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what's best bang for buck used iMac?
- Thread starter bbridges
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Any late model, from late 2015, 27" a must with an SSD of say 512GB/1TB, minimum 16GB of memory and GPU depending on your use. One with 4GB GPU if you are into graphic design/photography.,
Don't buy 16gb ram from Apple as suggested in the thread. Buy the 8gb and add your own ram, it's extremely simple and much cheaper.
Also, maybe even 256gb ssd would be enough for you, and you can then use an external hard drive or ssd. Depends on what you use it for. But definitely buy the SSD, don't go for the fusion drive.
If you need a good deal, maybe go for the 2017 models, but the 4k 21.5 inch ones?
Also, maybe even 256gb ssd would be enough for you, and you can then use an external hard drive or ssd. Depends on what you use it for. But definitely buy the SSD, don't go for the fusion drive.
If you need a good deal, maybe go for the 2017 models, but the 4k 21.5 inch ones?
I would say the late 2014 27” iMac is the best bang for the buck. It has the 5K retina screen and was the first iMac to offer Thunderbolt 2. Obviously an SSD would be ideal, but they’re hard to find in the wild. Instead look for at least a 1 TB fusion drive. The 2014 iMac still included a 128GB SSD with the Fusion drive. As far as ram, since it’s easily upgradable in the 27” iMac I wouldn’t worry about a machine with only 8GB.
What features do you value?
For basic use the 2010 21.5" models are hard to beat in terms of value. Sure they only have a couple years of life left, but they also have a cheap market value and the 2011 and older 21.5" models share the same user upgradable ram as the 27".
Speaking of which, if want a quad-core i5 and are ok with older bluetooth/USB standards then a 21.5" 2011 is a value year.
On the other hand if you want full-features you are probably looking at a 2013 27" (missing only Retina and TB3/USB-C), and if you want GPU performance value or longevity you probably want to find a refurb/used 2017.
For basic use the 2010 21.5" models are hard to beat in terms of value. Sure they only have a couple years of life left, but they also have a cheap market value and the 2011 and older 21.5" models share the same user upgradable ram as the 27".
Speaking of which, if want a quad-core i5 and are ok with older bluetooth/USB standards then a 21.5" 2011 is a value year.
On the other hand if you want full-features you are probably looking at a 2013 27" (missing only Retina and TB3/USB-C), and if you want GPU performance value or longevity you probably want to find a refurb/used 2017.
2012 models only have TB ~TB2 came in late 2014.
16GB of memory and an SSD is what to look for in buying from Apple. bbridges is looking for a used mac.
16GB of memory and an SSD is what to look for in buying from Apple. bbridges is looking for a used mac.
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I just bought from Apple's online refurbished store -- a 2017, 21.5" 4K -- and I love it! And it was a few hundred cheaper than buying new. And it looks, operates, and feels brand new!
Edit: removed a couple words
Edit: removed a couple words
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I just sold my late 2015 27” 3.3ghz 2TB Fusion M395 GPU 32GB Ram OWC. For $1000 on Monday.
Almost 3 years old purchased with AppleCare for $2300.
I have 2 MBP in the home just using the money to pick up a decent thunderbolt monitor
Looking at a 38” Dell 4K
Almost 3 years old purchased with AppleCare for $2300.
I have 2 MBP in the home just using the money to pick up a decent thunderbolt monitor
Looking at a 38” Dell 4K
I have a 2010 21.5" iMac in my classroom as my main computer. 3.06GHz i3, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD, all for around $250 last year. It's quite the snappy, baller computer for a killer price!