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From 2.16GHz to 2.33Ghz, worth $225?
- Thread starter Razorhog
- Start date
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I personally do not think it is worth it. The cost per MHz increase is not very good at all.
I went for 2.16GHz on mine.
I went for 2.16GHz on mine.
If you can afford the better 7600GT GPU and 2 GB RAM and still have money to burn after any software you need, then maybe.
Thanks for the comments. I will go with the 2.16, upgrade the ram to 2GB and the video card to the nicer 256mb. I won't be buying for about 4-5 months, allowing me time to save some $ and for Leopard to be released. So who knows what speeds and options will be available then, but it's nice to know the general consensus now.
When I buy, should I order from the apple online store or go to the bricks and mortar store that is about an hour away? Can I order a custom machine via the store and go pick it up?
When I buy, should I order from the apple online store or go to the bricks and mortar store that is about an hour away? Can I order a custom machine via the store and go pick it up?
If you upgrade, you'll need to order online or by phone.
Your local Apple Store can still be used for warranty service.
Your local Apple Store can still be used for warranty service.
I know the consensus is that it's not worth it.
But my choices are.
#1
24" iMac 2.33
2GB RAM 500GB HDD
7600GT 256MB VRAM
BT Keyboard & MM
Applecare
$2,713 shipped incl. tax.
#2
24" iMac 2.16
2GB RAM 500GB HDD
7600 GT 256MB VRAM
BT Keyboard & MM
Applecare
$2,484 shipped incl. tax. $229 difference incl. tax
#3
20" iMac 2.16
2GB RAM 250GB HDD
x1600 128MB VRAM
BT Keyboard & MM
NO Applecare
$1,312 shipped incl. tax - sell Spring 2007 after Leopard is released, see if all new Macs have new wireless to complement iTV, see if an xMac or whatever comes out, if not consider a Mac Pro vs. 24" iMac then.
My friend is calling me this week to take my order.
But my choices are.
#1
24" iMac 2.33
2GB RAM 500GB HDD
7600GT 256MB VRAM
BT Keyboard & MM
Applecare
$2,713 shipped incl. tax.
#2
24" iMac 2.16
2GB RAM 500GB HDD
7600 GT 256MB VRAM
BT Keyboard & MM
Applecare
$2,484 shipped incl. tax. $229 difference incl. tax
#3
20" iMac 2.16
2GB RAM 250GB HDD
x1600 128MB VRAM
BT Keyboard & MM
NO Applecare
$1,312 shipped incl. tax - sell Spring 2007 after Leopard is released, see if all new Macs have new wireless to complement iTV, see if an xMac or whatever comes out, if not consider a Mac Pro vs. 24" iMac then.
My friend is calling me this week to take my order.
Everyone keeps mentioning "spring 2007" when talking about new releases. Is there a large conference or something, at which new releases might be revealed? I'm definitely waiting on Leopard, and it would be nice to have some sort of video input on the 24" so you could use it as a TV...
Razorhog said:
MWSF MacWorld San Francisco is in January every year. That is when the Intel iMacs and MacBook Pros were announced this year. It is typically more consumer line oriented as WWDC WorldWide Developers Conference which is in the summer is more pro oriented. This year the Mac Pro was introduced. Steve said at WWDC in August that Leopard would ship by March 2007 and we Intel's new platform the Santa Rosa chipset is due in March as well. Steve also said that iTV will be out in Q1 2007 which means by the end of March. I don't know if like WWDC which is usually in June or July but was pushed back to August, if MWSF will get pushed back as well this year so that announcements can include immediate or emminent shipping. But it all translates to a lot of questions as to what will be coming out. My big question is whether we will see a Conroe or Merom based mid-tower, whether iTV is 802.11n and if all the new Macs will make that transition or if the current Macs have a dormant 802.11a that will push more bandwidth than 802.11g for the purpose of streaming video and photo slideshows and trailers. Also of question is whether the Cinema Displays will get built-in iSights and remotes as Leopard is said to include Front Row which is currently not available on the Mac Pro.
Razorhog said:
MWSF MacWorld San Francisco is in January every year. That is when the Intel iMacs and MacBook Pros were announced this year. It is typically more consumer line oriented as WWDC WorldWide Developers Conference which is in the summer is more pro oriented. This year the Mac Pro was introduced. Steve said at WWDC in August that Leopard would ship by March 2007 and we Intel's new platform the Santa Rosa chipset is due in March as well. Steve also said that iTV will be out in Q1 2007 which means by the end of March. I don't know if like WWDC which is usually in June or July but was pushed back to August, if MWSF will get pushed back as well this year so that announcements can include immediate or emminent shipping. But it all translates to a lot of questions as to what will be coming out. My big question is whether we will see a Conroe or Merom based mid-tower, whether iTV is 802.11n and if all the new Macs will make that transition or if the current Macs have a dormant 802.11a that will push more bandwidth than 802.11g for the purpose of streaming video and photo slideshows and trailers. Also of question is whether the Cinema Displays will get built-in iSights and remotes as Leopard is said to include Front Row which is currently not available on the Mac Pro. And lastly, I doubt that there will be any sort of video input on a Mac at least for another year or two if not longer. I would expect Apple to release 42" HDTVs before that happens, and that is not likely either.
As a matter of interest, how many here who argue that $225 is too much to pay for a measly 170MHz increase in processor speed would say the same in a discussion about MacBooks?
Quick question: Why do people post threads like this, and then a while later say I wont buy for a few months? 
I got the 24" with the 2.16 and upgraded the graphics card. It is amazing let me tell you. My next upgrade will be RAM, I would have done it with the purchase but I didn't want to spend to much. Nonetheless, get the RAM upgrade instead of the faster CPU, you'll notice a far higher increase in speed/smoothness with the RAM then u will with the CPU. I got the GFX card because for 80 more bux (student CND) it was definatly worth it especially cuz I want to try out some PC games with bootcamp.
risc said:Quick question: Why do people post threads like this, and then a while later say I wont buy for a few months?
LOL good question. window shopping i guess.
I would definitely get more RAM and not the processor upgrade. Of course if you have the money, get both!!!
risc said:Quick question: Why do people post threads like this, and then a while later say I wont buy for a few months?
I personally am buying this week. I just can't decide which option, because if I get the 24" iMac I will get it loaded and won't want to sell in the spring, but if I get the 20" it will be to sell it in the spring and have until then as a holdover. I have no problem buying Leopard separately, I'm not holding out for that so much as wondering about a wireless revamp and a possible midtower.
But I have seen several threads of people asking what to get, and then saying their buying timeframe is post January. Dude, no one can tell you what to get pre-MWSF, that's a whole new ballgame.
Just because I'm buying post-January doesn't mean I don't want to hear opinions on the difference in price on processor speeds...I'm sure an option like that will still be available (if not the same) by the time I buy. I just like to research a lot before I spend this much cash on something.
Razorhog said:Just because I'm buying post-January doesn't mean I don't want to hear opinions on the difference in price on processor speeds...I'm sure an option like that will still be available (if not the same) by the time I buy. I just like to research a lot before I spend this much cash on something.
I totaly understand, the waiting, the anticipation, debating with yourself what to get and when to get it.
I love it, but it ended today as I ordered the 2 feet iMac (as someone cleverly put it elswhere on this forum) today;
2,16 and spent the money on 2gig of RAM and better graphics card
skunk said:
Well, besides the fact that you can't separate the 1.83 GHz Macbook from the 2.0 GHz Macbook on the basis of processor speed alone- the 2.0 GHz model also ships with a superdrive. To me, that along with the speed bump is worth the upgrade. In the iMac it's not.