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Buying an 8 core iMP from MacSales - anyone done this?

J

joe8232

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 21, 2005
252
15
Hi all,

I run a lot of CPU intensive codes primarily written in Python. I built myself a 10 core hackintosh last year which when it works is fantastic; however, it's not the most reliable of machines and isn't really suitable for being a daily driver.

My plan is to put the hackintosh into headless mode and buy myself either a 2019 iMac (i9) and upgrade the RAM to 64GB and 1TB SSD or buy a refurbished iMP 8 core from MacSales and have them upgrade the RAM to 64 GB. The cost is basically the same and I like the idea of better thermals and reliability of the iMP. A iMP/Mac Pro is out of my budget so the fact it's 2017 hardware doesn't really bother me since I wouldn't be able to get anything newer for a while.

Is there anything else I should be thinking about when comparing these two plans? Has anyone got any experience with buying an actual mac from MacSales? I've bought SSD upgrade kits from them before but not computers.

Thanks!
 
It should be fine the page for them says "Apple Refurbished, Factory Sealed" so it looks like they are possibly drop shipped to you from Apple. I see no reason to doubt you get what they say a factory sealed refurb with full 1 year refurb warranty. It will be the same no matter where bought, you will have the warranty from Apple in effect.
 
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I just purchased one of these from MacSales... got a "factory sealed" refurbished from Apple version. It will be here on the 2nd. If you're still on the fence, I will let you know how my experience went.
 
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tpivette89 said:
I just purchased one of these from MacSales... got a "factory sealed" refurbished from Apple version. It will be here on the 2nd. If you're still on the fence, I will let you know how my experience went.
Click to expand...

congrats on your purchase! Did you upgrade the ram at all?I would love to hear how it goes. Thanks!
 
No, I chose to keep the stock 32gb of RAM that comes with the base machine. If I had opted for more, OWC wouldve broken the seal from Apple to do so, and I wanted to ensure it was indeed a genuine Apple refurb.

32gb will be fine for me for at least a year or so. If at that time I wish to add more, i will do so as well as throw in a 14 - 18 core CPU also.
 
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So I really want to do this. Has anyone received there IMP refurb yet? I'm sure its all good but would like feedback before I purchase. Thanks!
 
Mine is supposedly on the UPS delivery truck, scheduled for delivery before 8pm today. I'll keep you posted when it gets here.
 
Last edited:
It arrived and I'm still in the process of setting everything up. Was a genuine Apple refurb, still sealed. Shipped in an additional box from OWC for protection. Computer is flawless. I can highly recommend buying one from them, especially since it's cheaper than buying a refurb from Apple by $750.

Here's a quick photo... sorry for the crappy lighting.

59969838097__40322636-7368-4FCA-A0AC-E5A2D4B2D5AF.jpeg
 
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rstsauveur said:
Interes

wonder why geek bench sees the RAM at 1333
Click to expand...

I would go with a mistake in the reading, yesterday while helping a person with a MacPro 5,1 upgrade they asked why the ram was showing up as 666 mhz for it. This despite the About this mac showing the 128gb in it as running at 1333 mhz.
 
tpivette89 said:
It arrived and I'm still in the process of setting everything up. Was a genuine Apple refurb, still sealed. Shipped in an additional box from OWC for protection. Computer is flawless. I can highly recommend buying one from them, especially since it's cheaper than buying a refurb from Apple by $750.

Here's a quick photo... sorry for the crappy lighting.

View attachment 886396
Click to expand...
Congratulations on the new machine, looks great!
 
Where you able to buy AppleCare for it from Apple?

I purchased one back in Feb, when it listed "Apple Refurbished, Factory Sealed" and that you could purchase AppleCare on it. I went to Apple's site and the serial number throws an error, and AppleCare status screen gives an error about the purchase date and then doesn't let me fix it. I'm probably going to have to call Apple.

The listings on OWC's site no longer say "Apple Refurbished, Factory Sealed" and no longer mention AppleCare eligibility.
 
Yes, mine was eligible for AppleCare+ and I purchased it. This was back in Dec/Jan, though, and for some reason, something may have changed with what Mac Sales is selling now.

Was yours a sealed unit? Or did you opt for Mac Sales to "upgrade" it at the time of purchase?
 
tpivette89 said:
Yes, mine was eligible for AppleCare+ and I purchased it. This was back in Dec/Jan, though, and for some reason, something may have changed with what Mac Sales is selling now.

Was yours a sealed unit? Or did you opt for Mac Sales to "upgrade" it at the time of purchase?
Click to expand...

I was going to purchase through OWC Macsales until someone here on MR pointed out that their refurbs are not certified Apple refurbs and are not eligible for AppleCare.

As such I'm not so sure the state of the box (i.e. it was 'upgraded') matters.
 
TiggrToo said:
I was going to purchase through OWC Macsales until someone here on MR pointed out that their refurbs are not certified Apple refurbs and are not eligible for AppleCare.

As such I'm not so sure the state of the box (i.e. it was 'upgraded') matters.
Click to expand...
Alls I can say is that the one I purchased back in Dec 2019 was indeed a Apple refurb unit, still sealed in the Apple refurb box. It was also eligible for AppleCare+ (which I purchased). It was no different than buying directly from Apple, with the exception of the $750 price difference. I chose not to have Mac Sales open the unit and do any upgrades, as I did not want any warranties or eligibilities to be voided due to their tampering with any of Apple's internal seals.

I suppose your results may vary.
 
Mine was completely sealed, white refurb box, not upgraded by OWC. The listing did say “Apple Refurbished, Factory Sealed” and the Warranty section on the listing did say 1Year Apple Warranty and AppleCare+ Eligible.

Did you purchase AppleCare+ from Apple?
 
Chris Grande said:
Mine was completely sealed, white refurb box, not upgraded by OWC. The listing did say “Apple Refurbished, Factory Sealed” and the Warranty section on the listing did say 1Year Apple Warranty and AppleCare+ Eligible.

Did you purchase AppleCare+ from Apple?
Click to expand...
Did you find out if you can qualify for AppleCare now ?
 
Chris Grande said:
Mine was completely sealed, white refurb box, not upgraded by OWC. The listing did say “Apple Refurbished, Factory Sealed” and the Warranty section on the listing did say 1Year Apple Warranty and AppleCare+ Eligible.

Did you purchase AppleCare+ from Apple?
Click to expand...

Yes... went to the Apple site, entered in the serial number, and was able to purchase. No problems.

Screen Shot 2020-05-19 at 9.09.31 PM.png
 
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