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what to expect on a imac refurb?

iceman600

iceman600

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 17, 2010
42
0
im getting an imac today... im going for a 21.5 corei7 one. i really cant wait for the refresh coz i need a computer asap. question is does the refurb comes with the original box? do you think guys this is a good deal/idea?
http://store.apple.com/us/product/G0M50LL/A :confused:

another thing is im going to install a third party ssd on it... will puting this myself will void the warranty?

i also found out that the cables used for installing SSD on the imac is bundled with some tools on ifixit.
http://www.ifixit.com/Apple-Parts/iMac-Intel-21-5-Inch-Mid-2011-Dual-Hard-Drive-Kit/IF173-002
is there a site where i can get just the cables itself? i already have the tools and suctions that comes with it... and im hoping i can get it less coz i only need the cables for installing the SSD.
 
Last edited:
Refurbs are a good deal. They come in a plain box. Installing a 3rd-party SSD will void the warranty -- only the RAM is considered user-serviceable.
 
talmy said:
Refurbs are a good deal. They come in a plain box. Installing a 3rd-party SSD will void the warranty -- only the RAM is considered user-serviceable.
Click to expand...

plainbox meaning not the usual retailbox?
 
JLemm said:
whats the risk of buying a refurbished iMac than a brand new iMac?

Anyone have problems with a refurbished iMac before?
Click to expand...

No risk. You don't get any customization options. They are as good as new -- you can't tell the difference. I've bought 2 MacBooks, a MacBook Pro, a Mac mini, a Mac mini with Snow Leopard Server, and an Airport Extreme as refurbs and they were all perfect. None of the iMacs I've bought were refurbs but I wouldn't hesitate to buy one.
 
I'm not trying to hijack this thread or anything cause it kinda pertains to the same thing....

I have an understanding that refurbs have the same warranty as a new model when it's purchased from the apple store? Is this true?
 
Dopeyman said:
I'm not trying to hijack this thread or anything cause it kinda pertains to the same thing....

I have an understanding that refurbs have the same warranty as a new model when it's purchased from the apple store? Is this true?
Click to expand...

Yes. And you can get Applecare if you want.
 
iceman600 said:
ok i need to consult something... im kinda dont know what to buy between these two:

imac
http://store.apple.com/us/product/G0M50LL/A

macbook pro
http://www.macmall.com/p/product~dpno~8300859~pdp.gdchhcc?isPopup=y

the price is kinda identical, and i dont know which one will be better :confused:
i dont care if its portable or not i just want to get the bang for the buck :D

i kinda like the iMac but knowing that its refurbished keeps holding me back to the MBP :(

arrrrgh... decisions, decisions...
Click to expand...


What's your current setup look like? If you have a lagging desktop/no desktop i'd go with the iMac

If you have a decent desktop, but no/lagging laptop, i'd go with the macbook pro

Keep in mind the MBP has awesome portability and speed.
and the iMac has awesome power and that display cannot be shrugged off.
 
Newoh said:
What's your current setup look like? If you have a lagging desktop/no desktop i'd go with the iMac

If you have a decent desktop, but no/lagging laptop, i'd go with the macbook pro

Keep in mind the MBP has awesome portability and speed.
and the iMac has awesome power and that display cannot be shrugged off.
Click to expand...

well i have no desktop :(
so what ur saying is the MBP have more speed than the iMac based on the two?
 
iceman600 said:
even thou the imac is a refurb item? what would you buy if u got to choose?
Click to expand...

Being refurbished has nothing to do with performance. The refurbished iMac is every bit as fast as a new iMac. (Assuming the refurbished iMac is the current model.)

And regarding relative speed between an iMac and a MacBook Pro, my 2+ year old 27" iMac (top end at the time) is every bit as fast as my new 15" 2.4GHz MacBook Pro. A new iMac is even faster.

I'd only get the MacBook Pro if I needed the portability. Otherwise the iMac wins for bang per buck, the display, and ergonomics.
 
talmy said:
No risk. You don't get any customization options. They are as good as new -- you can't tell the difference. I've bought 2 MacBooks, a MacBook Pro, a Mac mini, a Mac mini with Snow Leopard Server, and an Airport Extreme as refurbs and they were all perfect. None of the iMacs I've bought were refurbs but I wouldn't hesitate to buy one.
Click to expand...

in that case.... I'm definitely going to buy this!!

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FD063LL/A

depending on what they "update" with the new release.
 
talmy said:
Being refurbished has nothing to do with performance. The refurbished iMac is every bit as fast as a new iMac. (Assuming the refurbished iMac is the current model.)

And regarding relative speed between an iMac and a MacBook Pro, my 2+ year old 27" iMac (top end at the time) is every bit as fast as my new 15" 2.4GHz MacBook Pro. A new iMac is even faster.

I'd only get the MacBook Pro if I needed the portability. Otherwise the iMac wins for bang per buck, the display, and ergonomics.
Click to expand...

thank you so mch guy... now im sold to iMac... i just bought it =)
i hope it will turn out just fine. this is my first refub purchase.... :D
 
talmy said:
Refurbs are a good deal. They come in a plain box. Installing a 3rd-party SSD will void the warranty -- only the RAM is considered user-serviceable.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up...I'm buying on on Saturday in another computer store (not one of Apple's authorized resellers since its slightly cheaper).

I do have a question though, if I do get a refurb, can I still get the AppleCare Protection Plan?

Also, I'm short on cash now...and there is a 1 year warranty on the refurb and BN, so can I purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan later? In like 3 months time?

Thanks!
 
iceman600 said:
thank you so mch guy... now im sold to iMac... i just bought it =)
i hope it will turn out just fine. this is my first refub purchase.... :D
Click to expand...

Let us know your thoughts after you have had it a while and played on it. I am also interested in purchasing an iMac and have eyed a few of the refurbished models. Given that I am thinking abou purchasing a refurb from Apple that really doesn't make me nervous. I also like that I would get the mfg warranty and have the ability to purchase Applecare. But would like to get your thoughts on this once your new purchased has burned in for a minute.

Congrats on the new computer! I love my MBP 13 and when my current desktop goes, I am headed to the iMac!
 
azRieLThaNe said:
Thanks for the heads up...I'm buying on on Saturday in another computer store (not one of Apple's authorized resellers since its slightly cheaper).

I do have a question though, if I do get a refurb, can I still get the AppleCare Protection Plan?

Also, I'm short on cash now...and there is a 1 year warranty on the refurb and BN, so can I purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan later? In like 3 months time?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

By "refurb" I mean bought through the Apple Refurbished Store. One can get AppleCare with these. Any other non-Apple refurbishing would not carry the Apple warranty and would necessarily have the looks-like-new quality of Apple Refurbished computers.

For a new computer not from an Apple-authorized reseller, the warranty starts when the computer left Apple, not when you buy. There can be considerable time lost and the unit might in fact already be out of warranty.
 
talmy said:
For a new computer not from an Apple-authorized reseller, the warranty starts when the computer left Apple, not when you buy. There can be considerable time lost and the unit might in fact already be out of warranty.
Click to expand...

:eek: ah!!! how do I check its Apple warranty?
 
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