Best place for used iMacs?

[prymsnap]

Hi, Forumites -- hope you're staying safe, healthy, and have access to what you need these days.

My brother may be in the market for a used iMac soon. Back in the old days, my go-to places for used Macs were places like LA Computer, MacMall and, of course, the Apple refurb page. Are those still the best choices? In addition to online sites, are there any brick-and-mortar places you'd recommend in the Chicago area? And lastly, as I know his budget will be limited, any particular models you'd recommend to buy or avoid? Thanks.

[OWC Larry]

at the moment the pickings are a little slim - but that changes daily and by next week I know another load will be processed through... this is a big part of OWC today.

https://eshop.macsales.com/configure-my-mac/imac

[prymsnap]

OWC Larry wrote:
at the moment the pickings are a little slim - but that changes daily and by next week I know another load will be processed through... this is a big part of OWC today.

https://eshop.macsales.com/configure-my-mac/imac

Thanks, Larry - I should have mentioned OWC in my list of favorites, as I've been a customer for just about forever.

[jdc]

Budget? Size? Specs?

Might help us steer ya'll in the right direction....

[prymsnap]

jdc wrote:
Budget? Size? Specs?

Might help us steer ya'll in the right direction....

Yes, and I apologize for being vague. Budget definitely under $1,000. Most intensive usage would likely be for ProTools. Screen size is open, but I imagine in the 21.5 neighborhood.

[anonymouse1]

https://www.refurb.me/en-us/refurbished-...egory=imac

Craigslist?

[decay]

family and friends first.
OWC next.

[Zoidberg]

Another vote for the Mac shop at OWC: https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/Apple_Sy...1585678895

[jdc]

Im thinking 2014 or 2015 27" iMac should come in around $1K.

for the 2014, 1 TB (or more) Fusion drive is OK. For 2015, 1 TB fusion drive is a no, 2TB+. (unless theres $ to get an external Flash drive to run it from)

This is the exact iMac I have (running Adobe CC all day), 3.5 i5/32GB 3 TB Fusion drive -- first ebay hit, $975: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-iMac-A141...=219489306&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item5946e10cef:g:u-sAAOSwklVdvKZl:sc:FedExHomeDelivery!95833!US!-1&enc=AQAEAAACUBPxNw%2BVj6nta7CKEs3N0qX9KCm7gBsRVkO6yWz3rbeT7sKxLuCf%2FPM%2FXyWyNz41QhOpPOTZA8Mp%2FO70aL3A%2FhJoxknZEO6muhp4f6JLtStMknKi4I2Lxf1%2FVHiOD1NfxD1Vr1p9T2CWXhC8GqKhBIJy7Y9TkBFP95OV9Pj%2BeXBg6V4V1DlQf9OZOCL85JXTy4rEYXaicDK7iyhGdX4cvJZQkFJWSfnQdzQ2t72ory32fwkxET6oPofCQZsGHJT%2FkXbvWRq8qGiJbaFtTHpdiWPNS9mj0Wn%2FR8iIVnir8FY90%2BPBkMznTKuvhimEpwM%2FK1hd6oYGOH6rpjF5%2FhaFoLCejZ4an0PaNTCe1rejtnPwXZNTfmXq90%2FNCMxdl%2B%2F9qKscjELbF%2FEdW5cl4QTKcHt4jtI16wUqMHVgRb8SfuGCwHDHBsGmuGG5%2F940hW83oR%2BpFu5Q65tfdj9nxxMEe%2FbEP8WOuf9pjXmt8DyPTdc%2FgURDSAgTaYGSh8VTCPzmQ0fsd7vE7RYoUJ3%2Fa%2FHJRHannJ80Y6V%2FNjE%2BnJ7RycYgNxw5B5qXhvrdMoZTCWwdsL6h2%2FFALjLoxYC1cN21Llkwcd2z2YilcoOvRZ%2F0WoKI894NuzAUlZMigLMlHgZ5WDxNecnB6iPPwvxw4gzGTjZkVU%2FxrY9nlgknVTnkFdbLD4evTzEtx1AElYbzblHP%2FJgdu%2FOii%2FJy7nUwIUys5xT1FTuSqOpk%2FxnEBkbiSNgKkodfv%2BFH5WzJgH3qvnpYL3kCQB704y4EB79oqV1TGiU%3D&checksum=3834412433753ce7651f0abe448d8d50f5cf88b9ca22

Oh, and if you do go ebay, read descriptions closely -- TONS of 2011/2012 iMacs with descriptions that say "OS 2015" which just means its got High Sierra installed on it.., the OS from 2015.

You DO NOT WANT anything older than 2014 for a 27"

[hal]

jdc wrote: Oh, and if you do go ebay, read descriptions closely -- TONS of 2011/2012 iMacs with descriptions that say "OS 2015" which just means its got High Sierra installed on it.., the OS from 2015.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let me add some exclamation points here. There are some serious scumbags on ebay that are doing everything they can to obscure what they are selling.

They will list the turboboost GHZ instead of the actual GHz, they will list a fusion drive or SSHD as SSD

They will lie and tell you that the whole thing is covered by a 2,3,5 year warranty. But after 30 days, you can demand all you want and they won't honor that warranty because you are no longer able to contest the transaction or leave negative feedback. After a few months, the whole listing will be gone and your only evidence of the promise will be gone as well.

that said, I scored a hell of a deal on an i7 2017 imac on ebay a while ago, but I was on the lookout for weeks before I found the one that I wanted.