Have a 3 year old iMac, considering buying new. Questions.

[poorlytoldjoke]

Here's what I have. I have the 24" 3.06 Core 2 duo with 4 gigs of ram. I am considering buying the new 27" top end iMac, with the i5 processor, possibly upgrading ti the i7.

What sort of speed increase should I be seeing? Is this a worthwhile upgrade? I think I can likely sell my current iMac for around 800-1000. I was doing freelance graphic design and A/V work, but haven't in a while. I was hoping to step back towards that.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Repo]

Get an SSD, and you're good to go.

 

[mackage]

It would help others to answer this if you could ellaborate on your current computer use.

 

[poorlytoldjoke]

It would help others to answer this if you could ellaborate on your current computer use.

Well, like I said, I'm planning on getting back to freelance graphic design, audio and video work. Specifically editing and scoring short pieces, typically less than 5 minutes, but up to 20. Mainly using Final Cut Pro and Protools.

 

[veteq]

Well, like I said, I'm planning on getting back to freelance graphic design, audio and video work. Specifically editing and scoring short pieces, typically less than 5 minutes, but up to 20. Mainly using Final Cut Pro and Protools.

I just replaced my 3 year old iMac with the 27" i7. I use mine mostly for photo editing and the difference in speed is very noticeable, I am glad I got the i7 CPU.

 

[Badger^2]

I *am* running my own design studio -- doing a bunch of 24-48 page publications, posters, bus shelters, brochures, PPT presentations a few web sites and plenty of collateral material -- all on a 2.4 24" iMac.

No problems whatsoever.

If you have the money to blow, sure, it will be faster -- thats a given.

Cost effective? Im going to say "no" -- unless of course you spend most days waiting on it.

If thats a March 09 iMac you could go to 8 gigs of ram.