ reviews)
Like-for-like price comparison: Apple Refurbished sells the 2020 MacBook Air for £795 or £25.93 per month (14.9% APR finance) over 36 months.

You know what you’re getting from Apple’s own refurb offering: absolute peace of mind, and higher prices than elsewhere.

Pros Cons
Purchase direct from Apple Limited purchase support
1-year Apple warranty Stock can be limited
Up to 36 months interest-bearing finance available Generally higher prices
AppleCare available
Pickup from Apple store
Apple certified technicians

Raylo

Raylo

  • Website: raylo.com
  • Trustpilot rating: 4.5/5 (9,500 reviews)
  • Like-for-like price comparison: Raylo sells the 2020 MacBook Air for £19.68 per month on a 24-month lease.

Raylo offers to lease you a Mac, which is perfect for short-term use but less appealing for the rest of us. Watch out for additional charges.

Pros Cons
Lifetime warranty Leasing only; you don’t ever own the device
Good if you only need a device short term High end-lease purchase prices
Always have the latest device Potential charges at the end of the lease for condition or repair
Limited specifications available
Unknown capability or certification of technicians

Conclusion

Buying a refurbished Mac has many advantages, including a far lower price than when buying brand-new and the twin reassurances of a tune-up from an expert and warranty support. But it’s also more difficult than buying new because you need to be sure you’re buying from a reputable seller.

In other words, you need to look carefully at the company’s credentials. Does it have Mac expertise? How good is the range of products, and how competitive are the prices? Crucially, how comprehensive is its post-purchase support, and do previous customers back up the company’s claims with strong reviews?

The decision, ultimately, is yours. But hopefully this guide has helped you to make an informed choice.

Source : Macworld