How to find a good deal on a Mac desktop?

[de anza]

Hi, I am thinking of buying my first iMac computer for photo editing with Capture One. I am not ready to invest in the best system out there, what I actually need is to figure out how little I can get away with paying for a desktop. The 21.5" monitors are fine, I don't need a 27". I am willing to buy refurbished or used as long as it is a reliable purchase. If I were buying used I would want to be able to verify that the computer has a new hard drive. Any tips or tricks to find a good deal?

Capture One

Recommended system requirements​

If working with high-resolution images and doing calculation-heavy adjustments,
we recommend the following:

• Intel CPU with 4+ cores
• 16+ GB of RAM
• Solid State Disk (SSD)
• NVIDIA or AMD GPU with 8 GB+ RAM
• Calibrated monitor with at least 1920×1200, 24-bit resolution at 96dpi

​

 

[rm5]

NVIDIA or AMD GPU with 8 GB+ RAM

That's impossible to get unless you get a 27 inch iMac. There are no 21.5 inch models that shipped with GPUs with 8 GB of VRAM.

BUT, are you doing high-end photo editing? Those requirements are the "recommended" ones, so you theoretically DON'T have to have that.

27 inch iMac models with 8 GB of VRAM include:

• 2017 5K w/ Radeon Pro 580 or Vega 48
• 2019 5K w/ Radeon Pro 580X or Vega 48
• 2020 5K w/ Radeon Pro 5500, 5700, or 5700 XT (16 GB)

So, can you please clarify if that's something you absolutely need? Are you doing that kind of high-end work?

 

[LeeW]

what I actually need is to figure out how little I can get away with paying for a desktop.

Define that in an amount.

 

[de anza]

That's impossible to get unless you get a 27 inch iMac. There are no 21.5 inch models that shipped with GPUs with 8 GB of VRAM.

BUT, are you doing high-end photo editing? Those requirements are the "recommended" ones, so you theoretically DON'T have to have that.

27 inch iMac models with 8 GB of VRAM include:

• 2017 5K w/ Radeon Pro 580 or Vega 48
• 2019 5K w/ Radeon Pro 580X or Vega 48
• 2020 5K w/ Radeon Pro 5500, 5700, or 5700 XT (16 GB)

So, can you please clarify if that's something you absolutely need? Are you doing that kind of high-end work?

Thanks for the answer. Those were just the requirements that Capture One recommended, and unfortunately they did not define exactly what type of images they mean. It is possible they are referring to images from a medium format camera. I am using a just a Sony a7iii so the files are not huge. However they do add that if you are using a 4k monitor you should double those requirements. I just want to make sure that if I am using a 4k monitor or higher that the computer is not going to be overly slow. I am not doing high end retouching but would like to use all the feature of Capture One when needed. I would prefer to use a 21.5" monitor for my small budget. I realize this will cut down on the amount of clarity, but it is enough for me knowing that I can simple zoom in on the details when needed.

 

[de anza]

Define that in an amount.

Actually I was hoping this forum could help me figure out how little I can pay based on the specs from Capture one. I would say my budget is probably 800$ max. As I mentioned I would prefer to have a 21.5 monitor but could also use a 24" if it would not effect the price, just not a 27".

Here is the complete page from Capture One about requirements. https://support.captureone.com/hc/e...apture-One-system-requirements-and-OS-support

I was hoping someone could give some leads about where to get good deals. I also need to know how to tell if I am getting a good deal as far if the computer has a lot of mileage if used. For example if I am looking at used should I look for one that has a new hard rive installed? Or if I am concerned about reliability would I be better of with refurbished? As well witch models I should look for.

Thanks in advanced for any leads!

 

[de anza]

I guess what I would like to pay is around 500$ but I don't know if this is realistic. It will only be a temporary computer until I have a better budget.

 

[rm5]

A 21.5 inch monitor should be fine. I mean a 27 inch is nice to have (I have a 27-inch external monitor that I run in clamshell mode with my MacBook), but I think for the type of work you're doing, it's not necessary. If it becomes necessary, you can always get another external monitor like I did. But I'm also so used to 27 inches that anything smaller seems too small (even though that's not necessarily true—just my personal taste). I just could not stand the scrunched UI of a 21.5 inch/1080p monitor, and 27 inch/4K (running in 1440p) actually provides space for all my windows. Anyway, that's just my opinion. I think you're fine with 21.5.

As far as a computer, a highly-specced 2017 or 2019 21.5 inch iMac should cut it. I'm talking about at least the following:

• The i5 or i7 configuration
• 32 GB of RAM (16 if you're really in a pinch)
• Radeon Pro 560, if not the Vega 20. The 555 only has 2 GB of VRAM, which is honestly abysmal (why they ever sold such a configuration is beyond me)
• Try and avoid the Fusion Drive, and instead, get one with an SSD. You'll be happier in the end.

 

[KaliYoni]

Hi, I am thinking of buying my first iMac computer for photo editing with Capture One. I am not ready to invest in the best system out there, what I actually need is to figure out how little I can get away with paying for a desktop. The 21.5" monitors are fine, I don't need a 27". I am willing to buy refurbished or used as long as it is a reliable purchase. If I were buying used I would want to be able to verify that the computer has a new hard drive. Any tips or tricks to find a good deal?

Capture One

Recommended system requirements​

If working with high-resolution images and doing calculation-heavy adjustments,
we recommend the following:

• Intel CPU with 4+ cores
• 16+ GB of RAM
• Solid State Disk (SSD)
• NVIDIA or AMD GPU with 8 GB+ RAM
• Calibrated monitor with at least 1920×1200, 24-bit resolution at 96dpi

​

Apple's own refurbished store is here:

Certified Refurbished Products

Every Apple Certified Refurbished product includes savings up to 15%, and comes with a one-year warranty and full functional testing. Shop & save now.

www.apple.com

If you haven't ever bought a refurb from Apple before, I just want to say that I have had very positive experiences with Apple's USA refurb program. I've bought multiple Macs, iPods, and iPads as refurbs, beginning with a beige G3 tower years and years ago. I've never been let down or felt dissatisfied. So, if you see a machine you want offered as a refurb, you can save some money and get what is effectively a new product.

A great indication of the steps Apple takes in its refurb process is that products are eligible for AppleCare. Plus there is a liberal return policy. The only real downsides, to my mind, are that you can't buy specific configurations on demand and low specc'd models might stop receiving OS updates after only a couple of years.

 

[de anza]

A 21.5 inch monitor should be fine. I mean a 27 inch is nice to have (I have a 27-inch external monitor that I run in clamshell mode with my MacBook), but I think for the type of work you're doing, it's not necessary. If it becomes necessary, you can always get another external monitor like I did. But I'm also so used to 27 inches that anything smaller seems too small (even though that's not necessarily true—just my personal taste). I just could not stand the scrunched UI of a 21.5 inch/1080p monitor, and 27 inch/4K (running in 1440p) actually provides space for all my windows. Anyway, that's just my opinion. I think you're fine with 21.5.

As far as a computer, a highly-specced 2017 or 2019 21.5 inch iMac should cut it. I'm talking about at least the following:

• The i5 or i7 configuration
• 32 GB of RAM (16 if you're really in a pinch)
• Radeon Pro 560, if not the Vega 20. The 555 only has 2 GB of VRAM, which is honestly abysmal (why they ever sold such a configuration is beyond me)
• Try and avoid the Fusion Drive, and instead, get one with an SSD. You'll be happier in the end.

Thanks, I tried searching imac, 21.5" i7, 32 GB RAM Radeon Pro 560, i ssd I could not find anything that matched. Do you know of any particular models that fit these specs?

 

[rm5]

Huh, I can't either. Although I did find some decent deals on 27", although I know you don't want that, but you might take a look:

Apple iMac 27" A1419 Mid 2017 i5 7500 3.40Ghz / 32GB / 512GB SSD Retina #8309 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Apple iMac 27" A1419 Mid 2017 i5 7500 3.40Ghz / 32GB / 512GB SSD Retina #8309 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Apple iMac 27" 2017 5K 3.5GHz Core i5 32GB 512GB NVMe SSD + 2TB HDD Pro 575 4GB | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Apple iMac 27" 2017 5K 3.5GHz Core i5 32GB 512GB NVMe SSD + 2TB HDD Pro 575 4GB at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Apple iMac 27" (512GB SSD, Intel Core i5-7500, 3.40 GHz, 8GB) Silver - MNE92LL/A (2017) for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Apple iMac 27" (512GB SSD, Intel Core i5-7500, 3.40 GHz, 8GB) Silver - MNE92LL/A (2017) at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Apple iMac 27" A1419 Mid 2017 i5 7500 3.40Ghz / 32GB / 512GB SSD Retina #8309 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Apple iMac 27" A1419 Mid 2017 i5 7500 3.40Ghz / 32GB / 512GB SSD Retina #8309 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[de anza]

Huh, I can't either. Although I did find some decent deals on 27", although I know you don't want that, but you might take a look:

Apple iMac 27" A1419 Mid 2017 i5 7500 3.40Ghz / 32GB / 512GB SSD Retina #8309 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Apple iMac 27" A1419 Mid 2017 i5 7500 3.40Ghz / 32GB / 512GB SSD Retina #8309 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Apple iMac 27" 2017 5K 3.5GHz Core i5 32GB 512GB NVMe SSD + 2TB HDD Pro 575 4GB | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Apple iMac 27" 2017 5K 3.5GHz Core i5 32GB 512GB NVMe SSD + 2TB HDD Pro 575 4GB at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Apple iMac 27" (512GB SSD, Intel Core i5-7500, 3.40 GHz, 8GB) Silver - MNE92LL/A (2017) for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Apple iMac 27" (512GB SSD, Intel Core i5-7500, 3.40 GHz, 8GB) Silver - MNE92LL/A (2017) at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Apple iMac 27" A1419 Mid 2017 i5 7500 3.40Ghz / 32GB / 512GB SSD Retina #8309 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Apple iMac 27" A1419 Mid 2017 i5 7500 3.40Ghz / 32GB / 512GB SSD Retina #8309 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Thanks, I will probably buy one of these.