I'd like to buy my wife a used MacBook (1 Viewer)

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Adding to what Ected said -- if you shop the refurb store right you can often get the same spec'd machine + AppleCare for less than the cost of the machine new -- which essentially is just a new machine with a longer warranty.   I didn't do that for iPods or Mac Mini's but did do it for any laptops I bought refurb'd.  

 

[Rustoleum]

If you have issues with thing breaking, and you buy something directly from Apple, I'd look into getting AppleCare. Very nice extended warranty type program from Apple. We had it for our iMac, and it was very handy for service as well as just plain calling to get help.

I have had an Air that has been mainly used by my kids (now some in the early teens) for what will be 2 years this summer. We have had no problems with it being 'flimsy.'

I've had about 400 MacBook Airs issued to high school kids since August. Maybe half take them home daily. I've had to send maybe 10 in for AppleCare for broken screens, and another 10 in for other issues. Maybe 4 of them have ended up being paid repairs. 

If you close the lid with a pair of ear buds or a pencil in there, you can easily break the screen.

Apple wants $775 for an 11 inch MacBook screen (whole device was maybe $800) Found a local shop that would do it for $159.

 

[Mr. Ected]

If you have issues with thing breaking, and you buy something directly from Apple, I'd look into getting AppleCare. Very nice extended warranty type program from Apple. We had it for our iMac, and it was very handy for service as well as just plain calling to get help.

I have had an Air that has been mainly used by my kids (now some in the early teens) for what will be 2 years this summer. We have had no problems with it being 'flimsy.'

I've had about 400 MacBook Airs issued to high school kids since August. Maybe half take them home daily. I've had to send maybe 10 in for AppleCare for broken screens, and another 10 in for other issues. Maybe 4 of them have ended up being paid repairs. 

If you close the lid with a pair of ear buds or a pencil in there, you can easily break the screen.

Apple wants $775 for an 11 inch MacBook screen (whole device was maybe $800) Found a local shop that would do it for $159.

I'll mention to my kids to not do that!!!

On the other hand .05% is not bad in seven months isn't too bad, especially when half of that are identifiable accidental reasons.