To people who have never used a refurbished iMac before, recommendations involving a refurbished model are often greeted with wariness — usually because of the mere fact that it is a pre-owned machine. There are things to consider. Such as, will the savings you get from buying a PowerMax Refurbished iMac outweigh the things you may miss out on if you passed up on a brand new model?

Let’s find out.

How different are PowerMax Refurbished iMacs from brand new iMacs?

In many ways, refurbished iMacs are just like brand new iMacs. New iMacs are tested, inspected and packaged at the Apple factory. PowerMax Refurbished iMacs are cleaned, inspected and go through a 20-point testing process to ensure they meet our high quality standards. Then they’re securely and safely packaged.

Do PowerMax Refurbished iMacs come with all the standard accessories?

It depends on the model of iMac you’re interested in; some carry Apple or aftermarket keyboards and mice. In general, we don’t include the keyboard and mouse with refurbished iMacs, since most customers want brand new. We make sure to give the customers many options, used and new, from which to choose.

Any missing accessories are mentioned in the product description, so you’ll know exactly what you are going to get. Make sure you read all of the provided information thoroughly.

How much can I save by buying a refurbished iMac?

Getting a refurbished iMac can save you a sizable amount of money, but the exact amount can vary depending on several factors, such as how old the refurbished iMac is, what the technical specifications are, which store it was bought from, or whether the refurbished iMac comes with the complete package or missing a few peripherals.

If you’re going to buy a refurbished iMac that is just a couple of months old, the price difference between the refurbished iMac and a brand new one is not going to be particularly big, but you can still typically save anywhere between $100 to $250. If you’re going to buy an older model, one that is at least two years old or older, savings can go up to $500 or more.

Do note, though, that a good number of refurbished iMacs come with highly customized specs which may include an upgraded CPU, GPU, RAM, storage space, or any combination of these, so if you want to know exactly how much you will be saving, make sure you check the individual specs of the refurbished iMac you’re considering and compare it with the price of the brand new model plus the amount that it will cost to upgrade to those specs.

Aside from the age of the refurbished iMac and its technical specifications, buying a refurbished iMac directly from the official PowerMax has its advantages. With a PowerMax Refurbished iMac, not only do you get extensive inspection and testing, you get an industry-best 120-day warranty. PowerMax price discounts tend to be a little more conservative compared to private-party sellers, but you don’t get the warranty nor the return policy we offer here at PowerMax.

Is there any other advantage to buying refurbished iMacs aside from the discount?

The price discount is the biggest selling point on PowerMax Refurbished iMacs, but aside from the savings that you can get, the rigorous testing that our iMacs slated for refurbishing go through also adds to its appeal.

This is because iMacs that have been traded into PowerMax and refurbished go through an extensive examination to check if there are any visible signs of damage and if everything is working exactly as it should. Any part that has been found to be in less than perfect condition will be replaced, then tested again to ensure that the replacement was a success. After that, it will be sent for a final 20-point testing process to ensure that everything is good to go.

For some people, this additional layer of protection makes refurbished iMacs strong candidates for people who see computers as long-term investments. In fact, some people who can afford to buy brand new iMacs choose to buy refurbished iMacs for this exact reason.

Aside from the additional tests that they go through, buying PowerMax Refurbished iMacs also allows you to get certain things that are no longer available in newer product lineups. For example, the current lineup of iMac models is now only available in 21.5 and 27-inch iMacs. If you want something between the 21.5-inch iMac and the bigger 27-inch iMac, you will have to go for a PowerMax Refurbished 24-inch iMac.

Do refurbished iMacs come with warranties?

They do. PowerMax Refurbished iMacs bought directly from the official PowerMax come with a 30 day DOA policy. If you wish to send it back for any reason, we’ll credit you the current sale price for the item toward the purchase of anything else we sell (less a $50 deductible. Limit one exchange per customer). The warranty covers repair and return only after the DOA period, which is 120 days. Plus, you can purchase an extend warranty for up to a full year.