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21 or 27inch iMac for a mac user who's never owned an iMac

M

metalgear1

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 3, 2012
8
0
Hello,

I’m torn over whether to get a 21 or 27 inch iMac. I won’t be using it for anything too intensive so either way will be buying one of the base models. I know a refresh is coming soon but that won’t stop me buying one of the current models because I need one now (my laptop has developed a very annoying flickering screen).

My main usage will be website design and maintenance (I’m not a professional so won’t be using Dreamweaver etc I will be using WYSIWYG software). I’ve built several websites in the past using iWeb which is know is not being updated so am moving to an alternative soon and will have to redesign 4 websites from scratch.

My question is whether it’s worth getting the 27inch over the 21inch. I can (just about) afford to get the 27 but is it worth it? The price of the 21inch is attractive but I’m worried I’ll regret not going for the bigger model.

At the moment I’m updating all my websites via iWeb on a 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Macbook with 1 GB ram so I know either choice will be a huge step up. I’m just trying to weigh up the advantages of the 2 screen sizes. I’ve previously owned a Mac Mini with an Apple cinema display before the Macbook but have no experience of the iMac.

Any advice is welcome.
 
27" Hands down, I have owned two 21.5 iMacs in the last two years, each time i've swapped for the larger 27".
 
27" for Web design. You will appreciate the jump in screen size, and any model should suffice for your needs.
 
What size screen have you been using? You mention your laptop is dying so I guess that is a 17" screen your used to. So it will be a big jump to either 21" or 27". So the basic choices you should consider is where will it be going? I would love a 27" but won't suit my desk and small study. Im currently waiting on the 2012 model and will go 21". However if you can't wait you could get the 21" and with the money you save get the next model up from the entry level you mention.
 
heya

I would suggest a mac mini.

It better suits your needs and it best yet you can buy a bigger monitor or use your current HDMI TV screen as a monitor.

Bigger real estate to play with
 
27 inch without a doubt. I just got mine and wish is was 35 inches. I'm already thinking about chaining two more monitors to it.
 
Have you considered buying the 21.5" iMac and adding a second 21.5" monitor yourself? Of course it depends on your situation but you stand to save a couple of $100s and actually have more pixels than the 27" iMac.
 
same here. still cant decide which will do best for me.

been doing some web stuff with MBP 13", and a lot of times I do it on my 23" SAMSUNG. I've tried 21" before the 23", gotta say, 21" is not enough. but at the same time, I think the 27" is too big for me. :(

now im just hoping for a 23"/24" for this year model (although I know its unlikely gonna happen :( )

or maybe someone here would like to convience me to buy the 27". :rolleyes:
 
One more vote for the 27" display. You will NEVER regret having spent a little extra money to buy it.

I know you said you weren't going to "wait" for the upcoming iMacs, but their release date seems to be getting pretty close. Is there any way you could hold out a little longer?

I think it's almost a certainty that the new ones will have USB3. The new Ivy Bridge chip notwithstanding, that's going to be the most important upgrade on the new iMacs.
 
Fishrrman said:
One more vote for the 27" display. You will NEVER regret having spent a little extra money to buy it.

I know you said you weren't going to "wait" for the upcoming iMacs, but their release date seems to be getting pretty close. Is there any way you could hold out a little longer?

I think it's almost a certainty that the new ones will have USB3. The new Ivy Bridge chip notwithstanding, that's going to be the most important upgrade on the new iMacs.
Click to expand...

I'm still hesitant to guarantee the future of USB3 in the refresh.
That being said, there's a great incentive to go with the 27"...
2x Thunderbolt ports.

http://storageeffect.media.seagate....erbolt-adapter-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/

You know, if for some reason people invent adapters that kill the Thunderbolt chain. :eek:
 
I got the 21.5" display and it's big enough for my uses but I am not a power user. My desk is also pretty small so a 27" wouldn't fit very well. Bigger screens are always cooler like sports cars with bigger engines. If you can afford and if it would enhance your computing experience then go for it. Otherwise, I think you may be happy with the 21.5".

-=- Boris
 
Go big or go home! I've never heard someone saying "this monitor is just to darn big and beautiful". However , I have have heard the opposite. If your space allows, the 27" is a no brainer.
 
The 21.5 is fine for normal use.

Now if i was to use it for a "Internet Theater" then i would go with the 27.

The 21.5 is not small by any means.
 
27" or 21"

SR20DETDOG said:
Have you considered buying the 21.5" iMac and adding a second 21.5" monitor yourself? Of course it depends on your situation but you stand to save a couple of $100s and actually have more pixels than the 27" iMac.
Click to expand...

I'm facing the same dilemma myself. I think I would rather get the 21" and use the money saved to buy a bigger engine. For around $100 I could always get a second monitor and actually have more real estate. If the iMac was doubling as a living room screen I can see value in the 27" but for something I would sit about 2 feet from in a study....
 
I'm a professional web developer and the 27" screen is priceless. So much better than runnind dual monitors like I have to at work. Running split screen Dreamweaver on a 27" screen is a joy to work in.
 
I have a 24' iMac (2009) and it's time for a new one. The 27' iMac is as taller as my iMac but wider, so it would be ok. But I have seen a 21' iMac in the desk of a friend and I think it is enough for my stuff (Aperture and iMovie) and suits better my desk. I have also an (awful) Acer 18'5 monitor which would be a creepy partner for my new iMac.

The question for me is that the top 21 iMac is only 200€ cheaper than the lowest 27 iMac and they have exactly the same specifications, but the screen, obviously.

Is it worth to pay only 200€ less for less screen size and less top resolution?
 
If you're on a tight budget I'd suggest the 21.5" but go for the better model with bigger HDD, you can add a 2nd monitor later for more screen space.

I have the same size LG on my G5 as the 21.5" iMac and find it is fine for most situations, that said I'm all set to get a 27" when Apple updates them.
 
I own a 21.5", and it is perfect for most tasks. I bought better hardware with the smaller screen to meet my budget back in 2010.

But I know with certainty that the next iMac I purchase will be a 27" (or whatever the larger form factor proves to be once Apple gets around to releasing the 2012+ iMacs).

You know that sense of wonder and amazement you get when you see one of the 27" models at the store? Want that feeling every day? Go for it!
 
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