iMac expertise needed

Seth · Post by **Seth** » Sun Nov 22, 2015 4:42 am

Decided to buy my daughter an iMac for xmas. I see no need to spend $1000 for a new one and I'm considering refurbished.

What does an 8 year old need for processing power these days? Anyone have any experience with a refurb box? Vendors?

Any advice would be argued with and greatly appreciated.

zepp21 · Post by **zepp21** » Sun Nov 22, 2015 7:15 am

For an 8 year old, so mostly some games, Internet, movies, type of stuff? I would save refurbished would be fine if it comes with a warranty.

Seth · Post by **Seth** » Sun Nov 22, 2015 7:20 am

Minimal games and Internet. School work predominantly. No movies or tv. Some art project stuff. She already has an iPad.

Grahamcombat · Post by **Grahamcombat** » Sun Nov 22, 2015 7:37 am

I've never heard of problems with Apple refurb from Apple.

We have an iMac for the kids and it works just fine for everything they have to do for school and outside of school. The girls love it and since its in an open area off the kitchen will sit and stream movies while my wife and I work, or do chores and things.

When I'm home I spend most of my day in that area of the house while everyone is away at work and school and I stream news through it in case I need to jump back into work mode.

We love ours.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1448206622.841837.jpg

(Taken right now)

foodle · Post by **foodle** » Sun Nov 22, 2015 8:29 am

Any machine from the past few years should be more than enough processing power for what she will be doing. A refurb is a good way to save a few bucks. I would suggest getting it straight from the Apple refurb site.

http://www.apple.com/shop/browse/home/specialdeals/mac

All the machines come with a 1 year warranty from Apple.

I've bought both machines (iMac,macbook) and displays from the refurb site. Only once had an issue with a display and they took it back without a problem.

Currently one refurb iMac under $1k, but personally I'd spring for the machine at $1059, since it is substantially faster.

Grahamcombat · Post by **Grahamcombat** » Sun Nov 22, 2015 9:00 am

Sorry Seth, ours is the Mini. Still does everything everybody needs and more at only $500.

Joeprez · Post by **Joeprez** » Sun Nov 22, 2015 9:30 am

Mini is great... A friend bought one refurbished a couple of years ago and has worked great.

foodle · Post by **foodle** » Sun Nov 22, 2015 9:53 am

Grahamcombat wrote:Sorry Seth, ours is the Mini. Still does everything everybody needs and more at only $500.

A good choice if you already have a spare monitor lying around.

Seth · Post by **Seth** » Sun Nov 22, 2015 10:35 am

Grahamcombat wrote:Sorry Seth, ours is the Mini. Still does everything everybody needs and more at only $500.

Mini? More info please!

Selym · Post by **Selym** » Sun Nov 22, 2015 10:41 am

Seth wrote:Decided to buy my daughter an iMac for xmas. I see no need to spend $1000 for a new one and I'm considering refurbished.

What does an 8 year old need for processing power these days? Anyone have any experience with a refurb box? Vendors?

Any advice would be argued with and greatly appreciated.

My ancient Core 2 Duo-based MacBookPro is able to keep up, so you definitely don't need to be on the bleeding edge.

Are you set on buying an iMac? You might get more bang for your buck buying a Mac mini. I've never liked the idea of integrated displays.

Myles

Seth · Post by **Seth** » Sun Nov 22, 2015 11:57 am

Didn't know the mini existed. I don't want to buy a mouse and keyboard though.

Joeprez · Post by **Joeprez** » Sun Nov 22, 2015 12:28 pm

Seth wrote:Didn't know the mini existed. I don't want to buy a mouse and keyboard though.

You also need that for an iMac.

Or are you looking for a macbook (laptop)?

My 2008 macbook is working like a champ. Mainly use for internet/emails/ms office.

ikkoku · Post by **ikkoku** » Sun Nov 22, 2015 1:40 pm

My daughter just turned 9 and she uses a 2012 MBPretina. More than enough for her needs of crunchyroll, YouTube, Wikipedia, and her schoolwork websites. She saves work done in school into the cloud and continues/completes it at home.

She's also testing out iCloud office apps (pages, keynote, numbers) vs google drive equivalents.

MBPr is actually an i7. I kinda wish I've gotten an MBA instead. Much lighter for her to carry around.

Selym · Post by **Selym** » Sun Nov 22, 2015 2:03 pm

Seth wrote:I don't want to buy a mouse and keyboard though.

Why not? You don't need to buy an Apple keyboard/mouse. USB, Bluetooth and wireless keyboards and mice for PCs will work, too.

Same goes for displays. No point in buying an Apple display, IMHO.

Myles

andrema · Post by **andrema** » Sun Nov 22, 2015 2:17 pm

Get the Apple magic mouse

http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MLA02 ... os-us-kwy-#

foodle · Post by **foodle** » Sun Nov 22, 2015 3:52 pm

andrema wrote:Get the Apple magic mouse

Ugh. I like many of Apple's products, but I hate the Magic Mouse.

foodle · Post by **foodle** » Sun Nov 22, 2015 3:54 pm

Seth wrote:Didn't know the mini existed. I don't want to buy a mouse and keyboard though.

Decent keyboards and mice are pretty cheap.

But if you go for the mini and need a keyboard/mouse, PM me and I'll happily send you some. I've got tons of them lying around the house (Apple and otherwise).

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