Which iMacs to Avoid Purchasing?

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Level 1

10 points

Which iMacs to Avoid Purchasing?

Good Morning - Reading Rod Hagen's post, with attachments, describing failed logic boards due to bad capacitors makes me wonder which iMacs, new or used, are safer to buy. I've had iBooks, eMacs, and now a PowerBook G4 for years, all wonderful machines, and am now looking to buy a used iMac G5. My question is then, based on the long and wide distribution of these bad capacitors, are there specific early iMac models to avoid, or is buying any machine using capacitors a typical gamble? Thanks much.

PowerBook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.1), 1.25ghz. 2gig ram. 80 gighd

Posted on Jan 5, 2009 6:23 AM

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Answer 1

MGW

Level 7

27,047 points

Jan 5, 2009 6:56 AM in response to viejo62

I would suggest avoiding the first two models, the Rev A and the Ambient Light. The iSight model should be fine it seems to have many fewer problems than the first two, but might I suggest buying an intel machine? Even a refurb intel iMac has a history of fewer problems than the G5s and it will come with a warranty, you can also buy Apple Care to extend that warranty.

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Answer 2

viejo62 Author

Level 1

10 points

Jan 5, 2009 7:44 AM in response to MGW

Thanks Miriam for your answer. The budget here probably won't permit going to an Intel, but an iSight model is within range. Any machine is a risk of course, even just out of the box, but my luck has been good so far. Thanks again, and have a good week.

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Answer 3

Jan 5, 2009 9:30 AM in response to viejo62

If you want your $$$$ worth, I would recommend a refurbished Intel iMac for the reasons MGW already stated.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/imac

Just my 2 1/2¢

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