Imac 20" vs 24"

[macbanda]

I've decided on an Imac but do not know if there are any advantages of getting a 24" over the 20" Imac other than the obvious screen size difference. Any advice?

Also, I'll be using my computer primarily for internet (email, youtube etc..) and simple word-processing -no heavy gaming. Will the entry 20" be plenty fast?

Thanks.

 

[Cboss]

The differences for you would be very, very minor. Just get the size that you prefer.

 

[Mugwumper]

24" is r-e-a-l-l-y nice ;^)

I've decided on an Imac but do not know if there are any advantages of getting a 24" over the 20" Imac other than the obvious screen size difference. Any advice?

Also, I'll be using my computer primarily for internet (email, youtube etc..) and simple word-processing -no heavy gaming. Will the entry 20" be plenty fast?

Thanks.

I went from a 20" G5 to a 24" C2D, and initially thought, "wow, this thing is
huge!" But having used the 24" for a few months, it feels just right now.

You will use the space by running many more things simultaneously, so the
extra real estate allows you to have, say, a Safari window running alongside
a Word/OpenOffice window. So it's much easier to do cut-n-paste from 2
different apps or documents.

It's also much easier to use iPhoto, iTunes, and iMovie/iDVD - you can spread
things out more, and see "the big picture."

Depending on your budget, I would get the fastest system (3.06GHz) and
max out the memory (4GB) - the more memory, the merrier. If you are
coming from the PC world, 4GB RAM allows you run VMware/Parallels and a
2GB VM of WinXP Pro or Win7. And again, the 24" allows you to have a PC
window that runs alongside your Mac world.

Can you tell I'm quite happy with the 24" system? ;^)

Mugwumper

 

[macbanda]

I went from a 20" G5 to a 24" C2D, and initially thought, "wow, this thing is
huge!" But having used the 24" for a few months, it feels just right now.

You will use the space by running many more things simultaneously, so the
extra real estate allows you to have, say, a Safari window running alongside
a Word/OpenOffice window. So it's much easier to do cut-n-paste from 2
different apps or documents.

It's also much easier to use iPhoto, iTunes, and iMovie/iDVD - you can spread
things out more, and see "the big picture."

Depending on your budget, I would get the fastest system (3.06GHz) and
max out the memory (4GB) - the more memory, the merrier. If you are
coming from the PC world, 4GB RAM allows you run VMware/Parallels and a
2GB VM of WinXP Pro or Win7. And again, the 24" allows you to have a PC
window that runs alongside your Mac world.

Can you tell I'm quite happy with the 24" system? ;^)

Mugwumper

Excellent response and very good information which leads me to think the 24" is better. As far as the processor speed, I have to wonder if I need the 3.0 or if the entry level will suffice? Thanks again.

 

[Mugwumper]

Get the biggest and fastest! ;^)

Excellent response and very good information which leads me to think the 24" is better. As far as the processor speed, I have to wonder if I need the 3.0 or if the entry level will suffice? Thanks again.

You're welcome! ;^)

Hard to answer your question, but here are some things to consider:

- what is the iMac going to replace? An 800MHz G4, 1.2GHz PC? Are you
expecting a certain level of performance?
- the difference between 2.66 and 3.06 is only 15-20%, so if it's an
economic decision, get the least expensive
- I always try to get the fastest available at any point in time, mainly because
I only get a new system every 4 years or so. Today's "fastest" will be fairly
mid-range in a few years
- if, as you noted, you don't have any specific app that requires a certain
level of performance, then 2.66 is probably OK - but . . .
- the lower-end machines' graphics are a bit slower

(wow, I'm starting to sound like an Apple sales rep - sorry!)

Don't know how much experience you've had with Apple, but here's another
option: buy refurb'd. I've had 2 in the past (G5 and current C2D), and they
never gave me any problems. I bought the current 24" iMac earlier this
year, and it's a 2008 model (that was mfg'd in 2009) for about 1/3 off its
original list price. As long as you don't mind not having a pretty cardboard
box, I think it's well worth it - the systems are fully examined and tested,
and some say are better than a true "new" system. They have the same full
warranty. And don't forget AppleCare . . .

Hope this helps . . .