Are you thinking about purchasing a Magic Mouse? If you want to save money, you might consider a used or refurbished one. If this is the case, you should do some research first to see if this is a good idea.
My short answer is no, you should not get a refurbished Magic Mouse. Why? In the long run, it is more economical to purchase a new one. There are some cases in which a refurbished one makes sense, but for the most part, I advise against it.
My name is Eric, and as a long-time computer and technology enthusiast, I have had a great deal of experience with used and refurbished computer devices and equipment, so I can give you some good advice on a refurbished Magic Mouse.
If you would like to hear more details about why I think getting a refurbished Magic Mouse is not a good idea and when it may make sense to get one, keep reading below, and I will discuss this further.
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Why Shouldn’t I get a Refurbished Magic Mouse?
It’s not that I am against refurbished equipment. I have often bought refurbished devices; in fact, I often refurbish broken and old technology and resell it. There are many devices in which you can benefit from buying a refurbished version. In my opinion, the Magic Mouse is not one of those devices.
Below are some reasons I believe the Magic Mouse and Magic Mouse 2 are not worth buying refurbished versions.
Wear and Tear
One of the first things to consider when buying a refurbished item is how it handles wear and tear. Yes, the item has supposedly been refurbished, so it should have nice new shiny parts and work like new, right? Well, that’s not really the case.
Keep in mind that when someone is refurbishing an item and then reselling it, they are trying to make a profit. There’s nothing wrong with that, but this means they aren’t going to replace every part. They won’t be able to make money that way.
They will only replace the parts needed to make the device work. This means that the parts that they do not replace are still old and can fail at any time. Sure, they may have cleaned the device up and made it look pretty, but that doesn’t take away wear and tear from those parts.
For some devices, this may be ok, but a mouse can tend to take a beating. It may get used daily. It constantly gets pressed, clicked, and moved all over someone’s desk and may even get thrown into a travel bag or dropped. You really don’t know what has happened to it.
Since you don’t know the history of it and it is a device that can have somewhat sensitive and fragile parts, there is a good possibility that something will fail in a relatively short amount of time after purchasing it.
Magic Mouse 2 – Battery Life
If you are looking for a refurbished Magic Mouse 2, you should consider its battery life. The Magic Mouse 2 has a rechargeable battery and its lifespan is about 3 to 5 years. If the device is getting close to 3 years old, the rechargeable battery may stop holding a charge.
So unless the refurbished mouse has had its battery replaced, you may constantly charge the device or do a costly battery replacement.
Magic Mouse – Battery Issues
If you are looking at the first edition of the Magic Mouse, consider that this edition of the Mouse has problems with the battery compartment holding the batteries in place. This can lead to the mouse intermittently turning off while using it.
There are solutions for the problem, but you probably don’t want to purchase a device that will possibly have problems right off the bat.
Lifespan
The typical lifespan of a Magic Mouse is about 3 to 5 years. It is true that refurbishing may prolong life, but there is no guarantee, so your usage of the device could be short-lived.
Value
Ultimately, I don’t believe you will get the value out of a refurbished mouse. When you consider the price of a new one, which can be from $75 to $100, you really don’t need to spend a lot more to purchase a new one than you would on a refurbished one.
It’s better to spend a few extra dollars and get a brand-new device that has the latest features, will be under warranty, will be reliable, and will last much longer than to pay for one whose remaining lifespan is unknown and may have several issues when you’re trying to use it.
FAQs
Below are a few frequently asked questions when discussing whether or not it is a good idea to purchase a refurbished mouse.
Is there ever a time to purchase a refurbished mouse?
Although I recommend against getting a refurbished Magic Mouse, I will say that there may be situations in which it does make sense. If you just don’t have the money to purchase a new one, then this may make sense. Try to find one in which the battery has been replaced.
Does a refurbished mouse have a warranty?
In most cases, it will not. A new Magic Mouse has a 1-year warranty, so chances are the refurbished one has outlived the original manufacturer’s warranty, but the seller may offer some type of extended warranty.
What if I am getting the refurbished Magic Mouse for free?
You have nothing to lose if the refurbished or used Magic Mouse is free. It’s worth it to try connecting it and using it. The worst-case scenario is that it doesn’t work, and you can get rid of it and get a new one.
Conclusion
If you’re considering purchasing a refurbished Magic Mouse, I would advise against it. In my opinion, it is a better value, in the long run, to just spend a little more money and buy a new one.
I hope the information above has helped you decide whether or not to get a refurbished Magic Mouse. Let me know if you have any questions or comments. I would love to hear from you.