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Good deal for used 20" intel iMac?

kevin.rivers

kevin.rivers

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Dec 4, 2005
501
0
Hello everyone. I am about to pick up a used Intel iMac.

Originally I was going to go with a refurb from Apple. It is a good price but the tax is what kills you. So it goes up to $1487, still a good price.

I found someone with a used one, looks like it is in great condition, comes with all the original stuff. For $1405 shipped. Would say that is a good deal?

I figure the chances of me getting one that is abused from Apple is pretty high. I am sure it won't be real bad. I would rather pick up a known working one from someone that is in immaculate condition. Does that make sense?

So yeah, is $87 savings worth it to pick it up second hand? Thanks.
 
my first mac was a powerbook that i bought as a refurb. it was in great condition. i almost wish i wouldn't have let that thing go. with that said, a lot of people say good things about apples refurbed products and others do not. Anywho to each his own, just remember when you buy a refurb at apple you get the same full year warranty as a new one and also can purchase apple care to extend your warranty to three years.

personally since the price is that close i would go with a refurb.
 
ToddW said:
my first mac was a powerbook that i bought as a refurb. it was in great condition. i almost wish i wouldn't have let that thing go. with that said, a lot of people say good things about apples refurbed products and others do not. Anywho to each his own, just remember when you buy a refurb at apple you get the same full year warranty as a new one and also can purchase apple care to extend your warranty to three years.

personally since the price is that close i would go with a refurb.
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This one is still under factory. With at least 9 months left. Around the end ot that time I will buy AppleCare and extend it. So I am still in the same boat, -3 months.
 
Assuming you are sure that the seller is honest (at least in this case), I think you'd be fine with the purchase... assuming 1/4 year of lost warranty is worth less than $87.
 
jsw said:
Assuming you are sure that the seller is honest (at least in this case), I think you'd be fine with the purchase... assuming 1/4 year of lost warranty is worth less than $87.
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I plan on extending Apple care anyway.

I am sure refurbs are great, and there is a possiblity of the magical upgrade unit. Almost every iMac refurb I have heard people talk about has some kind of scuffs, which isn't a big deal.

For me, saving the $87 for 1/4 lost in the warranty isn't that big deal a deal. The seller is legit and it looks like it is in fantastic condition. Plus having the retail box in my experience increases resale value.
 
Why not go with a 17" for now and save up for a larger monitor you can add to it later?
 
4God said:
Why not go with a 17" for now and save up for a larger monitor you can add to it later?
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I plan to add a second monitor later. Probably closer to the end of the year. I thought about doing a 17", but I'd rather have a 20" as I would have more real estate instantly. I think I would regret not having a 20" down the road.
 
kevin.rivers said:
i like you. most people around seem to be against it. Thanks for your support.
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Why thank you for the kindness kevin.rivers. I try to imagine what I would do in your situation before I give advice/my opinion. I know that if I was looking for a new desktop computer, I would probably go with a 20" iMac- and since you found one at a good price, it seems to make sense to buy it. :)
 
dmw007 said:
Why thank you for the kindness kevin.rivers. I try to imagine what I would do in your situation before I give advice/my opinion. I know that if I was looking for a new desktop computer, I would probably go with a 20" iMac- and since you found one at a good price, it seems to make sense to buy it. :)
Click to expand...

To be honest with you, I have never bought an Apple computer new. Always second hand. Usually because i found great deals. I haven't been dissappointed once by a used Mac.

I bought an 12" iBook g4 back in November last year, on eBay. 1.33ghz, 512MB, 100GB. I got it for $950.

I bought a 1GB stick and tossed it in. Bought Apple care. The little guy worked great. Turned around and sold upon getting the next computer. I sold it for $1100.

Then I came into possession of a Powerbook G4 1.5Ghz 1GB 100GB. For free :). Guy thought it was broken and gave it to me. Turns out it worked just fine. I used it for about 7 months. Macbooks came out, I put it on eBay quicly and got $1650 for it. With a few extra things as well.

So now that money is going towards the iMac. Which, will also be used. I will buy 2GB and apple care. And it will be like new.

Buying used is always a little scary, but it is still under warranty which eases my feelings and the guy sounds like he took care of it.

If anyone is interested, it is someone from MR.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/203503/
 
Sounds like you too have had good luck with used Macs. I bought my 12" 1.33GHz iBook G4 refurbished from Apple and it served me quite well (never one single problem). The only reason I got rid of it was to buy my MacBook Pro. :)
 
You can get refurbs from powermax and smalldog too and they don't charge sales tax. My first powerbook was a refurb from powermax, my second was a refurb from smalldog. Great machines. (And definitely no scuff marks!)
 
tristan said:
You can get refurbs from powermax and smalldog too and they don't charge sales tax. My first powerbook was a refurb from powermax, my second was a refurb from smalldog. Great machines. (And definitely no scuff marks!)
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Unless they are cheaper for their newer refurbished Macs, I find powermax to be overpriced.
 
tristan said:
You can get refurbs from powermax and smalldog too and they don't charge sales tax. My first powerbook was a refurb from powermax, my second was a refurb from smalldog. Great machines. (And definitely no scuff marks!)
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They don't have any pre-owned or refurbished intel iMacs.
 
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