Apple computers aren’t really known as budget-friendly, unless you factor in the many years they tend to last. If you’re shopping with a strict dollar amount in mind but are interested in the Mac ecosystem, you often have to buy a preowned or refurbished product. And if you’re in the market for a compact desktop computer, consider checking out this refurbished Apple Mac Mini, which is listed for only $206. It comes with a standard 30-day warranty and optional protection plans starting at $23.
Apple Mac mini (Refurbished, 2014 model)
$206 (was $270)
This refurbished model from 2014 has been given a refurbished rating of “B,” meaning you might find light scuffing on the case–but beyond that, it should function like a brand-new product. As mentioned already, Macs tend to maintain their performance for many years, so this Mac Mini’s age shouldn’t necessarily be a dealbreaker.
Though we wouldn’t recommend opting for a Mac from 2014 if you plan on using it for intensive activities such as programming or graphic design, it could work just fine for a college student or young professional. At this price, this Mac Mini would make for a good secondary computer for your work with the help of iCloud.
This Mac Mini includes 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and ethernet, and includes a variety of other ports to let you hook up monitors, accessories, and other peripherals you’ll need for your daily tasks. Its integrated Intel HD Graphics 5000 GPU won’t let you play modern games, but it should be fine for some light gaming or diving into older titles. Just keep in mind that you’re basically buying a compact computer tower; you’ll need to outfit it with a monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
If you’re worried about its longevity, consider picking up a two- or three-year warranty for $23 or $33, respectively, just in case anything goes wrong before you’re ready to purchase your next computer.