Is the 20" really *that* much greater than 17"?

[DJC17]

Ok. I'm coming from a 15" 1024x768 screen on a HP notebook.

Was all set to buy a 14" iBook, then Apple released the latest rev of the iMacs, so I'm back onto them now. *Sigh*.

I've used a few 17" iMacs at University (1.8GHz) and they're great, the screen is fab. Now I've come to order, I'm not sure if the 20" screen is worth the extra £250 GDP.

Yes, I know it comes with 90Gb more storage, but on my laptop (main computer) I'm only using - 10Gb. Even factoring in massive broadband usage downloading MP3's and video, this is unlikely to exceed 30Gb in the near future. Might do a little minor video editing though. Basically, even though the 20" comes with 250Gb I'm not gonna use that.

I don't know what "XT" means and how the graphics card on the 20" is better. Doubt I'd notice any difference between the two? I dont do games, only office work, some photo editing and general home use.

I have a decent home cinema setup in the house, so the only DVD useage it'll get is when I'm in bed and want to watch a DVD with the gf.

So. Yes, I know the 20" would be great and yes I can afford it, but I'm loath to spend that extra money if I wouldn't benifit hugely, or if I could spend the extra money more wisely (more RAM etc). For "real world" home usage, is the 20" *that* much better?

If you're gonna winge on that I should use the search as this has been discussed a hundred and one thousand times before, I have, but all I get is "get the 20" cos its great" - that I'm sure it is, but *how* great? I dont really have the oportunity to test one apart from in the local store, which isn't really a good test.

[risc]

If you look at the technical specs of the iMac you'll notice the quality of the 20" is a lot nicer than the 17". Of course there is nothing wrong with the 17", it just isn't as good as the 20".

[maya]

If you look at the technical specs of the iMac you'll notice the quality of the 20" is a lot nicer than the 17". Of course there is nothing wrong with the 17", it just isn't as good as the 20".

Agreed. :D


Proud owner of a 20" iMac G5. ;)

[crazyeyes]

I just got the 20" i like it alot one of the main reasons i got the 20" over the 17" is cause for movies it is awesome. And also you can always fit more on the screen too. You can resize things to where they would be the same as the 17" iMac. I basically got the 20" cause the HDD space was a must for me, the screen size was a very nice feature it is quite a bit more than people think. I was looking side by side in the apple store an i am glad i bought the 20" the only thing i was worried about was it seeming too big when i got home but i think it is perfect. For movies it is even better the resolution is amazing on this thing. Basically it all comes down to do you need the extra space or want the extra space of the 20"? I hope this helps.

[DJC17]

If you look at the technical specs of the iMac you'll notice the quality of the 20" is a lot nicer than the 17". Of course there is nothing wrong with the 17", it just isn't as good as the 20".

I noticed differences in contrast ratio and viewing angles, but not being a techie I don't really understand the difference! Anyone care to explain?

The 17" I use at Uni is really nice to use, nicer than most TFT panels I use on PC's, so I find it hard to believe that the 20" is that much better (after all, the 17" is near perfect!) but I'm very willing to be proven wrong!

Also, can anyone explain the differences in the graphics cards between the 17" and 20" ? What does XT mean?

[combatcolin]

Unlike a laptop, where a 17" screen is quite frankly stupid, a bigger desktop screen is always better.

[CanadaRAM]

> Is the 20" really *that* much greater than 17"??

Yes.

If you have the money, get the 20. That's all you have to know.

[mjstew33]

This thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=154437) might help you out. ;)

Hope that helps! :)

[MontyZ]

.

[DJC17]

This thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=154437) might help you out. ;)

Hope that helps! :)

Cheers dude, didnt spot that one!

On a side note, why is there no sodding hash key on the Apple keyboards? I use it all the time in passwords, and having to keep inserting it into a word document and copying & pasting it into the password box in IE or Safari is really annoying. :confused:

[Lucky8]

It's like day and night... :cool:

[DJC17]

It's like day and night... :cool:

Come again? :rolleyes:

[beige matchbox]

Cheers dude, didnt spot that one!

On a side note, why is there no sodding hash key on the Apple keyboards? I use it all the time in passwords, and having to keep inserting it into a word document and copying & pasting it into the password box in IE or Safari is really annoying. :confused:
alt+3 :rolleyes: :p

Amazing how often that comes up with the UK keyboard :)

[weckart]

Cheers dude, didnt spot that one!

On a side note, why is there no sodding hash key on the Apple keyboards?

Because then there would be no room for the £, would there? :rolleyes:

Hint - try typing alt + 3 in future.

[Lau]

Just to go against what everyone else is saying, my friend has the 17" iMac, and I all the time I thought it was the 20" because it seemed so big and nice. Turns out it isn't. The 20" is gorgeous, but when you're a bit strapped for cash, the 17" is pretty damn nice.

Then again, I've got a 12" PowerBook, maybe I've got screen envy.... ;)

[DJC17]

Because then there would be no room for the £, would there? :rolleyes:



huh? The £ and # go in a different place. Even my PC keyboard manages to have the $, £ and # keys :D

[LGRW3919]

My sister has a 17" iMac and i have a 20" and i've put them side by side and the 20" makes the 17" look like a non-widescreen 15" :D

its awesome.

[wwooden]

The answer is you can't go wrong with either one, they are both great computers. I have a 17" and am perfectly happy with it, the 20" was just over kill for me and I didn't feel like spending the extra money. If you have the money to spend for the 20", get it. If you don't, you will still be happy with the 17".

[fklehman]

The quality of the 20" screen is actually BETTER than that of Apple's 20" Cinema Display, which has led many to wonder if Apple will have to refresh its displays before too long. The iMac 20" display really does put the 20" ACD to shame. On top of that, you're also getting the X600 XT, which has faster clock memory than the X600 Pro. Good for video work if you're doing it. The extra 200 mHz of G5 crunching power is nice too. I think everything else is the same though.

[CanadaRAM]

It's like night and day
Come again? :rolleyes:

I think Lucky is saying, when it gets dark out, you can turn up that 20" bad boy and suntan in front of it ... :D

[Lucky8]

I think Lucky is saying, when it gets dark out, you can turn up that 20" bad boy and suntan in front of it ... :D
You kidding me? You can lay back gettin sun tan all night and jump right into the water when you need to cool off if you have the right wallpaper on your desktop.. :p :cool:

[powerbook911]

For me, the 20-inch widescreen starts to let you do nice things that you cannot do with smaller displays. After using 20-inch widescreen for a while, I actually want a larger display.

What I do is I have Safari on the left side of my screen sized large enough to fit normal webpages, in the top right I have my mail window (sized large enough to see several messages in inbox list), and then below that I put iTunes (sized so I can see about 30 songs, playlists on left, etc.). So for my normal just playing around I have everything I need a click away, don't have to go looking for a window, it is all right there on display 100 percent of the time.

Of course, when you are using photoshop or similar application, you appreciate having the entire display, for that single application.

It is just so very useful to have the extra screen real estate. However, if you don't mind shuffling through windows, etc. then the 17-inch is going to be just as enjoyable to you.

[deanwaterman]

I noticed differences in contrast ratio and viewing angles, but not being a techie I don't really understand the difference! Anyone care to explain?

The 17" I use at Uni is really nice to use, nicer than most TFT panels I use on PC's, so I find it hard to believe that the 20" is that much better (after all, the 17" is near perfect!) but I'm very willing to be proven wrong!

Also, can anyone explain the differences in the graphics cards between the 17" and 20" ? What does XT mean?

If you consider screen size between 17" and 20" you will find that you get an additional 36% more screen on the 20". In addition you do get a better graphics card, and 250G HD.

I am thinking of adding a iMac to my desk and I have debated between the 17" and 20" difference. I use a 20" Cinema Display with my Powerbook and I love the 20" So to me it is a great question as to whether I would spend an additional $400 for the 20" over the 17".

[GroundLoop]

Unlike a laptop, where a 17" screen is quite frankly stupid, a bigger desktop screen is always better.

The extra screen real estate comes in very handy for those people that go on business trips frequently (such as myself). I will be upgrading to a 17" PB when they finally make the switch to Intel.

Hickman

[Abstract]

THIS MAN CLEARLY DOESN'T NEED A 20"!!!!

From what he has told us, here are the things that won't affect this man's life:

1. Better screen resolution/more desktop space
2. Larger screen
3. Larger harddisk
4. Better video card
5. Processor power

People have also noticed that the screen on the 20" is better quality, but I don't think you'd care about that, either. It won't affect your life. Save £250 and use it for RAM (don't get it from Apple ;) ), and an iPod or something. Or buy your girlfriend something.

Get the 17" iMac.

[FFTT]

The 20" is not only better bigger and faster, but it's also way more computer than it used to be for the money.

Once you've worked being able to have 1 or 2 full size pages and numerous controls and windows all open at the same time, you can't imaging working smaller.

I'd LOVE to see a 23" iMac G5 dual core some day.

[QCassidy352]

The quality of the 20" screen is actually BETTER than that of Apple's 20" Cinema Display, which has led many to wonder if Apple will have to refresh its displays before too long. The iMac 20" display really does put the 20" ACD to shame.

really? are you sure? I know that the original (and rev. B?) imacs used the old ACD panel, i.e. one inferior to the current display. If the new 20" imac uses a different panel that would be a different story, but up til now, I think you're just wrong - the ACD is a better display.

[powerbook911]

really? are you sure? I know that the original (and rev. B?) imacs used the old ACD panel, i.e. one inferior to the current display. If the new 20" imac uses a different panel that would be a different story, but up til now, I think you're just wrong - the ACD is a better display.

No longer correct. This had indeed changed. Compare the iMac Technical Specs, to the ACD. In fact, the specifications on the imac's display beats all three cinema displays now. Brighter and greater contrast ratio. This is why many of us think updates to the ACDs may be near.

[Danksi]

I had a look at the 17 & 20 inch next to each other, but the 20inch didn't quite jump out as I thought it might.

If I didn't have a spare 19inch flat panel hanging around, I may have been pushed towards the 20inch.

As it is I'm awaiting my new 17inch and I'm planning to hook up the 19inch using the Screen Spanning Hack IF I find that I need the extra desktop space.