What do we think about this iMac for $499 or BO

[Jack D.]

Found 2 iMac 27-inch 2.8GHz Quad-core i7 8gb 2TB (Late 2009) MB953LL/A's on Craigs List for $499 or BO each. The condition is listed as excellent except Needs fixing, it operates in "safe mode". I'm assuming this is a software issue that a nuke and pave would fix.

Comes with original:

1. Mac OS X Install DVD (Mac OS X Snow Leopard)
2. iMac application Install DVD
3. iWork Install DVD
4. Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad (reg. price $49.00) Included
With two USB 2.0 ports enable you to connect your mouse as well as a high-speed
peripheral such as a digital camera or printer.

5. Apple Magic Mouse (reg. price $69.00) Included
Bluetooth multi-touch wireless mouse

Hardware Configuration
• 27-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen TFT LCD display with IPS, 2560x1440 resolution
• 2.8GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor
• 8.0GB (4x2.0GB) PC3-8500 (1067MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM, supports up to 16.0GB
• 2.0TB Serial ATA hard disk drive @ 7200RPM
• DVD-RW/CD-RW SuperDrive-DL
• ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics with 512MB GDDR3 memory
• AirPort Extreme wireless card (802.11a/b/g/n)
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• Bulit-in iSight camera
• 1- Mini DisplayPort
• 4- USB 2.0 ports
• 1- FireWire 800 port
• 1- Ethernet port
• 1- Secure Digital (SD) slot
• Power Cable Included


Software Configuration
• Installed OS: Mac OS X Yosemite (version 10.10.5)
• Additional software such as iLife (iPhoto, iMovie and GarageBand), iWork (Pages, Numbers and Keynote), is installed.

So what do you think, deal? Should I bite?

[JoeH]

Starting in safe mode could be just a software issue, or could be a result of problems with the hard drive itself. That is what I ran into with the original drive installed in my 2009 iMac, it was replaced under warranty. Price is reasonable, but you should be prepared for the possibility of needing to replace the drive.

[TheToddler]

If drive bad and you don't want to crack case, SSD via FW 800 would do the trick

[hal]

"I'm assuming this is a software issue that a nuke and pave would fix. "

that's a very dangerous assumption - a dead video card would work like that, I think.

[anonymouse1]

One small point--you're locked out of Thunderbolt and USB 3.0. FW800 isn't a bad option, but you'l pay more for HD cases/hubs, and they'll be harder to find. Otherwise, I'd buy 'em for $99 for the pair, for sure..

[Speedy]

Fair price! It would be very handy if the seller would let you bring your own FireWire drive and, using the seller's discs, install an OS on it and see how they run.

[jdc]

If you are reliant on fast externals, even FW800 is meh.

80 MB/s vs USB 3 500 MB/s.

For backups, iTunes, iPhoto, etc -- USB 2 is plenty fast for 99% of us...

[C(-)ris]

hal wrote:
"I'm assuming this is a software issue that a nuke and pave would fix. "

that's a very dangerous assumption - a dead video card would work like that, I think.

That is a HORRIBLE assumption. Starting up in safe mode loads basic driver support for the minimum hardware to get the alas running. No video acceleration is one of the major points. It is far more likely to be a hardware issue than a software issue.

[Jack D.]

C(-)ris wrote:
[quote=hal]
"I'm assuming this is a software issue that a nuke and pave would fix. "

that's a very dangerous assumption - a dead video card would work like that, I think.

That is a HORRIBLE assumption. Starting up in safe mode loads basic driver support for the minimum hardware to get the alas running. No video acceleration is one of the major points. It is far more likely to be a hardware issue than a software issue.
Both units list the same issue - safe mode. What are the chances of two in the same "house" having identical hardware issues? That's why I was thinking it might just be a bad account or software corruption over the years of upgrading and installing from the original OS (10.6.2) up to 10.10.5. Many "normal" people never install a fresh copy of the OS and just buy a whole new box when the old one "breaks".

I would be using these mainly for light PS and the screen size is good for graphics work. I don't need USB 3.0 so that's not an issue. All my software is currently based around 10.6.8 and Win 7 in Parallels and I don't plan on upgrading in the near future. These would be good for me if I got them running with a clean install of everything.

If I went down to see them with Snow Leopard on an external drive and it booted from that drive with no issues then chances are good it's not hardware related right?

As of today they've been up for 7 days so maybe the seller is ready to deal.

[mrlynn]

That's the same iMac I have! Is that all it's worth? Then, mine will boot normally. I would only buy if I could try a fresh install of the OS and see if it will run normally. And make sure the screen has no splotches; I had mine replaced twice (probably caused by proximity to hot components inside).

/Mr Lynn