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20" 500gig or 24" referb 24" 320gig

R

rhodalinsky

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 22, 2008
42
0
Looking at getting a new imac. The question is either to wait for the update(which could be in June:() or get a new 20" imac and upgrade the hard drive to 500 gig, or get a referbished 24" with a 320gig hard drive.

Your thoughts?
 
rhodalinsky said:
Looking at getting a new imac. The question is either to wait for the update(which could be in June:() or get a new 20" imac and upgrade the hard drive to 500 gig, or get a referbished 24" with a 320gig hard drive.

Your thoughts?
Click to expand...

Similar dilemma.

I am going to wait 10 days (i.e. 2 more Tuesday updates), then if the updates don't come then I will look for the base 24" refurb.

It really depends if you need a big screen too - if you don't need 24" then there is no point in getting it.
 
JaySoul said:
Similar dilemma.

I am going to wait 10 days (i.e. 2 more Tuesday updates), then if the updates don't come then I will look for the base 24" refurb.

It really depends if you need a big screen too - if you don't need 24" then there is no point in getting it.
Click to expand...


Ya, I am getting sick of waiting. My 800 mhz imac has big troubles going through the 10,000 pics I have.
 
rhodalinsky said:
Looking at getting a new imac. The question is either to wait for the update(which could be in June:() or get a new 20" imac and upgrade the hard drive to 500 gig, or get a referbished 24" with a 320gig hard drive.

Your thoughts?
Click to expand...

Just like the other post said. If they are about the same price, can you replace the 24 inch screen or add more hard drive space easier.

Get the 24inch (if that is your preference....some people prefer the 20 inch because it weighs less and they can move it around the home easier)

You can always add a USB portable hard drive for super cheap these days.

Plus, how likely are you to use up all that hard drive space anyways (anything over 100GB of storage) is a lot, unless you are storing movies/music....if that's the case I wouldn't put them in a computer hard drive. I would put them in a portable hard drive just (and back it up into another portable hard drive) in case the computer dies.
 
brn2ski00 said:
I say the 24" hands down. In hindsight, I wish I opted for the bigger screen.
Click to expand...

I agree completely.

My first iMac was a 20" Core Duo. Now I have the 24" alu iMac and I could never go back to the smaller screen.

With F/W 800 ports you can always add external HD space when you need it.
 
It's kind of funny. All of the update speculation completely died after last Tue.:D One rumor dies and so does the hearts of millions.
 
rhodalinsky said:
It's kind of funny. All of the update speculation completely died after last Tue.:D One rumor dies and so does the hearts of millions.
Click to expand...

Yeah, its really just peeps getting there panties all bunched up and just talking nonsense. Me personally, I like to have everything yesterday so future updates and speedbumps aren't really my top priority if you know what I mean. :D
 
Sick of waiting for an update and my ol' 800mhz imac is dying quick. Broke down and got a 24" referbished imac. Great deal I say.
 
I'm facing a similar dilemma. My wife is on my case to get a new iMac soon. I've been able to keep her at bay for the past 2 weeks, but after today's non-update, I think we'll be heading to the Apple Store this week-end.

Does anyone know if the education discount ($100.00 less than list) carries over to the refurbish store too? We could get a 20" 500 gig iMac for about $1489.00 or a refurbished 24" 320 gig iMac for $1499.00 without the education discount.

So, I'm predicting that the iMac updates will occur next Tuesday 03/18/08, because we'll be getting a new one this week-end. I hope you're all happy... :D
 
elfjuice said:
I'm facing a similar dilemma. My wife is on my case to get a new iMac soon. I've been able to keep her at bay for the past 2 weeks, but after today's non-update, I think we'll be heading to the Apple Store this week-end.

Does anyone know if the education discount ($100.00 less than list) carries over to the refurbish store too? We could get a 20" 500 gig iMac for about $1489.00 or a refurbished 24" 320 gig iMac for $1499.00 without the education discount.

So, I'm predicting that the iMac updates will occur next Tuesday 03/18/08, because we'll be getting a new one this week-end. I hope you're all happy... :D
Click to expand...

EDU discount cannot be used at the Refurbed store. I think its cheaper onverall to get a refurbed anyway.
 
24" refurb

I'm getting my 24" refurb today to replace my 2+ year old iBook G4. You can't beat the price. I read in another thread that someone received their refurb with a 500GB drive instead of the stated 320GB drive. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I get lucky!
 
On the iMac, definitely spring for the 24" over another 180GB of HD space. The prices have been falling, and you can get a refub 24" model for around $1500 now. Apple Store is running a deal on the refurb 2.8GHz 24" with 500GB HD for $1899.

I have a 20" aluminum 2.0GHz iMac now and I'm in the process of getting a Mac Pro (it's ordered) -- the 20" is a solid machine and the resolution is not bad...but the 1920x1200 on the 24" gives you a great deal more screen space...it will let you display pages side by side and multitask alot better. Maybe just for this reason, the 24" is a better machine usability-wise.

Good luck with your purchase,
-Ward
 
I don't know about you guys but, for my piece of mind I really prefer brand new. If you've seen refurbished iPhones and other refurbished apple products they were never on par with brand new.. From my experience there has been a couple iPhones (friends replacements) that were not well put together as a brand new. This is strictly from my experience. Although, you are given 1 year warranty and you can call applecare and tell them you're not satisfied with your iMac and you may need a replacement. They're more lenient on their refurbs.
 
finfloyd said:
I'm getting my 24" refurb today to replace my 2+ year old iBook G4. You can't beat the price. I read in another thread that someone received their refurb with a 500GB drive instead of the stated 320GB drive. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I get lucky!
Click to expand...

All this talk about the great deal the refurb's are...I have to toss my experience in the ring.

The 24" Extreme ( 2.4Gh, 2Gb ram, 500Gb ) arrived and I had it up an running in 10 minutes. Talk about excited. By supper time I had all my apps installed ( Office '08 for Mac, LR, CS3, AP2, etc, etc ). Came back after a quick dinner and found I couldn't quit Safari, had to do a hard shutdown, reboot. Again, again, again.

Called Tech Support, on the phone for over an hour. Tech said I had to do a complete re-install of the OS. Got up in the morning after a fitful night and started the process...By 10:00 finished the install and guess what....same issue. Called Tech and they said send it back and connected me to Customer Support. They agreed to refund my credit card as I decided to go the 'new' route from the local Apple Store as soon as my card was credited.

A shipping return label for UPS arrived in the mail the next day and I dropped it at the UPS Store the same day.

18 days later I received a credit note for 124.28 in the mail. I called to question the amount ( the refurb 24" was 2280.00 ) and they said that due to a 'miss-communication' my 'new refurb' was on its way to me. It arrived the next day and I had to ship that back as well.

Its been a month and I am still out over 2,000.00, 12 hrs of time, 25.00 of gas, and no iMac. I have since heard at least 4 other stories similar in context from co-workers.

I has mistakenly thought a refurb would have been given a more through inspection than a new unit. Wrong.


Caveat Emptor

Jim
 
jakfrost said:
All this talk about the great deal the refurb's are...I have to toss my experience in the ring.

The 24" Extreme ( 2.4Gh, 2Gb ram, 500Gb ) arrived and I had it up an running in 10 minutes. Talk about excited. By supper time I had all my apps installed ( Office '08 for Mac, LR, CS3, AP2, etc, etc ). Came back after a quick dinner and found I couldn't quit Safari, had to do a hard shutdown, reboot. Again, again, again.

Called Tech Support, on the phone for over an hour. Tech said I had to do a complete re-install of the OS. Got up in the morning after a fitful night and started the process...By 10:00 finished the install and guess what....same issue. Called Tech and they said send it back and connected me to Customer Support. They agreed to refund my credit card as I decided to go the 'new' route from the local Apple Store as soon as my card was credited.

A shipping return label for UPS arrived in the mail the next day and I dropped it at the UPS Store the same day.

18 days later I received a credit note for 124.28 in the mail. I called to question the amount ( the refurb 24" was 2280.00 ) and they said that due to a 'miss-communication' my 'new refurb' was on its way to me. It arrived the next day and I had to ship that back as well.

Its been a month and I am still out over 2,000.00, 12 hrs of time, 25.00 of gas, and no iMac. I have since heard at least 4 other stories similar in context from co-workers.

I has mistakenly thought a refurb would have been given a more through inspection than a new unit. Wrong.


Caveat Emptor

Jim
Click to expand...

New is the safe way to then.
 
jakfrost said:
All this talk about the great deal the refurb's are...I have to toss my experience in the ring.

The 24" Extreme ( 2.4Gh, 2Gb ram, 500Gb ) arrived and I had it up an running in 10 minutes. Talk about excited. By supper time I had all my apps installed ( Office '08 for Mac, LR, CS3, AP2, etc, etc ). Came back after a quick dinner and found I couldn't quit Safari, had to do a hard shutdown, reboot. Again, again, again.

Called Tech Support, on the phone for over an hour. Tech said I had to do a complete re-install of the OS. Got up in the morning after a fitful night and started the process...By 10:00 finished the install and guess what....same issue. Called Tech and they said send it back and connected me to Customer Support. They agreed to refund my credit card as I decided to go the 'new' route from the local Apple Store as soon as my card was credited.

A shipping return label for UPS arrived in the mail the next day and I dropped it at the UPS Store the same day.

18 days later I received a credit note for 124.28 in the mail. I called to question the amount ( the refurb 24" was 2280.00 ) and they said that due to a 'miss-communication' my 'new refurb' was on its way to me. It arrived the next day and I had to ship that back as well.

Its been a month and I am still out over 2,000.00, 12 hrs of time, 25.00 of gas, and no iMac. I have since heard at least 4 other stories similar in context from co-workers.

I has mistakenly thought a refurb would have been given a more through inspection than a new unit. Wrong.


Caveat Emptor

Jim
Click to expand...

That stinks big time, but this same thing could happen with a brand new iMac.
 
I bought applecare with my referb and I never buy applecare. Just a piece of mind I guess.

But, on the other hand my parents got a new emac years ago and it was in for over a $1000 in repairs the firt 2 yrs.

Yet, I know a number of people that bought fefurbished macs and it is the only way they will go now.

With Computers/electronics you never know. Dang, my son has a little battery operated car with sirens and the damn thing goes off any time it wants.

My referb comes Sat. Might just wait until Tues to open it, but maybe not, but maybe, or not. Ya, that's how my world works.
 
rhodalinsky said:
I bought applecare with my referb and I never buy applecare. Just a piece of mind I guess.

But, on the other hand my parents got a new emac years ago and it was in for over a $1000 in repairs the firt 2 yrs.

Yet, I know a number of people that bought fefurbished macs and it is the only way they will go now.

With Computers/electronics you never know. Dang, my son has a little battery operated car with sirens and the damn thing goes off any time it wants.

My referb comes Sat. Might just wait until Tues to open it, but maybe not, but maybe, or not. Ya, that's how my world works.
Click to expand...

Good point: you just never know with electronics.

I betcha $20 that you open it :D
 
Well I will support the 24" camp since I have loved mine since the day I got it.

I am also currently trying to sell my 24" w/ applecare for below refurb prices so that may sway or influence you into purchasing a 24" model.

If you or anyone is interested give me a PM and we'll talk.
 
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