In this article, you can read everything you need to know about refurbished iMacs. We explain the differences between models and indicate what you should pay attention to when purchasing in five clear steps.
Refurbished iMac: all the information you need in one place
The refurbished meaning of iMac is ‘overhauled’. The big advantage of refurbished is that the device has been completely checked, cleaned and provided with new parts, if necessary. As a result, you get a well-functioning device that is cheaper than a new one.
Please note: a refurbished iMac is therefore not second-hand from, for example, Marktplaats. Do you not need the latest of the newest, but do you want a solid device? Then buying a refurbished iMac is a good option. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know in five chapters.
- Choose → Which iMac do I need?
- Conditions → which one should I choose?
- Extensions → build your own iMac
- Control → check the inside and outside
- Returns and warranty → not satisfied?
Step 1. Choose your model
The first step in buying a refurbished iMac is clear: which model do you need? The iMac has been around since 1998 and has been regularly updated over the years.
The different iMac models
Since the iMac has been around since 1998, many different models and versions have already appeared. The model that is still being sold new and refurbished are almost all the iMac Aluminum, Unibody, Slim and Retina.
- iMac Aluminum Unibody (2009):
- Appeared in 2009, Apple sales freeze in 2012.
- Choice of 21.5 or 27 inch LED LCD display.
- Intel Core 2 Duo, i3, i5 or i7 processors.
- iMac Slim (2012):
- Appeared in 2012, Apple sales freeze in 2015.
- Choice of 21.5 or 27-inch LED LCD display.
- Intel Core i5 or i7 processors.
- iMac Retina (2015 – present):
- Released in 2015, is still sold by Apple.
- Choice of 21.5 or 27 inch LED CD display Retina.
- Intel Core i5 or i7 processors.
Tip: There is a overview of all iMac models, even the ones that are hardly ever sold anymore. This overview will be updated by Apple as soon as a new model appears on the market.
Be careful with 2015 or 2017 Retina iMacs
Although the first iMac Retina appeared in 2015, Apple upgraded the model in 2017. Always take a good look at the year in which these iMac Retinas were originally built. The 2017 model is equipped with the newer Kaby Lake processors and runs on a newer (better) Bluetooth version. The speed of the 2017 model is also higher than that of 2015. Although you can of course also see this reflected in the price.
How big should the screen be?
Many refurbished iMacs that are currently being sold have screen sizes of 21.5-, 24- and 27-inch and were built in 2012 and 2013. If you regularly have various programs open at the same time, a large screen is great. You have plenty of room to perform them side by side and you will not miss a detail. In addition, the basic specifications of the 27-inch iMac are better than those of the smaller models. This makes it more powerful and more suitable for performing heavy (graphic) tasks.
Resolutions: will you go for full-hd or the newer and sharper ‘Retina’
iMac screens have different resolutions. Since refurbished models have been used, sellers often do not offer the latest models. Refurbished iMacs therefore often have full-hd or wqhd screens. These models entered the market before 2014.
A major step forward was made in 2014 when Apple started supplying its computers with Retina screens. All iMacs prior to 2014 do not have a Retina display. This means that these screens are less sharp because they have a lower pixel density. You will notice this especially if you are very close to the screen and you can distinguish the pixels on a non-Retina screen. A Retina display, on the other hand, is so sharp that you can hardly see the individual pixels with the naked eye. However, due to their relative novelty, they are less widely available in the refurbished market than the full-hd iMacs mentioned above. So always check the screen type when you are looking for an iMac and the screen quality is high on your priority list.
Refurbished iMac providers
Have you made a choice? Then it’s time to order a refurbished iMac. Various parties are active in the Netherlands that offer these products. Do you want to know the best price for these iMacs? View the current prices in refurbished iMac price comparator.
You can also go to Leapp for Refurbished iMacs, view their offer here
Step 2. Pay attention to the condition
The origin of refurbished devices is versatile. They have been used, among other things, as a demo model or as a business computer. The housing of the iMac can therefore contain traces of use. Vendors therefore use product conditions, also called grades, to indicate how beautiful a refurbished iMac looks.
Since sellers all use different refurbished product conditions, this can be confusing. Roughly speaking, the offer can be divided into three main conditions:
- As good as new iMacs are (almost) indistinguishable from new. So you will not encounter any scratches or dents.
- Slightly used iMacs can have minor signs of use. Think of small scratches, but no dents or heavier damage.
- Visibly used iMacs are the cheapest, but have the most obvious signs of use. Think of small scratches on the screen, or a dent in the back.
We have solved this problem in our refurbished iPhone price comparison,
→ Read more about refurbished product conditions
Step 3. Choose your extensions
A big advantage of iMacs is that you can expand them, this also applies to refurbished models. You choose a so-called basic configuration, or standard package, and expand it as you prefer. You can have a better processor, more memory or storage capacity installed.
The processor is, as it were, the engine of a computer and largely determines the speed. Pay particular attention to the clock speed, indicated by the abbreviation ‘GHz’. In general, the higher this figure, the better. Most refurbished iMacs are equipped with an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, the latter being more powerful. These are the different processors and what you can best use them for.
- iMac with i5 processor: Good to perform tasks such as photo editing without difficulty, as well as playing games and word processing.
- iMac with i7 processor: Future-proof and usable for editing photos and videos and playing games.
Step 4. Check the inside and outside
After purchasing, you naturally want to be sure that your refurbished iMac performs optimally. Since the past of refurbished Apple computers varies, one device is more ‘worn out’ on the inside than the other. We therefore recommend checking a refurbished device upon receipt.
First check whether the housing matches your expectations. Pay special attention to any deep scratches on the screen: these can enlarge over time, allowing dust to penetrate. This can ultimately hinder operation. It is also wise to test how the inside of your refurbished iMac is doing, the iMac has a standard installed program for this – we explain how you use it:
This is how you check the inside of a refurbished iMac:
- Make sure your keyboard and mouse are connected and your iMac is turned off;
- Switch on the device and immediately press the D button until you see a screen where you can choose Dutch as the language. For computers from before June 2013, select the option ‘Apple Hardware Test’ in this screen;
- Start the test and wait 2-3 minutes for it to complete. If something is not right, you will automatically receive a message. For older devices, select the ‘Test’ option in this screen;
- It is wrong when you get a reference code on your screen. This means that a part no longer functions properly. You can now choose to perform a more extensive test, which also takes longer. If you cannot find a solution yourself, you can contact customer service by clicking on ‘Get started’. You will be helped step-by-step with this;
- When you have finished testing, turn the device off by clicking the button or pressing ‘S’. You restart with ‘R’.
Step 5. Returns and warranty
The packaging of an iMac is quite hefty, so ordering online is that easy. You are also always entitled to a return and a warranty. However, pay attention to the term: the warranty usually varies between the 12 and 36 months warranty. The reflection period is at least 14 days and can be up to 40 days. With some providers the return is free, although with others you have to pay the shipping costs yourself.
If you have to pay for it yourself, we recommend the insurance service from PostNL On. For 14.45 euros, your refurbished iMac is insured for a maximum of 5,500 euros, covering all risks of the shipping process. If you are not satisfied, you have two choices:
If you are not satisfied, you have two choices:
- You claim the right of return. You return the refurbished iMac to the selling party. As a consumer you have the right to terminate the purchase agreement within 14 days after receipt of the goods;
- You claim the warranty. The warranty conditions and duration differs per provider, make sure you are well informed about what the warranty relates to exactly.
In addition to our extensive refurbished buying guide with advice and tips, we also have a refurbished iPhone comparator with the best and most current refurbished offers in the Netherlands.