The refurbished iMac market in 2026 presents a fascinating choice: Intel machines from 2012-2019 starting at just £130, or Apple Silicon M1 models at £699. After testing machines across this range, the answer isn't simply "buy the newest" – it depends entirely on what you're actually doing with it.

The brutal truth? Half these models aren't worth your money in 2026, regardless of price. But the right choice can deliver genuine Apple all-in-one computing at a fraction of new prices.

The Sweet Spot Models (What We'd Actually Buy)

✅ iMac 27" 2019 Grade A - £499

This is the pick of the Intel bunch and our top recommendation for most buyers. The 2019 27" delivers 5K Retina display quality that still impresses, decent performance for office work and light creative tasks, and crucially, it runs macOS Monterey with full compatibility for current software.

At £499, it's roughly £200 less than you'd pay elsewhere for similar condition. The 27" screen real estate makes this genuinely useful for productivity work, photo editing, and general computing. It's the last generation before Apple's design refresh, meaning spare parts and repairs remain viable.

Who should buy this: Anyone wanting a premium all-in-one for office work, students, or light creative work who values screen size over cutting-edge performance.

✅ iMac 24" M1 Grade A - £699

The M1 iMac represents Apple's future, and at £699, it's remarkably good value for what you get. Performance absolutely destroys any Intel iMac for most tasks – we're talking 2-3x faster for video editing, coding, and general responsiveness.

The 24" display loses some real estate versus the 27" models, but colour accuracy is superior and the overall design feels genuinely modern. macOS support will extend years longer than any Intel model.

The catch: £699 is still serious money, and the base M1 model comes with just 8GB RAM (not upgradeable). If your budget stretches this far, it's worth considering.

The Budget Contenders

✅ iMac 27" 2015 Grade C - £150

For £150, this represents the absolute floor of usable iMac computing in 2026. Grade C means visible wear, but functionally it'll handle basic computing tasks. The 5K display alone would cost more than £150 to buy separately.

Reality check: This machine runs macOS Big Sur at best, meaning software compatibility issues are real. It's genuinely only suitable for basic web browsing, email, and light office work. But for someone wanting to try macOS or needing a decent display for basic tasks, £150 is hard to argue with.

❌ iMac 27" 2012 Grade A - £130

Don't be tempted by the £130 price tag. The 2012 model maxes out at macOS Mojave (2018), meaning most current software won't run. Web browsers increasingly struggle with older macOS versions, making this more frustration than bargain.

The display is also non-Retina, looking genuinely dated in 2026. Save the extra £20 and buy the 2015 model instead.

The Overpriced Middle Ground

❌ iMac 21.5" Models (All Years) - £150-£190

Every 21.5" iMac in the current range represents poor value. The screens feel cramped for serious work, performance doesn't justify the prices when 27" models offer better value, and the smaller form factor doesn't solve any real problem.

The refurbished iMac 27" 2015 at £150 Grade C offers significantly more usable screen space than any 21.5" model at similar prices.

❌ iMac 27" 2017 Grade B - £280

This sits in no-man's-land: too expensive for a budget choice, not modern enough to justify the premium over the 2015 model. The performance gains are minimal for most users, while software support timeline is barely better than the 2015.

What About Alternatives?

Before committing to any iMac, consider whether you actually need the all-in-one form factor. The refurbished Mac Mini 2014 at £99 plus a separate monitor might deliver better value and upgradeability.

For similar money to the M1 iMac, the MacBook Pro 13" M1 at £450 offers genuine portability with similar performance.

Software Compatibility Reality Check

This matters more than specifications. Here's what actually runs on each generation:

The Honest Verdict

Buy the iMac 27" 2019 at £499 if you want the best balance of screen size, performance, and software compatibility. It's expensive but genuinely useful for years to come.

Choose the iMac 27" 2015 Grade C at £150 if budget is paramount and you understand the software limitations.

Consider the M1 iMac at £699 only if you need cutting-edge performance and can afford the premium.

Avoid everything else – they're either overpriced for what they deliver or too limited for practical 2026 use.

Buyer Area offers 12-month warranty and free UK delivery on all models, with 30-day returns if you're not satisfied. At these prices, a refurbished iMac represents one of the better ways to access genuine Apple computing without the new-price premium.