Refurbished Mac q (1st-time buyer)

[Pennyroll]

Hi all,
This is my first posting here (partly because I just bought my first Mac today). I got a refurbished iMac 20-inch 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SuperDrive from the Apple store. I don't need anyone to tell me I should have gotten the newer brushed aluminum because at this point it will do no good and I will just cry, arrrggghhh ...but I do have some actual questions.

-really worth buying the AppleCare protection program for it? I've used a Mac at work for years with no problems and I cringe a little at paying $170 bucks for coverage.

-do I need to upgrade the memory (currently 1GB; 250 serial ATA hard drive)? I'm a technology editor and do a lot of Flash/ Photoshop/ Illustrator-heavy work, and although MOST of it will not be on my home computer I do want the option.

-Is it worth shelling out the extra bucks for Mac Office 2008 instead of 2004? I want good, compatible stuff...but it sounds a little like I'm going to have to sell my kidneys on eBay to pay for all this by the end of it.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give and sorry I'm such a clueless lunatic about this! I have no good excuse.

 

[Reflow]

Hi all,
This is my first posting here (partly because I just bought my first Mac today). I got a refurbished iMac 20-inch 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SuperDrive from the Apple store. I don't need anyone to tell me I should have gotten the newer brushed aluminum because at this point it will do no good and I will just cry, arrrggghhh ...but I do have some actual questions.

-really worth buying the AppleCare protection program for it? I've used a Mac at work for years with no problems and I cringe a little at paying $170 bucks for coverage.

-do I need to upgrade the memory (currently 1GB; 250 serial ATA hard drive)? I'm a technology editor and do a lot of Flash/ Photoshop/ Illustrator-heavy work, and although MOST of it will not be on my home computer I do want the option.

-Is it worth shelling out the extra bucks for Mac Office 2008 instead of 2004? I want good, compatible stuff...but it sounds a little like I'm going to have to sell my kidneys on eBay to pay for all this by the end of it.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give and sorry I'm such a clueless lunatic about this! I have no good excuse.

1. Yes on the apple care. There are other posts about this same issue.
2. Again yes if you do a lot of photoshop. Will run smother
3. I run 2004 and have no problems with it. I always try to stay alittle bit behind in office software. No reason for me to go to 08 yet

 

[SmurfBoxMasta]

1. Yes.....if something goes wrong (like a logic board), that $170 will more than pay for itself very quickly!

2. As with most cases, yours included, I say mAxDaRam!!!! Another REALLY sound investment 4 sure

3. You can find office 04 for good price on ebay now, or just wait a few weeks after 08 is released, then alot of upgraders will be selling it even cheaper...... I bought it recently for $45......and it runs great on my QS.....should really fly on anything newer. But 1 big advantage to 08 will be that it is universal and will run natively on macintels........

 

[mrwizardno2]

Buy the memory from OWC and save a bundle on it! I think OS X runs funny with only 1 gig of memory, anyway.

As for office, I don't see any reason to rush out for the newest hoo hah they've released. If 2004 suits you, use it.

 

[Pennyroll]

1. Yes.....if something goes wrong (like a logic board), that $170 will more than pay for itself very quickly!

Twitch. Good point. I was thinking more minor things...but with a refurbished I guess it's probably better safe than sorry. Thanks so much for the feedback!

 

[Pennyroll]

Buy the memory from OWC and save a bundle on it! I think OS X runs funny with only 1 gig of memory, anyway.

See, as a first-time buyer I am paranoid about buying anything that's not from Apple because I'm not sure how to tell what's what. Am I being an idiot about that? I know...is probably like buying my tires from the Saturn dealership. Which I did. (cringe)

 

[Reflow]

See, as a first-time buyer I am paranoid about buying anything that's not from Apple because I'm not sure how to tell what's what. Am I being an idiot about that? I know...is probably like buying my tires from the Saturn dealership. Which I did. (cringe)

Most places have ask what model you have. Also another place to check is ramseeker.com

 

[Klian]

See, as a first-time buyer I am paranoid about buying anything that's not from Apple because I'm not sure how to tell what's what. Am I being an idiot about that? I know...is probably like buying my tires from the Saturn dealership. Which I did. (cringe)

Dont worry.

OWC... Crucial... are trusted sellers

 

[Pennyroll]

Most places have ask what model you have. Also another place to check is ramseeker.com

Ok, thanks for the reassurance! As far as what you said about Office 2008 I have kind of a follow-up question. It looks like I can get student/ teacher version of 2004 for the exact same price as home/student 2008. Any input on which if there's no price difference? Sorry, I'm not being lazy...I have done a lot of outside research on my own, but this just seems like a knowledgable pool of opinions. Better than random reviews by far.

 

[Reflow]

Ok, thanks for the reassurance! As far as what you said about Office 2008 I have kind of a follow-up question. It looks like I can get student/ teacher version of 2004 for the exact same price as home/student 2008. Any input on which if there's no price difference? Sorry, I'm not being lazy...I have done a lot of outside research on my own, but this just seems like a knowledgable pool of opinions. Better than random reviews by far.

Well price was the only problem I had. If you can get if for the same price as 04. I would say go for it. As there is no reason to buy 04 for the same price as 08.

Good luck

 

[landlover]

Think about it

On the Applecare, the reason the price is $170.00, the average repair is under that amount. Extended warranty are not worth it if you ask me. With forums like this you got all the help anyone needs.

 

[skwij]

Get the Applecare. One MAJOR repair pays for it. A couple of MINOR repairs pays for it. The peace of mind pays for it. Think about it: even if you pay full price of $170, over 36 months it's peanuts.

Get Applecare off eBay, just be sure it's for the iMac series you have. Way cheaper than getting it direct from Apple.

Max the RAM. Cheap cheap upgrade! Just keep the default stuff to stick back in the machine if you have to take it in for repair.

 

[Pennyroll]

Max the RAM. Cheap cheap upgrade! Just keep the default stuff to stick back in the machine if you have to take it in for repair.

Good god!!! Why is there such a huge difference between RAM from the Apple Store and from Crucial? The Apple store would cost me $300 for 2GB, and Crucial would cost me $47.99 for 2GB. There has to be something I'm overlooking here. Is Apple RAM more expensive because it's necessary? I put all my computer specs in correctly in Crucial...