is it worth it to get a 2007 iMac?

[HGMIV]

I've got the opportunity to get a pre-owned 20" 2007 iMac with stock specs,1 GB of RAM. I know if I can upgrade the RAM to 4 GB (I've herd you can put even more in) that I can get to 10.8.

Is it worth it? The seller says she's got a thin red line down the display, but I've got a friend who works on Macs that may be able to hook me up. I'm not thinking about doing anything TOO intensive, possibly running BootCamp and maybe some light gaming.

 

[Roller]

Depends on how much it would cost you. It'd be worth your while checking how much similar iMacs are selling for on eBay. But the thin red line is a worry - is it the display or a video card that's going bad?

 

[HGMIV]

Depends on how much it would cost you. It'd be worth your while checking how much similar iMacs are selling for on eBay. But the thin red line is a worry - is it the display or a video card that's going bad?

Haven't found that out from the seller yet. From talking to the seller, I don't know if it's something she'll know off the top of her head.

 

[RonsMac]

I have an '06 24" and it still works great. That being said I wouldn't consider buying any current games in hopes of them working. Research the cost of replacing the screen or video card. I would think this would happen sooner rather than later.
How much was she asking?

 

[iHailCarlo]

If it does what you want, no doubt about it.

 

[theluggage]

Is it worth it?

That depends on the asking price and your financial position. Personally, I've rarely seen second-hand consumer electronics that's good value if you can afford new - the furthest I'd go is maybe 'official' refurbs of last-year's model.

If you're skint then that might change the economics: but I'd still avoid anything that wasn't in perfect working order.

The seller says she's got a thin red line down the display

In that case, I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole, unless it's end-of-argument cheap or you owe the seller a favour. Sorry.

 

[Pompiliu]

A 5 year old computer with bad screen and no warranty?
Definitely no!

 

[HGMIV]

She hasn't decided yet.

 

[fastlanephil]

I moved up from a 2007 iMac to a refurbished 2011 27" i5 iMac last fall.

I used it for moderate DAW(music) work and never saw more than 35% CPU usage even when working with twenty to thirty tracks and effects. I just wanted the 27" display to replace two smaller displays.

I wouldn't buy one older than 2007 because of ML except maybe for a back up Mac.