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Apple replaced my iMac because they couldn't get it repaired--did I get shortchanged?

N

neoelectronaut

Cancelled
Original poster
Dec 3, 2003
3,417
2,093
Back in June of 2008 I bought a new iMac, which replaced my waning eMac. The iMac had been recently updated at the time, known as the "Early 2008" model.

It was my last semester in college and my last chance to use my student discount so I decked it the hell out. Everything that was BTO-able to something better, I went for it. It had a 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Extreme processor and a 512MB NVIDIA 8800GS Video Card.

Cost me $2334 when I was done picking everything I wanted to go in it.

Well, recently I was having issues with the thing, and after three weeks, Apple apparently had trouble getting the parts to fix this computer, so they just replaced it with the entry level 27" model:

screenshot20100807at114.png


Obviously the screen is bigger, I like having the SD slot, there a few cosmetic changes, and I have a much larger RAM capacity now, but I can't help but wonder if I got short-changed on my CPU and Video. I haven't been following developments with video cards and CPUs in years so I don't really know what's up any more.

If I had to buy a whole new computer I'd probably deck it out again with the Quad Core i7 and the 1GB Radeon card, but beggars can't be choosers in this case.

I was really tempted to ask the lady at the genius bar that was servicing the computer if I could pay to get the next model up but I really didn't want to push my luck--they were giving me a whole new computer for pete's sake.

Am I freakin' out over nothing or what?

newimac.jpg
 
why do you think you got short changed?

Personally I don't think you did
 
I don't know if I did or not, that's the thing.

I haven't followed videocards since the heyday of the Radeon 9800. I have no clue how this ATI card stacks up against the 8800GS I had.

I know that the i3 is the lowest rung on the ladder of Intel's current processors. Is it worse than the 3.06Ghz Core 2 "Extreme" I had prior?
 
neoelectronaut said:
I don't know if I did or not, that's the thing.

I haven't followed videocards since the heyday of the Radeon 9800. I have no clue how this ATI card stacks up against the 8800GS I had.

I know that the i3 is the lowest rung on the ladder of Intel's current processors. Is it worse than the 3.06Ghz Core 2 "Extreme" I had prior?
Click to expand...

There Corei3 is faster than the Core2Duo. I don't believe the 3.06 was an Extreme processor, and even if it was it means nothing since Apple does not overclock the chips.

As for the graphics card, I am not positive but it seems like a wash.
 
personally I would be psyched to get the deal you did... I don't think you got ripped off. Had they given you a 21.5 inch base model I would say so, but not the model you showed. I think you got a great deal from apple... Aside from the pain of setting everything back up, but computer wise thats quite the upgrade!
 
Today's entry level 27" is faster than your 2008 high-end. The i3 at 3.2GHz is notably faster than a 3.06GHz C2D. Plus the bus and memory are faster, too.

Graphics-wise, the nVidia 8800GT was a pretty good card for the day, but I don't know if the iMac used a slower, mobile part or a standard desktop part. But, I agree that its probably a wash.

So, I'd say Apple replaced your machine with a machine that is at minimum equal to the machine you had and likely exceeds it in almost all areas.
 
Overall even if you decked out the 2008 model with max config of everything the base model 27inch is a better laptop overall. Everything is better and brand new! The graphics cards are quite similar in performance but everything else is faster and newer. The screen is many times better than the old display and you have much more room for upgraded ram now.

Apple did the right thing and replaced it with something similar/better than what you had. If they gave you the 21.5 inch model they would of ripped you off. So trust me you didn't get ripped off at all.
 
I'll have to agree, you did get something equal to and in some ways more than what you brought in. However, if I were you I would have asked to get the next model up and pay the difference. If you can, try going back to the Apple Store and ask if you can still upgrade.
 
I think you got good customer service too but I'd be tempted to ask about the upgrade and paying the difference as suggested.

In your other thread you mentioned TIME MACHINE. I'd be interested to know how you went on with the restore using TM.
 
What is so wrong by asking for a quadcore if you pay extra? :)

Nothing! They understand, you imac was broken so they had to give you a new one (In this case). So easy as they are they replace it with a 27'' because it is cheaper to do that. (Instead of putting much money and time in getting a 24")

They had to do it.


Are you scared of girls to? ;) Yeah i mean flirting to.
I ask that because i think it is "the same" sort of fear when you ask for a "better" iMac.

And BTW: it is not what you saying but HOW you saying it. :apple:

But anyway, you are a lucky guy. :D



EDIT: extra stuff below.

The videocard in your old imac is actually a NVIDIA GeForce 8800M GTS MOBILE!.
Info and benchmarks here: http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-8800M-GTS.6934.0.html

The one in your new imac is actually a 5730 MOBILE!
Info and benchmarks here: http://www.notebookcheck.net/ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-5730.23825.0.html

As you can see, they are both even fast.
 
mapollo2112 said:
I think you got good customer service too but I'd be tempted to ask about the upgrade and paying the difference as suggested.

In your other thread you mentioned TIME MACHINE. I'd be interested to know how you went on with the restore using TM.
Click to expand...

Well, since I've gotten it home and the box is open it's too late to ask for the upgrade, but to be fair I'm pretty sure the response would have been that "This is the best we can do for you." or something along those lines.

By no means did they have to even give me a new computer. They could have made me wait a few more weeks, so I should really be thankful for what I have.

Anyways, the Time Machine restore went perfectly. Upon bootup when the computer asks if you want to transfer stuff from an old computer, I just picked "Restore from Time Machine Backup", waited a few hours, and like a brain transplant, everything was where it was when my old computer died.
 
I would be VERY happy to get such a good deal. The new iMac is definitely a very nice upgrade to your old one.

You'll probably be able to sell your new i3 on to someone and buy yourself a new i7 if that's what you'd like. IMO it is not worth it if you didn't consider upgrading the 24" before this swap happened. The i3 should be fast enough for most use.
 
This reminds me of a story

Back in 2003, my parents bought themselves a 50" front-projection television set for $2,000 at Best Buy. They bought the four year warranty on it (for $200). Come 2007, shortly before the warranty is up...two of the three light sources has become burnt out and damaged due to normal wear and tear.

When they called Best Buy, they sent a guy out to look at it who tells them about the bulbs. Apparently at this point, they no longer manufactured that television or replacement parts. So they gave them $2,000 worth of store credit.

They took the credit and bought a $3,000 67" DLP set for $1,000 (yay math!).

And you better believe that they bought another four year warranty at checkout.

So based off this story, I'd say you should have been able to upgrade. But that was Best Buy, and not Apple.

I dont know what your warranty situation was, but I'd say you should probably be happy with what you got.
 
I'm absolutely happy. I just wanted to make sure that I didn't get a computer that was worse-off than my old one.

As far as upgrading goes, if this hadn't happened I would have had the 24-incher for at the least another 3 years. All I'm saying is that if I was buying a new one today I likely would decked it the hell out again.

I have no complaints, though.
 
This machine is better than your old ome technologically. However it is over $600 cheaper than what you paid for your previous one, so that could be your argument for them to upgrade you. Heck, when my old mid range 2009 MBP 15" kicked the bucket, they gave me the high end 2010 one.

Oh, and I'm guessing you're a Halo fan? ^^
 
It's fine. The i3 should be as competent as your Core 2 Extreme. The only difference between Extreme and Duo is that Extreme has a unlocked multiplier, which is convenient for overclocking. The i3 not only has a higher clock speed, but also has multithreading. I'm not sure about the graphics, but the new ATi lineup is very competent, according to gamers.
 
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