Day one report on i7 Refurb

[petersw]

After lurking on these boards for a long time, I wanted to give everyone a "Thank You" and a quick update on my new iMac purchase.

As a PC user for the past 28 years (yes, I got my first IBM-PC in 1982 as I headed off to college!), the last time I spent any significant time on an Apple was with an Apple II in the 70's. So, I figured that after three decades it was time to try again. :)

Although I was eligible for an EPP discount, I decided to buy a refub i7 model. This seems to have been a very wise choice, as I have discovered today when I set it up for the first time. I have found the following:

- No screen problems, HDD problems, or any other difficulties that I notice
- HDD turned out to be 2TB instead of 1!
- No problem with connecting to my Netgear WNDR3700 router at full 802.11n speed

Since I'm just getting started with this, I don't have a lot else to report yet. But so far, it looks great!

[banya95]

Good to hear, congrats. I thought of buying a refurb myself but couldn't wait. I however purchased the i5.

[jlblodgett]

I ordered an i7 refurb this morning when I saw them on the apple store. I had been kicking around the idea for a few weeks as they have begun to populate the refurb store more often.

I am excited to hear that you received a good quality machine. I am anxious to get mine and see how it looks. I have been using a 2007 MacBook with an attached monitor for the past several years - so switching to the iMac is an exciting change.

Glad to hear you're enjoying your new toy - hopefully I have the same luck!

[tchockey]

congrats on your i7, good luck with it you should love it !!!!!

How long did it take to receive from apple from date of order.

thanks

[jlblodgett]

Ordered mine this morning, received info that it had shipped this afternoon. Tracking information says delivery by March 16, 2010.

[mr.thedaniel]

wow 2TB "mistake" sounds awesome! my refurb i5 gets here Sunday, wouldn't mind a 2tb surprise in mine haha

[onecoolazzgeek]

I'm like you, long time lurker, first time poster. Been using PCs for about 15 years then suddenly went Apple crazy last year. Now I just ordered a refurb i7 myself. Shipped out yesterday, says it'll be here on the 13th. Does it ever come earlier?? How long did it take to get yours?

[tchockey]

that sounds great

if you would have paid for overnight, you would have received it on thursday.
so it shipped the day you ordered it. because it says shipping 3 to 5 days.
thinking of trying another i7. they sound like they are getting it right.
thanks

[mr.thedaniel]

All the apple purchases I've made online have shown up exactly on the estimated delivery date.

[kenobe23]

I just bought a refurb iMac, and it cam earlier than stated.

I ordered it on Saturday, the 6th. My email from Apple said I would get it between the 11th and 17th. It shipped on Monday (the 8th) and said it would deliver on the 11th. Well, later that day Fedex updated and said I would get it on the 10th, and sure enough I got it today.

[mashinhead]

I just ordered mine. I would be curious to hear of others who have gotten theirs and how they turned out. I ordered a refurb MacBook a long time ago. It was my only refurb Mac experience, and it was cosmetically damaged so i returned it. I hope this turns out perfect.

[X1Lightning]

I just ordered my refurb i7 27 today, cant wait for this to show up :)

[ansabakhan]

did any one else got luck with more ram or 2TB hard drive ? on a refurb imac 27

[Cabrewolf]

I also got my i7 refurbished yesterday and it is perfect. Plus, I also got the 2TB by mistake. This is the second refurbished mac I purchased and the second time it turned up with a larger HDD. Not bad. Total cost for top of the line mac with 2TB, about $2,050.

After lurking on these boards for a long time, I wanted to give everyone a "Thank You" and a quick update on my new iMac purchase.

As a PC user for the past 28 years (yes, I got my first IBM-PC in 1982 as I headed off to college!), the last time I spent any significant time on an Apple was with an Apple II in the 70's. So, I figured that after three decades it was time to try again. :)

Although I was eligible for an EPP discount, I decided to buy a refub i7 model. This seems to have been a very wise choice, as I have discovered today when I set it up for the first time. I have found the following:

- No screen problems, HDD problems, or any other difficulties that I notice
- HDD turned out to be 2TB instead of 1!
- No problem with connecting to my Netgear WNDR3700 router at full 802.11n speed

Since I'm just getting started with this, I don't have a lot else to report yet. But so far, it looks great!

[ansabakhan]

I also got my i7 refurbished yesterday and it is perfect. Plus, I also got the 2TB by mistake. This is the second refurbished mac I purchased and the second time it turned up with a larger HDD. Not bad. Total cost for top of the line mac with 2TB, about $2,050.

congrats! ... so 2 out of 2 so far got good imac 27 refurbs!

[hummer28]

congrats! ... so 2 out of 2 so far got good imac 27 refurbs!

I received a refurb i7 Monday. There were a few small scratches on the front aluminum chin as well as tool teeth marks where the aluminum met the plastic bezel (not too glaring). The screen was perfect though! Needless to say, Apple and I worked it out. The thought of having to return a second unit made my stomach turn. They took care of me well and I'm very happy. An i7 refurb at a i5 refurb price isn't bad at all!

[ansabakhan]

I received a refurb i7 Monday. There were a few small scratches on the front aluminum chin as well as tool teeth marks where the aluminum met the plastic bezel (not too glaring). The screen was perfect though! Needless to say, Apple and I worked it out. The thought of having to return a second unit made my stomach turn. They took care of me well and I'm very happy. An i7 refurb at a i5 refurb price isn't bad at all!

how bad was it ? scratches easily spot-able ? how did they take care of u?

[mousemd]

I was all set to buy a refurb i7 this am, but when I finally got the ok from the wife, they sold out! Too slow on my part grrr...:mad:

[hummer28]

how bad was it ? scratches easily spot-able ? how did they take care of u?

The scratches weren't too terrible, but noticeable enough that I had a problem paying full price when the quality could have been a tiny bit better. They reduced the price as a result of the scratches and tool marks in other areas on the machine. I didn't ask, :apple: offered.

[ansabakhan]

The scratches weren't too terrible, but noticeable enough that I had a problem paying full price when the quality could have been a tiny bit better. They reduced the price as a result of the scratches and tool marks in other areas on the machine. I didn't ask, :apple: offered.

thats good to know !!!! what store was this ?

[mashinhead]

did anyone who just ordered theirs get a shipment confirmation, or notice of shipment? What's the status of your order.

[onecoolazzgeek]

I received confirmation of order the same day and shipping the next morning. Just checked status, it was in Salt Lake City, UT at 5 this morning with no more updates until the 13th when its supposed to be delivered. Man it sucks to live on the opposite coast of Apple......:(

[Icaras]

Since they are currently not selling refurb i7s, could someone please tell me how much they were going for? Really appreciate it.

[ansabakhan]

Since they are currently not selling refurb i7s, could someone please tell me how much they were going for? Really appreciate it.

$1849

[X1Lightning]

did anyone who just ordered theirs get a shipment confirmation, or notice of shipment? What's the status of your order.

I still haven't gotten a shipment email for mine.......

[turbineseaplane]

4 good days with my i7 27".
This morning...

Blue and yellow squares, vertical bands and it won't boot to anything.

Tits up.

Hard to recommend even the refurbs, as problems obviously still exist.

This is making me wonder about just skipping this entire generation of iMacs.

So so frustrating. On a side note, I also had the free upgrade to 2tb. Perhaps a problem with the 1tb drives?

[Icaras]

$1849

Thanks. That is indeed a great price :D

[X1Lightning]

That sucks, have you talked to apple yet?

[turbineseaplane]

That sucks, have you talked to apple yet?

Been on all morning with Apple. I'm taking the refund + a 15% off coupon for future purchases. I'm sitting this one out.

I won't be surprised if there are some hardware changes to address all this and I'm getting out while I can.

[turbineseaplane]

FYI.

If you do end up contacting Apple, prepare to get really annoyed, as their reps are pretending like there haven't been any issues with the 27" iMacs.

It's all a ploy to not be on the hook for anything.

I'd get out of your 27" now if you have any problems. Get out while it's still fully Apples problem under warranty.

[X1Lightning]

They haven't even shipped mine yet, I think i may pick up that apple care for mine. see how the first few weeks go with it

[turbineseaplane]

I wouldn't worry about AppleCare yet, as you will have the 1 year warranty to start out with (which AppleCare just extends).

If you're going to have issues, you'll no doubt have them sooner rather than later.

I'm just so bummed, as I really really want to have the current 27", but I simply can't afford the downtime of swapping machines again and again.

I truly believe they will do some hardware changing (graphics card probably) and some incremental bumps here at some point to fully address these problems in more than a "stop gap" sort of way.

A problem that has persisted for this long and had so many strange variations is simply not one I want to fooling with.

[ImpostorOak]

My 27" i5 refurb should get here today (Saturday). I'm really hoping for no big issues because I don't want to deal with exchanging it. But I also have a 2007 MBP, so it won't kill me if I have to send it in or something.

[onecoolazzgeek]

My 27" i5 refurb should get here today (Saturday). I'm really hoping for no big issues because I don't want to deal with exchanging it. But I also have a 2007 MBP, so it won't kill me if I have to send it in or something.

Im right there with ya. i7 iMac should be here today. No issues = a happy geek.:cool:

[mashinhead]

any of you guys that were waiting get yours? how were they? Mine should be coming today.

[X1Lightning]

I am still waiting for mine to ship... not sure what the deal is

[mashinhead]

just unboxed mine. computer is perfect, sadly the screen is not, what pisses me off about this most is that i have to take time out of my day to rectify it, this includes returning it. I shouldn't have to do anything.. annoying.

[onecoolazzgeek]

just unboxed mine. computer is perfect, sadly the screen is not, what pisses me off about this most is that i have to take time out of my day to rectify it, this includes returning it. I shouldn't have to do anything.. annoying.

I hope I don't get the same thing. Mine should be here tomorrow, after much delay thanks to FedEx. Sorry about your iMac man.

[X1Lightning]

sorry to hear that, what is wrong with the screen? dead pixels, yellow tint? got a pic of the issue?

mine just shipped so i am a little nervous now :(

[mashinhead]

sorry to hear that, what is wrong with the screen? dead pixels, yellow tint? got a pic of the issue?

mine just shipped so i am a little nervous now :(

yellow tint, its much warmer at the bottom.

[X1Lightning]

were you able to see it under normal use? or only doing that test?

[IndustrialSpace]

Let me get this straight...


The latest iMacs and refurbs STILL have the yellow tint problem?

How can this be. Apple claims it fixed this issue. Did Apple really fix this or not. There are still many reports stating that their recent iMacs have screen issues. It seems the grey band problem is becoming more common now as well.

[mashinhead]

were you able to see it under normal use? or only doing that test?

i only used that test. It is pretty subtle (subtle enough that sometimes i think its in my head) and obviously you can only see it on white. I mean the top is definately cooler than the bottom but i wonder if it is the angle i'm looking at it from. I spoke to them this morning and will probably take it in store to get the screen replaced.

[talmy]

Regarding the "mistake" with receiving 2TB drives, Apple only lists refurbs with base configurations of each processor. It keeps the number of SKUs down in the store. If someone returns a unit with a larger drive or extra memory or some other internal option they don't downgrade it. So getting these bonuses is fairly common. A few years ago I bought a refurb MacBook that had extra RAM.

[Paulyboy]

i only used that test. It is pretty subtle (subtle enough that sometimes i think its in my head) and obviously you can only see it on white. I mean the top is definately cooler than the bottom but i wonder if it is the angle i'm looking at it from. I spoke to them this morning and will probably take it in store to get the screen replaced.

Assuming you have a refurb I didn't know you could get in-store servicing on refurbs? I'm seriously considering an I7 refurb and that would make a big difference to me as I live only 10 minutes from an Apple Store.

Obviously I would hope I wouldn't need any servicing if I decide to do this but it would be nice to know. :)

On a semi-unrelated note do these iMacs have the same lasting power of previous ones? What I mean is will there be a higher probably of screen issues in 3 years or is this just something that is just there in the beginning (if it's there at all) until fixed?

Thanks and sorry about your iMac.

-PN

[turbineseaplane]

I'm a glutton for punishment it would seem.

After my 1st iMac i7 refurb died a few days in (graphics card), I'm back and I've ordered another one.

<rolling dice>

We shall see!

[Ninjasrule]

I'm pretty bummed out to report that my refurb 27 i7 iMac has gray banding issues. They are on the bottom of screen and are noticeable if I have a white screen or am scrolling. Am thinking of getting it fixed. Ugh. I don't know what to do. I thoguht the refurb was done with.

[onecoolazzgeek]

Opened my iMac up and powered on. So far everything is nice. I did the yellow test and had a very slight yellow tinge. Not enough to make me want to return.

[mashinhead]

You can take them in, they are still covered under applecare like any other apple product.

Assuming you have a refurb I didn't know you could get in-store servicing on refurbs? I'm seriously considering an I7 refurb and that would make a big difference to me as I live only 10 minutes from an Apple Store.

Obviously I would hope I wouldn't need any servicing if I decide to do this but it would be nice to know. :)

On a semi-unrelated note do these iMacs have the same lasting power of previous ones? What I mean is will there be a higher probably of screen issues in 3 years or is this just something that is just there in the beginning (if it's there at all) until fixed?

Thanks and sorry about your iMac.

-PN