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27" or 21.5" iMac which one should I get?

A

alex007

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 1, 2011
18
0
Hello everyone,
I just got a 21.5" iMac and was debating if I should pull the trigger and exchange it for the 27" which has 2.7 ghz processor so .2 ghz more, bigger screen and better graphic card. Price is about $400 more. Pro's and con's please help!.... Thanks in advance!
 
mostly music editing, word processing, internet... No 3d graphic programs, no games...
 
Unless you are doing commercial, high end music, either machine will be fine. If you were using programs that are RAM, CPU or GPU intensive then you would have more decisions than going from one base iMac to another.
 
how about the screen? Its resolution is much higher and I believe has a little more appeal and stature to it... Any comments on the screen?
 
You have buyer's remorse, nothing more. Go to an Apple store and play with both. If you continue to second guess yourself upgrade. I doubt that you could tell the difference in cpu even if you try to measure the difference. FWIW - I prefer my 21.5" (would love a 24" in '12).
 
As I mentioned in my thread I'm in the reverse situation as you. I find the 27" too big...
 
I use 27" Cinema Displays. I have found that they are great displays.

1. They display texts and graphics nicely.
2. The large display estate allows me to view three or more windows without overlapping, which enhances greatly my productivity in programming, writing, and editing.
3. It is really a joy to work on them.
4. Watching movies on them is also a joy.

If you can afford it, go ahead and get the 27" iMac.
 
I am in similar situation. Just bought a 21.5 iMac about 2 weeks ago. Initially I wanted the 27" but thought it would be too big in my small Japanese room. I then realized I actually have room for it. Wished I pulled the trigger on the 27".
Go for it if you have the $$$

Anyways, the 21.5 is still a great machine :)
 
Thanks for the different suggestions... I got 16 gigs of corsair installed I might just order the 27" and use them side by side and see which one I end up with.
 
21.5 is good, but going with 27 you will include extremely more pixel heaven + free bedroom TV screen as I use it now :)
 
does it actually have more pixels per square inch, or is the higher resolution because of its big screen size?
 
I have the 27" iMac I say the 27" is much bigger then the 21" and My eyes are used to the 27" since I own the 25.5 Samsung monitor before.
 
alex007 said:
does it actually have more pixels per square inch, or is the higher resolution because of its big screen size?
Click to expand...

PPI is about same, 108.79 PPI for 27" and 102.46 PPI for 21.5". So with 27 you will get more pixels 1440p vs 1080p, bigger screen and 6 more PPI :)
 
I have the 21.5, and if you're working at your desk, about 18-24" away, your eyes will get pretty sore. I'd imagine the 27" would be too overwhelming. Good luck!
 
I've owned a 21,5 and now own a 27.

I found 27 to be much better when it comes to doing everything on one screen without having to minimize stuff and fantastic for viewing pictures. I would never go back to 21,5 altho I love that one too. I also think that the 27 base model offers a better value than the 21. That big screen is an added value.
 
Anyone who can afford(and who cannot) should go for 27 inch.. not 21..

Just for sheer pleasure of 27 inch screen and also it's match made in heaven between osx and 27 inch...
 
jvmxtra said:
Anyone who can afford(and who cannot) should go for 27 inch.. not 21..

Just for sheer pleasure of 27 inch screen and also it's match made in heaven between osx and 27 inch...
Click to expand...

Posts like this make me cringe. Instead of assertive statements, I would prefer posts that are well thought-out and are either: instructive, demonstrative; or, enlightening. Or, all of the above. Some detail would be nice.

- David
 
I own both, and in fact I have a 24" I've given to a family member.

I do find the 27" better though I do a lot of document formatting, spread-sheets, powerpoints etc.

I find being able to have two documents open side-by-side and read both a real plus. If it wasn't for 27" I'd likely get a second monitor.
 
alex007 said:
how about the screen? Its resolution is much higher and I believe has a little more appeal and stature to it... Any comments on the screen?
Click to expand...

There is a huge difference when you move from a 1920 to a 2560 screen.

Typically, the resolution for the smaller is 1920X1080 (sometimes called 1080P). The resolution for the larger screen is typically 2560X1600 or 2560X1440. The 2560 screen has almost twice the pixels... which really drives the cost up.

Usage wise... I am personally dissatisfied with displays with a lower resolution than 2560. The doubling of pixels makes a very large difference on how much information you can displace on the screen simultaneously.

/Jim
 
Dornblaser said:
Posts like this make me cringe. Instead of assertive statements, I would prefer posts that are well thought-out and are either: instructive, demonstrative; or, enlightening. Or, all of the above. Some detail would be nice.

- David
Click to expand...

Sorry about that. But that's exactly what I mean. You can theorize and talk about resolution all you want. But at the end of the day, iMac 27 inch is something you should have at your desk and experience it day in and day out.

There is no pros and cons. Anyone who can afford and their space allows it, you have to get iMac 27.
It's that simple.

If you have ever used 27 iMac, you know what I am talking about. If I am going to get 21 inch iMac, I will just get the laptop and get a secondary monitor. What's the point?? Go for the 27 inch iMac!
 
Its up to the user in the end. I went with a 2011 iMac 21.5" with the 2.7 ghz
i5 processor. I have since upgraded my memory to 16GB and am getting ready to install a SSD from OWC. I think the 21.5" was the best for me because I am doing photography editing and word processing and some minor music recording. I use it otherwise to surf the internet and keep on my social life. The 27" was just too big, especially if you wanna run dual screens with limited space. So it really up to you.
 
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