Refurbished

I am going to switch to an Airport Extreme. I plan on keeping this for a long time to come. Normally I like to buy new products, I subscribe to the old "Buy once, cry once" theory. However, I have heard good things about refurbished Apple products.

When it comes to the Airport Extreme, I can save $50 by buying it refurbished from Apple.

I have read what Apple has to say about it's refurbs, and it looks good. But I am looking for real world experiences. Am I truly buying a like new product? Are refurbs just as reliable as new?

Thanks!

Several of our members have bought Apple refurbished products and swear by them. Refurbished devices purchased from Apple have the same warranty they would have if purchased new. This is not always true if the device is refurbished by someone else. The refurbished gear on Apple's site has been refurbished by them.

I can not speak for the Airport Extreme but just bought a refurbished iPad Air. It's like brand new. New battery, New case. Smells new, looks new, works like brand new. Very happy and saved a bit.

And just to set reasonable expectations, wifi routers, for me at least, seem to last about 3 years before the range starts to suffer. Others may have other experiences, but I've found the 3-year rule applies to just about every brand and type WiFi I've used. Currently have a 1 year old Airport Extreme, saving pennies for the next router in two years.

MacInWin said:

And just to set reasonable expectations, wifi routers, for me at least, seem to last about 3 years before the range starts to suffer. Others may have other experiences, but I've found the 3-year rule applies to just about every brand and type WiFi I've used. Currently have a 1 year old Airport Extreme, saving pennies for the next router in two years.

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So if the refurb that I bought had a radio that was in use for 2 years, I would be better off just buying new?

Techs said:

So if the refurb that I bought had a radio that was in use for 2 years, I would be better off just buying new?

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Don't know that at all. The refurbs from Apple are like new, so they should last as long as new. However, I just wanted you to know that in terms of WiFi routers, when you said, "I plan on keeping this for a long time to come" that means about three years if your experience is like mine.

If Apple offers a refurb for the unit you want. Go for it.

- Nick

I see. Ok, thanks guys. It looks like it'll be a refurb for me