2010 iMac vs 2011 iMac?

[Slow Programmer]

I would like to get some opinions. I am going to buy a new iMac and wonder if the differences in the 2010 27 inch and the 2011 27 inch are worth the difference in cost. I can get a new 2010 I7 2.93GHz for $1588 while the 2011 cost $2198. The main differences are 2.93 GHz vs 3.4 GHz cpu, 5750 video vs 6970m and no Thunderbolt on the 2010 model. Is the 2011 iMac worth $600 more?

My uses are general use, some Real Studio programming, Carrara animation and rendering, Light gaming. Nothing to heavy.

 

[marsmissions]

You have to remember, that the 2011 price is the NORMAL price, and the 2010 price is the discounted price for the older machine. The 2011 is DEFINITELY worth that amount of money, but so was the 2010 at the time!

If you don't need the faster graphics, or processor than don't go for it, you can always buy a cheaper machine now and upgrade down the road.

The graphics in the 2010 are plenty good enough to play most games (I don't have the 27, but I have the 21.5 and I play WoW at max res with all settings at good.), you don't get the highest settings but it will be find for decent settings! If you're not doing heavy gaming, than by all means - get that 2010!

Thunderbolt is a nice feature to have, but current TB peripherals are very pricey (though they are worth the price if you absolutely NEEDED them).

The 2010 27" is not slouch. It might not be as good as the 2011, but it is still no slouch!

 

[OW22]

Agree with that. I had a choice last week when I was in an Authorised reseller's store here. Was going to get the new 27in basic model for €1649 but they had a new, unopened 2010 27in i3 3.2 which they had reduced to €1300.

I went with the 2010 model in a flash. I'm not a gamer, don't do heavy duty photo or video editing, so it was a no brainer for me to be honest. I also got them to throw in the trackpad for free. The screen is perfect as well!

I figure with the money saved, I can get a nice Time Capsule and an Apple TV say, or that's my iPhone4S/5 when it comes out etc.

They always say, go with what you need. Everyone is different, some love playing detailed games at max settings etc some need the processing power for graphics work and so on,

 

[iamthedudeman]

I would like to get some opinions. I am going to buy a new iMac and wonder if the differences in the 2010 27 inch and the 2011 27 inch are worth the difference in cost. I can get a new 2010 I7 2.93GHz for $1588 while the 2011 cost $2198. The main differences are 2.93 GHz vs 3.4 GHz cpu, 5750 video vs 6970m and no Thunderbolt on the 2010 model. Is the 2011 iMac worth $600 more?

My uses are general use, some Real Studio programming, Carrara animation and rendering, Light gaming. Nothing to heavy.

The 27 iMac 2.93 is still the second fastest 27 iMac out there right now. Faster than the 3.1 i5. The GPU is also the second fastest on any iMac right now. It will do all you need it to do and more.