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I purchased a NEW iMac and it was 2 years old!

Riqiv

Riqiv

macrumors member
Original poster
On the official Apple iMac purchase page Apple is selling an iMac that is a 2017 model in the year 2020!

I don’t mind buying an older model but it is very deceptive of Apple NOT to inform you or the year the machine was made...the the model of the iMac you are purchasing is two years old.

Especially when they announce, “Choose your NEW iMac the top fo the page!

Did anyone else get this?
 

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You have a misunderstanding. The year refers to the year the model was first released. It does not refer to the year the machine was assembled.

Many computer designs have multi-year lifecycles. For example, if I went to Lenovo and bought a Thinkpad T470s today, it would be a 2017 model. Apple is the only one who refers to their models by year of introduction, instead of a generic model number.
 
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Thanks for that...but evidently I am not the only one that misunderstands. At least two Apple phone reps and one employee from the 14th St Apple store in NYC said I had a legitimate complaint and I could trade in the iMac for a 2019 model if I wish.

Is there any (reputable) article online I can read about the iMac that says "About this Mac - 2017" hasn't been assembled in 2017 and sitting in a box for two years and that it is merely the release date the year it is referring to. That's not what Apple has been telling me.

Not to give you homework...but just for my piece of mind 🙂
 
What is the version of the OS? 10.15 (Catalina)? If so, your machine is just fine and was assembled recently and has the current operating system installed.
 
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Thank you gentlemen...10.15.2 is the OS. We've concluded that it is the 2017 model, I also checked that online weeks ago using the processor and graphics info. What I'm trying to find out is, since I had a VESA mount installed, is Apple using 2-yr-old computers without notifying customers.

I can't remember if I installed the OS from my external Super Duper drive and the Coconut test is pretty inconclusive as the machine was purchased on 12-30-19, not assembled. (See screenshot.)

I've purchased refurbs and older models from Apple before, but I always asked for that specifically from Apple before purchasing.

On the bright side, I like the iMac 🙂
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Riqiv said:
Thank you gentlemen...10.15.2 is the OS. We've concluded that it is the 2017 model, I also checked that online weeks ago using the processor and graphics info. What I'm trying to find out is, since I had a VESA mount installed, is Apple using 2-yr-old computers without notifying customers.

I can't remember if I installed the OS from my external Super Duper drive and the Coconut test is pretty inconclusive as the machine was purchased on 12-30-19, not assembled. (See screenshot.)

I've purchased refurbs and older models from Apple before, but I always asked for that specifically from Apple before purchasing. (They are normally discounted $200.00 or so.)

On the bright side, I like the iMac 🙂
Click to expand...
 
I believe the serial number is only accurate to only within a week. If you bought mail order from Apple, the computer would be shipped direct to you from the factory in China, which only takes two to three days (and you subtract a day from the dateline). Therefore, it is quite normal to receive the computer the same week it was manufactured.
 
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Thank you gentlemen,

Again, I believe I may have installed Catalina myself. It may not have had an OS on it at all.

My complaint was that Apple said "Choose you NEW iMac" on their official website. The iMac circled in red is a 2017 model (see screenshot), while the one in the center is probably a 2019 model. I thought it deceptive not to tell customers that.

Three Apple reps said that they should tell you and I could trade it in, after I loaded it up, had it humming and owned it for 2 weeks (after almost having a coronary upon seeing the 2017 date in "About this Mac"). I've been buying Macs since the G3 and "About that iMac" always had the year I purchased on it whether purchased online, at Tekserve, or an Apple store.

I didn't intend on buying anything except a 2019 model, but was not informed of the year, and they did accept my trade-in and the price is lower than the 21.5" at the Apple Store which are 2019. So I'm happy in that respect.

I just wish they put that on their website so customers can make an informed choice. But konqerror's response seems logical that it is the year the model was first released (even though several Apple people didn't say that to begin with.)

They were very nice to offer me a trade-in, but I couldn't reach any Apple reps to explain (or ask them to correct) their website to tell people they were selling a 2-year-old model listed as new. As I said before, I would go on the Apple site and look for older models, but I knew what I was getting.

Again, thank you gentlemen and since I couldn't get a definitive answer from Apple, I thought I'd check in here 🙂
 

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Riqiv said:
I didn't intend on buying anything except a 2019 model, but was not informed of the year, and they did accept my trade-in and the price is lower than the 21.5" at the Apple Store which are 2019. So I'm happy in that respect.
Click to expand...

Looks like Apple only updated the $1299 and $1499 models, not the $1099 model. The difference in specs is mind-boggling. Apple is not kind to the price sensitive.
 
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I think next time I'll buy from the Apple Store on 14th Street, if they can put a VESA mount on and accept a trade-in. Otherwise I'll choose the model I'd like from the store and order it online. I'll probably get a SS drive also.

Anyway, I'm good for another 4 years or so and it was relatively inexpensive 😎

Good info gentlemen and much appreciated!
 
I don't think any store stocks the VESA mount models. (I could be wrong on that) VESA for the iMac is a separate model, as the mount can't be added or swapped in the store. That's why you had to order it.
Yes, absolutely consider the SSD, not the Fusion drive, and def not the stock 5400rpm hard drive.
 
DeltaMac said:
I don't think any store stocks the VESA mount models. (I could be wrong on that) VESA for the iMac is a separate model, as the mount can't be added or swapped in the store. That's why you had to order it.
Yes, absolutely consider the SSD, not the Fusion drive, and def not the stock 5400rpm hard drive.
Click to expand...
No, they don't stock with the VESA mounts, you ask it to be put on during the purchase. Not sure if they'll do that at the store or only online.

As an aside, in 2015, they wouldn't put the VESA mount on. I bought a mount that attached to the iMac "stand" and would rest my Super Drive on the lip of the stand.

I had read the SSD could fail without warning but lasts longer. I use Time Machine and Super Duper clone externals for backup so I'll go SSD next time (not Fusion). Thanks for the advice....
 
Riqiv said:
They were very nice to offer me a trade-in, but I couldn't reach any Apple reps to explain (or ask them to correct) their website to tell people they were selling a 2-year-old model listed as new. As I said before, I would go on the Apple site and look for older models, but I knew what I was getting.
Click to expand...

It isn't refurbished or second-hand... so it is new.
 
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Riqiv said:
Again, I believe I may have installed Catalina myself. It may not have had an OS on it at all.

[...]

Again, thank you gentlemen and since I couldn't get a definitive answer from Apple, I thought I'd check in here 🙂
Click to expand...

All consumer Macs come with an OS installed. You may have installed Catalina, I’m not sure, but it didn’t come without one at all. That’s not a thing.

I understand wanting clarity on what you’re getting, but the difference between a model that’s a couple of years out of release, and one that’s been manufactured a couple of years ago is pretty standard. Think of it this way: you can still buy an iPhone 8 brand new from Apple or wireless stores, yet it was released in 2017.

Side note: not all respondents are men. 🙂

edit: year
 
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Gentleman, it seems you are new to the Apple world.

There are two dates involved here.
1. The manufacturing date/ year,
2. The year the model was launched.

The Mac you own is most likely a new computer assembled sometime within the last six months (guessing).

This has got nothing to do with when the model was released. The year you see is the model year, not the manufacturing year.

For manufacturing information, you have two options. If you want to use your shiny new Mac to check its manufacturing information, download Coconut Battery. If you are slightly old school, just look at the info on the box your Mac came in.
 
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nicho said:
It isn't refurbished or second-hand... so it is new.
Click to expand...
My concern was that is was overstock from 2 years ago, sitting of a floor for 2 years...a valid concern according to at least three Apple employees that offered me to trade-in for a 2019 model.

Also, if you read the entire thread, I thought it deceptive not to tell customers it was "last years model".

As I said, I'm happy with it...but in the past, when I've purposely bought a model that was being replaced, and I would specifically look on the Apple store for such an item.

This was the first time this has happened to me and I'm sure it's a NEW Apple practice.
 
macintoshmac said:
Gentleman, it seems you are new to the Apple world.

The Mac you own is most likely a new computer assembled sometime within the last six months (guessing).

This has got nothing to do with when the model was released. The year you see is the model year, not the manufacturing year.

For manufacturing information, you have two options. If you want to use your shiny new Mac to check its manufacturing year, download Coconut Battery. If you are slightly old school, just look the info on the box your Mac came in.
Click to expand...
There is already a screenshot of the Coconut run though higher up in this thread 🙂

Not new to Mac, been using since the G3 blueberry models and use 8 external drives, FCPX, Reaper and Sibelius to write music.

I've gotten pretty good answers here...I think everyone's a veteran.
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Ntombi said:
This is absolutely not new practice. It is standard practice.

And honestly, the fact that costumer service reps offered a swap doesn’t mean they are acknowledging a wrong, just that they’re trying to make you happy.
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That is your opinion.

Even the Apple people said it could be overstock. And they had never heard of buying a Mac online that wasn't that year's model, unless stated.

Do you work for Apple?
 
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Riqiv said:
There is already a screenshot of the Coconut run though higher up in this thread 🙂

Not new to Mac, been using since the G3 blueberry models and use 8 external drives, FFPX, Reaper and Sibelius to write music.

I've gotten pretty good answers here...I think everyone's a veteran.
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That is your opinion.

Even the Apple people said it could be overstock. And they had never heard of buying a Mac online that wasn't that year's model, unless stated.

Do you work for Apple?
Click to expand...

Ah I came across the screenshot now. You might want to pull it down or edit the screenshot that shows your Mac's serial number clearly.
 
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macintoshmac said:
Ah I came across the screenshot now. You might want to pull it down or edit the screenshot that shows your Mac's serial number clearly.
Click to expand...
Oopsey...thanks!
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Ntombi said:
All consumer Macs come with an OS installed. You may have installed Catalina, I’m not sure, but it didn’t come without one at all. That’s not a thing.

I understand wanting clarity on what you’re getting, but the difference between a model that’s a couple of years out of release, and one that’s been manufactured a couple of years ago is pretty standard. Think of it this way: you can still buy an iPhone 8 brand new from Apple or wireless stores, yet it was released in 201.

Side note: not all respondents are men. 🙂

edit: year
Click to expand...
Good point Ntombi...I own an iPhone 8...but even Mac newbies know that the older model iPhones are sold at a lower price. That is standard practice.

But, if you go to the Apple store and look at the iMacs, all the models there say 2019 when you go to "About this Mac", including the lowest priced model.

I know because I checked.

All the iMacs prior to this were new (that year's model) when I bought them, unless specified, whether purchased online, at Tekserve or at a certified Apple store.
 
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