I am thinking of buying the base 24" iMac refurbished from Apple. Has anyone bought an iMac refurbished from them before?

[Jacoblee23]

I am looking to replace my 27" 2017 iMac in my office. I currently have an external SSD connected to it to make it faster ( it gets up to around 8-900 MPS) since it was a Fusion Drive built in, but I suspect I will lose support when the next update comes out. I have kept waiting and waiting for a new 27" but it doesn't seem like it is going to happen. I am not crazy about buying a 2021 model this late in the game, but I have a 24" base model open box model that I got back in 2021 from Best Buy in my game room and I absolutely love it. I am a very light user so I haven't ever ran into any issues.

I have considered getting the Mac mini and a monitor, but by the time I get a trackpad. speakers, and etc it is about the same price as the 24" iMac if not more plus I likely won't get a screen as good as the 24" iMac. I figure buying a refurbished iMac from Apple is probably one of the safest buys from Apple since it doesn't have a battery. The only thing I am really worried about is potential scratches on the screen. What do you all think? Thank you in advance.

 

[smirking]

Do it. It's under the same warranty and return policy.

The refurb store is my preferred way to buy my Apple devices. Tons of MacRumors users have bought anything you can think of from the refurb store. I've never had a problem and quite frankly, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a brand new unit and my refurb store pick-ups.

 

[Agile55]

Do it. It's under the same warranty and return policy.

The refurb store is my preferred way to buy my Apple devices. Tons of MacRumors users have bought anything you can think of from the refurb store. I've never had a problem and quite frankly, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a brand new unit and my refurb store pick-ups.

Agree 100%, bought a refurb’d iMac in 2008 that was/is still trouble free & typing this on a 2018 refurb’d IPP.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Yep. I always buy refurbished from the Apple Store when I can. It’s really the best way.

 

[KaliYoni]

I figure buying a refurbished iMac from Apple is probably one of the safest buys from Apple

I have bought many refurbed-by-Apple Macs, iPods, and iPads, going back to a beige Power Macintosh G3 tower. I haven't ever had a quality problem or received something with a showstopper flaw, like a scratched screen. A great indication of the steps Apple takes in its refurb process is that products are eligible for AppleCare. Plus there is a liberal return policy. So I am a big fan of Apple-direct refurbs...the only real downsides, to my mind, are that you can't buy specific configurations on demand and low specc'd models might stop receiving OS updates after only a couple of years.

 

[Jacoblee23]

I have bought many refurbed-by-Apple Macs, iPods, and iPads, going back to a beige Power Macintosh G3 tower. I haven't ever had a quality problem or received something with a showstopper flaw, like a scratched screen. A great indication of the steps Apple takes in its refurb process is that products are eligible for AppleCare. Plus there is a liberal return policy. So I am a big fan of Apple-direct refurbs...the only real downsides, to my mind, are that you can't buy specific configurations on demand and low specc'd models might stop receiving OS updates after only a couple of years.

Do you think the base model of the m1 24" iMac may only get updates for a couple more years?

 

[Isengardtom]

Do you think the base model of the m1 24" iMac may only get updates for a couple more years?

No, I think it’ll still be updated for many more years.

remember, it’s still the most up to date iMac around. There is no M2 version and judging by rumours they’ll skip and update when M3 is here. Which will at the earliest be this fall I believe

I’ve had mine for a year now and it’s really great. i got the midrange model which I upgraded to 16 GB ram

 

[smirking]

No, I think it’ll still be updated for many more years.

Their support literature states that models are considered vintage between 5 to 7 years after they stop being sold (as regular retail offerings).

So OP, there would be zero difference in terms of longevity and support for your 24" iMac regardless of it's refurbished or not. That comment about losing a few years of support is only valid if you're buying something like a 2020 i7 MBP as a refurb.

 

[darngooddesign]

Refurbished Macs are great; I always buy one instead of new if the opportunity is there.

 

[uller6]

I am looking to replace my 27" 2017 iMac in my office. I currently have an external SSD connected to it to make it faster ( it gets up to around 8-900 MPS) since it was a Fusion Drive built in, but I suspect I will lose support when the next update comes out. I have kept waiting and waiting for a new 27" but it doesn't seem like it is going to happen. I am not crazy about buying a 2021 model this late in the game, but I have a 24" base model open box model that I got back in 2021 from Best Buy in my game room and I absolutely love it. I am a very light user so I haven't ever ran into any issues.

I have considered getting the Mac mini and a monitor, but by the time I get a trackpad. speakers, and etc it is about the same price as the 24" iMac if not more plus I likely won't get a screen as good as the 24" iMac. I figure buying a refurbished iMac from Apple is probably one of the safest buys from Apple since it doesn't have a battery. The only thing I am really worried about is potential scratches on the screen. What do you all think? Thank you in advance.

I buy Apple refurbished all the time and haven't once been let down. When I bought my 2011 17" MBP with 8 GB RAM, it showed up with 16 GB RAM instead! Surprise!

And, I know I'm splitting hairs here, but the iMacs do actually have two small batteries inside them that may need replacing after ~10 years. The iMac teardown shows the batteries right in the middle.

 

[ggx12]

I concur, I previously purchased from the refurb and I was pretty impressed with what I received. I would say it's particularly nice to purchase discounted BTO models as these can't be found at other retailers.