I don't think that 5.1 systems for $400 really can sound great. Decent maybe. Nothing more. $400 really is like nothing in HiFi areas and only gets you entry level speakers (2 of them, or rather 1) from good companies with a good reputation. Without amp of course.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Releases Core 2 Duo iMac, Adds 24" Model
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Question
Question...
I'm pretty torn between getting the 20" iMac and the 24" iMac. Price is definitely an issue for me...I've allowed myself roughly $2000 to spend...but the 24 is tempting me to spend a little more than that, which I think I will. But I don't think I have the money to max out the 24" with all the BTO options. So I think its between the 20" with 2gb ram and 256mb of video ram....or the 24" with 2gb ram and 128mb of video ram (the 7300 video card). Would it be worth it for me to get the 24" iMac even though I don't have the money to upgrade the video card? I do a little photoshop work and some Logic work...but nothing too video/graphic intensive. I play an occasional game of Warcraft every once in a while. Never play Doom or any first person shooter games like that. Anyone have an opinion? Thanks.
Question...
I'm pretty torn between getting the 20" iMac and the 24" iMac. Price is definitely an issue for me...I've allowed myself roughly $2000 to spend...but the 24 is tempting me to spend a little more than that, which I think I will. But I don't think I have the money to max out the 24" with all the BTO options. So I think its between the 20" with 2gb ram and 256mb of video ram....or the 24" with 2gb ram and 128mb of video ram (the 7300 video card). Would it be worth it for me to get the 24" iMac even though I don't have the money to upgrade the video card? I do a little photoshop work and some Logic work...but nothing too video/graphic intensive. I play an occasional game of Warcraft every once in a while. Never play Doom or any first person shooter games like that. Anyone have an opinion? Thanks.
MacinDoc said:
Perhaps it has then, I haven't tried doing the math on these latest Intel models when it comes to RAM, just going based on prior experience. Although I bet you that better deals can be found for 2 GB sticks elsewhere, as last time I checked Apple was charing an awful lot for those specifically. Or, perhaps I'm out of touch on this one as well...
mmignano said:
Well, it seems that the combination of bigger monitor and wimpier video card would be a bad one. As sexy as the 24" is, I think you'd be better served by the 20" with more video RAM.
If You Look For Sales You Can Get A Pretty Decent 5.1 System For $500
In America you can get an excellent Dolby Digital DTS 500 Watt Amp for $200 or less - Pioneer - and a Passive 12" Subwoofer for $100. The other 5 speakers can be found for another $200 if you use smaller 2 or 3 way on sale at Fry's. Not top drawer, but very much better compared to the smaller size these Kliptch are. Sometimes Fry's even has the whole shebang on sale for $499 in one easy to setup package.kadajawi said:
Most people here seem to think that the 7300 is a step up from the X1600, even with 128MB of VRAM.zwida said:
I have been lurking on this board for years and I finally registered to say I got a new iMac. I've been using a G4 400 since early 2000. Finally I was able to get some money together and purchase a new 20" iMac with RAM, VRAM, and wireless kb/mm upgrades. I'm super stoked. My first new Mac in 6 1/2 years!
Pay No Attention To Video RAM Quantity Unless You Play 3D Games Or Use A 3D Program
No. More video RAM is only needed for 3-D Games and design work. You are much better off with the 24" and stock RAM. Photoshop will not run faster with twice the stock 128MB video RAM. Anything 2D doesn't really care about video ram including video. Motion does but not Final Cut Pro. That being said, it can't hurt to pay the extra $125 to double the RAM when thinking of resale value.zwida said:
You are correct sir or madam.kadajawi said:
Considering that the cheapest price I can find on a 2 GB SODIMM is $729 USD, if you purchased one of those with a 1 GB SODIMM and added shipping and customs, you would still be hard pressed to break even by buying 3rd party RAM to configure a 3 GB iMac.~Shard~ said:Perhaps it has then, I haven't tried doing the math on these latest Intel models when it comes to RAM, just going based on prior experience. Although I bet you that better deals can be found for 2 GB sticks elsewhere, as last time I checked Apple was charing an awful lot for those specifically. Or, perhaps I'm out of touch on this one as well...
1999 PowerMac G4 @ 400 To iMac 20" C2D In One Giant Leap For Mankind
Original price $1600
Resale Value $350-$450
Watch out for whiplash.
You do know you can edit your posts right?
Congratulations! That's the original September 1999 G4 PowerMac offering from exactly 7 years ago.foxbatkllr said:
Original price $1600
Resale Value $350-$450
Watch out for whiplash.
You do know you can edit your posts right?
Multimedia said:Congratulations! That's decended from the original September 1999 G4 PowerMac speed offering 7 years ago only still a G3.
Your's was introduced on July 19, 2000. It is known officially as either the iMac DV 400 (Indego) or the iMac DV SE - Special Edition (Grey). Former has a red tinted body - very sexy, latter boring grey.
15" 1024x768 CRT Original price $1499
Resale Value $275-$375
Watch out for whiplash.
My bad. I meant to say my G4 400 was/is a tower, not an iMac. But I am prepared for a huge speed difference.
No adjustment to delivery date
My BTO 24" still says shipping on 15th and delivery by the 20th... with 2 day air.. lol
Anyone find their data adjusted to the good?
My BTO 24" still says shipping on 15th and delivery by the 20th... with 2 day air.. lol
Anyone find their data adjusted to the good?
Aqua and Aero are 3D games
So, while Photoshop won't run faster with more VRAM - your overall experience may be better with the additional VRAM.
Note that the 3D engines are being used more and more by the GUI (Vista suggests at least 128 MiB dedicated or shared VRAM - even my Yonah laptop has 256 MiB (64 dedicated, rest shared)).Multimedia said:No. More video RAM is only needed for 3-D Games and design work. You are much better off with the 24" and stock RAM. Photoshop will not run faster with twice the stock 128MB video RAM. Anything 2D doesn't really care about video ram including video. Motion does but not Final Cut Pro. That being said, it can't hurt to pay the extra $125 to double the RAM when thinking of resale value.
So, while Photoshop won't run faster with more VRAM - your overall experience may be better with the additional VRAM.
MacinDoc said:
Hmm, good point, thanks for the insight on that - I don't keep up as much on RAM prices when I'm not in the market for some myself.
vansouza said:My BTO 24" still says shipping on 15th and delivery by the 20th... with 2 day air.. lol
Anyone find their data adjusted to the good?
I just talked to an agent and my order is still the same. Scheduled shipping by the 15th, receipt on or before the 22nd--although she said it would likely be the 20th-21st.
Waiting
Perhaps and sadly for us, Apple has gotten quite accurate in giving us ship and delivery dates... such is life... good luck to you with your dates... I should have mine in a week.. God willing...
Reep said:
Perhaps and sadly for us, Apple has gotten quite accurate in giving us ship and delivery dates... such is life... good luck to you with your dates... I should have mine in a week.. God willing...
mmignano said:
Go with the 24". Take the stock RAM but upgrade the video card. True, the VRAM doesn't add up to photoshop performance, but that's the graphics card is the hardest part to change for yourself compared to RAM or harddisk. In six months you upgrade your RAM. If you have to.
Now you guys conter with this MXM XMX thing about changing the g-card in an iMac. Go!
Please Elaborate On The Details Of 20" iMac Screen Problem
Please elaborate on the problem description. We all want to know the gory details.wjordan said:
Yeah, I don't usually do that either, but he RAM upgrade prices for the new iMacs were a lot less than I expected, so I checked it out, only to discover that, for once, RAM upgrades from the Apple Store were a good value. Let's hope this is the beginning of a trend for upgrades at the Apple Store...~Shard~ said:Hmm, good point, thanks for the insight on that - I don't keep up as much on RAM prices when I'm not in the market for some myself.