'Cheap' Apple iMac anyone?

Glenn · Dec 01, 2009, 10:42:04

Take a look at http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/543453/refurbished-imac-24-inch-3-06ghz-in

Rik · Dec 01, 2009, 10:44:09

Almost tempting...

Simon · Dec 01, 2009, 11:24:15

Only almost?

Rik · Dec 01, 2009, 12:08:37

I hear Seb's ordered a couple.

Simon · Dec 01, 2009, 12:09:49

Sebby · Dec 01, 2009, 12:15:49

Now that's a bargain, especially considering I paid quite a bit more for my lower spec model.

Gary · Dec 01, 2009, 12:16:27

Refurbished iMacs have been know to have issues, like any refurb it will have had old parts put in to replace the ones that went wrong, i'd rather buy new, the same goes for any product really, but if you don't mind that it is a bargain

Sebby · Dec 01, 2009, 12:17:51

True.

Glenn · Dec 01, 2009, 12:44:55

A refrub can be just a return, because the buyer didn't like it, and there is actually nothing wrong with it.

lozcart · Dec 01, 2009, 13:00:44

I have purchased many refurbs over the years and never had a problem.

They come with the same guarantee as a new unit and you can purchase Applecare if you are concerned. I have had them turn up with a higher specification as advertised, larger hard drives and more RAM. You also know the unit has been fully tested and should therefore not be DOA.

Gary · Dec 01, 2009, 13:06:29

Quote from: lozcart on Dec 01, 2009, 13:00:44
I have purchased many refurbs over the years and never had a problem.

They come with the same guarantee as a new unit and you can purchase Applecare if you are concerned. I have had them turn up with a higher specification as advertised, larger hard drives and more RAM. You also know the unit has been fully tested and should therefore not be DOA.

I have had good and bad with refurbs mainly bad, I think I just have bad luck with electronic components

lozcart · Dec 01, 2009, 13:14:19

When Cancom did Apple refurbs I had a few problems with some odd keyboard layouts and a power supply failing after 3 months. They did sort the problems out but it took some time.

Since Apple has handled the refurbs they have been excellent, of the units I've had you would not have been able to tell if they were a refurb or new.

Gary · Dec 01, 2009, 13:17:20

Quote from: lozcart on Dec 01, 2009, 13:14:19
When Cancom did Apple refurbs I had a few problems with some odd keyboard layouts and a power supply failing after 3 months. They did sort the problems out but it took some time.

Since Apple has handled the refurbs they have been excellent, of the units I've had you would not have been able to tell if they were a refurb or new.

Impressive, i'll keep that in mind for future buys

Tacitus · Dec 01, 2009, 13:28:39

Quote from: Gary on Dec 01, 2009, 12:16:27
Refurbished iMacs have been know to have issues, like any refurb it will have had old parts put in to replace the ones that went wrong, i'd rather buy new, the same goes for any product really, but if you don't mind that it is a bargain

Depends on the refurb. If you buy a refurb direct from Apple they should be good as new, particularly if it's a current model. Personally I've never thought the discounts were good enough to justify the risk, so like you I've always bought new.

Gary · Dec 01, 2009, 13:42:07

Quote from: Tacitus on Dec 01, 2009, 13:28:39
Depends on the refurb. If you buy a refurb direct from Apple they should be good as new, particularly if it's a current model. Personally I've never thought the discounts were good enough to justify the risk, so like you I've always bought new.

I think if its a big buy I would always go new, something like a small Macbook maybe a refurb, depends on discount as you say. It is nice getting a machine thats never been used by anyone else though

Rik · Dec 01, 2009, 16:45:51

As a general point, manufacturers tend to do minimal testing these days, considering it cheaper to replace than test first. A refurb, by definition, will have been tested, I'd take the chance myself, particularly as it has the same warranty as a new machine.

Tacitus · Dec 01, 2009, 16:48:47

Quote from: Rik on Dec 01, 2009, 16:45:51
As a general point, manufacturers tend to do minimal testing these days, considering it cheaper to replace than test first. A refurb, by definition, will have been tested, I'd take the chance myself, particularly as it has the same warranty as a new machine.

At present I get Higher Education discount (15%), so I'm always going to buy new

Discount on refurbs is usually around 10% at best.

Rik · Dec 01, 2009, 16:54:19

Can I send you a shopping list, Tac?

Tacitus · Dec 01, 2009, 19:03:19

Quote from: Rik on Dec 01, 2009, 16:54:19
Can I send you a shopping list, Tac?

There's a long queue Rik.....

Rik · Dec 01, 2009, 19:03:59

I can imagine.

Glenn · Dec 01, 2009, 19:06:51

They've sold out now

Steve · Dec 01, 2009, 19:07:48

I think these machines make a lot of sense especially with warranty on offer ,I slightly struggle mentally in spending all that money on something that's not new but conversely if it was a car I wouldn't think twice.

Lance · Dec 01, 2009, 22:48:52

I suppose the reason for the small discount rather than a larger one is because Apple see it as as good as new but can't legally sell it as new.

Gary · Dec 02, 2009, 01:50:07

Quote from: stevethegas on Dec 01, 2009, 19:07:48
I think these machines make a lot of sense especially with warranty on offer ,I slightly struggle mentally in spending all that money on something that's not new but conversely if it was a car I wouldn't think twice.

I would not buy a refurbished car, having known what some drivers do to the engines.....well its nice to run your own one in

bobleslie · Dec 02, 2009, 18:59:26

I'd never buy a new car. Although I have previously - twice.

Not with 40-50%+ depreciation within 3 years. No thanks.

I did buy a new Mac recently. It was a 'cheap' one, not a posh (excruciatingly expensive) one.

I'm very glad I didn't buy a posh one. I wish I'd been able to buy an even cheaper second-hand one.

Gary · Dec 03, 2009, 00:29:43

Quote from: bobleslie on Dec 02, 2009, 18:59:26
I'd never buy a new car. Although I have previously - twice.

Not with 40-50%+ depreciation within 3 years. No thanks.

I did buy a new Mac recently. It was a 'cheap' one, not a posh (excruciatingly expensive) one.

I'm very glad I didn't buy a posh one. I wish I'd been able to buy an even cheaper second-hand one.

We bought a new car, and we plan to keep it, that's why don't care about depreciation as we are not selling it unless my spinal condition and Osteoporosis get so bad that I need to be in the wheel chair 24/7 and even then, the fun we had with the Renault Sport was worth it, my wife always loves driving it, and it was nice to know we ran it in and not some heavy footed nutter who did not take care of the first 900 miles, the car is good to us, we are good to the car.

My Mac was about the same price as my LCD TV, so I don't consider that expensive, but it is beautiful as well as very enjoyable to use, and like any object that has a greater aesthetic beauty in the eye of the buyer, you do pay more but I like to look at objects of beauty so that's fine.

I would buy a painting that cost a lot if I liked it, and they are second hand as such, and there is no guarantee it will become valuable over the years either, its about enjoying what you have while you are here, as they say you can't take it with you when you go

Steve · Dec 03, 2009, 07:24:22

There is no economic sense in either case. The car looses a fortune as soon as you drive it off the forecourt and the iMac was a steal at that price. Its an emotional decision, the newness,the smell,the feel and the knowledge that no one else has driven or used it before.By the way I am picking my new car up to day,why because of the above and because I can.

Gary · Dec 03, 2009, 11:05:05

Quote from: stevethegas on Dec 03, 2009, 07:24:22
There is no economic sense in either case. The car looses a fortune as soon as you drive it off the forecourt and the iMac was a steal at that price. Its an emotional decision, the newness,the smell,the feel and the knowledge that no one else has driven or used it before.By the way I am picking my new car up to day,why because of the above and because I can.

Exactly

Sebby · Dec 03, 2009, 15:05:36

Quote from: stevethegas on Dec 03, 2009, 07:24:22
There is no economic sense in either case. The car looses a fortune as soon as you drive it off the forecourt and the iMac was a steal at that price. Its an emotional decision, the newness,the smell,the feel and the knowledge that no one else has driven or used it before.By the way I am picking my new car up to day,why because of the above and because I can.

Very well put.