It’s arm candy. It’s a lifesaver. It’s one of the only machines you need in your life. What is it? It’s none other than a refurbished Apple laptop.

The sleek, modern aluminum unibodies are tempting. The rounded edges and minimalist, clean looks - definitely a tease. But the price tag? Not a big deal now that you know about Reebelo - a trusted marketplace for certified refurbished laptops. 

If you’re buying a MacBook for school or work for the first time (yay, happy graduation day!), there’s a lot you have to consider to ensure you invest in the right device for your needs. Grab your trusty notepad - we’re here to help you navigate the various options available to choose your first refurbished Apple laptop.

Top 6 Factors To Help You Choose Your Refurbished Apple Laptop

What Do You Need it For?

What will you be using it for? Are you looking for a cheap MacBook for school or college? Will your primary use be completing assignments, making presentations, and staying up-to-date with your classmates via email? If so, a fast performer like the MacBook Air (M1, Late 2020) is a great option. 

On the other hand, if you’re a power user who will multitask all day, consider investing in a MacBook Pro. This lineup from Apple has higher, professional-grade performance with an 18% faster CPU and a 40% stronger internal processing architecture. An excellent choice worth investigating would be the MacBook Pro 2017 15.4".

Reebelo Tip: A useful way to determine the right fit between need and performance is to compare each device's RAM and storage. 8GB RAM is good for everyday use whereas a graphic designer who uses multiple apps may require 16GB. For storage, 256GB may be fine for most users, however, investing in 1TB can ensure your device stays at its optimum and reduces the need for external hard drives.

What’s Your Budget?

At Reebelo, we guarantee a safety net for our customers with detailed return and refund policies while keeping prices of refurbished laptops up to 40% less than retail. With no compromise on quality, we bring you only the best choices from certified refurbishers. 

So, as you decide on a budget for your first refurbished Apple laptop, rest assured you will find a wide selection at every price point. From a starting price of NZ$419 for this MacBook Air 2014 11" to $1400 for one of the latest MacBook Pro 2019 13.3" models. 

Reebelo Tip: When deciding your budget, go back to point #1 and think about your usage. If the biggest chunk of your usage, and pleasure, comes from binge-watching pantry organizing videos (guilty as charged…), a $1500 laptop isn’t really a good fit! 

What Screen Size Do You Want?

At first, this may not seem like a make-or-break when considering which refurbished Apple laptop to buy. But trust us, you want to take it into account. Apple MacBooks come in a variety of screen sizes - from 11” to 15.5”.

If you’re an avid traveler, a more compact screen like the MacBook Air 2015 11.6" will be the best choice. On the other hand, if you work with video editing or gaming software, a bigger 15” screen may serve you better.

Reebelo Tip: Screen size also determines the quality of the screen. Hi-Res and Retina displays require technology that some smaller screens may not have. Something to consider as you reach for the measuring tape!

How Much Battery Life Do You Want?

Most refurbished Apple laptops have all-day battery life. You can carry them around as you go about your day without needing a charger to top it up. Factors that affect how much juice your laptop will consume include the strength of the CPU, and the efficiency of the battery. 

If you’re always on the go and need your laptop to be wireless for long hours - we’d recommend the refurbished 13-inch MacBook Pro 2017 any day! The 54.5-watt-hour lithium-ion battery on this beast gives a full day of wireless web and hours of Apple TV movie playback. Simply unmatched! 

Reebelo Tip: We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again - responsible charging has a huge impact on your MacBook’s battery life. Completely draining the battery and charging overnight are some habits that negatively impact even the strongest of lithium cells.  

Is Connectivity Important to You?

Are you planning to connect multiple devices to your refurbished Apple laptop? Just like MacBooks are available in different screen sizes, every model also has slight variations in port availability.

The 15” MacBook Pro (2015) is one such example. This notebook comes with all the ports you and your family may be familiar with. You can connect and integrate multiple devices using the selection of thunderbolts and USB slots.

Reebelo Tip: Again, port connectivity isn’t something you’d be thinking about actively. We suggest you list the activities you may be doing with your laptop in the future to make sure your purchase is truly an investment. 

Do You Want a Light Apple Laptop? 

One of the lightest Apple Laptop around is the MacBook Air 2020 M1. Weighing 2.8 pounds, you’ll forget it’s even in your backpack all day long. It’s a great addition to your travel arsenal, especially if you are on the go all the time. 

However, do keep in mind that the lighter the laptop, the fewer ports it will house to keep the internal structure thin.

Reebelo Tip: Your pick might be light, but it will not be any less sturdy. A ton of engineering and finesse goes into keeping these modern laptops sleek but also strong enough to be your daily grind partners. So pick away! 

Is a Refurbished MacBook Worth It?

A refurbished MacBook is definitely worth considering. Depending on the model and condition of the device, you can save between 10-40% off the original price with Reebelo’s special deals.

When buying a thoroughly vetted refurbished MacBook, you can take advantage of our 14-day return window, extended warranty periods, fast delivery, and a wide selection of products and vendors - all with a few clicks. 

You can proudly own a refurbished Apple laptop that looks great and works perfectly without spending a fortune!