Get a great computer and save dough with refurbished Macs

By

Apple MacBook Pro 13.3-inch: Save money on refurbished Macs, from MacBook Pro to MacBook Air, Mac mini and iMac.
Save money on refurbished Macs.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

There are plenty of reasons we might want another computer. If you’re not saving up for one of the new Macs with the M1 chip inside, you can save some scratch with one of these four refurbished Macs.

Going with a refurb means some tradeoffs: Most of these won’t run the new macOS Big Sur, for instance. (You can check compatibility on Apple’s site.) However, they can deliver things you just can’t get anymore. The MacBook Pro, for instance, comes with a built-in SuperDrive.

MacBook Pro 13.3-inch, Core i5, 4GB RAM 500GB (refurbished) – 11% off

This 13.3-inch MacBook Pro sports a fast 2.5GHz Intel Core i5 processor, enough to keep up with most common productivity and creative apps. A great solid machine from 2012, it’s got all the features you’d want: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Ethernet, a widescreen LED-backlit TFT active-matrix glossy screen and seven-hour battery life. With half a terabyte of HDD storage, you’re not going to run out of room anytime soon.

Buy now: Get a refurbished MacBook Pro 13.3-inch Core i5, 4GB RAM 500GB in silver for $534. That’s 11% off the typical price.

This Grade B refurbished Mac mini offers fast Wi-Fi great graphics, and plenty of storage
This Grade B refurbished Mac mini offers fast Wi-Fi great graphics, and plenty of storage.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Mac mini Intel Core i5, 512GB SSD (refurbished) – 31% off

Plug this refurbished Mac mini into any TV or monitor, add a mouse and keyboard, and you’ve suddenly got a great computer. The Intel Core i5 delivers great performance in a super-slim profile, so you can use it for many things, from straight-up computing to an HDMI media hub and lots more. With 512GB of storage, there’s plenty of room to stash your movies, photos and other stuff.

Buy now: Get a refurbished Mac mini Intel Core i5, 512GB SSD in silver for $616.99. That’s a full 31% off the usual price.

Refurbished iMac: Multitask on a nice, wide 27-inch display, powered by an i5 processor, and backed by 8GB of RAM
Multitask on a nice, wide 27-inch display, powered by an i5 processor, and backed by 8GB of RAM.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

iMac 27-inch Core i5 2012, 8GB RAM 1TB HDD (refurbished) – 61% off

The iMac has always been a beautiful machine, as this refurbished 2012 model proves. With a sizable 27-inch display, it runs on an Intel Core i5 3.2GHz CPU with 8GB of RAM, so it can handle most typical apps and uses. Add to that a full terabyte of HDD storage, and you’ve got a serious machine even by today’s standards. Included are the mouse and keyboard, so all you have to do is plug it in and go.

Buy now: Get a refurbished iMac 27-inch Core i5 2012, 8GB RAM 1TB HDD in silver for $759.99. That’s 61% off the usual price.

MacBook Air 13.3_
These laptops earn the name Air, packing Wi-Fi, 128GB of storage, a 12-hour battery life and more into a super slim package.
Photo: Apple

MacBook Air 13.3-inch Core i5, 128GB SSD (refurbished) – 40% off

Even after six years, this 13.3-inch MacBook Air still feels futuristic. With a 1.4GHz Intel Core i5 processor, Intel HD Graphics 5000, a 13.3-inch LED display, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, and 128GB of solid state storage, you can do all your browsing, media consumption and other productive stuff. The featherweight laptop’s ultra-slim profile really earns the name “Air.” And this one will run macOS Big Sur, in case that’s important to you.

Buy now: Get a refurbished MacBook Air 13.3-inch Core i5, 128GB SSD for $589.99. That’s 40% off the typical price.

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.