17" vs 20" imac screen measurements needed

[sarcoptic]

I just contacted my apple store and they finally got the new imacs in. I am seriously still debating between a 17" midrange and the 20". The only differences are the hd size and the screen. With funding in mind I can go the 20" route or pick up a 17" with both wireless mouse and keyboard. I am leaning towards that cause $300 for 3" of screen and 90 gig more hard drive doesn't seem that big of deal....plus if they modify the span doctor program to include the newer ati chipset I can always throw another monitor on in the future...just looking for what people decided to do and how they came about the decision....thanks!

 

[OnaMacSince1989]

I originally expected to get a 17", but after the update was announced and the price dropped $100 on the top model, I splurged and ordered a 20". I know that a 3" difference doesn't sound like much, but it's actually 36% (over 1/3rd) more viewing space!

 

[jsw]

Agreed - the 20" has 36% more pixels. Over 4/3 the screen real estate. Worth it, in my opinion.

 

[mariahlullaby]

Agreed; after looking at the 17" and 20" in the store, the 20" is much better IMO. Bigger, brighter, clearer.

 

[Sun Baked]

The answer to the thread title is here... http://www.apple.com/imac/specs.html

Size and weight (20-inch)
* Height: 18.6 inches (47.2 cm)
* Width: 19.4 inches (49.3 cm)
* Depth: 7.4 inches (18.9 cm)
* Weight: 25.2 pounds (11.4 kg)5

Size and weight (17-inch)
* Height: 16.9 inches (43.0 cm)
* Width: 16.8 inches (42.6 cm)
* Depth: 6.8 inches (17.3 cm)
* Weight: 18.5 pounds (8.4 kg)6

 

[emw]

The 20" is actually a much better screen overall - look at the performance specs:

Typical viewing angle:
  17-inch models
     120° horizontal
     90° vertical
  20-inch model
     170° horizontal
     170° vertical

Typical brightness: 200 cd/m (17-inch models); 230 cd/m (20-inch model)