27" iMac - 2010 or 2011 version?

[rogersmj]

I'm in the market for a 27" refurb iMac, and am struggling to decide which one. Right now Apple has the following:

2011: 2.7 Core i5, 6MB cache, AMD Radeon HD 6770M with 512MB

2010: 2.8 Core i5, 8MB cache, ATI Radeon HD 5750 with 1GB

They're both exactly the same price, $1419.

The older iMac has more L3 cache and twice as much video memory, and appears to have a slightly faster processor. I primarily will use this computer for stuff like photo editing, some web and iOS development, and of course the typical web, music, and video (consumption, not creation) use.

I plan on adding an SSD so I can have a 128GB SSD boot/app drive + the 1GB HDD.

Which one would you choose and why?

 

[Pistolator]

I plan on adding an SSD so I can have a 128GB SSD boot/app drive + the 1GB HDD.

The 2011 model should have space for the SSD without needing to remove your superdrive.
The 2010 model does not.
As an aside, get yourself a mini-display port - HDMI adapter to experience fully discrete surround sound. The optical out only supports surround from DVD player. Both models support this (even the early 2010, which I have).

 

[rogersmj]

The 2011 model should have space for the SSD without needing to remove your superdrive.
The 2010 model does not.

Well then, that decides it for me...I'm glad I asked! Thanks.

 

[Pistolator]

If you own a Mac already, get yourself MacTracker, available on the Mac App Store.
It details every Apple product that ever existed, including expansion options, with links to Apple's How-To Guides on their support web site.

From Mac Tracker:
OVERVIEW

Introduced May 2011
Discontinued --
Model Identifier iMac12,2
Model Number A1312
Order Number MC813LL/A (2.7 GHz), MC814LL/A (3.1 GHz)
Initial Price $1,949 (2.7 GHz) $2,299 (3.1 GHz)
Support Status Supported
Colors Silver and Black
Weight and Dimensions 13.8 kg, 51.7 cm H x 65 cm W x 20.7 cm D
PROCESSOR

Processor Intel Core i5 or Core i7 ("Sandy Bridge")
Processor Speed 2.7 or 3.1 GHz (Core i5) 3.4 GHz (Core i7)
Architecture 64-bit
Number of Cores 4
Cache 6 MB (2.7 and 3.1 GHz) 8 MB (3.4 GHz) on-chip shared L3
STORAGE AND MEDIA

Storage 1 or 2 TB (7200-rpm SATA) and/or 256 GB (SSD)
Media Slot-loading 8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)

 

[panzer06]

The 2011 model should have space for the SSD without needing to remove your superdrive.
The 2010 model does not.
As an aside, get yourself a mini-display port - HDMI adapter to experience fully discrete surround sound. The optical out only supports surround from DVD player. Both models support this (even the early 2010, which I have).

The 2010 model has the extra SSD drive bay. I have the i7 I got for $1499 as a closeout at MacMall (they're all out now) and had the second bay setup as eSATA. Any drive I connect get named SSD in "About this Mac". The 2010 also support target display mode when used with Displayport sources. The 2011 requires a Thunderbolt source. The 2010 i7 is a better refurb deal to me.

Cheers,