Buying a used Imac

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Level 1

8 points

Buying a used Imac

I am going to buy a used Imac. Probably a 2021 with the M1 chip, possibly this years 2022 model. I do music and a little film editing. My current Imac is a 2010 with 16gb ram and 500gb hard drive.

I want to get a machine that has 16gb ram and 512gb ssd. My budget is about $1200. Considering my budget, if I can't get the 16gb/512gb configuration. What would be the best choice ... 8gb/512gb or 16gb/256gb? Also ... what is the difference between a 7 core and an 8core Imac? Does the number of cores really make a big difference in the usage and performance of the Imac?

Thank you to all who respond.

Posted on Dec 10, 2022 2:17 PM

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Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

215,130 points

Dec 10, 2022 2:54 PM in response to Cascomix

Another reliable source of refurbished Mac is OWC (MacSales.com).

My preference would be to get the 16GB RAM and whatever internal SSD available. You cana always add external SSDs for working space and storage. But RAM is what you buy is what you get.

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Answer 2

Jack-19

Level 8

46,182 points

Dec 10, 2022 2:37 PM in response to Cascomix

Hello!

I would not recommend a used iMac from a third-party. Often, these machines have issues that you're inheriting. Plus, you will not have an Apple warranty or any guarantee. For just a little more, consider an Apple refurbished Mac: Certified Refurbished Products - Apple.

For your stated use of the iMac, you really need the 8 GB of Memory with 512 GB of storage, in ideally the 8-core GPU configuration, for a little more power.

Jack

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Answer 3

Allan Jones

Level 9

77,678 points

Dec 10, 2022 4:22 PM in response to Cascomix

What would be the best choice ... 8gb/512gb or 16gb/256gb?

For video editing, get as much RAM and storage as you can afford now. Neither can be upgraded after the iMac leaves the assembly line, not even by the minor deities on Mt. Cupertino. What you get today will be your "forever" RAM and storage.

Also get the 4-port model. The entry level version has only two ports and no ethernet port.

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