Refurb 20inch imac

[Chucksta]

Is it worth getting the following imac for AU$ 1099 from the Apple website? It is a refurbished Mac.

Refurbished iMac 20-inch 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
20-inch glossy widescreen display
2GB memory
320GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 256MB memory
Built-in iSight camera

How do you know if it comes with Snow Leopard?

Do you need to get Apple Care with refurb units? Or is the 1 year warranty sufficient?

thanks

Chucksta

 

[EliteF50]

Well, if I were you I'd put another $200/300 on it and get a brand new 21.5" iMac. But if you can't, the refurb is a good machine.

 

[Chucksta]

In Australia the 21.5 inch imac retails for AU$1599.

Maybe a refurb 24 inch imac (AU$1449) is a better deal than the new 21.5 inch imac:

Refurbished iMac 24-inch 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
24-inch glossy widescreen display
4GB memory
640GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 256MB memory
Built-in iSight camera

The refurb unit is $150 less and it has a bigger screen (24 inch vs 21.5 inch), more HDD (640gb vs 500gb), and tried and tested technology (no issues with yellow tinge, flickering, etc).

Meant to be a xmas gift, and the user will only be doing word processing, internet surfing and emails. I'll also put on Windows XP with Boot Camp. I have a 27 inch i5 on order for myself

Are refurb units more likely to break down in the future than new imacs?

 

[EliteF50]

In Australia the 21.5 inch imac retails for AU$1599.

Maybe a refurb 24 inch imac (AU$1449) is a better deal than the new 21.5 inch imac:

Refurbished iMac 24-inch 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
24-inch glossy widescreen display
4GB memory
640GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 256MB memory
Built-in iSight camera

The refurb unit is $150 less and it has a bigger screen (24 inch vs 21.5 inch), more HDD (640gb vs 500gb), and tried and tested technology (no issues with yellow tinge, flickering, etc).

Meant to be a xmas gift, and the user will only be doing word processing, internet surfing and emails. I'll also put on Windows XP with Boot Camp. I have a 27 inch i5 on order for myself

Are refurb units more likely to break down in the future than new imacs?

Well, I think the 24" is a better choice than the 20" you posted. But I'm sure he'll/she'll love whichever iMac you choose to purchase.

 

[Chucksta]

I know that refurb imacs come in a brown box and not the white fancy imac box.

Do the refurb boxes have REFURBISHED stamped on them? Might look a bit lame if its a gift.

 

[EliteF50]

I know that refurb imacs come in a brown box and not the white fancy imac box.

Do the refurb boxes have REFURBISHED stamped on them? Might look a bit lame if its a gift.

I'm pretty sure the box is plain white, not brown. And no, it doesn't have a big stamp saying "Refurbished."

Hell, I'd love to get an iMac for Christmas, refurb or used.

 

[senseless]

Why do so many US commercials feature Australians in them? There's something about that accent that sells products.

 

[Patmn]

How do you know if it comes with Snow Leopard?

I'm 99% sure that any of the refurbs sold by Apple right now are running Snow Leopard.

 

[fyrefly]

Are refurb units more likely to break down in the future than new imacs?

No, probably less likely in fact, as they've been double checked post-purchase and therefore have passed two quality control tests vs. only one with a new unit

 

[Chucksta]

Just received the refurb 24 inch imac (AU$1449). It was sent overnight first class from Sydney. Now that's service. So instead of 3-5 business days it got here the next day! Thank you Apple!

Refurbished iMac 24-inch 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
24-inch glossy widescreen display
4GB memory
640GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 256MB memory
Built-in iSight camera

The OS is 10.5.6 and I am updating it using the included dvds to Snow Leopard. Looks like I have to install iLife09 as well. No big deal considering the savings.

No luck getting a better spec refurb than what was ordered. It was however packaged in a plain white box. Not the brown box stamped refurb.

The screen is huge! 24 inch is plenty. I would seriously question if the 21.5 base is worth it, given that the 24 inch is cheaper as a refurb.