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White iMac - Where to get one?

S

Sam Spade

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 30, 2007
181
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I'm a Windows user who has been anxiously awaiting Leopard to purchase a new iMac. However, after spending a lot of time in my local Apple stores, I've decided that I can't tolerate the piss poor panels on the alu iMacs.

I hear a lot of members on this forum recommend purchasing the previous generation white iMac. Anyone know where to get one of the white 24" models?
 
I'd recommend against getting an old model of computer. Sorry to hear you don't like the panels, but you DO get used to them. Obviously it's hard to make that point when it's glaringly obvious that there is a colour shift in the screen. But you don't notice after a while - honest.
 
AlexisV said:
I'd recommend against getting an old model of computer. Sorry to hear you don't like the panels, but you DO get used to them. Obviously it's hard to make that point when it's glaringly obvious that there is a colour shift in the screen. But you don't notice after a while - honest.
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The "old" iMac is still a powerful, more-than-capable computer. Simply owning a previous generation model does not bother me. The aluminum model fits into my decor better, but the white iMac is no slouch in appearance.

The more I think about Apple's decision to use such a cheap, junk panel in the new models, the more it pisses me off. I'm very tempted to say screw Apple altogether and continue enjoying my Vista PC, which has given me no problems.
 
Sam Spade said:
However, after spending a lot of time in my local Apple stores, I've decided that I can't tolerate the piss poor panels on the alu iMacs.

I hear a lot of members on this forum recommend purchasing the previous generation white iMac. Anyone know where to get one of the white 24" models?
Click to expand...
I'm in Japan. I just went to the local retail places and picked one (iMac 17) up. Love it. May get another.

Love the new iMacs except for the glossy screens. Very disappointed with the new glossy screens.
 
Sam Spade said:
I'm a Windows user who has been anxiously awaiting Leopard to purchase a new iMac. However, after spending a lot of time in my local Apple stores, I've decided that I can't tolerate the piss poor panels on the alu iMacs.

I hear a lot of members on this forum recommend purchasing the previous generation white iMac. Anyone know where to get one of the white 24" models?
Click to expand...
Apple has them in the refurb store.
 
To the OP: Be a bit careful about showing your anger for Apple's decision on the iMac panels while asking for help on the forums for finding an alternative. Calling the new iMac's screen "junk" poor piss of a panel and cheap isn't going to get the people who actually own the machine to help you wholeheartedly.
While it's totally understandable that some people in the minority don't care for the new iMacs and it's perfectly fine to express that you don't like them I for one was reluctant to helping you because it's sort of calling owners like myself stupid for buying it.

Amazon still has the 20" and the 24" iMacs in stock and for a great price with no tax and free shipping. You can also check out www.macconnection.com. They still have a 24" white iMac and they charge no tax as well.
Good luck.
P.S. I am curious as to why you want an iMac if your new Vista machine is perfect for you?
 
Keep checking the refurb store, as they go quickly. New refurb sales tend to get posted by 1:30AM PST, nightly (except on weekends etc.) Do pay attention to the specs of the machine, as the refurb store sells multiple generation of old iMacs (i.e. CoreDuo and Core2Duo based machines). And remember, the old 17'' white iMacs ALSO use the same TN panel in the new 20'' models. Keep in mind the new 20'' are several hundred cheaper than the last generation of 20'' models, so there is a trade-off with the use of cheaper (not necessarily inferior) TN panel (i.e. Apple passed the savings on to the consumer, as well).
 
I'd be very leery of Apple refurbs -- especially when you can buy a NEW one online for about the same price, or maybe less.

I notice that the refurb white 20" currently on store.apple.com lists the graphics card as an ATI Radeon X1600, rather than the NVIDIA 7300GT that was standard on the white C2Ds.

Nothin' wrong with that (except maybe the ATI freezing problem) -- but who knows what you might get if they replaced the LCD panel? Wouldn't that be a kick in the 'nads...

...a white one with the crappy ALU iMac display!

LK
 
Sam Spade said:
I'm a Windows user who has been anxiously awaiting Leopard to purchase a new iMac. However, after spending a lot of time in my local Apple stores, I've decided that I can't tolerate the piss poor panels on the alu iMacs.

I hear a lot of members on this forum recommend purchasing the previous generation white iMac. Anyone know where to get one of the white 24" models?
Click to expand...

http://www.lacomputercompany.com/cgi-bin/rpcart/index.cgi?command=dispitem&type=sku&sku=24443
 
I've seen some stuff suggesting that the panels in the old 20'' iMacs were better than the new ones, but is there actually any reason to believe that the 24'' aluminum iMac doesn't use the exact same panels as its predecessor..? If there is, I haven't come across it. Sure, it's glossy, but I don't see any reason you couldn't have the same panel with two different coats.
 
One thing that is holding me back from the white iMac is the wireless "g" instead of the wireless "n." Any easy workarounds?
 
Sam Spade said:
One thing that is holding me back from the white iMac is the wireless "g" instead of the wireless "n." Any easy workarounds?
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Yes. I believe the white Core2Duo iMacs can use the "N Enabler" that Apple has in their download area (couple dollars to download). Good luck.

By the way, earlier this morning they had both the 20'' and 24'' white iMacs in the refurb store:
 

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FatSweatyBlldog said:
Yes. I believe the white Core2Duo iMacs can use the "N Enabler" that Apple has in their download area (couple dollars to download). Good luck.
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Great news! Thanks! I assume this would be just as fast as the current alum iMacs?

I was interested in a refurb b/c I thought I might find a white iMac spec'd better than the white 24" units being offered by the resellers. It looks like Apples refurbs are spec'd and priced similarly to those which can be purchased new-in-the-box.
 
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gravyboat said:
Found this kind of interesting: Amazon has the white iMac 20" for $1799 and the 24" for $1499 (albeit from different third party sellers, but still- how does this make any sense? I'm probably missing something somewhere, which is nothing new for me.

20" http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Desktop...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1192517705&sr=8-4

24" http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Desktop...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1192518357&sr=1-6
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No, that is indeed what they are selling for. And the store selling them (24") seems legit. That's a good deal. If I had any need at all for a desktop it would be really tempting.
 
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kuebby said:
No, that is indeed what they are selling for. And the store selling them (24") seems legit. That's a good deal. If I had any need at all for a desktop it would be really tempting.
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I'm actually considering the 24". The logic board is fried on my iSight model and I foolishly did not get Applecare. My friend bought a new iMac and though the glossy screen is beautiful in many ways it's just not for me.
 
The "old" iMac is still a powerful, more-than-capable computer. Simply owning a previous generation model does not bother me. The aluminum model fits into my decor better, but the white iMac is no slouch in appearance.
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Ok, no problem. Remember that the old iMac will be worth less when you sell it on, won't come with Leopard and has a slower bus speed.

I'm just making you aware that from an objective viewpoint, the old Mac is a less wise purchase, purely from a financial point of view.
 
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