I wanted a new iMac to use iPhoto/movie/tunes for the exponentially increasing amount of iPhone shot pics and vids. I also wanted to use this as a 2nd TV for netflix, and other streaming content. For a central infotainment hub, I asked if it would meet my needs and was I splitting hairs between the '11 and '12. He confirmed I was since I wouldn't need the faster processor for my projects. I added 2tb TC and am going to attach my external HDDs to it and store my movies, music and photos on them. I asked if the option of the fusion drive was worth the wait. He did mention how fast it would boot and how much improved the speed would be. But I kept coming back with, given what I want to use this machine for, do I need it? His answer was...no, not really. I said, after following the numerous threads on this forum, if speed becomes an issue in year 2 or 3, how do you feel about following iFixits guide to adding a SSD myself. He smiled/smirked and said that's what I would do. You can buy an SSD and RAM for much cheaper than you can order an iMac CTO. Another nice nugget from him, which was helpful to me. If you order TC with iMac, applecare covers the iMac and TC both for 3 years. Something maybe you all knew, but I didn't. How cool is that?! Like I said before, it's the advantage of talking to a non-sales person where they can be more candid with you since he actually does the fixes and installs everyday, for this reason only, I was thankful it was Black Friday.
So in the end, I'm getting a super sweet 27" display and an all that I need machine with a 2.7 ghz i5 processor ($1350) along with the 2tb TC ($280) for about the same price as the 2012 imac (if/whenever it is launched.)
