$52 saved: Refurb iMac i5 or New iMac i3?

Joined
Feb 9, 2011
Messages
184
Reaction score
4
Points
18
Location
Hong Kong
Your Mac's Specs
21½" 3.6GHz Core i5 iMac, 12GB Crucial RAM
So Uncle Sam wasn't as generous as I'd hoped he would be and I didn't get "all that" back this year. No worries, I'm still getting a smokin' iMac! Naturaly I selected the best iMac I can afford, the 21.5" 3.2GHz Intel Core i3, selected my config (which absolutely must include iWork and a full-sized keyboard /w numeric pad) and was ready to rock. I

...but wait, refurb iMac to the rescue! :\

The 21.5" 3.2GHz Intel Core i3 I'd selected has the 1TB hard drive & the ATI Radeon HD 5670 with 512MB, but I discovered a 21.5" 3.60GHz Intel Core i5 refurb for about literally $8 more (after tax) than the new i3. Its got the same 1TB hard drive & the ATI Radeon HD 5670 with 512MB, but $8 cheaper and has a faster processor. Almost sounds like a no-brainer.

Almost. :p

Unfortunately when I add on the requisite iWork ($79) and the full-sized keyboard with numeric pad ($49), am I really ahead? The only difference between the "new" 21.5" 3.2GHz Intel Core i3 iMac and the 21.5" 3.60GHz Intel Core i5 refurbed iMac is the cost of the i3-to-i5 processor upgrade; $180...and I'm paying $128 of that just to get the iWork and must-have full-sized keyboard I'd have otherwise ordered with the i3.

Essentially, it comes down $52 (if I upgraded my i3 to an i5 myself). Is it worth saving $52 to get a refurb over a new iMac (particularly when the refurb could have issues or dings)?
 

RavingMac

Well-known member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jan 7, 2008
Messages
8,303
Reaction score
242
Points
63
Location
In Denial
Your Mac's Specs
16Gb Mac Mini 2018, 15" MacBook Pro 2012 1 TB SSD
So Uncle Sam wasn't as generous as I'd hoped he would be and I didn't get "all that" back this year. No worries, I'm still getting a smokin' iMac! Naturaly I selected the best iMac I can afford, the 21.5" 3.2GHz Intel Core i3, selected my config (which absolutely must include iWork and a full-sized keyboard /w numeric pad) and was ready to rock. I

...but wait, refurb iMac to the rescue! :\

The 21.5" 3.2GHz Intel Core i3 I'd selected has the 1TB hard drive & the ATI Radeon HD 5670 with 512MB, but I discovered a 21.5" 3.60GHz Intel Core i5 refurb for about literally $8 more (after tax) than the new i3. Its got the same 1TB hard drive & the ATI Radeon HD 5670 with 512MB, but $8 cheaper and has a faster processor. Almost sounds like a no-brainer.

Almost. :p

Unfortunately when I add on the requisite iWork ($79) and the full-sized keyboard with numeric pad ($49), am I really ahead? The only difference between the "new" 21.5" 3.2GHz Intel Core i3 iMac and the 21.5" 3.60GHz Intel Core i5 refurbed iMac is the cost of the i3-to-i5 processor upgrade; $180...and I'm paying $128 of that just to get the iWork and must-have full-sized keyboard I'd have otherwise ordered with the i3.

Essentially, it comes down $52 (if I upgraded my i3 to an i5 myself). Is it worth saving $52 to get a refurb over a new iMac (particularly when the refurb could have issues or dings)?


Absolutely wouldn't be worth $52 savings to me. Hard to follow (and honestly a little hard to believe) your math. Generally you save at least 10% going the refurb route.
However, I would not buy iWork preinstalled from Apple. You can get it from Amazon for $67, or for that matter, you can buy the individual components from the APP store as you need them (I think $19 each) and you may not need or want Keynote.
Regardless, either of these systems will smoke. Enjoy your new Mac. :)
 
OP
Phacade
Joined
Feb 9, 2011
Messages
184
Reaction score
4
Points
18
Location
Hong Kong
Your Mac's Specs
21½" 3.6GHz Core i5 iMac, 12GB Crucial RAM
In plain numbers (price incudes approx tax to Oklahoma):

"New" 21.5" 3.2GHz Intel Core i3 + Applecare + iWork preinstalled = $1,691.78
"Refurb" 21.5" 3.60GHz Intel Core i5 + Applecare only = $1,701.55
"New" 21.5" 3.60GHz Intel Core i5 + Applecare + iWork preinstalled = $1,891.62
"Refurb" 21.5" 3.60GHz Intel Core i5 + Applecare + full-sized keyboard + iWork = $1829.55
 
Joined
Mar 17, 2009
Messages
3,626
Reaction score
111
Points
63
Your Mac's Specs
2018 15" MBP, 2019 11" iPad Pro, iPhone 11 Pro
I'm having trouble following your math, too.
But in any case, the refurb will not have "issues or dings". It will be indistinguishable from brand new other than the plain box/packaging it comes in.

Keynote, Numbers, and Pages are all $19.99 each in the Mac App Store.
 
OP
Phacade
Joined
Feb 9, 2011
Messages
184
Reaction score
4
Points
18
Location
Hong Kong
Your Mac's Specs
21½" 3.6GHz Core i5 iMac, 12GB Crucial RAM
The plain numbers, including shipping per Apple's website, speak simply enough:

"New" 21.5" 3.2GHz Intel Core i3 + Applecare + iWork preinstalled = $1,691.78
"Refurb" 21.5" 3.60GHz Intel Core i5 + Applecare only = $1,701.55
"New" 21.5" 3.60GHz Intel Core i5 + Applecare + iWork preinstalled = $1,891.62
"Refurb" 21.5" 3.60GHz Intel Core i5 + Applecare + full-sized keyboard + iWork = $1829.55

My point was that, while I could save a bit of money going with the refurb, by the time I added in the full-size keyboard and iWork, I may not have saved all that much...but what do you think?
 
Joined
Mar 17, 2009
Messages
3,626
Reaction score
111
Points
63
Your Mac's Specs
2018 15" MBP, 2019 11" iPad Pro, iPhone 11 Pro
I would get the refurb 3.6GHz i5 + Applecare + $49 full keyboard (Apple Store under "Mac Accessories"). Then purchase the iWork apps for $19.99 each from Mac App Store after you get the iMac set up (about $10 cheaper than from the Apple Store online). Sell the wireless keyboard that comes with the iMac and recoup some $$. Pricing is very similar between that and the New 3.2GHz i3 with iWork preinstalled.
 
OP
Phacade
Joined
Feb 9, 2011
Messages
184
Reaction score
4
Points
18
Location
Hong Kong
Your Mac's Specs
21½" 3.6GHz Core i5 iMac, 12GB Crucial RAM
Hmm. I never thought of doing it that way. Good call! :)
 
OP
Phacade
Joined
Feb 9, 2011
Messages
184
Reaction score
4
Points
18
Location
Hong Kong
Your Mac's Specs
21½" 3.6GHz Core i5 iMac, 12GB Crucial RAM
Mods, feel free to close or delete this because...

I just placed my order. Got the 21.5" 3.60GHz Intel Core i5 refurb...its all mine (or will be in probably 5 days or so). :D
 
Joined
Apr 8, 2007
Messages
87
Reaction score
1
Points
8
Location
Haskell County, SE Oklahoma
Your Mac's Specs
macOS Big Sur V.11.2.3 iMac (Retina 5K, 27", 2019) 3.1GHz 6 Core Intel Core i5, 16 GB DDR4 SSD,
You made the right decision IMO Phacade. It should rock!
 

Shop Amazon


Shop for your Apple, Mac, iPhone and other computer products on Amazon.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
Top