Hi there,
I am 22 years old. I have always used PCs before but would like to get an iMac as my next computer, to try something different, and so I can take a bite for myself of the Apple fun!
I do zero gaming. I am the most concerned, speed- and efficiency-wise, about two things:
1) day-to-day tasks (start-up, office-type applications)
2) Photo-editing and HD video editing, plus Graphic design, and graphics-intensive programs (though not gaming) like Google Earth
I am already straining my budget by buying an Apple at all. I will consider upgrading from the base ($1299) 21.5" iMac if there will truly be a significant jump in performance that is useful for my needs, but I can surely only go for one upgrade, at most.
So, based on the two aforementioned needs, which upgrade (if any), do you think I should go for?
a) 16 GB RAM [from 8 GB RAM] ($200)
b) +1 TB Fusion Drive [from 1 TB @ 5400 rpm) ($250)
c) 2.9 GHz i5 w/ Turbo Boost to 3.6 Ghz & nVidia GT 650M [from 2.7 i5 w/ Turbo Boost to 3.2 Ghz & nVidia GT 640M] ($200)
d) 3.1 GHz i7 w/ Turbo Boost to 3.9 Ghz & nVidia GT 650M [from 2.7 i5 w/ Turbo Boost to 3.2 Ghz & nVidia GT 640M] $400)
Obviously, the higher the price of the upgrade the more I must carefully weigh the benefits.
Lastly - it is extremely unlikely that I would do this - but would getting the base 27" iMac ($500 upgrade) be better than getting the 21.5" with no, or any one upgrade?
I love the huge huge screen, but I am talking performance-wise.
Thank you so much for your help!
I am 22 years old. I have always used PCs before but would like to get an iMac as my next computer, to try something different, and so I can take a bite for myself of the Apple fun!
I do zero gaming. I am the most concerned, speed- and efficiency-wise, about two things:
1) day-to-day tasks (start-up, office-type applications)
2) Photo-editing and HD video editing, plus Graphic design, and graphics-intensive programs (though not gaming) like Google Earth
I am already straining my budget by buying an Apple at all. I will consider upgrading from the base ($1299) 21.5" iMac if there will truly be a significant jump in performance that is useful for my needs, but I can surely only go for one upgrade, at most.
So, based on the two aforementioned needs, which upgrade (if any), do you think I should go for?
a) 16 GB RAM [from 8 GB RAM] ($200)
b) +1 TB Fusion Drive [from 1 TB @ 5400 rpm) ($250)
c) 2.9 GHz i5 w/ Turbo Boost to 3.6 Ghz & nVidia GT 650M [from 2.7 i5 w/ Turbo Boost to 3.2 Ghz & nVidia GT 640M] ($200)
d) 3.1 GHz i7 w/ Turbo Boost to 3.9 Ghz & nVidia GT 650M [from 2.7 i5 w/ Turbo Boost to 3.2 Ghz & nVidia GT 640M] $400)
Obviously, the higher the price of the upgrade the more I must carefully weigh the benefits.
Lastly - it is extremely unlikely that I would do this - but would getting the base 27" iMac ($500 upgrade) be better than getting the 21.5" with no, or any one upgrade?
I love the huge huge screen, but I am talking performance-wise.
Thank you so much for your help!