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kensic

macrumors 6502
Jan 11, 2013
362
28
There few on apple refurb trying to decide what to get either base model or get upgraded. There is a 27 2011 mac but out of my price range at the moment and im sure everyone will agree to get a 2012 model vs a 2011?

Whats my best bang for the money?

go big or go home, get the 27" one. all the best buy open box base 27" around me are going for 1650$
 

mushroomtip

macrumors 6502
Oct 27, 2012
354
0
Im of the opinion that you are not gonna be happy unless you have that brand new shiny iMac in hand. just be patient and stash the cash you have saved up and save some more . collect cans , sell some useless belongings ,even sell a few pints of blood till you get there.
 

drummer1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 17, 2013
100
0
I would like a 27 but I probably would be happy with a 21.5. Just the 27 so awesome and huge.

I did find I site on 2011 27 what do you think or should I just stick with 2012 model? Think the site is legit and a good if so.

http://www.planethightech.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=200
 

akdj

macrumors 65816
Mar 10, 2008
1,186
86
62.88°N/-151.28°W
You should save a little and get the 2012 late 27" imac the 70% less glare on the screen makes a worlds difference

You're starting to see this option. Hang tight and constantly check the refurb section at apple.com and if you've got a local best buy. Open box are just fine to pick up from BB. I've got a pair of 2011 21.5" and two 2010 21.5" iMacs. We use them for our events as our primary sound sources. They also do DMX lighting control. I've only ever needed the base models with the 1tb storage option (for the audio library). I've been using a 2010 Mac Pro for our home studio and stationary machine. We sold it this past fall when I bought an rMBP. We are now considering, like you, a 27" iMac for the home office/studio. The gains between the 2010/11 models and the 2012 aren't just the anti glare (which IS a biggie!), but USB 3 is huge! Thunderbolt (2011 has TB) x2 on the 27" models and a significantly better GPU. Also, if in the refurb @ apple.com you're able to come across the fusion drive option, you'll love happily ever after ;). Pretty cool to have the benefits of the SSD with the capacity of the HDD. The refurb 27" might be a bit more than you have now +/-$1500, but well worth it. If you don't need it now, give yourself 4-6 weeks. The refurb store should start gaining inventory as the iMacs are finally starting to ship en masse. I just did a CTO order through my local Apple store (business store) for a 27"/768ssd/680 GPU. They're expecting delivery by 4/3. I ordered it yesterday. A month ago, this was a 4-6 week wait. They're now shipping inside of 7-10 days. Faster shipping means more iMacs going out...in return means more coming back (for refurb sale). Also, MacMall, B&H and Best Buy are all excellent resellers and sometimes you'll save $100-$150 off Apple retail. You can also save 30-50% off Applecare (I buy AC @ B&H).

Good luck. Have patience. Save a bit more and of you want the 27", buy it. Don't settle for the smaller display. The 27" Apple panel itself is a near $1,000 option if you were to buy a separate display with its attributes.

J
 

drummer1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 17, 2013
100
0
Should I get the base 27" $1800 or upgraded 27" $2000?

Also will consider a 27" 2011 which would be cheaper.

Let me know what you think? Thanks
 
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drummer1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 17, 2013
100
0
If I go 2011 27" either base model or upgrade which should I go with im not a gamer.

2.7 i5 with video 6770m with 512

Or upgraded

3.1 i5 with video 6970m with 1gb
 

B...

macrumors 68000
Mar 7, 2013
1,949
2
Anyone? Should I go base or upgraded 27 imac?Will consider a 2011

What else do you use it for?

Photoshop (intensive), video rendering (HD), Final Cut Pro, "future proofing" is important, etc: upgrade.

Anything else: Base model
 

drummer1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 17, 2013
100
0
Ok thanks besides the basic internet email pics videos and some basic editing just heard with that big of display that the base model video card with 512 cant handel to well vs the upgraded with 1gb.
 
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drummer1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 17, 2013
100
0
Well gone get either a 2011 27" imac or a 2012 27" imac I think I will be ok with base model.
 

drummer1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 17, 2013
100
0
27" iMac buying help?

Well need help deciding what 27" imac to buy I can get a 2011 27" for 1050 or get a 2012 27?

Also should I go base model not much difference or get upgraded model another 200 bucks? I am looking at open box bestbuy and refurb apple. Also fushion drive worth the upgraded?

I do pretty the basic stuff besides some basic editing
 
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firedept

macrumors 603
Jul 8, 2011
6,277
1,130
Somewhere!
Well need help deciding what 27" imac to buy I can get a 2011 27" for 1050 or get a 2012 27" new 1800-2000 or refurb/open box for like 1600-1800?

Also should I go base model not much difference or get upgrade model another 200 bucks? I am looking at open box bestbuy and refurb apple.

I do pretty basic stuff besides some basic editing

I personally own the 2012 27" i7 3.4 1TB Fusion and it is a dream machine to work with. Then Fusion Drive makes it real quick. Open box is not an issue as it will still have a 1 year warranty from Apple and if you add the AppleCare to it, that will take it to 3 years. I had a 2011 27" i7 3.4 and it was a nice computer as well but no where as quick as my 2012. If you are doing simple web browsing, emails and some photo editing, then the lower model will work. But if you can afford the upgrade go for it. Will definitely not hurt you down the road. But the average person does not need all the top end has to offer as they will never use it all.
 

drummer1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 17, 2013
100
0
This is a good deal on 2011 27" think this is legit or not? China knock off?

http://www.planethightech.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=200
 
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firedept

macrumors 603
Jul 8, 2011
6,277
1,130
Somewhere!

drummer1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 17, 2013
100
0
That site is the cheapest ive seen. So I should get the upgraded model? Should I spend the extra and get Fushion drive? If I do this then that means I basically will have to buy new instead of looking around for a good deal on open box or apple refurb.
 

drummer1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 17, 2013
100
0
Well think im gonna get the fushion drive so that means ill have to buy new cause of the upgrade vs going open box or apple refurb. .
 

tekboi

macrumors 6502a
Aug 9, 2006
731
145
EasŦcoast
I agree w/ most people in this thread. You should get the 21 incher and go up on specs. Unless you're heavily into Web Design or something else that requires the screen space, you won't need it anyways.
 

drummer1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 17, 2013
100
0
Well im uping my budget. But 21.5 to 27 with upgrade fushion drive only couple hundred bucks mise well get the 27 plus screen is amazing.
 

B...

macrumors 68000
Mar 7, 2013
1,949
2
Well im uping my budget. But 21.5 to 27 with upgrade fushion drive only couple hundred bucks mise well get the 27 plus screen is amazing.

So buy the computer you want to buy. In this case, I guess it would be the low or high end 27". It's a great computer.
 

drummer1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 17, 2013
100
0
Yeah im just trying to decide weather to get base 27" or upgraded model and with or without fushion drive?
 

B...

macrumors 68000
Mar 7, 2013
1,949
2
Yeah im just trying to decide weather to get base 27" or upgraded model and with or without fushion drive?

Fusion drive gives you the benefit of the SSD with the space of a HDD. If you can afford it, you should get it. But it is not the be all and end all of computers. The 27" is more upgradeable than the 21.5", so you could upgrade the stock HDD to an SSD when you can afford it. That will give you even better performance than Fusion.

You said that you use a computer for basic use and a little editing. That does not require a full GB of graphics, but if you can afford it again, you should buy it.
 
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firedept

macrumors 603
Jul 8, 2011
6,277
1,130
Somewhere!
That site is the cheapest ive seen. So I should get the upgraded model? Should I spend the extra and get Fushion drive? If I do this then that means I basically will have to buy new instead of looking around for a good deal on open box or apple refurb.

I have the fusion drive and it is quick. But I got it because I use Adobe CS6 and some of the programs take quite some time opening and rendering some of the things I do. With the fusion drive, they open quicker and render things for me quicker. As it is for business, time is money, so I got the fusion.

The 2011 iMac's are still great machines by all means. And for what you say you do, the 2011 will work just fine. If you do buy from a reseller, just make sure you get some kind of warranty. Other thing you could do, is go to an Apple Store, if one is near you, and try the new iMac with fusion drive. Might help you with your decision.
 

drummer1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 17, 2013
100
0
Apple store has them with fushion drive? Thought they only had the standard imac and the upgraded model.
 

drummer1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 17, 2013
100
0
How does the base model 27" with fushion drive compare to 27" upgraded model with fushion drive?
 

B...

macrumors 68000
Mar 7, 2013
1,949
2
How does the base model 27" with fushion drive compare to 27" upgraded model with fushion drive?

Slightly more powerful which helps for intense activities. I do not think you would notice the difference for basic use and light editing.
 
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