Can't decide which iMac

[obey908]

I can't really decide which iMac I should get. Money isn't really an issue, but at the same time I don't want to way over pay for something I will hardly push to it's full limit.

I will mostly be using it for pictures and a lot of handbrake

Options from cheapest to most expensive.

1. Refurb 27" 2.66 i5 - $1529
2. Refurb 27" 2.8 i7 - $1699
3. 27" 2.8 i5 - $1999
4. 27" 2.8 i5 + 8gb ram - $2199
5. 27" 2.93 i7 - $2199
6. 27" 2.93 i7 + 8gb ram - $2399

I would much rather prefer to buy new. Would going all out with option 6 be the best choice, considering I will keep the computer for 2-3 years?

 

[MacVibe]

I vote for choice 2. If you want more ram you can get 4 GB sticks from Newegg for less than $100 so you could get a 16 GB i7 machine for less than choices 4-6. That's what I'd do, but if money really isn't a problem and you are a little tepid about refurb, then spend more and get a new, updated imac.

 

[circularforward]

I also vote for #2 based on your needs. Apple refurbs are very good, perhaps the best in the industry with the same warranty as new. But I can understand your desire for new: if money is not an issue, go for #6!!! =)

 

[d88co88]

Definitely #2, handbrake is very processor intensive work, the i7 would handle it great. Don't worry about getting a refurb though, they are very nice. I bought my macbook pro refurbished and it was perfect.

 

[obey908]

ended up picking up the new 27" i7 today, going to slowly upgrade to 16gb of ram over the next 2-3 months

 

[kernkraft]

Option two, please! Preserve your cash, that i7 will do nicely.

 

[delacruzjeff]

I am on the same boat whether to get the refurb 27" i7 2.8 or the new 27" i5 2.8.

What is major difference between their graphics card - ATI Radeon 4850 w/ 512 mb vs the newer ATI Radeon 5750 w/ 1gb?

my main use will be photo and video processing. right now will only use iPhoto and iMovie but eventually move to Aperture and Final Cut.

 

[DoFoT9]

Option two, please! Preserve your cash, that i7 will do nicely.

i would have said that too, or #1 + OWC RAM.

OP: please, PLEASE purchase your RAM externally! OWC (macsales.com) is your best bet

 

[d88co88]

ended up picking up the new 27" i7 today, going to slowly upgrade to 16gb of ram over the next 2-3 months

Why didn't you get the refurb? It is a lot cheaper and they are in super great condition!

 

[obey908]

i would have said that too, or #1 + OWC RAM.

OP: please, PLEASE purchase your RAM externally! OWC (macsales.com) is your best bet

I was going to get g.skill 4gb ddr3 sticks from newegg

Why didn't you get the refurb? It is a lot cheaper and they are in super great condition!

Rather buy new

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

i would have said that too, or #1 + OWC RAM.

OP: please, PLEASE purchase your RAM externally! OWC (macsales.com) is your best bet

Apple RAM isn't that far off from OWC prices.

 

[Ca$hflow]

Rather buy new

Then what the hell was the point of #1 or #2 being on the list? Pretty retarded.

 

[DoFoT9]

I was going to get g.skill 4gb ddr3 sticks from newegg

what are the specifications of that?

Apple RAM isn't that far off from OWC prices.

$227 OWC vs $269 Apple for 8GB upgrade. small difference but i would rather save the money. the differences are even more when grabbing 16GB ($100). aussie prices btw.

 

[obey908]

what are the specifications of that?

Brand - G.SKILL
Model - F3-8500CL7S-4GBSQ
Type - 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM


Tech Spec
Capacity - 4GB
Speed - DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500)
Cas Latency - 7
Timing - 7-7-7-20
Voltage - 1.5V
ECC - No
Buffered/Registered - Unbuffered

 

[DoFoT9]

Brand - G.SKILL
Model - F3-8500CL7S-4GBSQ
Type - 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM


Tech Spec
Capacity - 4GB
Speed - DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500)
Cas Latency - 7
Timing - 7-7-7-20
Voltage - 1.5V
ECC - No
Buffered/Registered - Unbuffered

looks perfect