ConsumerCowboy

The best-kept secret at the apple store is the refurbished mac:

1. You get the same one-year warranty as new
2. It performs and looks like new
3. The computer carries the same eligibility for Apple Care as new
4. The computer has undergone two sets of rigorous quality control testing
5. It comes in new packaging and includes all manuals and accessories - nothing is missing
6. You get a savings several times that of any coupon or promo code ($150 on a low end MacBook; $750 on a high-end MacBook Pro).
   

The only problem with purchasing a refurbished mac is finding them in stock. They sell out very quickly after they go up due to limited quantity and low pricing. I would check back and if the apple store does not have what you want check out GainSaver. Both are linked below.

See for yourself: Save big on Apple-certified refurbished Macs

GainSaver also has a ton of really good deals on refurbished Apples.

The Story of your Certified Pre-Owned Mac

The Certified Pre-Owned Macintosh computer you buy from GainSaver has been fully tested and certified by GainSaver's trained Apple technicians to verify every major component is in 100% working order. Our Certified Pre-Owned Macs come ready for you to boot up and use with Apple OS X Tiger and Apple iLife installed.

The first step is receiving thousands of pre-owned Macintosh computers every month, mostly from corporate and academic environments. GainSaver purchases Apple systems in large lots with quantity discounts. That's how we can offer such a huge selection at the lowest prices anywhere. Once we have these great bargains on the shelf in our warehouse, we get to work adding value for you.

Our primary concern at GainSaver is to make sure you get a fully functioning Macintosh that gives you years of exceptional service. So the next thing we do is take apart every unit that comes in. GainSaver technicians remove each component for individual inspection. The hard drive, optical drive and memory are all tested separately outside the computer. Then the motherboard is tested, and in the case of notebook computers, the keyboard, touch pad and screen.

 
Next the hard drive is reformatted, removing any trace of what the last owner had installed on the system. The process also verifies hard drive functionality and ensures the drive has no bad sectors. Then Apple OS X 10.4 Tiger and iLife are installed, so you have everything you need to use your Mac, including browser, desktop search, chat and video capabilities.

Apple iLife is a suite of applications, which includes all these powerful tools:

• iPhoto for managing and enhancing your digital images
• iMovie for creating digital films
• iDVD for burning your DVDs and CDs
• GarageBand to create your own musical compositions
• iWeb for building your own website

Then we put it all together. Once all components are checked, the unit is reassembled and tested one final time. At this point, we can guarantee the Macintosh you buy is working flawlessly, and mark it Certified Pre-Owned for your protection.

• Faster processors with 6MB L2 cache and a faster 1066 MHz front-side bus across the entire line
• 2GB of memory standard in most models
• The 24-inch iMac now offers a 3.06 GHz Intel processor and the high-performance NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS graphics as options