Where to get a cheap IMAC?

Opher · Apr 15, 2011

Didnt know where to put this but buy/sell seemed like the place to be lol.

Im a currently a student and during school we are given macbooks to use. The school year is coming to an end and i will be needing a Mac as i will have to give this one back in a week. So my question to you is do you know any good places to find cheap imacs? I have been trying Kijiji but there is not a lot there. If you guys have any suggestions let me know

o hey tyler · Apr 15, 2011

Build a Hac. Or a Hackintosh. Much cheaper alternative to actually buying a mac, and it works just the same.

Opher · Apr 15, 2011

I had some stability issues with eh last one i made... true i did not buy the hardware specifically for it. Another big thing is if i build a hac then i have to invest in a monitor while the Imacs have a better monitor built in. I will look into the hackintosh again, my last attempt was about 6 months ago

redtippmann · Apr 15, 2011

I would go for a refurbished Mac from apple. I did that and it saved me $500

RockstarPhotography · Apr 15, 2011

Used Macs & Apple Computers - MacBook Pros, iMacs & Cheap Macs - All Tax Free | PowerMax

also keep an eye on craigslist. You can find some good deals there, especially when the school year ends and students are selling their computers cause they need cash.

usayit · Apr 15, 2011

o hey tyler said:
Build a Hac. Or a Hackintosh. Much cheaper alternative to actually buying a mac, and it works just the same.

When you say "Build a Hackintosh" you should follow up with the specs of your build and experience. There is such a wide variety of experiences in regards to stability,usability and build effort.. a blanket statement is misleading.

MSI Wind w/ 10.5.8 (repackaged, google it), 2GB, SSD, Chameleon boot loader, ralink driver (google it) is pretty stable (minus camera). Other Dell crapboxes I've tried, not so much. If you go this route, do your research and buy hardware specifically for the Hackintosh build. It will go a lot smoother.

Apple was suppose to refresh the Mac mini AND iMac line this month so you may want to wait then buy closeouts locally. There's a few previous models of Mini and Macbooks for a steep discount locally but they won't do online orders. Examples: New Old Stock Mac Mini Server 2009 2.53Ghz, 4GB, 2x500GB disks $647USD. New Mac Mini 2010 Unibody, 2.4Ghz 2 GB for $585USD. Low end MacBook Pro 2011 $999 (Apple sells direct for $1199 for the same). Right NOW, iMac is so overpriced because they are holding the same prices they did when first released in 2010 but are mostly equipped with i3 processors while similar priced macbooks start with i5 processors. That will change when they finally refresh both Mini and imac lines... soon..

Already mentioned, refurbs can be bought directly from apple as well. I know two people who took this route... both are happy.

Not sure about Canada, but students in the US get discounts on computer products from Apple.

Looking for a cheap monitor? Locally the LG IPS-line (yes... with the IPS panel) 23 inch panels are $240. Hell of a lot better for photography than the typical TN monitor in the same price range but don't expect it to be as good as monitors costing several thousand.

o hey tyler · Apr 15, 2011

usayit said:
o hey tyler said:

Build a Hac. Or a Hackintosh. Much cheaper alternative to actually buying a mac, and it works just the same.

Click to expand...

When you say "Build a Hackintosh" you should follow up with the specs of your build and experience. There is such a wide variety of experiences in regards to stability,usability and build effort.. a blanket statement is misleading.

MSI Wind w/ 10.5.8 (repackaged, google it), 2GB, SSD, Chameleon boot loader, ralink driver (google it) is pretty stable (minus camera). Other Dell crapboxes I've tried, not so much. If you go this route, do your research and buy hardware specifically for the Hackintosh build. It will go a lot smoother.

Apple was suppose to refresh the Mac mini AND iMac line this month so you may want to wait then buy closeouts locally. There's a few previous models of Mini and Macbooks for a steep discount locally but they won't do online orders. Examples: New Old Stock Mac Mini Server 2009 2.53Ghz, 4GB, 2x500GB disks $647USD. New Mac Mini 2010 Unibody, 2.4Ghz 2 GB for $585USD. Low end MacBook Pro 2011 $999 (Apple sells direct for $1199 for the same). Right NOW, iMac is so overpriced because they are holding the same prices they did when first released in 2010 but are mostly equipped with i3 processors while similar priced macbooks start with i5 processors. That will change when they finally refresh both Mini and imac lines... soon..

Already mentioned, refurbs can be bought directly from apple as well. I know two people who took this route... both are happy.

Not sure about Canada, but students in the US get discounts on computer products from Apple.

Looking for a cheap monitor? Locally the LG IPS-line (yes... with the IPS panel) 23 inch panels are $240. Hell of a lot better for photography than the typical TN monitor in the same price range but don't expect it to be as good as monitors costing several thousand.

I've never built one before, I am just aware of the alternative. My blanket statement was out of general lack of knowledge on the subject.

dnavarrojr · Apr 16, 2011

I picked up one on Craigslist for a couple hundred dollars... I'd look on CL in the nearest college town to you as many students dump their old computer at the end of the year for quick cash.