Buy a second hand Mac, any recommendations?

Wcool · 19-09-2008 12:20am #1

My (second hand) Cube is just a tad too slow and though I have been looking for a processor upgrade, those upgrades are in the 200 euro league = too much.

So I have my eye on 'newer' Apple product.

First on the list was the Mac Mini, but it seems they are too expensive, even second hand. Most Apples are quite expensive so I was hoping for an Imac G4 17 inch or more lamp model.

Problem is that they rarely show up on Ebay nowadays and if it comes from the UK you pay ridiculous shipping costs (Germany is a lot cheaper).
On Ebay USA, a lot of people don't ship to Europe and even there Imacs are not common.

So to make a long story short: is there any shop in Germany or USA that sells and ships second hand Imacs to Europe for a decent price. USA and Germany because it seems they are cheaper?

Thanks for any tips.

Breezer · 19-09-2008 12:38am

I'm in the same boat. As a general rule I'd go with Germany over the States - no customs duty. Other than that I can't be of much use I'm afraid.

condra · 19-09-2008 4:04pm

Adverts.ie often has cheap second-hand apple stuff, such as Mac Minis.

Breezer · 19-09-2008 4:29pm

womoma wrote: »

Adverts.ie often has cheap second-hand apple stuff, such as Mac Minis.

There hasn't been a Mac Mini on Adverts for a long time, I've had my eye out

luckat · 19-09-2008 8:27pm

What do you want to pay, and roughly what kind of a Mac do you want? Laptop or desktop, for instance.

Wcool · 20-09-2008 1:34pm

Preferably an Imac G4 20 inch lamp model (5 years old?)
Willing to pay up to 350 euro depending on specs
17inch. Up to 300

Or a mac mini G4, up to 200 euro
Or a mac mini intel, up to 270 or so

heggie · 20-09-2008 3:17pm

i don;t think you'll get a 20" for 350 euro, they were about 2500 when they came out, and people just won't reduce a price that much

luckat · 20-09-2008 4:22pm

Hmm. Maybe if you asked in places that mend Macs, like Typetec in Dublin and... what's the name of that nice place in Galway? They probably know of people who might be upgrading.

Wcool · 20-09-2008 6:25pm

The usual rule that I apply to PC's is that the price (almost) halves every year.
This seems to be true for 'normal' PC's. So a PC that you bought 2 years ago for a 1000 is now only 250-300 euro.

Even if the price for the Apples was 2000 euro 5 years ago. it should now be below the 200 euro region. So apparently Apple has something magical and people are hanging on to them or are prepared to pay a premium price for it.

The Apple Cube cost me 200 euro 2 years ago. so it *is* possible

Examples of shops in the States that do not seem to ship internationally:
Gain Saver 17 inch iMac

Powermax preowned_macs

You are right about 350 not being enough, it seems to cost around 450.
But they don't ship to Europe AFAIK

randombar · 22-09-2008 10:32am

Isn't there a website that will give you guide prices for how much your mac is worth?

J-blk · 22-09-2008 12:41pm

GaryCocs wrote: »

Isn't there a website that will give you guide prices for how much your mac is worth?

Yes, there is:

http://www.mac2sell.net/

I think their estimates are a bit generous though - they tend to over-value some older systems, at least IMO.

tubos · 22-09-2008 4:11pm

Breezer wrote: »

There hasn't been a Mac Mini on Adverts for a long time, I've had my eye out

I've one for sale on adverts

dubmick · 22-09-2008 5:23pm

OP, did you check buy and sell? I sold a mac mini a couple of years back with them

Breezer · 22-09-2008 8:46pm

tubos wrote: »

I've one for sale on adverts

Hmm, thanks for the heads up, but I don't need that high a spec and can't afford what you're asking. You should get a buyer though, it's a decent reduction.

Wcool · 22-09-2008 9:25pm

Just looked, there are some G5's it seems. First time I have ever looked at Buy and Sell. Thanks for the tip. Will be following this site a bit more.

Brian · 22-09-2008 9:40pm

With the G4 iMac you're paying extra for it being just about the best looking computer ever designed

GingerG · 03-10-2008 11:52am

Hey there
i'm hoping to sell my Apple iMac and haven't the first clue where to put it or what. I've put an add in Buy and Sell butwhere else is good to try send sell one.

whiterebel · 03-10-2008 1:42pm

GingerG wrote: »

Hey there
i'm hoping to sell my Apple iMac and haven't the first clue where to put it or what. I've put an add in Buy and Sell butwhere else is good to try send sell one.

Link up at the top if the page - adverts.ie

Buy a second hand Mac, any recommendations?

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