When a product gets returned to Apple, or swapped out at a Genius Bar instead of being repaired, these products can’t be sold as new, even if they haven’t really been used. There is another option – and this one offers both good discounts and a guaranteed warranty: Apple’s officially refurbished products. So what’s a person to do? Aside from trolling the flyers for fifty bucks off of a MacBook around Black Friday, buyers have turned to sites like eBay and Craigslist in an attempt to score a good deal – but buying used carries its own risks, like getting scammed, dealing with invisible problems, and paying for out-of-warranty MacBook repairs. You’ll see fifty bucks off here and there, especially when there’s a new model coming out, but it’s hard to do any better.

To make matters worse, sales on Apple products are nearly nonexistent. While Apple might be known for some of the best designed products in tech, they’re also known for carrying a hefty price premium. Here’s what you need to know about Apple’s refurbished program. Looking for a cheap MacBook? One of the best places to get deals on Apple laptops is, surprisingly, from Apple themselves.

2016 imac refurbished