Well I got an extra $100 for my birthday - and ordered the refurb unit via ebay. It came in last night and after plugging in everything (properly) I turned it on and it sparked, smoke came out and it's dead.
Oh well, at least if I sit on it for 55 more days - I'll get $90 cashback from Microsoft

. I pray that the seller will be responsible and pay the shipping to have it sent back so that I can get another proper working unit sent to me. I can't afford to pay shipping AGAIN.
Good idea in concept - but what a pain to have the unit die right away. I just filled out a return authorization form and waiting to hear the results. I wish I lived in orlando because I could just drop it off myself.