Purchasing iMac without an operating system

[kaitlynh]

Hi, I am considering purchasing an iMac and/or a MacBook Pro from my employer's surplus auction, but they do not come with operating systems, as indicated by the description. How can I get an operating system installed on these devices? Is this something that will cost me money or a trip to the Apple store?

 

[pigoo3]

Need to know the exact models of the computers you're thinking of purchasing. Depending on their age...there can be different avenues to getting an OS installed.

Regardless of the model...we can figure out a way of getting the OS installed. Thus purchase with confidence.

- Nick

 

[kaitlynh]

Thanks Nick - there are quite a few devices on here. The MacBook pro is an Apple MacBook Pro 15", model A1286, and it looks like there are quite a few Apple iMac 20", model A1224, EMC 2266 up for auction.

 

[harryb2448]

Suggest you do not buy anything as old as a 20" iMac, which is at least eight years old! For a machine that old I would not pay more than $100 and it is simply to slow to run the latest operating system. If the pocket runs to ti, a 2012 model will be ever so much faster and have USB3 as standard.

Same with MBP that model is even older at nine years come June. What ever you do decide to go with, buy Apple Snow Leopard OS X>6 install DVD from Apple Online for $19.99 inluding delivery, click onthe link below. The DVD will install on a Mac up to 2011.


http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MC573Z/A/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard

 

[pigoo3]

Thanks for the additional info.

The 15" MacBook Pro is a 2009 model. The 20" iMac is a 2007 model. To get an OS installed on either computer...you would need to purchase an OS 10.6 install DVD from Apple for $19.99 (via the apple website).

Just a side comment. Not sure what purposes you have for these computers. I'm a big fan of using older Apple computers...and getting as much "mileage" out of them as possible. This is usually from the perspective of someone who purchased a computer brand new...and doesn't want to pay the big price tag for a new computer if not necessary (yet). For someone purchasing a used older computer...this is different. Many times you will find that spending an extra $50 to $100 (on top of the price of a used computer in question)...you can get a much more "useable" computer (than the one being considered).

Personally I would consider the 2009 15" MacBook Pro to be a borderline purchase...and the 2007 20" iMac to be a "no go". Of course I don't know what prices we're talking for this computers. If someone said "Give me $50 bucks for the 20" iMac"...I would probably purchase it. But if it's going to cost more like $200-$300...I would say..."forget-about-it".

I know your main question was how to get an OS installed on these computers (and my other comments may not be an issue for you). And the answer to the OS question is...get the $20 OS 10.6 DVD from Apple. But...you must also be aware. Apple OS versions newer than 10.6 (10.7, 10.8, 10.9, 10.10, 10.11) are basically download only. And unless you downloaded these versions previously...they will not be available to you. Apple "pulls" these older OS versions from the App Store when new OS versions are released.

You can find stuff on ebay. But this is more of a "gray-market".

HTH,

- Nick

 

[Slydude]

Thanks Nick - there are quite a few devices on here. The MacBook pro is an Apple MacBook Pro 15", model A1286, and it looks like there are quite a few Apple iMac 20", model A1224, EMC 2266 up for auction.

Both those sets of model numbers cover a span of several specific models which cover about a two year period. It looks like the iMacs with that model number might be as late as 2009. MacBook Pros with that model number cover a similar span of time with some released as late as 2012. See this site for more info.

 

[pigoo3]

Both those sets of model numbers cover a span of several specific models which cover about a two year period. It looks like the iMacs with that model number might be as late as 2009. MacBook Pros with that model number cover a similar span of time with some released as late as 2012. See this site for more info.

Thanks Slydude...you're absolutely correct!

The A1286 model info covers many different model years (from 2009 thru 2012)...and covers 5 different model releases.

I was in a hurry replying above...and didn't check the models releases as throughly as I usually do! lol Thus we definitely need more exact info from the OP.

- Nick

p.s. Also wanted to correct what I mentioned above about the 20" iMac. It actually is a 2009 model. Thus both the 15" MBP and 20" iMac are 2009 models. Same answer on the OS. Need to get the 10.6 DVD from Apple for $20.

 

[Slydude]

I was in a hurry replying above...and didn't check the models releases as throughly as I usually do! lol Thus we definitely need more exact info from the OP.

- Nick

No problem Nick. Glad to know I am not the only one who makes that mistake from time to time.

 

[pigoo3]

Man o' man. If I was perfect...and always made stock market picks that increased in value...my name would be "Warren Buffet Jr."! lol

But I'm not perfect. Thus my name is just "Nick". Ha ha ha!

- Nick

 

[harryb2448]

Whatever happened to my formal motion your name be changed to 'Sandpaper' for rubbing people up the wrong way may i ask?

 

[pigoo3]

Whatever happened to my formal motion your name be changed to 'Sandpaper' for rubbing people up the wrong way may i ask?

It's in the same place as the mind-reading crystal ball with the dead batteries (and the ADC monitor adapters)!

- Nick

 

[harryb2448]

Humph! Typical typical. Does Donald get the blame for this also?

 

[pigoo3]

Donald gets blamed for everything!

- Nick

 

[ferrarr]

I would phrase it "Donald does not get blamed enough."

 

[kaitlynh]

Thanks for the feedback. I've had my current MacBook pro since about 2011/2012, not quite sure exactly. So these two machines will not operate similarly, is that what you're saying? My purpose for purchasing the iMac is simple, I've always wanted a desktop like apple device, and these are going for about $100-150 (depending on what the bidding gets up to). But of course, I want it to run similarly to my current MacBook. The reason for purchasing the additional MacBook pro is that essentially, I've had this one for quite a while, and it's somewhat been through the ringer (it's been spilled on, throwed up on, dropped, etc - thanks to my lovely children when they were younger). Ever since I had the hard drive replaced during my last year of grad school (2013) it's never been quite the same. I thought having an extra device handy would be wise. Thoughts?

 

[pigoo3]

...these are going for about $100-150 (depending on what the bidding gets up to).

As mentioned in my "p.s." in post #7 above. Sounds like the iMac (and maybe the MBP) are 2009 models. To me...an Apple computer this old (7-8 years old) is a borderline purchase if someone expects to be able to do everyday computing activities with it. It will be ok for some things...but may struggle a bit with other things. Just depends what the computing activities are. And the 2nd BIG factor is cost. If you can get these computers in 100% operating condition for $100-$150...that would be a pretty good price.

But of course, I want it to run similarly to my current MacBook.

What model is your current MacBook? If your current MacBook (or is it actually a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air)?...and if it's a relatively new model...I don't think that you can 100% expect a 2009 iMac or 2009 MacBook Pro to operate as well as a newer model Apple computer (this MacBook you mentioned). So it kind of depends how old this current MacBook is.

Also. If this 20" iMac is an Early 2009 model (which I think it is)...max OS on it is 10.11 (El Capitan). If you're running he latest Mac OS on your current MacBook (which is Sierra...OS 10.12). Then the iMac will not run "exactly" like your current MacBook...since the 20" 2009 iMac (officially) cannot run Sierra.

We could probably use a bit more info on the MacBook Pro you are thinking of getting. Just to be 100% sure what model it is.

- Nick