Buy used 5k iMac?

[saikiranc94]

Someone is selling me their 2017 5k 27in iMac (roughly 6 months old) for $2200 - the specs are below. Is it worth it or should I wait to see if 2018 iMacs will be coming out? Note that I would likely be getting the base 2018 model with SSD upgrade.

Intel Core i7 4.2ghz
1tb SSD
32gb ram (user upgraded)
Radeon Pro 580 with 8GB video memory

Thanks!

 

[cwanja]

Really not a bad buy. Roughly $1400 off the asking price of a new one. Depends on your needs (like many others responses).

Can you wait for the 2018 models? If there is no 2018, can you wait for the 2019? What do you plan to use it for?

It is certainly a step up from the base 27” you would look to purchase.

 

[saikiranc94]

Really not a bad buy. Roughly $1400 off the asking price of a new one. Depends on your needs (like many others responses).

Can you wait for the 2018 models? If there is no 2018, can you wait for the 2019? What do you plan to use it for?

It is certainly a step up from the base 27” you would look to purchase.

Thanks for the response.

I’d most likely be using it for programming as I’m looking to study computer science and eventually want to do front end development. Not sure how important cores and cpu speed are for that so I can look into it - but I think quad core i7 would definitely serve the purpose. Just want to be as future proof as I can try to be.

Looking to bootcamp windows as well to have the flexibility of both OSes.

I can certainly wait for the 2018 (late October) but if there is no 2018, I’d likely just buy the 2017. If the base 2018 comes with the i5-8500 processor, then I think this would be a step up (although marginally given the fewer cores). But who knows what it’ll come with.

 

[cwanja]

Thanks for the response.

I’d most likely be using it for programming as I’m looking to study computer science and eventually want to do front end development. Not sure how important cores and cpu speed are for that so I can look into it - but I think quad core i7 would definitely serve the purpose. Just want to be as future proof as I can try to be.

Looking to bootcamp windows as well to have the flexibility of both OSes.

I can certainly wait for the 2018 (late October) but if there is no 2018, I’d likely just buy the 2017. If the base 2018 comes with the i5-8500 processor, then I think this would be a step up (although marginally given the fewer cores). But who knows what it’ll come with.

For what your uses are, you probably are covered in both the macOS and Bootcamp for Windows. If you needed more RAM, you have the capability to bump it. The only concern would be the CPU. I am not going to claim to be an expert in performance, but I think you would be fine with that machine. You could get 5 years out of it.

That is the thing, no clue if October we will see an iMac. There’s plentiful of threads on here speculating that. And if you did wait, would this be available come October if no 2018 iMac dropped.

I would not think the extra 2 cores from the 4 to 6 core CPUs would increase your mileage enough.

 

[saikiranc94]

For what your uses are, you probably are covered in both the macOS and Bootcamp for Windows. If you needed more RAM, you have the capability to bump it. The only concern would be the CPU. I am not going to claim to be an expert in performance, but I think you would be fine with that machine. You could get 5 years out of it.

That is the thing, no clue if October we will see an iMac. There’s plentiful of threads on here speculating that. And if you did wait, would this be available come October if no 2018 iMac dropped.

I would not think the extra 2 cores from the 4 to 6 core CPUs would increase your mileage enough.

Agreed, I wouldn’t be able to get this iMac i’d purchasing today. I’d probably get the new base mode that’s available. I’m only considering this used Mac because I trust the owner and that it’s in great condition. But he wouldn’t hold out until October obviously.

I think I should just get this used one. Probably serves my purposes. The 1TB ssd sells it for me

 

[cwanja]

I do not think you will be disappointed with it. Just once over the machine, have them reinstall and wipe all of the software on it and make sure there’s is no firmware password. Then take that beauty home.

 

[wardie]

I’d buy the used one. Sounds like a good deal. Depending on what you are planning to program, but you will need to be doing some serious graphics, builds or machine learning to push the limits of that machine with CPU or GPU in either macOS or Windoze.

 

[ncrypt]

Good deal with the used one. You won't regret it!

 

[trsblader]

I’d most likely be using it for programming as I’m looking to study computer science and eventually want to do front end development. Not sure how important cores and cpu speed are for that so I can look into it - but I think quad core i7 would definitely serve the purpose.

That CPU is still one of the top in the market. I can promise you the majority of people in the field are using far worse specs every day. My 2011 base model iMac is more than sufficient. You do not need anything better and that computer will die long before you will need an upgrade for the sole purpose of front end work.

You’re getting a steep discount on a fairly brand new computer. I’d read the threads on fan noise on the i7 and if that’s not an issue for you, snag that computer without much more thought.