Cheapest iMac suitable for video editing?

[Norkusa]

My girlfriend recently decided to replace her 4yo PC laptop with an iMac, mainly for video editing. Her budget is only around $1500 though, which limits her to the 21.5" iMac's. Would the low-end 2.7GHz model with 16GB ram be suitable for video editing? Or would the 2.9GHz with 8GB ram be just as good/better?

I'm trying to convince her to spend a little more and get a 27" so she can install the extra memory herself, but she's afraid that it'll be way too big for her.

 

[Ak907Freerider]

Check the refurb stuff even a older model is great for video editing. I'm running a 2011 refurb with the 3.4 processor paid $1780 for it it's a 27 inch. So look in refurbs they come flawless and still have same warranty.

 

[AgRacer]

Definitely look at the refurb store. Their are many 27" models available, including the base model for $1529.

Also a 2011 21" i5 quad core that you can DIY memory upgrade to 16GB for $1,189.