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iMac 27" Refurbs OK to buy?
- Thread starter Clete2
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Honestly , im thinkin about purchasing a new one in the upcoming week i7 spec , but as i read on the forums and on the blogs it seems like a chance of luck to get a perfect imac
. so i say go ahead get it if you like the deal and you can always return it to apple using your warranty.Good Luck
Refurbs are generally fine - many are returned due to very minor issues and/or just returned due to customers changing their minds. They are given a total once over before being put for sale on the Refurb Store and you can save a fair few coins going the Refurb route (many users do take this path). You are completely covered by Apples 12 month warranty and can also purchase Applecare for three years cover. The only caveat to this is the yellow screen issue that have been prevalent on the 27" iMac - however you're just as likely to get this on a brand new 27" imac and you are still completely covered by the warranty.
Sometimes going the refurb route you can get a pleasant surprise such as extra RAM installed in the iMac as they haven't bothered to remove it from the returned machine
Sometimes going the refurb route you can get a pleasant surprise such as extra RAM installed in the iMac as they haven't bothered to remove it from the returned machine
Refurbs are a great deal...all of my Apple stuff has been refurbs (except the iPhone). That said, if you don't need the machine for a while, I'd hold off on a 27" iMac until there's overwhelming evidence that the yellow tinge, gray bands, and other issues are definitely fixed. Otherwise you take the chance of playing the "shipping back, getting replacements" game until you get a unit that you're satisfied with
Refurbs go through a more extensive testing process than a new machine, and have the problem parts replaced with new ones. They come with new keyboards mice, and outer shell. Yes outer shell as in new aluminum and glossy screen. The only part that isn't new is the non-problem parts inside the machine.
Every refurb is checked and rechecked. New ones get checked in batches for example one out of every 30 for example. So most likely a refurb has a better chance of being problem free than a new machine.
Refurbs have replacement screens on them that are the same as the fixed new ones. Just bought a refurb 27 for my dad and it has no yellowing and no flickering. He basically has a better screen than my i5 which has a very slight yellowing. he has a perfect screen.
If you find a refurb 27 get it without a doubt. Most likely problem free. I saw one today and it lasted all of one hour. No exaggeration.
Every refurb is checked and rechecked. New ones get checked in batches for example one out of every 30 for example. So most likely a refurb has a better chance of being problem free than a new machine.
Refurbs have replacement screens on them that are the same as the fixed new ones. Just bought a refurb 27 for my dad and it has no yellowing and no flickering. He basically has a better screen than my i5 which has a very slight yellowing. he has a perfect screen.
If you find a refurb 27 get it without a doubt. Most likely problem free. I saw one today and it lasted all of one hour. No exaggeration.
I check the refurbished store on a regular basis and rarely see the 27" models in there...
If you see one and you're interested - better act fast!
If you see one and you're interested - better act fast!
With the enormous amount of 27" iMacs being returned due to the yellow tint, I wouldnt take a chance on a refurbished model. Apple is not throwing these screens away. When they replace them in other 27" models, they inspect them and if theyre within some arbitrary tolerance, theyre going to stick them into a refurb.
Youre better off waiting until this (if ever) gets fixed, before buying new or refurbed.
Make sure you contact an Apple CSR and explain your concerns to them so they log it. Ifthey get enough complaints, thye may actually do something about the defective screens.
Youre better off waiting until this (if ever) gets fixed, before buying new or refurbed.
Make sure you contact an Apple CSR and explain your concerns to them so they log it. Ifthey get enough complaints, thye may actually do something about the defective screens.
Looks like I missed out!!
I'm still debating over (iMac + Netbook) vs. MacBook Pro, so I don't know if I want to order yet. If I see an iMac i7 like I did yesterday for that price, I may just snag it.
Unfortunately, they are all gone for now.
I'm still debating over (iMac + Netbook) vs. MacBook Pro, so I don't know if I want to order yet. If I see an iMac i7 like I did yesterday for that price, I may just snag it.
Unfortunately, they are all gone for now.
I received my refurb 27" C2D imac last week when these came on the refurb page and I pulled the trigger. It is a beautiful machine, everything looks brand spanking new and even has that new "smell"...we all know that smell
Now as far as the screen...it has no yellow tinting, or at least none that I can see with my plain eyes. The imac sits on my desk and I'm at eye level with the top portion of the screen. If I dip my head a bit to make eye level with the bottom of the screen color changes very slightly due to viewing angles. This is the same with my 24 LED ACD at work (beautiful screen!).
There is however bad backlight bleeding (or whatever it is called when the screen is black and the corners are lighter). This is obvious to me when I watch a movie in letterbox format. Specially the bottom right corner bleeding is bad, although my wife (graphic designer) has not noticed it. Maybe because I'm looking for defects I can tell.
I think I'm going to stick with this one for now, and down the line take it to an apple store to get the backlight bleeding issue resolved. Replace screen maybe??
I wouldn't hesitate to get a refurb. If you do have problems, then exchange it. Apple will do what it takes to make it right. I don't think getting a new one would increase your chances of getting "the perfect" screen.
Now as far as the screen...it has no yellow tinting, or at least none that I can see with my plain eyes. The imac sits on my desk and I'm at eye level with the top portion of the screen. If I dip my head a bit to make eye level with the bottom of the screen color changes very slightly due to viewing angles. This is the same with my 24 LED ACD at work (beautiful screen!).
There is however bad backlight bleeding (or whatever it is called when the screen is black and the corners are lighter). This is obvious to me when I watch a movie in letterbox format. Specially the bottom right corner bleeding is bad, although my wife (graphic designer) has not noticed it. Maybe because I'm looking for defects I can tell.
I think I'm going to stick with this one for now, and down the line take it to an apple store to get the backlight bleeding issue resolved. Replace screen maybe??
I wouldn't hesitate to get a refurb. If you do have problems, then exchange it. Apple will do what it takes to make it right. I don't think getting a new one would increase your chances of getting "the perfect" screen.
well i got a 27" refurb and they do come looking like new.. this is my second imac that i get from apple.. the first one was a 24" that came with a dead pixel and i returned it and i got a perfect screen..
but i won't lie.. this one has a bit of yellow tinge but no dead pixels.. i care more about dead pixels that i do about the yellow tinge.. why? because you can't ever notice it unless you do that test so it doesn't affect me at all.
still if i call apple they will replace your refurb with another refurb and more than likely they'll give you a credit for the "inconvenience" which overall may bring the price of your imac to a very low cost..
i ended up paying $1375 for a $1700 machine.. which is actually a great deal.. so if new and refurb imacs tend to have the yellow tinge why go with the new more expensive one when they're both treated the same way when it comes to warranty?
just my thoughts
but i won't lie.. this one has a bit of yellow tinge but no dead pixels.. i care more about dead pixels that i do about the yellow tinge.. why? because you can't ever notice it unless you do that test so it doesn't affect me at all.
still if i call apple they will replace your refurb with another refurb and more than likely they'll give you a credit for the "inconvenience" which overall may bring the price of your imac to a very low cost..
i ended up paying $1375 for a $1700 machine.. which is actually a great deal.. so if new and refurb imacs tend to have the yellow tinge why go with the new more expensive one when they're both treated the same way when it comes to warranty?
just my thoughts
Hello All, first time posting here and wanted to share my refurbished iMac experiences.
I have a refurbished Macbook Pro that I've had for two years and have had no problems. And own two Macbooks that I purchased used. They're working fine as well.
However... I've returned two refurbished iMacs, both with defects, and decided I will not purchase refurbished again. I think for the small difference in price I would rather have a new one. Plus I discovered that I could not return a refurbished iMac to an Apple retail store for exchange. This was after I was assured by Apple's tech support that I could return it for exchange. Apple's policy on this is stated, but you have to dig a bit to find it online. I didn't see it posted anywhere at the retail store.
I think the iMac is a tremendous computer and will by buying one shortly... but not refurbished. I don't want a third strike.
I have a refurbished Macbook Pro that I've had for two years and have had no problems. And own two Macbooks that I purchased used. They're working fine as well.
However... I've returned two refurbished iMacs, both with defects, and decided I will not purchase refurbished again. I think for the small difference in price I would rather have a new one. Plus I discovered that I could not return a refurbished iMac to an Apple retail store for exchange. This was after I was assured by Apple's tech support that I could return it for exchange. Apple's policy on this is stated, but you have to dig a bit to find it online. I didn't see it posted anywhere at the retail store.
I think the iMac is a tremendous computer and will by buying one shortly... but not refurbished. I don't want a third strike.
Apple or any large corporation that sells refurbs do not put defective parts or suspected defective parts from one computer and put them into another one. Never will never did. No corporation does that. It cost them allot to refurbish a product and they don't want them coming back a second time, let alone it doesn't bode well for their reputation.
This is why they are throughly tested before they are shipped out. A new 27 Imac is not as throughly tested. Some are not tested at all as they have batches that come off the line and they test one or two a batch. Thats it. If they tested them as throughly as a refurb we would not have a "yellowing screen issue' at all. None period.
No they are not throwing the screens away, they are going back to the supplier for repair or reconditioning and to be tested not into another imac.
If a imac is returned and the screen is faulty, a new screen goes into that computer, the same screen that goes into a new one. The model of screen is newer on my dads computer than my computer and we both have 27's. I checked his serial number and it was refurbished in week 7 of this year. His screen model number is the same as several I have at the office that were replaced last week, and they were week 7's as well. His screen is perfect.
A refurb is more likely to have less problems and you save money. It's a win win situation. A refurb will end up with a newer replaced part than a new one. There are allot of imacs 27's that have been manufactured in weeks 50 through the first of the year that I know I would not want, they most likely will have issues since it is before Apple even acknowledged a 'yellowing issue' at all. They will have 'older' screens than a recently refurbished 27 being sold at the Apple store. And you know most of those refurbs got returned because of the screen issues, most likely. Now that isn't to say that the new screens being put in a refurb are perfect and do not have issues, even though it is a new screen not all screens are perfect.
So a refurb is most cases will have newer replaced part, another reason to buy a refurb. A refurb being sold now has the newest screens available, if you buy a new one it may not.
The base 27 for 1449.00 is the best deal on a imac in the Apple store or any other store for that matter.
Good point. You just saved over $300.00 dollars. But the yellowing screen sucks. If you cannot notice it than your screen might have slight yellowing which isn't bad like my i5. When did you buy your refurb? The one I got for my father which was last week came with a perfect screen. Puts mine to shame, no dead pixels, no yellowing at all no backlight bleed.
And i paid 2000.00 for mine.
Good point. You just saved over $300.00 dollars. But the yellowing screen sucks. If you cannot notice it than your screen might have slight yellowing which isn't bad like my i5. When did you buy your refurb? The one I got for my father which was last week came with a perfect screen. Puts mine to shame, no dead pixels, no yellowing at all no backlight bleed.
And i paid 2000.00 for mine.
i got mine delivered on Feb 23rd.. the only reason why i care if it has yellow tinge is in case i sell it someday but i really can't tell..
i dunno i might make an appt to the apple store just to see if they can make it any better.. we'll see
Speaking of refurbs, they have a 27 C2D up but it is out of stock. That is twice today.
They also for the first time I ever saw a i7 27 for $1849! Wow. That is just as good a deal as the C2D for $1449.00.
They also for the first time I ever saw a i7 27 for $1849! Wow. That is just as good a deal as the C2D for $1449.00.
I have purchased several refurb macs and they have all been very good machines. My most recent purchase was a loaded 24" iMac. The refurb 24's are an absolute bargain right now.
I purchased one of the 27"ers they put up today. i5 and HD4850 for $1699. I couldn't pass it up when I saw it.
Refurb i5s are $1699, refurb i7s are $1899, refurb C2Ds are $1449. (With the C2D 27's, the 3 Ghz C2D and the 3.33 both sell for the same price, just depends on which one is available in the refurb store that day.)
The 27's (some of each) have been showing up the last few days around 2-4pm PST, and there have been at least a couple of each available from what we can tell
The 27's (some of each) have been showing up the last few days around 2-4pm PST, and there have been at least a couple of each available from what we can tell
As you can tell from reading the threads here, your chances of getting a defective "new" iMac seem just as great as getting a defective "refurb" iMac.
However, as you state, returning a refurb is a bit more hassle if you have an Apple Store nearby...in my case it's easier to mail it back than drive 100 miles round trip to the nearest store to me.
I figured getting a bad refurb would actually be less likely than getting a bad new one since the refurbs are individually tested and 1 out of a batch of like 30 new ones is tested. In any case, I bought Applecare for it, so if it messes up in the next 3 years, I'll just head to the local Apple store and make them fix it