The "I just ordered/bought/got my new/refurb iMac" thread [merged]

[thalazy]

Base 27" Retina iMac

Just bought the base model from the Apple store on Halloween. My first Mac desktop. Loving it so far.

 

[DotCom2]

Long time PC user here... ordered my first iMac Retina Oct. 24 to arrive tomorrow.

I upgraded the CPU and the GPU, 8 gb ram (will upgrade to 24 from Crucial)
3 TB fusion, TrackPad.
So Excited to come over to the Mac side.
I already have an iPad Air and an iPhone 6 Plus.
Continuity and Retina pushed me over the edge!

 

[efx219]

Long-time lurker, posting for the first time! Just ordered my 27" iMac (non-retina) as well, didn't want to wait till 2015 for broadwell...

• 3.5GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.9GHz
• 8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2X4GB [will upgrade myself, probably get it off Newegg]
• 1TB Fusion Drive
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M 4GB GDDR5
• Apple Magic Mouse

Also got AppleCare

 

[neil1980]

Well after looking at 2nd hand 2008 Mac Pros a couple of weeks ago to run alongside my MacBook I've pulled the trigger on an iMac.

Somehow I've talked myself into ordering...

27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display
4.0GHz QC i7 Turboboost 4.4GHz
8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM-2X4GB
256GB Flash Storage
AMD Radeon R9 M295X 4GB GDDR5

 

[Cape Dave]

The 5k iMac came today...

I transferred from my mini using built in migration and a Time Machine backup. All good, glitchy towards the end. I probably should have unchecked bring over computer and network settings. It rebooted before the end but I was able to jiggle it and it booted with all my stuff.

I have not done much. The SSD speed is inline with others. It is a Samsung SSD, thank God.

512GB SSD, 295x, 8GB Ram, i5

The sound is way better than I thought. I may be able to re-purpose my mini Jambox! And most important, I have not been able to get the fan to go above default speed. It is virtually silent. This is excellent.

As I say, I have not done much. Will do a full system virus scan and see what happens. That can get the CPU going.

The text on the screen is truly awesome. I will most likely have to keep it because why go backwards? It is just as good as it gets.

The computer is fast. I cannot help but wonder if I should have done a complete fresh install of OSX and everything. Just to squeeze the maximum reliability and speed from it. Ah well, I can do that anytime.

Also, important, it seems to have survived the shipping well. The outer box had a few minor scuffs and 3 small dents.

Thanks for listening. It is quite the machine.

 

[ilikewhey]

they really need to update that cinema display of theirs. come on 5k cinema!!

 

[Cape Dave]

they really need to update that cinema display of theirs. come on 5k cinema!!

If they had that, I may have bought a Mac Pro refurb and that monitor. Even if it was only 4k, which is all the Pro will run, I think.

 

[WilliamG]

they really need to update that cinema display of theirs. come on 5k cinema!!

Won't happen till graphics cards support 5K res. Next DisplayPort rev...

 

[crsh1976]

Won't happen till graphics cards support 5K res. Next DisplayPort rev...

The current Mac Pro has 6 Thunderbolt 2 ports and the ability to drive up to 3 4k displays - couldn't they work something out or would current owners be SOL without upgraded video cards?

 

[Crunch]

I transferred from my mini using built in migration and a Time Machine backup. All good, glitchy towards the end. I probably should have unchecked bring over computer and network settings. It rebooted before the end but I was able to jiggle it and it booted with all my stuff.

I have not done much. The SSD speed is inline with others. It is a Samsung SSD, thank God.

512GB SSD, 295x, 8GB Ram, i5

The sound is way better than I thought. I may be able to re-purpose my mini Jambox! And most important, I have not been able to get the fan to go above default speed. It is virtually silent. This is excellent.

As I say, I have not done much. Will do a full system virus scan and see what happens. That can get the CPU going.

The text on the screen is truly awesome. I will most likely have to keep it because why go backwards? It is just as good as it gets.

The computer is fast. I cannot help but wonder if I should have done a complete fresh install of OSX and everything. Just to squeeze the maximum reliability and speed from it. Ah well, I can do that anytime.

Also, important, it seems to have survived the shipping well. The outer box had a few minor scuffs and 3 small dents.

Thanks for listening. It is quite the machine.

Thanks for the review! Hey, have you experienced any lag issues, such as when browsing pages on apple.com? I find Mission Control seems to be noticeably less snappy than the previous-gen. iMac. Can you try that out and let us know? Do you think they might be software-related? I wonder about the GPU. It doesn't make sense, though, because Call of Duty works just flawlessly. (I took it for a spin to test the GPU, scaling, etc.)

Thanks again!

 

[Cape Dave]

No issues here with Mission Control.

 

[thegrillboy]

Just got my iMac 5k..

I received my imac 5k very nice display. I currently have both 2013 imac 27 and 5k both i7 both upgraded video card, 3tb fusion, both 32g memory. I have been comparing side by side all day. Screen looks better on 5k obviously. Speed I believe 5k is quicker but not smooth very choppy. It loads fast but not smooth, jittery, very inconsistent behavior. Many times it seems like something is holding back the computer..pixels? For me I will be returning, I can not keep this as a main work computer. It will drive me nuts waiting for s fix. I believe they should not of released iMac 5k until all bugs were worked out.

 

[patrickdunn]

Define choppy?

Do you have a video?

 

[EnderTW]

The current Mac Pro has 6 Thunderbolt 2 ports and the ability to drive up to 3 4k displays - couldn't they work something out or would current owners be SOL without upgraded video cards?

I'm thinking they'd have to do some sort of trickery. I can't imagine them leaving MacPro owners out like that.

 

[AppleInLVX]

Dammit, I held out this long, but finally caved. Retina iMac order placed. Will replace my aging 2010 iMac.

Specs:
• 3.5GHz Quad-core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 3.9GHz
• 8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB
• 512GB Flash Storage
• AMD Radeon R9 M295X 4GB GDDR5
• Magic Trackpad
• Apple Wireless Keyboard (English) & User's Guide

Pretty sure this is the most I've ever spent on a computer. About as much as I spent on my first used car. Although admittedly, that thing was a rolling POS. I expect better things from this. Come on, November 21!

 

[bwsteg]

I originally ordered a max spec'd 5k imac on launch with 256gb SSD. Had issues with the unit and returned it. Placed another order this morning but with 512GB SSD...

Now the wait begins...Delivery date is from 11/20-11/24...

 

[chinanderm]

Just ordered a Retina 5K iMac!
4.0 GHz i7, 8GB RAM (which I will upgrade to 32 with Crucial RAM), 1TB Fusion, 4GB graphics.

Arrival estimate is as early as November 21st. Has anyone who ordered actually received their's prior to the estimated date?

 

[SD-B]

I am curious as to the time people find acceptable for purchasing refurbished macs?

In other words, I type this on November 8, 2014.

Looking at the present l one up of Refubs, I see several 21.5 iMacs from April or June of this year, 2014 which I don't believe would bother me.

But I also see others, specifically the more desirable 27" refurbs on good deals BUT they are from Sept 2013.
Thats a full use of the computer for a year before I get it............doesn't that amount of time bother most people?

I saw a good deal on a refreshed iMac 27" and I would have jumped on it had it been June of 2014 or so but from 2013...........it put the breaks on that purchase but i don't know if i am wrong to assume that that older date will real make any difference or not?

 

[Chazani]

I am curious as to the time people find acceptable for purchasing refurbished macs?

In other words, I type this on November 8, 2014.

Looking at the present l one up of Refubs, I see several 21.5 iMacs from April or June of this year, 2014 which I don't believe would bother me.

But I also see others, specifically the more desirable 27" refurbs on good deals BUT they are from Sept 2013.
Thats a full use of the computer for a year before I get it............doesn't that amount of time bother most people?

I saw a good deal on a refreshed iMac 27" and I would have jumped on it had it been June of 2014 or so but from 2013...........it put the breaks on that purchase but i don't know if i am wrong to assume that that older date will real make any difference or not?

When I ordered my refurbished late 2013 iMac on apple store in early October, I didn't have the budget for a brand new one (which would have costed another 400-600 dollars for the spec I grabbed which is the i7 3.5ghz, 8gb ram, 3tb fusion, 4gb gtx 780m). I like to think of these refurbished ones as a demo model sitting in the apple stores being used by many people who play with it to see if they like it that they buy a brand new one.

I am thrilled with my refurbished iMac. It runs smooth as if I bought a totally brand new computer. And it looked brand new when I open the box and unwrap it like a christmas present.


There are many people who prefer to have the top of the line, newest of the new computers. And there are also many who are more than happy to have a computer that may be a year or two older, but cheaper for their budget for a top of the line of that year it was made. It really depends on that person's personal preference if they are happy to have a refurbished or prefer a brand new one.

Cheers

 

[Doga]

...Looking at the present l one up of Refubs, I see several 21.5 iMacs from April or June of this year, 2014 which I don't believe would bother me.

But I also see others, specifically the more desirable 27" refurbs on good deals BUT they are from Sept 2013.

The year/month is the release of that particular model, but it is not an indication of the actual manufacture date of a given unit. A September 2013 refurb could have been manufactured fairly recently.

I know a number of people who bought refurb Macs and they couldn't be happier with them, they really are just like new.

I'll be getting a non-retina 27" iMac in early December to upgrade from my mid-2011 21.5". Whether I buy new or go for a refurbished iMac will depend on what is available on the refurb listings when I am ready to buy a few weeks from now.

 

[SD-B]

When I ordered my refurbished late 2013 iMac on apple store in early October, I didn't have the budget for a brand new one (which would have costed another 400-600 dollars for the spec I grabbed which is the i7 3.5ghz, 8gb ram, 3tb fusion, 4gb gtx 780m). I like to think of these refurbished ones as a demo model sitting in the apple stores being used by many people who play with it to see if they like it that they buy a brand new one.

I am thrilled with my refurbished iMac. It runs smooth as if I bought a totally brand new computer. And it looked brand new when I open the box and unwrap it like a christmas present.


There are many people who prefer to have the top of the line, newest of the new computers. And there are also many who are more than happy to have a computer that may be a year or two older, but cheaper for their budget for a top of the line of that year it was made. It really depends on that person's personal preference if they are happy to have a refurbished or prefer a brand new one.

Cheers

Its not a matter of being happy for I would only be 100% happy buying the best but I cannot afford to do so.

So my question really perhaps wasn't asked correctly but I believe ANY mac is really only good for 3-4 years as a main computer.
Some say 7 but i don't really see how thats possible


So for a 3-4 year use, when buying one refurb thats almost 2 years old, I am not sure its the best purchase for people

Hence why I asked.
If there is anyone here that has bought, lets say, TODAY, in Nov 2014, a refurb from lets say, even Sept 2013, that really only means your computers going to be good for about 2 years, maybe 3, right?

A September 2013 refurb could have been manufactured fairly recently

any way to find out?

I'll be getting a non-retina 27" iMac

what would you add to it, $200 for bumping it up to 16gigs of ram and $200 to bump it to a 1TB Fusion drive?

Curious as i really don't know what to buy

 

[Doga]

There's no way to find out when it was manufactured before you buy. Since Apple assigns new serial numbers to refurb models I am not sure if you can look up the manufacture date post-purchase as you would with a brand new machine (for example, here). But why worry about it? It's not like they go mouldy and the non-retina 2013 models are still current-spec - barring component failure or future versions of OS X requiring much more powerful machines to run on (which I doubt), they will still work fine in three or four years.

Before I bought my current 21.5"/mid-2011 iMac, I had used my Power Mac G5 dualie for eight years - the machine was flawless from day one to the day I stopped using it. The reason I'm going to get a 27" is I need a larger screen now. If I weren't after a larger screen, I'd be happy using my current 2011 iMac for at least another year. It too has been flawless.

Whatever I buy next month, new or refurbished, I will bump up the RAM to 16 gigs or beyond. I understand the benefits of a fusion drive or SSD, and I can afford either, but a regular drive is fine for my needs at this point in time and likely will be for a while longer.

If you don't know what to buy, think about your needs (as opposed to wants) and look for a machine that meets these needs as well as your budget right now - and don't drive yourself crazy wondering if the machine will be "good" for two or three years.

 

[SD-B]

Whatever I buy next month, new or refurbished, I will bump up the RAM to 16 gigs or beyond. I understand the benefits of a fusion drive or SSD, and I can afford either, but a regular drive is fine for my needs at this point in time and likely will be for a while longer.

Well thats sort of whats bothering me. I don't personally see whats wrong with the present hard drives.
I thought they were quick enough but everyone on this site has said not to even consider buying without SSD installed and it just keeps adding up all the add ons so another $200-$500 on the new drive was also, just a bit too much I thought.

But on the other hand i am a bit scared to order one spend the money on it only to kick myself afterwards.
I tink i need to go back to the Apple store and take a good long look at the ones with SSD or Fusion and see IF I REALLY need it or not.

But good point about the 2013 iMac.
Just trying to find one more powerful BUT i don't really see buying refurb if it is just to save $200.............


anyhow, i have given up for now and will try again another time.....i was just unable to find one i HAD TO HAVE.......and was unable, except of course for the $4k version but i can't afford that right now so will wait and see if i can see a great refurb version


Thx

----------

There's no way to find out when it was manufactured before you buy. Since Apple assigns new serial numbers to refurb models I am not sure if you can look up the manufacture date post-purchase as you would with a brand new machine (for example, here)

.

If that is the case and they are given new serials, what stops the buyer from selling it a year later and telling buyers its a new machine, not a refurb, if they don't have the box to sell it in anymore?

Is there a special serial sequence, etc so people will know that it is a refurb?


My point about buying one from 2013 was just that for all I know, the person that had it before me used it for a year until it was sent back might mean someone used it for that entire year and components might be used more than I had hoped

 

[spiritlevel]

Well after looking at 2nd hand 2008 Mac Pros a couple of weeks ago to run alongside my MacBook I've pulled the trigger on an iMac.

Somehow I've talked myself into ordering...

27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display
4.0GHz QC i7 Turboboost 4.4GHz
8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM-2X4GB
256GB Flash Storage
AMD Radeon R9 M295X 4GB GDDR5

Nice. I'm replacing my 2008 Mac Pro with almost the same, just adding 512GB Flash (+ 16GB crucial RAM. OWC Thunderbay and 12TBs of drives)

 

[SD-B]

Nice. I'm replacing my 2008 Mac Pro with almost the same, just adding 512GB Flash (+ 16GB crucial RAM. OWC Thunderbay and 12TBs of drives)

Realistically speaking, once you do that, how many years do you believe this will be fast and your main computer? How many years before you find it getting s.l.o.w.e.r to the point u can't take it anymore?