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2015/16 Macbook Pro 15.4" received with a hardware problem - The Refurb needed to be actually refurbished.
I hate to post a negative review - but I have to tell the truth. I am a Network engineer/Systems Analyst and purchased this MacBook Pro MJLQ2LL/A to essentially save a bit of money as these are supposed to be 100% in perfect working order, .. they were only released in Mid 2015 so the model one is getting can only be X months old at best.
Anyhow -- I opened the package, everything looks fine,.. a few scuff marks but nothing significant - most were able to be removed with a decent cleaning/microfiber/elbow grease.
Problem though.. a big one. - Immediately I noticed it didn't run very quickly. I thought it odd that browsing the web (first thing I really did to 'test' it) was painfully slow for an i7-Quad core with 16GB of RAM.
The processors at idle are running at 60% System in aggregate several hundred percent added together.
Thus the fans both Right and Left are running at ~6,000 RPM constantly. If I turn off the computer/shutdown completely , let it sit for a while.. Then boot it up -- It's silent for maybe a few seconds to 10-15 seconds. So the fans aren't locked ON. But,.. after that they ramp up to full throttle within 30-60 seconds or so and never stop running at full speed.
So I reset the SMC. I go to El Cap. OSX -- Then I decide to just delete the partition/drive and recover via apple's servers the original OSX Yos. with the C + R upon boot recovery mode.
Even in the Recovery mode the fans are going at full bore. I knew at that point there was nothing *I* could do to this unless I wanted to open it up (Which is what I do for a living, but not on a brand new MacBook Pro of my own just received). We shouldn't have to hassle with troubleshooting a computer that we paid $1500-$2000 for out of the box, even if you know 'how'. Just the point of it.
Now, given the reviews I'm the exception here. I hate to be that guy, and trust me I hate to now have to go through the process of repacking, returning, and then being uncertain about even re-ordering/allowing replacement given what happened here. I'd want another *different* machine not this one opened up and repaired if that makes sense.
It doesn't give one a great deal of confidence in the Amazon trusted company here (Square Deals Inc) - As I was sent a couple thousand dollar Laptop that has a hardware failure (Nothing that was caused via Shipping, no damage.) -- This problem existed when this was packed up and 'certified/recertified'.
Anyhow -- I'll update how the return and if the company or at least Amazon makes things right with this faulty machine for any curious.
TLDR: Received a MacBook Pro 15.4" (2015/16) Model that was not damaged but had/has a hardware failure within the SMC/CPU/Cooling -- Best guess is the problem it was sent back for was never actually fixed.
These things happen - People get lemons of even the best products. Hopefully this is a 1% type of scenario for everyone else who is considering going refurbished via Amazon, the other ~16 reviews are very positive.
April 2016 · Unknown · verified purchase