So you bought a new MacBook Pro last week, and now it’s the ‘old’ model?

David Flynn
14 April 2010, 9:16 AM


Send to a friend Print

If your just-purchased Apple notebook was superceded by today’s MacBook Pro refresh, here’s how to swap your ‘new old’ MacBook Pro for a totally 'new new' one.


That MacBook Pro you saved for and finally bought last week? Until last night it was Apple’s latest and greatest. Now it’s officially the ‘old’ model, after an across the board refresh to Apple’s entire MacBook Pro family.



All six new models are dramatically faster, especially when it comes to handling graphics, with larger hard drives and longer battery life. And to rub salt into the wound, they’re also anywhere from $100 to $400 cheaper than what you just paid.

Feel like kicking yourself? Don’t be too hasty. Here’s how to magically turn your new-old MacBook Pro into a truly new-new model at no cost, and maybe even get some money back into the deal!

Apple has an exceptionally generous ‘return and swap’ deal for buyers who’ve been caught in the upgrade trap.

The only conditions are that you bought your MacBook Pro in the 14 days prior to the update – which means, any time from April 1st (and no, we won’t make any jokes about you being a fool) – and of course the machine should ideally be in as-new condition.

Take your MacBook in its original packaging back to the Apple store from which you bought it (or contact Apple on 133 622 if you bought it online) – and don’t forget your receipt to prove the date of purchase.

There’s no ‘restocking’ fee – you’ll be able to choose your new-new MacBook Pro and pay the difference if you’re stepping up to a higher model, or get a refund if the updated model is now cheaper than what you paid last week.

(What happens to your ‘old’ MacBook Pro? It’ll end up on Apple’s ‘refurbished Mac’ store, where it’ll be sold at a marked-down price).


Post your comment



Comments

 RSS feed Email alert

Tin (User):

Wow... That's pretty decent for a massive corporation that likes to keep so many secrets.

14 April 2010, 10:25 AM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Jonathan Ryan (New user):

Apple have told me categorically that this story is completely untrue. There are no replacements unless the machine is faulty and cannot be repaired.

Do you have any foundation for the story?

15 April 2010, 12:49 AM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

djsflynn (APC staff):

Quoting Jonathan Ryan:
Do you have any foundation for the story?

Yes - we spoke with Apple, and Apple staff at their Sydney store and online ordering dept confirmed this and outlined the same conditions as we've written in the article. Are you sure you were not speaking with an Apple dealer rather than Apple itself?

15 April 2010, 8:35 AM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Jonathan Ryan (New user):

Quoting djsflynn:
Yes - we spoke with Apple, and Apple staff at their Sydney store


Very interesting.

I'm in the UK. I have a very recent MBP sold to me off the shelf by a dealer who assured me that there would be no new MacBooks announced "within 6 - 12 months".

I spoke to my retailer and they said they had never heard of such and offer, that it was very unlikely and suggested that your article may be a work of fiction :)

So I called Apple Europe. Sales told me it was nonsense and that they would never do this. So I spoke to customer relations who told me this story was quite simply untrue. They said categorically
1. There is no such offer
2. They would NEVER replace a MBP unless it was faulty and irreparable
3. That this is their global policy - no area of the world is any different from Europe in this
4. I should speak to my dealer if I wasn't clear on this

[I have more details on who I spoke to and when - it would be unfair to publish them but if you want to discuss this you should be able to email me.]

15 April 2010, 4:35 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

djsflynn (APC staff):

Well, this policy is firmly established in Australia (which is where we are based, so we write for the Aussie audience) an the US, and I've spoken with people who have done the return-and-upgrade routine. It's the Real Deal.

15 April 2010, 5:42 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Jonathan Ryan (New user):

Do you have anything in writing from Apple to this effect?

Apple Europe are flat out denying that it would ever happen anywhere.

Disgusting but not unexpected that they would give preferential treatment to the US. Slightly surprising about Australia. As always they are taking Europe for mugs.

15 April 2010, 5:50 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

djsflynn (APC staff):

No, this was all done over the phone. I suggest you search Google for some references to this in the US and then forward those links to Apple Europe. Note that in the US you can be asked to pay a 're-stocking fee' for returning your just-purchased MacBook to swap for the just-released new one, although indications from blogs I've read is that this can also be waived depending on the person at the Apple Store.

15 April 2010, 6:35 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tin (User):

Quoting djsflynn:
although indications from blogs I've read is that this can also be waived depending on the person at the Apple Store.


Probably also depends on how busy they are - if taking the restock fee will prevent them selling to another customer that looks keen on a shiny Mac, I'd be waiving it too.

15 April 2010, 7:13 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Not signed in
anonymous user Anonymous user