Refurb iMac 2.8 or Used iMac 3.06???

[Advance The Man]

Planning on ordering a refurb 2.8 iMac ($1199 + tax) today, but saw this local listing for a used one. It's a 3.06 iMac and the specs are http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB398LL/A?mco=MjE0NjA3MA, but has 4 mb of ram. Other specs are the 512 NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS graphics card, Adobe CS4, Microsoft Office 2008, Parallels, XP and Toast 10 Titanium. Warranty till June. Asking price is $1500.

Couple questions: Can applecare still be purchased to be extended two years? This is very important to me and likely won't be considered if I can't get an extended warranty.

How's this graphics card compared to the 2.8 iMac refurb? I'm assuming it's better b/c it has 512 mb vs 256 mb.

I would like to have Office and Parallels with XP. So that is nice. Toast would be a bonus.

What scams should I be concerned about? I hear craigslists is a haven for it.

 

[Cheffy Dave]

Planning on ordering a refurb 2.8 iMac ($1199 + tax) today, but saw this local listing for a used one. It's a 3.06 iMac and the specs are http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB398LL/A?mco=MjE0NjA3MA, but has 4 mb of ram. Other specs are the 512 NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS graphics card, Adobe CS4, Microsoft Office 2008, Parallels, XP and Toast 10 Titanium. Warranty till June. Asking price is $1500.

Couple questions: Can applecare still be purchased to be extended two years? This is very important to me and likely won't be considered if I can't get an extended warranty.I think you can IF the first 12 months is the warranty that's expiring

How's this graphics card compared to the 2.8 iMac refurb? I'm assuming it's better b/c it has 512 mb vs 256 mb.I believe it is a 512

I would like to have Office and Parallels with XP. So that is nice. Toast would be a bonus.If these spec's are what you want, then do it, I personally am SO done with anything MS

What scams should I be concerned about? I hear craigslists is a haven for it.

I didn't see where you said it was Craigslist, I personally would only go Apple Store rtefurb, my last 2 BMB's were MINT

Lastly, I don't know chip wise, if the average user would notice a difference between the 2.8 and the 3.0, if it was me I'd go for the 3.0 cus i can, but only from the Apple Store

 

[Advance The Man]

I didn't see where you said it was Craigslist, I personally would only go Apple Store rtefurb, my last 2 BMB's were MINT

Lastly, I don't know chip wise, if the average user would notice a difference between the 2.8 and the 3.0, if it was me I'd go for the 3.0 cus i can, but only from the Apple Store

It is craigslist

 

[Advance The Man]

I called Apple, you can put AppleCare on a used mac. However, the craigslist seller is not willing to come down from $1500. I'm not willing to pay more than $1350 due to the risk of it being used. Gonna order the 2.8 refurbished model for $1199.

 

[DolemiteJackson]

The 2.8 will give you more peace of mind.

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

I buy refurbs rather than used.

 

[Advance The Man]

Thanks for the remarks. It would have been a leap of faith. The 2.8 is an excellent price - ordering now!

 

[Advance The Man]

Got the 2.8 today and setting it up now. Simple question. I have a 10-outlet, Belkin SurgeMaster. What do I plug iMac in to? The 'protected outlet', 'grounded outlet' or 'unswitched'?