LilBro55
Level 1 (8 points)
Desktops

Q: Recommendations for first imac

Courtesy my brother, who swears by all things Mac, I'm considering buying my first iMac. I already have two Win7 machines and one Linux Mint. Since I can't build my own OSx box, my preferred method of getting Windows units, I guess I'll need to buy one. And since I don't know if I'll like OSx, I really don't want to shell out a thousand bucks or so for a new one. Now my question.

Is there any practical downside to buying a used imac that's a few years old? From what I've read Apple doesn't make its users buy new hardware with every new new version of OSx/macOS. I do need to be able to connect to a 802.11n wireless network. I'm not planning on doing any photo / video editing beyond basic touch-ups. Mostly, using the web, emails, word processing, and such. A second question is does OSx/macOS have an open source universe for software as windows does? I use LibreOffice as one example.

 

Thank you.

Posted on Oct 15, 2016 4:43 PM

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LilBro55

Q: Recommendations for first imac

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  • Helpful answers

  • by woodmeister50,Helpful

    woodmeister50 woodmeister50 Oct 16, 2016 10:56 AM in response to LilBro55
    Level 5 (5,664 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 16, 2016 10:56 AM in response to LilBro55

    LilBro55 wrote:

    ...

    Is there any practical downside to buying a used imac that's a few years old?

    ...

    Like any computer a few years old, it is always buyer beware, especially

    when buying an all in one like an iMac.  Also note, iMacs are not the

    easiest things to repair (see ifixit.com).  So, replacing a HDD is not a

    simple task, although, unlike Windows, you can boot a Mac from

    an external drive, be it USB3 or Thunderbolt.

     

    Also, stick with 2012 or newer as they have USB3.

     

    Another note, only the 27" iMacs have user accessible and upgradable RAM.

    Depending on the year, 21.5" iMacs either need to be torn apart to upgrade

    or can't be upgraded because RAM is soldered in.

     

    With all that said, one thing you can do with a Mac, is triple boot macOS, Windows,

    and most Linux varieties.

     

    LilBro55 wrote:

     

    .. A second question is does OSx/macOS have an open source universe for software as windows does? I use LibreOffice as one example.

     

    Thank you.

    Specifically, LibreOffice is available natively for Mac and works very well.

    There are lots of open source stuff, some compiled specifically for macOS,

    some that can be compiled for macOS, and also some communities like

    Macports that create an environment and provide package for many unix/linux

    ports.

  • by majortom1967,

    majortom1967 majortom1967 Oct 16, 2016 9:17 AM in response to LilBro55
    Level 1 (33 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 16, 2016 9:17 AM in response to LilBro55

    Well, switching from Win to Mac OS will bring some problems to you but is like switching to from a car to another.

    Yes, you can purchase a non new iMac (not older than 2012s I suggest because of USB3).

    The system is not as closed as you might think, you ca n download sw form third parties rather than App Store (I do use Libre Office, by the way - it now has a compatibility problem with the latest OS, Sierra, but there is a workaround for it). In theory Sierra doesn't permit to download sw which is not certified bu Apple but here, also, there is a Terminal workaround.

    The only difficulty I see, by your point of view, is switching from a system you're using since one time to  a different one, regardless the fact (but it's important) that you have a system based on *NIX: reliable,stable (not perfect, nobody's perfect) and wit no problems as Win regardless how many apps you install (this is a bad thing in Win that comes from what was at the time a good idea: .dll sharing).

    Just switch and enjoy!!!

    Simon

     

    PS: writing from a 2015 4K 21,5" iMac, 37th Mac since 1984. But I do not disagree using Windows at work or other systems like LinuxMint or Ubuntu at home for fun,

  • by LilBro55,

    LilBro55 LilBro55 Oct 16, 2016 10:59 AM in response to woodmeister50
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 16, 2016 10:59 AM in response to woodmeister50

    Thank you one and all. The only used macs I'm really considering are refurbished units. I can find beaucoup used ones on Craig's List & ebay but most are caveat emptor.

  • by MichelPM,

    MichelPM MichelPM Oct 16, 2016 9:57 PM in response to LilBro55
    Level 6 (14,289 points)
    iPad
    Oct 16, 2016 9:57 PM in response to LilBro55

    If 2012 models are still too expensive for you, to still be compatible with the latest mac OS Sierra here are the minimum Mac computers you can use which you maybe able to obtain cheaper.

     

    • MacBook (Late 2009 or newer)
    • MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)
    • MacBook Air (Late 2010 or newer)
    • Mac mini (Mid 2010 or newer)
    • iMac (Late 2009 or newer)
    • Mac Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)


    With these older models, try to find ones that have a quad core i5 or i7 CPU, have, at least, a 512 MB VRAM or better GPU and can take, at least, 8 GBs or more  of RAM and, ideally, at idealiy, can hold, at least up to 16 GBs of RAM, if considering a desktop Mac model.


    In addition to refurbs from Apple, authorised online Apple resellers are another place to purchase older Mac models.

    These sites are very reputable and many offer, at least 30-90 warranties.

    Some offer up to six month warranties on a used Mac.


    IF from the U.S.,

    I purchase my used Macs from PowerMax.


    https://www.powermax.com/

     

    They are an excellent Apple reseller that offer a six month warranty up to one year PAY warranty on all of their used Apple Mac computers.

    Their sheer variety of used Macs is excellent and their customer service is tops!



    Good Luck!

  • by CMCSK,

    CMCSK CMCSK Oct 16, 2016 11:58 PM in response to LilBro55
    Level 6 (10,875 points)
    Oct 16, 2016 11:58 PM in response to LilBro55

    LilBro55 wrote:

     

    Thank you one and all. The only used macs I'm really considering are refurbished units. I can find beaucoup used ones on Craig's List & ebay but most are caveat emptor.

    Refurbished iMac - Apple

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    dancingsmilie.gif

  • by woodmeister50,

    woodmeister50 woodmeister50 Oct 17, 2016 2:41 AM in response to LilBro55
    Level 5 (5,664 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 17, 2016 2:41 AM in response to LilBro55

    Another location for getting reliable used and refurb units, and a warranted,

    https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/Apple_Systems/Used/Macs_and_Tablets?_ga=1.203429 458.319017287.1466677741

     

    They are also an excellent source for quality RAM (Macs are a bit fussy when it comes

    to RAM) and many other accessories for Macs, most of them tested by OWC for

    Mac compatibility.

     

    Also a source for various repair tools and a wealth of "how-to" videos.