Hi, new here, I'm going to be buying my first ever Mac and need some advice. Should I get a refurbished 17" iMac G5 Rev.B, or a brand new 17" iMac. Has anyone ever had a problem with a refurbished item? Any help would be great. Thanks.
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Rev. B Refurbished iMac G5 or New iMac G5?
- Thread starter MidnightNAMBLA
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MidnightNAMBLA said:
I've recently purchased a refurbished Rev B iMac (17" SuperDrive) and love it. I bought it as a second mac, so didn't *need* to have the latest and greatest and in actual fact I don't like the look of the built-in iSight on the latest model; personally I think it spoils the design.
Feature-wise... I'm not missing TOO much.
My 17" SuperDrive Rev B has a 2.0GHz processor compared to just 1.9 in the new one.
Advantages of the new one: faster DDR2 RAM, better SuperDrive and improved graphics card. The rest of the specs are pretty much the same I think.
To be honest I don't think i'd use the SD enough to notice the speed difference and I probably wouldn't notice the graphics difference either. The RAM I'm also not too concerned about, seeing as I have a slightly faster processor anyway.
As for the remote and Front Row software in the new one... seems a little gimmicky to me and I sure as hell wouldn't use the iSight.
So for me, a rev B with a discount was a very good deal.
Yes, you take a bit of a gamble by buying refurbished because you run more of a risk of it arriving with dead pixels or a slight cosmetic imperfection than when buying "new". I was very lucky and my refurb is perfect. Also I got the original box. I've heard that most refurbs arrive in brown cartons, without the proper Apple box.
Anyway, only *you* can make the decision but overall I'm really pleased with my refurb one. The delivery is also quicker as you don't have to wait for BTO.
Things to consider:
Would you find use for an iSight?
Will you be burning DVDs a lot?
If so then you may as well buy the latest model.
If not... and you're not too concerned about having the "latest" model... or if you're just looking for a saving, then I think the rev B models are great. If you search this forum, you'll probably find that overall most people are very happy with their refurbs.
Ok, thank you so much for replying so quickly dietcokevanilla. I was thinking about it and I'm not going to be using the isight that much, and I won't be burning that many dvds at all. I am looking to save, I've been working at Subway for close to four months saving up for a Mac, but anyways thank you for you insight. I've thought about it and I'm just gonna go with the refurb. Once again thanks for responding so quickly, I love it here!
I would strongly recommend the new one. The main reason is because it is very, very quiet, and the operating temps inside the imac are much lower. Rev A and B have issues with noise and over heating. (read the discussion boards at apple.com) That said, my sister has a super quiet REV A. Maybe I just had bad luck with mine. But, I would highly recommend the newest model.
The refurbished rev Bs are very good deals, and if you don't need the iSight or FrontRow, I'd go with the refurb.
The graphics, ram, slimmer design and front row are very good aspects that is worth the extra IMO.
i would definitely go with the latest model if you have the money. you will never be disappointed because it has everythingg that the old one has + more so you'll never be wondering "what could have been 
" plus the form factor of the new one is just so sleek and sexy, and so much thinner!
" plus the form factor of the new one is just so sleek and sexy, and so much thinner!
I would have the money, it will just take an extra month for saving up. I don't hate my job, so it won't be that bad saving up for another month. I'm still trying to make the decision, but thank you all for your help, I greatly appreciate it.
nospleen said:
I have a rev B, and I have not had any heat issues. Sure it revs a lot when I am working on an intensive task, however that is normal. Watch an HD movie and tell me if the rev C revs or not.
PCI-e is one great reason for buying the new model.
I've had a refurb from apple before and I must say it was my least problematic of macs. Not that macs are all that problematic, but the last 2 I've purchased have been a bit.....twitchy. I blame Tiger.
Am I the only one here who knows what NAMBLA stands for?
Am I the only one here who knows what NAMBLA stands for?
lol. It's a song from one of my favorite bands. I am not associated with the NAMBLA in any way. It was a take on the Rolling Stones song Midnight Gambler.
maya said:I have a rev B, and I have not had any heat issues. Sure it revs a lot when I am working on an intensive task, however that is normal. Watch an HD movie and tell me if the rev C revs or not.
PCI-e is one great reason for buying the new model.
I am glad to hear that you are not having any overheating issues. Obviously on the Apple forums you only hear from people that are having issues. The Rev C does not rev at all, even when playing a 1080 HD trailor. I have owned almost 5 rev a's and b's and only had one that was quiet. I was SHOCKED that the REV C was so quiet, even during heavy load.
Where are the 17" G5 iMacs refurb?
Help!
I've been frantically searching the past few days--mostly at The Apple Store--for a refurb 17" G5 iMac. It would suit my needs--and budget--perfectly. I've not come across any yet. Are they all gone? Am I too late? Has Apple already sold out of this item? If so, can anyone recommend some other to place to look for it? I'd be much obliged for any help the forum
may provide.
Help!
I've been frantically searching the past few days--mostly at The Apple Store--for a refurb 17" G5 iMac. It would suit my needs--and budget--perfectly. I've not come across any yet. Are they all gone? Am I too late? Has Apple already sold out of this item? If so, can anyone recommend some other to place to look for it? I'd be much obliged for any help the forum
may provide.
biohazard6969 said:so you'll never be wondering "what could have been
I totally agree
I myself am getting rev B (not refurb), cuz I dont need new software and iSight, + rev Bs have 100 MHz faster CPUs, and almost the same GPU performance (in games), but rev C has much better form and ports positioning.
Edit: I forgot to say that X600 has much better perfomance in CoreImage http://barefeats.com/im21b.html
If I were buying an iMac right now, I would definitely get the new Rev C. The design is better, most of the hardware is upgrade to be faster (RAM, Processor, Graphics, Bus). Also it was redesigned to be quieter and run cooler. Plus the new 20" LCD in the iMac is actually better then the 20" ACD according to the specs and user reviews.