Can a Mac be returned if reset to factory setting?

leapyear

My aunt bought a Mac but after using it has decided to return it. She says it was a stupid buy and could use the money for better uses. She has asked for my help to reset it to factory settings. I actually know more about techie stuff than she does but that's not a lot. I've never done a factory reset before.
So my questions are:
1. something for consumer rights forum - can the Mac be returned? It was bought from Argos.
2. if yes, how do you reset to factory settings?

John_Gray

If it's not faulty, you would be very lucky if Argos would take it back, since it has been "used".

They couldn't sell it as new, so would lose money on it.

cx6

If you bought it from a store there is no automatic right to return it, factory setting reset or not.

Your route is to look at the Argos T&C about returns and see what their policy is,.

Neil_Jones

leapyear said:

My aunt bought a Mac but after using it has decided to return it. She says it was a stupid buy and could use the money for better uses. She has asked for my help to reset it to factory settings. I actually know more about techie stuff than she does but that's not a lot. I've never done a factory reset before.
So my questions are:
1. something for consumer rights forum - can the Mac be returned? It was bought from Argos.
2. if yes, how do you reset to factory settings?

1) As a general rule If you bought it in a physical bricks and mortar building (such as Argos which these days tend to live in Sainsbury's stores) then unless there something wrong with it, there is no automatic right to return because you don't like/want it.  I believe Argos do have 30 day money back windows (extended over Christmas) so if your aunt has had it less than 30 days, there you go.  Contact and ask them.  If its more than 30 days... reset it and sell it on.

2) https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT204904

GDB2222

Does a reinstall permanently wipe everything with MacOS? There’d still be recoverable stuff on a windows drive, given the right tools, although possibly not worth the CIA's time.

Neil_Jones

GDB2222 said:

Does a reinstall permanently wipe everything with MacOS? There’d still be recoverable stuff on a windows drive, given the right tools, although possibly not worth the CIA's time.

That's nothing to do with the OS of choice (Windows, Mac, Linux or otherwise), that's a by product of the way file systems and hard drives work.

GDB2222

Neil_Jones said:

GDB2222 said:

Does a reinstall permanently wipe everything with MacOS? There’d still be recoverable stuff on a windows drive, given the right tools, although possibly not worth the CIA's time.

That's nothing to do with the OS of choice (Windows, Mac, Linux or otherwise), that's a by product of the way file systems and hard drives work.

I wasn't sure whether Mac drives are encrypted by default?

Neil_Jones

GDB2222 said:

Neil_Jones said:

GDB2222 said:

Does a reinstall permanently wipe everything with MacOS? There’d still be recoverable stuff on a windows drive, given the right tools, although possibly not worth the CIA's time.

That's nothing to do with the OS of choice (Windows, Mac, Linux or otherwise), that's a by product of the way file systems and hard drives work.

I wasn't sure whether Mac drives are encrypted by default?

I believe Filevault (which is the Mac equivalent of Windows Bitlocker) is not enabled by default, though it is presented as an option to make use of on setup, though most people will not use it.  Same with Bitlocker, though you won't find that in Home versions of Windows anyway.

Although to answer the original question, encryption of the drive via Filevault/Bitlocker/whatever doesn't change the fact that data can be recovered from a Mac formatted drive, so if it can be recovered from that it's probably safe to assume it can be done from a Bitlocker drive as well.

tempus_fugit

Macs with Monterey have a "Reset to factory settings" option that wipes everything. For older systems you have to wipe the drive manually and reinstall the OS. There are ways of making sure everything is fully wiped that should make it more secure.

However, I can tell you now that Argos will not take the computer back if it has been used. Their T&Cs stipulate that any non-faulty item that is returned is unopened and unused. You could try it and say that you haven't used it but it would be touch and go as to whether they believe you or not. Argos have become very strict on returns in the past couple of years. Best option is to sell it, they'd make a bit of loss but at least would get something back for it.

interstellaflyer

Sorry but retailers are under no obligation to take items back and give refunds for goods purely because of buyers remorse, especially if they've been used, it is now second hand, it cannot be resold as new, it would probably need to be sent back to Apple for Apple to check over and resell as a refurb, A Grade, B Stock (not sure what Apple call it) at a much lower price

GDB2222

https://www.argos.co.uk/help/returns-and-refunds/

 your item(s) needs to be: • Unused and with all parts • In its original packaging (with the tags if applicable) • In a resaleable condition