I am ready to buy my first iMac. I still have my Macbook Pro 13'' (2009) but I need an Apple desktop. I will be using it mostly for Adobe Creative Suite/graphic design/general stuff (no real video editing though).
Budget isn't really an issue, but I would like to save some money if I can. Apple has a refurbished 21.5 inch for $1189 (I would have to add the Apple Care cost as well).
Here's the specs of that one:
Originally released May 2011
21.5-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display
4GB memory
1TB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
AMD Radeon HD 6770M graphics with 512MB memory
Built-in FaceTime HD camera
The NEW iMac that I am interested in is $1949 (plus Apple Care):
Specs of the NEW one:
2.9GHz Quad-core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
16GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x8GB
1TB Fusion Drive
NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M 512MB GDDR5
Obviously the newer release is better, but I can't decide. Will the difference in speed between the two be so noticeable that it would make a difference?
Pros to get the older 2011 refurbished:
- Already has a CD/DVD drive
- I can easily upgrade to 16GB of RAM myself (I Believe!)
Pros of the NEW iMac:
- Fusion Drive
- I can get a small Education discount
Any advice/tips/suggestions?
Budget isn't really an issue, but I would like to save some money if I can. Apple has a refurbished 21.5 inch for $1189 (I would have to add the Apple Care cost as well).
Here's the specs of that one:
Originally released May 2011
21.5-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display
4GB memory
1TB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
AMD Radeon HD 6770M graphics with 512MB memory
Built-in FaceTime HD camera
The NEW iMac that I am interested in is $1949 (plus Apple Care):
Specs of the NEW one:
2.9GHz Quad-core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
16GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x8GB
1TB Fusion Drive
NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M 512MB GDDR5
Obviously the newer release is better, but I can't decide. Will the difference in speed between the two be so noticeable that it would make a difference?
Pros to get the older 2011 refurbished:
- Already has a CD/DVD drive
- I can easily upgrade to 16GB of RAM myself (I Believe!)
Pros of the NEW iMac:
- Fusion Drive
- I can get a small Education discount
Any advice/tips/suggestions?