refurbs

As I noted back in January, the only smart way to buy Apple gear is to buy it refurbished.

You're guaranteed to save money while getting gear that's literally as good as new.

Just one problem: how can you keep tabs on Apple's latest refurb deals? Suppose, for example, you're in the market for a refurbished fourth-gen iPod Touch, the one with the built-in cameras and Retina display. (As it happens, that's exactly what my kids are after.)

For a long while, there weren't any for sale. I know because I checked the store … Read more

Not all refurbished products are created equal. The very definition can differ depending on what the product is and who's doing the refurbishing.

For example, I once bought a small, refurbished HDTV that had a broken stand, scuffed bezel, and barely there packaging. Bleh.

However, when it comes to Apple products, I see no reason to choose anything but refurbs. I say this not as a gushing Apple fanboy, but rather as someone who thinks most Apple hardware is overpriced--and sees refurbs as a rare opportunity to get it for less.

Here's a great example. Head to the … Read more

Whenever Apple updates its computers and devices, our immediate response is to click over to Apple's refurb listings to see what kind of deal we can get on the last-gen models. Today's MacBook Air announcement was no different, and if you don't mind getting an older Intel Core 2 Duo processor, there are deals to be had.

The biggest discount--at least in dollar amount--is on the 1.86GHz Core 2 Duo 13.3-inch Air with 2GB memory and 256GB flash storage at $1,249--$350 less than a new one, or 21 percent off. The one with … Read more

The iPad 2 is official, and it's impressive, but it's not as much of an upgrade to the original as some had thought. No Thunderbolt, no SD slot, and no mini-DisplayPort. That might make those of us who have the original take pause before lining up for the new one.

But for those in the market for their first iPad, the lack of a completely overwhelming difference between the older and the newer device might be a good thing. During today's event, Apple's online store, as it typically does, went down. When it came back up, … Read more

It was just two months ago that refurbished iPads first hit the Apple Store, bringing a $50 savings to all three Wi-Fi models. (Since then, Apple has added the 3G iPads to the refurb catalog as well, again at a $50 discount.)

If those price reductions weren't significant enough for you, how about this: Apple just lowered refurbished iPad prices even further.

Right now, and for a "special limited time" (Apple isn't saying how long, but my guess is until stock runs out), you can get a refurbished 16GB iPad for $429, a 32GB iPad for $499, … Read more

I'm a longtime fan of refurbished gear--especially Apple's refurbished gear, which looks and operates like new and comes with the same warranty as the new stuff.

I speak from experience, having purchased several refurbished iPhones and iPod Touches. But I've yet to land an iPad this way--mostly because Apple didn't offer them. Until now.

For the first time, refurbished iPads are available from the Apple Store (online only).

Like their smaller counterparts, they come with a new battery, a new outer shell, and a full one-year warranty. You also get all the same accessories (USB cable … Read more

Listeners of our Real Deal podcast often ask for advice on buying cheap laptop computers. Often they're asking about machines for family members, or for leave-around-the-house computers. Netbooks can be good for these applications. They're cheap and small. But they're also quite basic and often underpowered; some don't even run a full version of Windows.

There's another solution for the penny-pinching laptop buyer: the manufacturer-reconditioned laptop, or "refurb." These are often gently used machines that have been returned to the manufacturer because they were unwanted. Sometimes they're warranty returns that are repaired, … Read more

AT&T is selling a refurbished iPhone 3GS for as low as $49 with free shipping and no activation fees when purchased with a $30 per month data service, 2 year contract, and new activation.

The phones are available in either 16GB ($49) or 32GB ($149) capacities and available at these prices while supplies last when ordered from AT&T's Web site.

AT&T will probably run out of these pretty quickly, since these prices are going to be hard to pass up for most people.

So it has come to this: My iPhone 3G is a year old and out of warranty. Its battery ain't what it used to be. And, heavens, does it seem slow sometimes.

Needless to say, I've been eyeballing a 3GS for some time, but I still don't qualify for a price break on an upgrade--not until April, 2010, according to AT&T.

So if I want to replace my 16GB 3G with a 32GB 3GS, it'll cost me $499. It'll be a warm January day in Michigan before I spend that kind of money … Read more