iMac configs

[deanops]

Looking through the store today and was wondering what config i am going to do in my imac 20''... i don't know whether to


All prices are Edu discount
iMac 20'' Standard = $AUD2069
iMac 20'' + 2gb ram = $AUD2312
iMac 20'' + 256mb vram = $AUD2176
iMac 20'' + Apple Care = $AUD2283

Now all of these prices are less that what i would have gotten for a standard iMac 20'' if i didn't have the edu discount.....

Let me ask...
1. will i get cheaper ram anywhere else (in Australia) and how much could i sell the 1gb thats in it....?
2. Is VRAM really essential if i am not going to be playing games - may do some occasional personal photo/video editing?
3. I can buy Apple care later on..... Probably better to get it at the end of my first year... can i still get it with my edu discount???
thanks for your say in this

---->other more expensive option 24'' iMac standard... dream<----

 

[dartzorichalcos]

iMac 20'' + 2gb ram = $AUD2312

Get that model as more ram is more important than vram.

2. Is VRAM really essential if i am not going to be playing games - may do some occasional personal photo/video editing?

Only if you are going to be using applications like Motion or Maya.

other more expensive option 24'' iMac standard... dream

check the refurbished store some time

 

[dmw007]

Out of those options, I would go with option #2- 20" iMac with 2GB of RAM. I find that Mac OS should have 2GB+ of RAM to play with. You can always add AppleCare later.

 

[wakerider017]

Just so you know, you can add RAM and Apple Care later. You can't add a video card.


That said, I would rather have the RAM.

 

[dmw007]

Just so you know, you can add RAM and Apple Care later. You can't add a video card.


That said, I would rather have the RAM.

True, the video card can not be upgraded later. But the OP seems to have no intentions of gaming, so the video card is a bit of a mute issue.

 

[wakerider017]

True, the video card can not be upgraded later. But the OP seems to have no intentions of gaming, so the video card is a bit of a mute issue.

Yup RAM seems like a wise choice.

 

[Scarlet Fever]

Let me ask...
1. will i get cheaper ram anywhere else (in Australia) and how much could i sell the 1gb thats in it....?

Streetwise sell Mac compatible RAM pretty cheap, and i've never had a problem there. For any peripherals you can't get with the Edu discount, go to Streetwise

2. Is VRAM really essential if i am not going to be playing games - may do some occasional personal photo/video editing?

i think the GPU is only really used in hardcore video editing (FCP kinda stuff) and gaming. You should be fine with the lower specced GPU.

3. I can buy Apple care later on..... Probably better to get it at the end of my first year... can i still get it with my edu discount???
thanks for your say in this

yes you can

if i was buying an iMac, I would get this;
20"
1.5GB RAM (take out one of the 512MB stock sticks and buy a gig stick)
500GB HDD (its big, but its better to have too much than too little)
128MB ATi X1600
$2,357.30 AUD edu price

 

[deanops]

if i was buying an iMac, I would get this;
20"
1.5GB RAM (take out one of the 512MB stock sticks and buy a gig stick)
500GB HDD (its big, but its better to have too much than too little)
128MB ATi X1600
$2,357.30 AUD edu price

nice idea... but i already have a 250 gb external... no eed for that.... i didn't even think about 1.5gb ram... will that be enough for my uses of schoolwork, light photoshop, iphoto, imovie, itunes and internet??

edit; and also will the unmatched ram be ok?? or will experience problems?
can you buy memory from apple?
kingsington ram (premium) or just standard?? $30 difference?

 

[Scarlet Fever]

nice idea... but i already have a 250 gb external... no eed for that.... i didn't even think about 1.5gb ram... will that be enough for my uses of schoolwork, light photoshop, iphoto, imovie, itunes and internet??

i do light to moderate photoshopping, and RAM is never an issue for me with 1.5GB RAM

edit; and also will the unmatched ram be ok?? or will experience problems?

works for me, and dozens of other people here.

can you buy memory from apple?

you can, but its more expensive

kingsington ram (premium) or just standard?? $30 difference?

i'd just go for the cheaper stuff. its the same stuff, just without a label on it. Streetwise will replace it if its a bad stick.

 

[siurpeeman]

Let me ask...
3. I can buy Apple care later on..... Probably better to get it at the end of my first year... can i still get it with my edu discount???

i might be wrong, but i think you can only get the apple care with education discount if you get an edu discounted imac.