Does a brand new Apple product just seem out of reach? Do you look at all the zeros on the price tag and wonder ‘what if’?

Plenty of people love their Macs and MacBooks, but a lot more just simply cannot afford to get the latest, super-resolution laptop.

But there is a saviour, in the form of refurbished products – a way to get money off in an instant, for something that’s almost as good as new.

But what exactly does refurbished mean?

First things first, we need to say that refurbished is not the same as second hand or resold. Resold is basically just someone selling an item on again, with all the problems that come with that.

Refurbished on the other hand means that the MacBook you’re looking at was sent back to Apple to be looked by a professional because of a minor issue, or because it was no longer wanted.

If parts are broken, they’ll be replaced and the MacBook is then looked to make sure it's right again before being sold on.

As such, there’s some fantastic deals to be found at the Apple Refurbished Store.

However, some people aren’t even aware that it exists.

This guide will show you how to get a great deal on a Mac by checking out the Apple Refurbished store and other reliable outlets.

Why Should I Buy A Refurbished Mac?

Refurbished Macs are more often than not, models that have been returned from the previous year or current models that are reconditioned.

A reconditioned Mac is one that was sold to a customer who subsequently decided to return it, or one that Apple used as a demonstration model.

If there’s one thing to say right now, it’s that Macs bought from the Refurbished Store are not noticeably different from brand new ones. They’re all cleaned, tested, checked and checked again so there shouldn’t be any problems.

One of the best places to buy reconditioned MacBooks and Macs is Mac of All Trades – they also do iPads as well. 

Mac Mall is another great place to shop for MacBooks, iPads and even PCs. 

How Much Money Can I Normally Save?

The price for reconditioned models have change and does vary substantially, but they’re typically 10 to 20 per cent less than the original price.

For example, a 13.3-inch MacBook Air can be found on the Refurbished Store for £719, a £130 saving on the £849 you'd pay for the exact same model on the Apple Store.

What Do I Need To Check Before I Buy?

If there’s one thing you should absolutely do before buying a refurbed Mac it’s check the specifications carefully. Even Macs from a few years ago contain the very latest high-end components, so don’t be put off too much by their age.

It's definitely worth taking a look at the Refurbished Store if you deliberately want to pick up an older model. Apple are well-known for ditching old features that they no longer like. In the past optical drives, FireWire sockets and so on have been bumped after one year.

So some people may genuinely prefer an earlier model with a feature they don't quite want to live without just yet.

What’s The Warranty and Returns Policy Like?

Apple say that: "Before we put a refurbished Mac, iPod, iPad or Apple TV up for sale in Special Deals, it undergoes a rigorous refurbishment process to make sure it's up to Apple's tough quality standards."

But more importantly than that, a reconditioned Mac comes with the same one-year warranty as if you were buying a brand new one and you also get the same sales and return procedure with Apple.

That means you can return a Mac bought from the Refurbished Store within 14 days if you're not happy with it. Just a word of caution though, you can only post it back, as Apple will not accept returns to a physical Apple Store on refurbished products.

Do I Have To Get A Refurbished Mac Directly From Apple?

The answer to that is no, but our advice would be to seek out a shop that’s certified as a Apple Premium Reseller.

These Premium Resellers will try to at least meet the same sort of service you’d get if you went into the Apple Store - and prices may be cheaper than buying directly from Apple.

If you keep your eyes peeled, there’s often Apple Premium Reseller stores having special events and discounts.Some resellers may offer discounts on older Mac models shortly after a new one launches, so look out for those bargains too.

What Warning Signs Should I Look Out For?

If you’ve been googling for a cheap Mac and and have found one through a third-party on eBay, Amazon or another, more distant corner of the internet, here are some of the things that should set off some alarm bells.

No Warranties or Guarantees

If the seller isn’t offering any type of returns policy or protection on your purchase, then we suggest you go running for the hills. It’s a big bet you’re making, and you know what they say - the bookmaker always wins.

No Pictures

This may seem like an obvious thing to say, but if there’s no real pictures of the product then you absolutely shouldn’t trust the person who’s selling it. Simple as that.

We know we said earlier not to be put off by the age of the Mac, but when it comes to tech, there is such a thing as ‘too old’. Old products stretch the meaning of “refurbished” because they usually lack support for the latest OS X features and have an old battery, hard drive and other components. If considered a so-called refurb that’s more than three years old, ask if the battery has ever been replaced.

It may not be quite as good as a brand-new one, straight out of the box, but a refurbished Mac is actually a really great way to save money in a really easy way. To be honest, we’re not sure why anyone would buy a new Mac, unless you’re desperate for