Advice on purchasing imac please

[tonyy]

I'm looking to get a desktop for the home and I'm not looking for something too expensive.

Option 1: early 2009 imac 9,1 20"
2.0 GHz
2 GB ram
Upgraded to a 500gb HD
Selling for $500
I would buy a new keyboard, trackpad, update to ML, and up the ram to 8gb

Option 2: imac 21.5" 10,1
3.06 GHz
4GB
Running ML
Comes with wireless keyboard and mouse
Selling for $700

Is is worth the extra $200 for the same Intel C2D? I would love to find an i3 or newer but $700 is the top of my budget for a desktop.

It will be used for normal web surfing and light gaming. Also, the typical usage of uploading pics to iPhoto and sharing. So nothing too extensive.

 

[rkaufmann87]

I'm looking to get a desktop for the home and I'm not looking for something too expensive.

Option 1: early 2009 imac 9,1 20"
2.0 GHz
2 GB ram
Upgraded to a 500gb HD
Selling for $500
I would buy a new keyboard, trackpad, update to ML, and up the ram to 8gb

Option 2: imac 21.5" 10,1
3.06 GHz
4GB
Running ML
Comes with wireless keyboard and mouse
Selling for $700

Is is worth the extra $200 for the same Intel C2D? I would love to find an i3 or newer but $700 is the top of my budget for a desktop.

It will be used for normal web surfing and light gaming. Also, the typical usage of uploading pics to iPhoto and sharing. So nothing too extensive.

I would pass on both and purchase a Refurbished iMac directly from Apple. They are up-to-date, have the same 1 year warranty as a new machine, are elgible for AppleCare extended warranty and virtually identical to a new machine. Try this option:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC309LL/A

however you have to move fast as they change inventory very very quickly!

 

[tonyy]

I would pass on both and purchase a Refurbished iMac directly from Apple. They are up-to-date, have the same 1 year warranty as a new machine, are elgible for AppleCare extended warranty and virtually identical to a new machine. Try this option:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC309LL/A

however you have to move fast as they change inventory very very quickly!

I would love to buy one from the refurb store but hitting close to the 1k mark is just a bit too much right now.

 

[rkaufmann87]

I would love to buy one from the refurb store but hitting close to the 1k mark is just a bit too much right now.

Then wait and save a couple of hundred dollars, it's much much smarter than buying someones used (who know what you're getting) machine. You may also qualify for Apple's credit, where you can get zero percent financing.