Is it a bad idea to buy a brand new but dated model iMac?

Question

I currently own a MacBook that I have had for over 2 years and while it is a good computer, it is getting old and I would like a desktop in my apartment. I'm a college student and don't really want to spend over $1000 on the new iMacs. I want to buy a new iMac Core 2 Duo (maybe this one http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?InvtId=MA590LLA-PB-R&cm_mmc=GoogleProducts-_-DesktopComputers-_-Apple/MacintoshComputers-_-MA590LLA-PB-R&utm_source=GoogleProducts&utm_medium=ShoppingSites&utm_campaign=MA590LLA-PB-R)
or a new iMac G5 ( maybe http://www.techforless.com/cgi-bin/tech4less/M9250LL/A?mv_pc=google_base&tts=20101225023701&utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=free&utm_campaign=google_shopping)

Would it be a bad idea to buy either of these considering they are older models, even though they are new? Will they be significantly slower for the price than the new iMacs (if so, couldn't I just get a better processor?)

Answer 1

Um, that G5 is not new. It's "factory refurbished", which is a very bad thing on a model that old. Don't even THINK about getting a G5! They're 5+ years old, had a bunch of problems, are slow by modern standards, and can't even run Snow Leopard. Furthermore, "tech for less" is a f**king joke. That G5 is a ridiculous ripoff. So is everything else they sell. "Lowest internet price" my butt. What a bunch of outright lying scumbags.



That Core 2 Duo iMac isn't new either. It's also refurbished. What the HELL made you think they were new?



Both of these are virtually guaranteed to be slower than your Macbook.



Apple doesn't make brand new iMacs with Core 2 Duo CPUs in them. You won't find one. If you want one that's going to be faster than your Macbook then hit Apple's online store and check the refurbs. That's about all you can do. For the money you're showing, you will NOT find anything remotely close to brand new.



Where in the HELL are you finding these sites? NO, THAT'S NOT A GOOD IDEA! $899 for a 4 year old iMac? Criminy, you really, REALLY need to do some reading and research on what is faster than what, how old these things are, and what a decent going rate is. Those guys are absolutely, positively, inarguably trying to rip people off.



Buying used/refurbed isn't necessarily a bad idea, but you have to be sure that you know what you're getting.

Answer 2

Typically you get two kinds of folks responding to "should I buy this _______ used Mac?"

* Folks who say "Never buy used"

* Folks who say "Never buy Mac"



Next, you decide if these are folks who really have a brain or just prejudiced. I have bought about a dozen used Macs before, and none of them was a disappointment. Sure, some were very cheap and not as powerful as I would like, but I didn't spend US$1,000 either.



If you want to improve on a 30 month-old MacBook, don't buy a four year-old iMac. If you are determined to have a "desktop" system and don't want to spend over US500, that iMac 2006 Core Duo is a good deal. You probably won't find a second-hand Intel iMac for less. Read the disclaimer carefully: they consider 8 dead / stuck pixels acceptable. If you don't want to take a chance on dead pixels (yes, they can happen), see it before you buy it. As far as the difference between a 2005 model G5 and a 2006 model Core 2 Duo, the main things are the options for installing Windows and OS 10.6. I have a MacBook running 10.6 and a G4 running 10.5 and I spend 99% of my time on the G4.



You could also buy a refurbished Mac Mini (link below) and scrounge up a decent display, keyboard, and mouse. It comes direct from Apple, has a one year warranty, all restore DVDs included, and free shipping. Of course, it costs US$430-700, and for a thousand dollars less, you could have a Dell... NOT!

Answer 3

Buy a PC



your $1000 can get better specification.

Answer 4

Buy a PC.



Quite simply put, a $1,000 PC will do much more than an overpriced $1,000 iMac.

Answer 5

it's a bad idea to buy ANY mac



you get more bang for your buck with a personal computer.