Guidance Buying Used iMac

[samidesigns]

Hello Apple gurus, Im a Mac fan but never bought one before, I have an opportunity to buy a machine described in the ad as follows:

apple imac 21" Retina display slim body model
intel core i5 2.7ghz processor
1TB Hard disk , 16gb ram
Nvidia Geforce 640M graphics
with bluetooth keypad, bluetooth mouse
Hairline cosmetic crack across screen - doesn’t effect screen function or image quality

note that this is an online ad but speaking with the seller he said that it might be late 2012 and photos on the ad are not clear so I asked for an inspection at home today... but before I go I want to know what I should inspect and if those specs are genuine specs for an iMac or it maybe modified? and is it worth the price of around $680?

P.S I will use it for graphic & web design using adobe AI, PS, ID...

 

[davidgnomo]

I would go have a look, but would wait a while before making up my mind ... there’s an Apple Event to watch before ! Plus I could be wrong, but the price is quite high ...

 

[mikehalloran]

Specs are not correct—no such thing as a 2012 Retina. Usually this translates to, 'I have no idea what I'm looking at but I have heard of Retina.'

No one would pay to have one downgraded to a 5400 HDD. That drive is now 6 years old—not good.

On the up side, these aren't hard to upgrade to a solid state drive. A Samsung 860 EVO costs $169 for 1T and $349 for 2T. An adapter and thermal sensor sets you back another $52.

If you're brave enough to crack it open, you'll save the $100 or so that most charge to to the install.

So, while the price doesn't seem bad, I agree, it's too steep for what's coming down the pike.

 

[samidesigns]

I would go have a look, but would wait a while before making up my mind ... there’s an Apple Event to watch before ! Plus I could be wrong, but the price is quite high ...

I went last night and had a peek on the machine, it looks good to me, I have used it for about 15 mins scrolling through the settings and specs of it and it seems acceptable. But for the price, Dubai man is expensive and these machines are more of a trend here rather than being a tool for better quality work and I have found multiple machines but 8gb ram core i5 512 HDD that costs between 1,500-1,800 AED (around 400 dollars) which to me is not a deal breaker and wouldnt spend a dime on that and to be straight honest $600 is all I can afford at this stage....

But Ill take your advice and check for other options before I buy and wait for a better deal
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Specs are not correct—no such thing as a 2012 Retina. Usually this translates to, 'I have no idea what I'm looking at but I have heard of Retina.'

No one would pay to have one downgraded to a 5400 HDD. That drive is now 6 years old—not good.

On the up side, these aren't hard to upgrade to a solid state drive. A Samsung 860 EVO costs $169 for 1T and $349 for 2T. An adapter and thermal sensor sets you back another $52.

If you're brave enough to crack it open, you'll save the $100 or so that most charge to to the install.

So, while the price doesn't seem bad, I agree, it's too steep for what's coming down the pike.

Yes I have checked apple website for that and there is no retina for that machine, Will have to check further and wait for other options because it is indeed old and I dont want to pay twice to get it upgraded or fixed while the cracked screen costs around $200 so... I think I'll wait

 

[mikehalloran]

What’s your realistic budget?

You will want at least a 2012 as older iMacs cannot run the current Mac OS.

 

[samidesigns]

What’s your realistic budget?

You will want at least a 2012 as older iMacs cannot run the current Mac OS.

Ok, a question tho, So I cant just simply install the latest OS on older models like Windows?

 

[carbontune]

Ok, a question tho, So I cant just simply install the latest OS on older models like Windows?

You can to an extent. However, as a machine gets older then the latest macOS release may not support that machine. In my experience you're looking at 5-6 years old before a Mac won't run the latest macOS release. Of course, you can still continue to use your machine as normal but at some point you won't get any updates and newer versions of applications will also not be supported.

TBH, I'd be more concerned about the crack in the screen. Does the seller know how it happened?

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

For graphic and web design give this iMac a big miss. The broken screen will become a nightmare in a few short weeks.

Suggest a 27" +2014 model with either a Blade or Solid State Drive. Give Platter and Fusion drives a big miss. The 27" model is user upgradeable regarding memory. Crucial and OWC sell Mac compatible memory.

And it is $200 overpriced. Don't forget Apple Refurbished models which come with a full year warranty and the option of AppleCare for a further two years.


https://uae.souq.com/ae-en/imac/s/

 

[samidesigns]

Thank you everyone for the support, I have bought a late 2010 iMac 4 core 16 gb ram running high sierra smoothly installed all adobe cc 2018 on it and works perfect. Im pretty sure most of you if not all of you are against this purchase but hey, I never used mac before and spending $200 on a mac that to me seems fine.... and as a DIY guy I had a problem with the mac HD format when I first got it as it was "Case-Sensitive" and none of the adobe suites would install which I had to do some research to fix it myself.... So I thank you all again and definitely will purchase the latest mac as soon as I get the hang of this one.
[doublepost=1541405652][/doublepost]

For graphic and web design give this iMac a big miss. The broken screen will become a nightmare in a few short weeks.

Suggest a 27" +2014 model with either a Blade or Solid State Drive. Give Platter and Fusion drives a big miss. The 27" model is user upgradeable regarding memory. Crucial and OWC sell Mac compatible memory.

And it is $200 overpriced. Don't forget Apple Refurbished models which come with a full year warranty and the option of AppleCare for a further two years.


https://uae.souq.com/ae-en/imac/s/

I gave it a really big miss... when I went to test it at his home the colors were more of a yellow to it referencing it to a white background which seemed like almost beige.