New(but previous generation) Sandy Bridge Macbook air 13.3 256gb for $1229

$1,189 from Apple.com for the same model/specs on a refurbished or clearance MacBook Air. Even cheaper if you're okay with the 128GB SSD. Tax for most people, bringing the price difference to about $50-70 of the OP's post.

Quote from okinawanmatt : $1,189 from Apple.com for the same model/specs on a refurbished or clearance MacBook Air. Even cheaper if you're okay with the 128GB SSD. Tax for most people, bringing the price difference to about $50-70 of the OP's post.

There are no clearance macbook airs on Apple's website for 1189, only refurbished.

Quote from omachoomar : There are no clearance macbook airs on Apple's website for 1189, only refurbished.

There is no difference refurb and new.....with Apple

Quote from laphroaigh : There is no difference refurb and new.....with Apple

Maybe, maybe not. I know the warranty is the same, but the more a laptop(or other item) has been used, the sooner it will wear down, even if cosmetically it looks perfect.

A few years ago I bought a refurbished iPod that died 14 months after I got it. Its hard to say if that's because it was refurbished, but I have a feeling it was returned, fixed, and than eventually something triggered the original software glitch. Hard to prove, I know, but I trust new products more than i trust refurbished, usually there is a reason an item is returned.

Even if an Apple Refurb= new, this is still cheaper for most people since it has tax for far fewer people.