Is this a good price? Need opinion ASAP...

Question

Level 1

57 points

Is this a good price? Need opinion ASAP...

Hi,

I have a chance to purchase a 2010 27" iMac with i7, 16GB of RAM, 256GB SSD, and 1GB ATI 5710 garphics card for $2,025 flat. This has Applecare until December of 2013. It is in like new conditions.

Is this a good or fair price? Would I be paying too much for an outdated (or somewhat old?) computer? I think my main loss versus the 2011 model would be no Thunderbolt ports and slower graphic card.

If this is not that good of a deal, where can I find a good deal on a new or used iMac. I just don't want to have any buyers' remorse.

BTW, my main use is Photoshop CS5, Lightroom 4, and Final Cut Express.

Thanks!

Posted on Jun 18, 2012 3:47 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Klaus1

Level 9

52,749 points

Jun 18, 2012 4:10 PM in response to Big Joon

To me the price seems high, but that is just my opinion.

Check on eBay, Amazon and Craigs List for comparable models to see what general price level prevails.

Reply

Answer 2

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,550 points

Jun 18, 2012 4:13 PM in response to Big Joon

Agreed I think the price is high. I'd recommend looking at Apple online refurbished store, for a little more you can new a factory refurbised machine that has a 1 year warranty and is elgible for AppleCare. You need to check frequently because inventory can change by the hour.

Reply

Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

239,213 points

Jun 18, 2012 4:46 PM in response to Big Joon

I think it sounds fair anyway.

Reply

Answer 4

Big Joon Author

Level 1

57 points

Jun 18, 2012 5:02 PM in response to Big Joon

Thanks for the inputs. How soon do you guys see the refresh coming? I just checked out the refurbished 2010 27" i7 from Apple and the cost would be somewhere similar after tax and third party upgrades to SSD and 16GB memory. Plus, I'd have to learn how to install it myself. Hmmm...

Reply

Answer 5

RRFS

Level 5

4,522 points

Jun 18, 2012 5:12 PM in response to Big Joon

It's not a bad price considering $1560.00 for this one: http://store.apple.com/us/product/G0JP0LL/A

and the one that Big Joon is looking at has a SSD plus an extra 12GB of RAM it's an ok price. Is Applecare transferable? If not I would buy from Apple to get the extra warranty. Repairs are pricey.

Reply

Answer 6

babowa

Level 9

78,103 points

Jun 18, 2012 5:25 PM in response to Big Joon

Compare your specs to mine:

I got it as a refurb from Apple in late February for just slightly more than $1,500 and it included a full one year warranty plus the opportunity to buy Applecare (which I did - valid to 2/2015).

I'd agree that the price for yours is high. Mine doesn't have an SSD, but a better graphics card. I'd also keep in mind that the apps you use result in huge files (when I start a video project, it quickly grows to 100 GB or more), so if your OS is on the SSD, you may run into space problems while in the middle of a video project. And I've seen questions that keeping the videos on a 7200 rpm drive while working on the SSD may result in problems because one can't keep up with the other speed wise.

Edit: iMacs are not really user upgradeable (except RAM), so unless you are having an AASP do it, you may be voiding your warranty.

Reply

Answer 7

RRFS

Level 5

4,522 points

Jun 18, 2012 5:24 PM in response to Big Joon

I put a SSD in my 20" 2008 but after looking at the videos for the 27" it seems much more difficult. Removal of the motherboard looks dauntingly difficult and you need another set of hands to hold the LCD panel whilst plugging and unplugging the wiring.

Reply

Answer 8

Big Joon Author

Level 1

57 points

Jun 18, 2012 5:30 PM in response to Big Joon

Thanks for additional inputs. My main focus is photos, so not too concerned about video. I do plan to use it with 2TB external HD.

The Applecare expires on December 13, 2013. Can I extend the Applecare? Is that even possible?

If the price is too high, what would be a reasonable price so that I can try to renegotiate with the seller? I'd love to get a refurbished unit from Apple, but I do have to pay tax (which is pretty high) and do my own upgrades. I really want to try the SSD...

Reply

Answer 9

babowa

Level 9

78,103 points

Jun 18, 2012 5:39 PM in response to Big Joon

Applecare cannot be extended and, as I said, if you do the work, you may be voiding it (unless you wait until it has expired).

This is mine:

from this site:

http://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-i7-2.93-27-inch-aluminum- mid-2010-specs.html

Actually could not find an i7 with a 5710 graphics card.

Reply

Answer 10

MichelPM

Level 10

80,968 points

Jun 18, 2012 8:50 PM in response to Big Joon

I think,this is very high, too

I purchased my iMac 2 months ago through PowerMax. It is late 2009 27 inch screen iMac with Core 2 duo CPU, 16 GBs of RAM, 256 MB VRAM Graphics and 1 TB HD for $1599 and purchased a six month warranty that I can extend to one year, if I choose.

I am thinking it's the SSD drive that's inflating the price.

It's only 256 GB drive.

Kinda of puny drive size considering that most of the last couple of years worth of iMacs can have 1,2 or 3 TB size drives.

Reply

Answer 11

RRFS

Level 5

4,522 points

Jun 18, 2012 8:51 PM in response to MichelPM

SSDs are more expensive and a lot faster.

Reply

Answer 12

MichelPM

Level 10

80,968 points

Jun 18, 2012 8:55 PM in response to babowa

Maybe he meant 5750 graphics card.

It's the only one listed as a 1GB VRAM GPU for the 2010 27" iMac.

Reply

Answer 13

babowa

Level 9

78,103 points

Jun 18, 2012 8:59 PM in response to MichelPM

I was assuming that; that's why I linked to it.

Reply

Answer 14

Jun 18, 2012 9:00 PM in response to Big Joon

The fact that it still has warranty - and has over a year left - is a big plus. I would try to negotiate down to $1900. Also, AppleCare cannot be extended.

Reply

Answer 15

Jun 19, 2012 4:35 AM in response to RRFS

And, in my opinion, not ready for prime time. I would not want a solid state drive at this point, especially not on a desktop Mac.

Reply