Looking to buy older imac for office use, is 2017 the oldest I can get with warranty?

[xtac]

Looking to buy an older imac for business use, but don't really trust used/refurbished without apple care. I have a 2015 imac that works flawlessly at home, so 2015 would be fine for me, but on apple refurb site furthest it goes back is 2017.

Things important to me: user-replaceable ram, 1tb fusion at min or 1tb ssd, ability to get applecare or 2 year extended warranty.

 

[DeltaMac]

If you are looking for Apple's usual warranty, then you can choose an iMac from Apple's refurb page. Those would be sold, same as new, with 12 months warranty, and the choice to extend that warranty with AppleCare.
You won't get THAT warranty on used iMacs.
If Apple does not offer older than 2017, then go for that.
If you want to add AppleCare, then you either purchase new (2019) or, you purchase a refurb from Apple.

 

[mikehalloran]

You pretty much understand the rules of the road, then.

If that's what's important, then the Refurb Store is where it's at for you. You might want to look at the BTO options in there, too. Often, it's less expensive to get an upgraded iMac with more RAM than a basic model plus a couple of sticks from OWC.

You need to compare carefully to get the best bargain and know the price of 3rd party RAM as you do so. 16GB may cost $100 (+ shipping) while the difference between 2 otherwise identical iMacs is only $50. Likewise, don't assume that the 2017 is always the better bargain. It depends on what you want and need.

Right now, there are plenty in the Refurb Store with most having BTO options. I count 2017: 13 of the 21.5" and 27 of the 27". Of the 2019 model, 26 are 21.5" and 55 of the 27". No two will be identical—multiples of identical units will be under one listing.
https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/mac/2019-27-inch-imac