Return CTO the new Imac?

[tigereat]

I just got a custom Imac 21.5 3.33GH ATI 4670 model on December 14. But I come to realize that this Imac is still not powerful enough or it is too slow for my needs. I'm a software engineer and my jobs depend on a very powerful computer. I often run many applications and servers at the same time (like MS server 2008 enterprise, MS studio professional, CS4, and more. I 'm running MS application via boot camp or Parallel desktop 5 and it becomes worse when i run those programs visually ) I thought upgrading to C2D 3.33 would be enough, but that's wrong. Moreover, after installing those heavy-required-powerful-computer programs including Parallel desktop 5, turning on the iMac always takes me about 3 - 5 minutes. so slow for the new computer. I did aftermarket upgrade for ram to 8 GB. it helps but not much I expected

I 'm deciding to return this thing and upgrade to i7 model since it has not passed 14 days yet. However, I heard that CTO model cannot be returned. Is it true? I went to Apple Website and read under the return policy section, but it didn't say anything like that. (See the details below) Has Apple changed the rule?


Returns policy

Items purchased at the Apple Online Store between October 31, 2009 and December 24, 2009, may be returned through January 9, 2010. Please note that all other terms and conditions provided in the Apple Online Store Sales and Refunds Policy are still applicable with respect to such items purchased, including the assessment of a 10% restocking fee on any open box item. All purchases made after December 24, 2009 are subject to the standard Apple Online Store Sales and Refunds Policy, which requires returns to be made within 14 calendar days of the date of receipt. For more information, refer to the Apple Online Store Sales and Refunds Policy.

To return an item, please visit online Order Status for assistance 24 hours a day, or call 1-800-676-2775, Monday – Friday from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., or Saturday – Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific time.

Returns are subject to the Apple Online Store Sales and Refunds Policy. For iPhone returns, please refer to the iPhone return policy. For eligible Mac, iPod, and third-party products, you have up to 14 calendar days from the time you receive your item(s) to initiate a return. A 10% restocking fee will be assessed for opened items. Shipping fees are not refundable.

Items that cannot be returned include:

1. Opened memory
2. Opened software*
3. Electronic Software Downloads
4. Personalized iPods
5. Software Up-to-Date Program Products (software upgrades)
6. Apple Gift Cards
7. Apple Gift Packaging (origami style gift box with ribbon and greeting card)
8. Apple Developer Connection Products (Membership and Technical Support)

* You may return software after rejecting the licensing terms, provided the software is not installed on a computer. However, software that contains a printed software license may not be returned if the seal or sticker on the software media packaging is broken.


Regarding to the bold text, Does it mean i dont have to return it now but after Jan 9 ? So my 14 days policy cover until then?

Thanks so much

Andy


PS you might want to ask me why I bought iMac if most of my jobs is on window-based environment. The answer is I 'm building some applications for Iphone and might move to work for Apple in the future (i'm only 29 )

 

[spinnerlys]

Why don't you call Apple?

http://www.apple.com/support/contact/phone_contacts.html

 

[D4rL0t]

Regarding boot time, in the short term: have you ensured your HD is the startup disk? (System Preferences -> Startup Disk -> click on your preferred drive.) The new iMacs appear to have an issue with this.

Returns are subject to the Apple Online Store Sales and Refunds Policy.

This policy also says...

Since a custom-configured product is built to your specifications, the order cannot be changed, modified, or canceled once your order is in production.

...it's up to the discretion of Apple if you can return the machine you custom ordered. Maybe if you explain your situation, and particularly why you bought a mac, they agree to take it in return.

In your case, I would however think adding a Mac mini server to your rig could be interesting, budget permitting. Replace one of the HDs with a SSD, but only attempt this if you are experienced in working with hardware and aren't afraid of using unconventional tools!


Then I'd be installing all your server software on the mini, and re-install just the clean OSX on your iMac.

If you upgrade to an i5 or i7 iMac instead, still you should carefully consider replacing a drive (in this case, the optical drive probably) with a SDD as you have a lot of system software. Again, this is not to be attempted by the nervous, but there is a good thread on this forum about how (not) to do it.

Good luck & Seasons Greets!

 

[tigereat]

In your case, I would however think adding a Mac mini server to your rig could be interesting, budget permitting. Replace one of the HDs with a SSD, but only attempt this if you are experienced in working with hardware and aren't afraid of using unconventional tools!


I think Doing these would cost me more than just upgrading to i7 model alone(if they allow the return)


I guess I need to talk to them and see what happens

 

[DarwinOSX]

Call Apple on your CTO question.

Compiling is screaming fast on the i7's. I find VMware scales much better with 8GB of ram and quad procs than Parallels.

 

[Jaro65]

I didn't have a problem returning a CTO-built i5 that my wife gave me for Christmas. When she called Apple, she simply stated that I intend to purchase an i7 model (which I am) and they gave her an RMA number.

 

[rigid]

Mine was CTO and the only problem with that was I couldn't return it to the store and trade in, my REPLACEMENT had to be custom built too.

My jaw kind of dropped =P.