Need a recommendation on a used/refurb iMac

[DRR]

Hi all -

I have elementary school kids and they need a computer to do homework. This mostly involves going to some websites to play spelling games, retrieving sheet music, maybe writing some things on a word processor, or putting together a multimedia "presentation." I will probably have them share a user account due to their ages (10,7)

I have not kept up with iMac versions recently and I took a look on everymac.com and I'm baffled by all the options so I thought I'd ask here.

Requirements -
Facetime capable
Modern enough to play educational games (these are mostly Flash or HTML 5)
Functional enough to be useful for this purpose for another 3 years or so

I think something from 2012/2013 is probably the sweet spot for price vs performance, given these requirements, would you agree? Which are the models here that are the dogs, and which ones are the gems?

Reputable vendors for a vendor-refurbished model? Apple doesn't have anything this old in their refurb section anymore.

Any other advice? TIA

[Bill in NC]

Love my 2011, 21.5" iMac.

Runs 10.6+

Integrated graphics, so no worries about discrete graphics chip failure.

4GB RAM standard, but 4 memory slots total, so I just added a couple of left-over 2GB DIMMs for 8GB total.

$400 delivered off ebay in original box, with Apple wireless keyboard/mouse 2 years ago - sure it's cheaper now.

[jdc]

Budget?

[clay]

budget?

The 2013 21.5" iMacs that come with the Apple SSD/PCIe Flash are pretty sweet. And I think I saw some for around $600-$800 a few weeks back on eBay. Fantastically speedy macs. I'm pretty biased against any spinny-drive-only macs, so I probably would avoid any of those dog-slow models with spinning HDD's.

[WHiiP]

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/Apple-Systems/Used/iMac

Many choices.
Late 2012
Apple iMac 21.5" QuadCore i5 2.7GHz | Thunderbolt, USB 3
2.7GHz | Thunderbolt, USB 3
8GB Memory | 1.0TB HD WiFi, etc. Used, in Very Good Condition.

Add to Cart
Only $1,299.00
$719.00
Limited Supply, Only 7 left!

My vote.

[sekker]

I cannot recommend a non-SSD machine.

Maybe get a cheap one with usb3 and add an external ssd.

[jdc]

sekker wrote:
I cannot recommend a non-SSD machine.
Maybe get a cheap one with usb3 and add an external ssd.

I would agree with this.

Another option might be a late 2012 mini. Ive seen several locally for $300-350 -- theres even one right now with 16 GB ram, wired keyboard (which are near impossible to find), and 2 Tbolt cables for $350.

Add a 24" screen for $100, a 256 GB external SSD for $100 -- $550 total.

[DRR]

Budget - Around $500 would be ideal. Some good options here, I'll check out the macsales refubs. Anyone have experience with their refurbs? Bought tons of Mac-stuff from them over the years but not a computer.

[DRR]

Bill in NC wrote:
Love my 2011, 21.5" iMac.

Runs 10.6+

Integrated graphics, so no worries about discrete graphics chip failure.

4GB RAM standard, but 4 memory slots total, so I just added a couple of left-over 2GB DIMMs for 8GB total.

$400 delivered off ebay in original box, with Apple wireless keyboard/mouse 2 years ago - sure it's cheaper now.

Is it this one:

https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/...specs.html

[jdc]

I bought a 2014 iMac from OWC last year, no issues. and was a good price.

$500 is might be tight for something with good specs.

Id say the minimum would be 2012 21", but plan on adding a SSD at some point. Like the mini, a $100 256 GB SSD via USB 3 would be the easiest option.

Id prob skip anything before 2012. Lack of USB 3 for the SSD above isnt ideal IMHO.