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Chucksta

macrumors member
Original poster
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
 
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.
 
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?
 
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. 🙂
 
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 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. 😛
 
Why do so many US commercials feature Australians in them? There's something about that accent that sells products.
 
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 😉
 
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.
 
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