Low End Mac's Best Deals
Best Intel iMac Prices
2012.01.25
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Apple overhauled the iMacthis year, moving the entire iMac line to 4-core Intel Core i5 and i7 CPUs. The entire line supports HyperThreading and Turbo Boost.
Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard is supported on all Intel-based Macs, and new iMacs ship with Snow Leopard installed.
Apple refurbs, which have a one year warranty, are sometimes less expensive than used iMacs. For those who can't afford this much power or need Classic Mode, the iMac G5 may be an attractive option.
The new iMacs are distinguished by their new screen sizes. The "Early 2009" models are marked "Nvidia", the summer 2007 iMacs "Aluminum", and so forth. With used iMacs, we've separated the white models, 20" and 24" alumimum models, 21.5" and 27" Core 2 Duo models, and Core i3/i5/i7 models into separate listings to reduce confusion.
In choosing the best deals, we factor in estimated ground shipping costs (20" iMac shipped to Low End Mac headquarters in Michigan). Unless otherwise noted, there is no surcharge for credit card purchases. Vendors are listed in alphabetical order.
Best Used White iMac Prices
- 17" 2.0 GHz Core Duo, $450, MacResource
- 20" 2.0 GHz Core Duo, $500, Mac of All Trades
- 20" 2.16 GHz Core 2, $550, MacResource
- 24" 2.16 GHz Core 2, $625, MacResource
Best Used 20" & 24" Aluminum iMac Prices
- 20" 2.4 GHz, $650, Mac of All Trades, MacResource
- 20" 2.66 GHz, $720, MacResource
- 20" 3.06 GHz, $949, DV Warehouse
- 24" 2.4 GHz, $919 shipped, PowerMax
- HOT 24" 2.8 GHz, $959 shipped, PowerMax
- 24" 3.06 GHz, $1,109 shipped, PowerMax
Best Used 21.5" & 27" Core 2 iMac Prices
- 21.5" 3.06 GHz, Radeon graphics, $909 shipped, PowerMax
- HOT 27" 3.06 GHz, 16 GB RAM, $1,149 shipped, PowerMax
Best Used Core i iMac Prices
- 21.5" 3.0 GHz Core i3, $1,099 shipped, PowerMax
- 27" 2.66 GHz 4-core i7, $1,499 shipped, PowerMax
- 27" 2.7 GHz 4-core i5, $1,575 shipped, Small Dog
- 27" 2.8 GHz 4-core i7, $1,749 shipped, PowerMax
- 27" 2.93 GHz 4-core i7, $1,859 shipped, PowerMax
Best Refurbished iMac Prices
Best New iMac Prices (shipped)
- 21.5" 2.7 GHz 4-core i5, $1,120.43, B&H, MacMall, PC Connection (all else being equal, Low End Mac earns more from MacMall and PC Connection)
- 21.5" 2.7 GHz 4-core i5, $1,399, B&H
- 21.5" 2.8 GHz 4-core i7, $1,694, B&H, PowerMax (all else being equal, Low End Mac earns more from B&H)
- 27" 3.2 GHz 2-core i3, $1,599, PowerMax
- 27" 2.7 GHz 4-core i5, $1,598, Amazon.com, B&H, MacMall (all else being equal, Low End Mac earns more from MacMall)
- 27" 3.1 GHz 4-core i5, $1,870.57, B&H, PC Connection (all else being equal, Low End Mac earns more from PC Connection)
- 27" 3.4 GHz 4-core i7, $2,199 everywhere (all else being equal, Low End Mac earns more from MacMall)
Recent Memory Prices (per module)
- PC5300 (2006): 2 GB kit, $33.99; 3 GB kit (Core 2 only), $45.99; 4 GB kit, $58.97
- PC6400 (2007/08): 4 GB kit, $58.97; 6 GB kit, $114.99
- PC8500 1066 (2009): 2 GB, $14.97; 4 GB, $24.99; 4 GB kit, $27.99; 6 GB kit, $41.99; 8 GB kit, $47.99
- PC10600 (2010/11): 2 GB, $14.99; 4 GB, $25.7; 4 GB kit, $28.97; 8 GB kit, $48.97; 16 GB kit, $96.97
- OWC offers a modest rebate for your old RAM
Mac OS X and OS X Server Prices
- Best Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger Deals
- Best Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Deals
- Best Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Deals
Factory refurbished items carry an Apple one year warranty and are eligible for AppleCare. Store refurbished items may vary. Prices may be limited to quantity on hand. Not responsible for typos. Please email any corrections or additional sources with competitive prices to Dan Knight .
Buying through some of these links benefits Low End Mac. Buying at these prices benefits you.
White iMacs
- iMac Core Duo (1/06): 17" 1.83 GHz, 20" 2.0 GHz. Built-in iSight. ATI Radeon X1600 graphics with 128 MB (expandable to 256 MB on 20"). 8x dual-layer SuperDrive on both models.
- iMac, Education (7/06): 17" 1.83 GHz. Built-in iSight. Integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics, not recommended for 3D gaming. Combo drive.
- iMac Core 2 Duo (9/06): 17" 1.83 & 2.0 GHz, 20" & 24" 2.16 GHz. Built-in iSight. 8x dual-layer SuperDrive. See profile for graphics processors. Entry-level model with Combo drive not recommended for 3D gaming. 1.83 GHz model does not support 802.11n WiFi.
20"/24" Aluminum iMacs
- iMac, Aluminum (8/07): 20" 2.0 & 2.4 GHz and 24" 2.4 & 2.8 GHz. Glossy display. Built-in iSight. 8x dual-layer SuperDrive. Radeon 2400 or 2600 graphics. 802.11n WiFi.
- iMac, Penryn (4/08): 20" 2.4 & 2.66 GHz and 24" 2.8 & 3.06 GHz. Glossy display. Built-in iSight. 8x dual-layer SuperDrive. Radeon HD 2400 XT or 2600 Pro graphics (Nvidia GeForce 8800 GS optional on 24"). 802.11n WiFi.
- iMac, Nvidia (3/09): 20" 2.66 GHz, 24" 2.66, 2.93, & 3.06 GHz Core Duo CPU. Glossy display. Built-in iSight, 8x dual-layer SuperDrive. Nvidia GeForce 2400M or GT graphics. 802.11n WiFi.
21.5"/27" Core 2 iMacs
- iMac, Late 2009 (10/09): 21.5" 3.06 GHz GeForce 9500M, 21.5" 3.06 GHz Radeon 4670, 27" 3.06 Radeon 4670, & 2.66 GHz quad-core i5 CPU. Glossy display, 16:9 aspect ratio. Built-in iSight, 8x dual-layer SuperDrive. Nvidia GeForce 2400M or Radeon graphics. 802.11n WiFi.
21.5"/27" Core i iMacs
- iMac, Mid 2010 (7/10): 21.5" 3.06 GHz and 3.2 GHz i3, 21.5" 3.6 GHz 2-core i5; 27" 3.2 GHz i3 and 3.6 GHz 2-core i5; 27" 2.8 GHz 4-core i5 and 2.93 GHz 4-core i7.
- iMac, Mid 2011 (5/11): 21.5" 2.5 GHz and 2.7 GHz 4-core i5, 27" 2.7 GHz and 3.1 GHz 4-core i5; 4-core i7 optional. Requires OS X 10.6.7 or later, now shipping with OS X 10.7 Lion.
New, Open Box, and Demo
| Amazon.com | Apple Store US | Apple Canada | B&H | J&R | MacMall | PC Connection | PowerMax 21.5"/27" |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mid 2011 Model | ||||||||
| 21.5" 2.5 GHz 4-core i5, 4/500 |
$1,132.99 sh | $1,199 sh | C$1,199 sh | $1,120.44 sh | $1,159.88 sh | $1,120.43 sh | $1,120.43 sh | $1,188 sh |
| 21.5" 2.7 GHz 4-core i5, 4/1 TB |
$1,419.99 sh | $1,499 sh | C$1,499 sh | $1,399 sh | $1,412.88 sh | $1,419.99 sh | $1,406.65 sh | $1,488 sh |
| 21.5" 2.8 GHz 4-core i7, 4/1 TB |
$1,699 sh | C$1,699 sh | $1,699 sh | $1,699 sh | $1,694 sh | |||
| 27" 2.7 GHz 4-core i5, 4/1 TB |
$1,597.99 sh | $1,699 sh | C$1,699 sh | $1,598 sh | $1,610.88 sh | $1,597.99 sh | $1,598.80 sh | $1,688 sh |
| 27" 3.1 GHz 4-core i5, 4/1 TB |
$1,894.95 sh | $1,999 sh | C$1,999 sh | $1,870.57 sh | $1,899.88 sh | $1,894.95 sh | $1,870.57 sh | $1,979 sh |
| 27" 3.4 GHz 4-core i7, 4/1 TB |
$2,199 sh | C$2,199 sh | $2,199 sh | $2,199 sh | $2,199 sh | $2,199 sh |
- a/r = after mail-in rebate
- Amazon.com collects sales tax on orders shipped to KS, KY, ND, and WA.
- Apple collects sales tax on orders shipped to almost all states.
- MacMall collects sales tax on orders shipped to CA, IL, MN, TN, and WI.
- PC Connection collects sales tax on orders shipped to AL, IL, NC, NJ, NY, and OH.
Apple Refurbished
Apple refurbished Macs have a full one-year Apple warranty and are eligible for AppleCare.
Apple Store US
Free ground shipping. Apple collects sales tax on orders shipped to most states.
2010 Models
- refurb 21.5" 3.2 GHz Core i3, 4/1 TB, $1,079 shipped
- refurb 27" 3.2 GHz Core i3, 4/1 TB, $1,269 shipped
- refurb 27" 2.93 GHz quad-core i7, 4/1 TB, $1,569 shipped
2011 Models
- refurb 21.5" 2.5 GHz 4-core i5, 4/500, $999 shipped
- refurb 21.5" 2.7 GHz 4-core i5, 4/1 TB, $1,249 shipped
- refurb 27" 2.7 GHz 4-core i5, 4/1 TB, $1,419 shipped
- refurb 27" 3.1 GHz 4-core i5, 4/1 TB, $1,659 shipped
- refurb 27" 3.4 GHz 4-core i7, 4/1 TB, $1,869 shipped
Apple Store Canada
2010 Models
- refurb 21.5" 3.2 GHz Core i3, 4/1 TB, C$1,079 shipped
- refurb 27" 3.2 GHz Core i3, 4/1 TB, C$1,269 shipped
- refurb 27" 2.93 GHz quad-core i7, 4/1 TB, C$1,569 shipped
2011 Models
- refurb 21.5" 2.5 GHz 4-core i5, 4/500, C$999 shipped
- refurb 21.5" 2.7 GHz 4-core i5, 4/1 TB, C$1,249 shipped
- refurb 27" 2.7 GHz 4-core i5, 4/1 TB, C$1,419 shipped
- refurb 27" 3.1 GHz 4-core i5, 4/1 TB, C$1,659 shipped
- refurb 27" 3.4 GHz 4-core i7, 4/1 TB, C$1,869 shipped
Used and Store Refurbished: White
Used and store refurbished Macs have a store warranty and are not eligible for AppleCare.
Computer Trends Canada
- used 17" 1.83 GHz Core 2, 1/160, C$599.99
DV Warehouse
Ground shipping may add $42 or more.
- used 17" 1.83 GHz Core Duo, 512 MB/80/Combo, $499
- used 20" 2.16 GHz Core 2, 1/250, $595
Mac of All Trades
Ground shipping averages $40. Mac of All Trades has the highest product turnover of any used Mac dealer we track.
- used 20" 2.0 GHz Core Duo, 1/250, X1600 graphics, $499.99
- used 20" 2.16 GHz Core 2, 2/250, X1600 graphics, $599.99
MacResource
Shipping may add $45 or more. 30 day warranty.
- used 17" 2.0 GHz Core Duo, 1/160/SD, $449.99
- used 20" 2.16 GHz Core 2, 1/160, $549.99
- used 24" 2.16 GHz Core 2, 1/250, $624.99
PowerMax 17" / 20" / 24
Free ground shipping. OS X 10.4.11 installed.
- used 17" 1.83 GHz Core 2, 512 MB/160/Combo, $529 shipped
- used 17" 2.0 GHz Core 2, 1/160/SD, $609 shipped
- used 20" 2.0 GHz Core Duo, 2/250, $709 shipped
- used 20" 2.16 GHz Core 2, 1/250, $749 shipped
- used 24" 2.16 GHz Core 2, 2/250, $829 shipped
- used 24" 2.33 GHz Core 2, 2/500, $889 shipped
- many other configurations listed
Used and Store Refurbished: 20" & 24" Aluminum
Computer Trends Canada
- used 24" 2.8 GHz Aluminum, 2/320, C$1,149.99
DV Warehouse
Ground shipping may add $42 or more.
- used 20" 2.4 GHz Core 2 Aluminum, 1/250, $688
- used 20" 2.66 GHz Core 2 Aluminum, 1/320, $749
- used 20" 3.06 GHz Core 2 Aluminum, 4/500, $949
LA Computer Company
Ground shipping may add $36 or more. LA Computer collects sales tax on orders shipped within California. 30 day warranty.
- used 20" 2.66 GHz Aluminum, 2/320, $749
Mac of All Trades
Ground shipping averages $40. Mac of All Trades has the highest product turnover of any used Mac dealer we track.
- used 20" 2.4 GHz Aluminum (Early 2008), 2/250, HD2400 graphics, $649.99
- used 20" 2.4 GHz Aluminum (Early 2008), 4/400, HD2600 graphics, $899.99
MacResource
Shipping may add $45 or more. 30 day warranty.
- used 20" 2.4 GHz Aluminum, 2/320, $649.99
- used 20" 2.66 GHz Aluminum, 2/320, $719.99
PowerMax 20" / 24
Free ground shipping. OS X 10.5.8 installed.
- used 20" 2.4 GHz Aluminum, 2/250, $849 shipped
- used 20" 2.66 GHz Aluminum, 4/320, $919 shipped
- used 24" 2.4 GHz Aluminum, 1/320, $919 shipped
- used 24" 2.8 GHz Aluminum, 2/500, $959 shipped
- used 24" 3.06 GHz Aluminum, 4/500, $1,109 shipped
- many other configurations listed
Used and Store Refurbished: 21.5" & 27" Core 2
PowerMax 21.5" / 27"
Free ground shipping. OS X 10.6.8 installed.
- used 21.5" 3.06 GHz Core 2, 4/500, $909 shipped
- used 27" 3.06 GHz Core 2, 16/1 TB, $1,199 shipped
- many other configurations listed
Used and Store Refurbished: 21.5" & 27" Core i
PowerMax 21.5" / 27"
Free ground shipping. OS X 10.6.8 installed.
- used 21.5" 3.0 GHz Core i3, 4/500, $1,099 shipped
- used 27" 2.66 GHz 4-core i5, 4/1 TB, $1,499 shipped
- used 27" 2.8 GHz 4-core i7, 4/1 TB, $1,749 shipped
- used 27" 2.93 GHz 4-core i7, 4/1 TB, $1,859 shipped
- many other configurations listed
Small Dog Electronics 21.5" / 27"
$4.99 flat rate ground shipping.
- used 27" 2.7 GHz 4-core i5, 4/1 TB, $1,569.99
Used G5 iMacs are listed in our iMac G5 Deals. We also track iMac G4 Deals, eMac Deals, and Mac mini Deals for those who prefer a
compact, modular Mac.
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