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WTB: iMac 27" 2017-2020 model SORTED
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In an effort to expand my post of a request for advice regarding the potential purchase of a 2nd hand iMac, I thought it might get more traction by bringing it to the source where the big fish swim on theFB, especially what with the increase in people recording/playing at home on the computers.
(other thread:
https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/178888/buying-a-used-imac-advice-please#latest)
As all my mac experience goes as far as my 2008 macbook pro, I'd really appreciate any info on the 27" models over the last few years, whether one is better than the other, where there is room for expansion, and what prices they go for 2nd hand.
I've noticed quite a few threads pop up of late so I believe this could help others make an informed decision or grab a bargain.
I plan to use my iMac for audio and video. I'm not interested in video games, more a comfortable lag-free experience. I will continue teaching online until september so 4 hour long stints without a break will be the norm.
My 2008 kept me going for 12 years so I expect the same from the new one.
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I'm doing online teaching and my old macbook (2008) just gave up so I really need to buy one as soon as the lockdown is lightened. My wife is wondering about the logic of getting a used one from 2017, even though 1000 euros of saving seems a pretty good reason.
https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-i5-3.8-27-inch-aluminum-retina-5k-mid-2017-specs.html
I've since replaced that with a 0.5TB SSD and maxed out the ram memory to 32gb and for me it just functions as a brand new one (have the company macbook pro 2020 laying around) so maybe worth checking even older models?
Thing is, I wouldn’t know where to begin. Once I can visit the Mac repair shops, I will inquire.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/what-do-my-geekbench-scores-mean-vs-a-newer-model.2228804/?post=28325332#post-28325332
I believe ram is easily accessible on a 2017 model so it should be the case with 2019, right?
https://www.imore.com/can-you-upgrade-ram-27-inch-imac
Would that be a problem for guarantee or resale?
It's natural to think in this way, people buy based on experience they have had on their previous Apple product but there's literally no common ground between a current model and the old one's. This goes for modern Windows PC's as well but the difference is a PC is a lot easier and cheaper to repair ... being common modular parts.
I say this as an Apple fan, I have a Macbook, Macbook Pro and 3 iMac's but they are all older very reliable models. The modern stuff isn't built as well and is much harder to repair. So you need a good warranty, had a late 2017 Macbook Pro a couple of weeks ago that needs a new board ... gonna be £400 upwards assuming I can get one ... the board in my 2006 Macbook Pro is fine. Most people would assume a 2017 Macbook Pro would outlast a 2006 model ... some might but here's one that didn't.
I suppose the best way I can put it is there are Marshall amps that are built very well and there are some more modern ones that are just terrible designs. @ICBM could probably state 2 models off the top of his head .... So saying my last Marshall lasted ten years I'm gonna buy another one is a pointless thing to say really, and it is with Apple and any other product unless the product hasn't changed in design . Which of course it has
The positive points regarding purchase is the iMac belonged to a shop assistant at cex, who updated to a Mac Pro. It's an early 2019 so it still has a year of guarantee plus the 2 year coverage from cex (although I'm curious to understand exactly what that covers). With voucher and discount, I can get this 2019 27" iMac i9 8gb ram, 1tb ssd and vega 48 for £2200, the price of a base price iMac. When necessary, I'll bump the ram to 32gb.
I imagine the build of an iMac pro is more reliable. Too much for this fella.
Next step: a video camera. Blackmagic certainly look the treat.
Thanks everyone for helping me through this.