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Is there no other advantage to Sandy Bridge ? I suppose the newer model has better graphics and probably lower power use. Seems like Thunderbolt is probably not a big deal on an iMac.
 
Is there no other advantage to Sandy Bridge ? I suppose the newer model has better graphics and probably lower power use. Seems like Thunderbolt is probably not a big deal on an iMac.

For CPU intensive applications SB is faster but unless you spend significant hours using such applications it may not be worth the extra $$$ compared to one of these brand new 2010 systems. Besides, since the TB equipped 2011 models no longer support target display mode from Mini-DP I can't use them.

Cheers,
 
As an update on the Cost Central deal, I ordered the 1 TB 27" i7 yesterday morning for $1403, with about 1200 units showing in stock. This morning they are special order with a 2-3 week delivery and $1552.
 
As an update on the Cost Central deal, I ordered the 1 TB 27" i7 yesterday morning for $1403, with about 1200 units showing in stock. This morning they are special order with a 2-3 week delivery and $1552.

Do you have to pay a sales tax with Coast Central? Im in California...
 
I have had two orders cancelled from Cost Central in the last two days. First the 2TB model and now the 1TB model. Both times when I ordered the invoice claimed they had 1200 or so units in stock and both times the reason for the cancellation is that the item is an old item and they can no longer get it from Apple.

I just called MacMall and ordered one and it sounds like they don't have too many left. You better order one soon if you want to jump on this deal.
 
This thread almost gave me buyer's remorse when I saw it, since I just bought the same model as a refurb from Apple at a higher price, but when I received my unit and saw it had the 2TB HDD inside (when I only paid for the standard 1TB), I think things evened out :cool:
 
For CPU intensive applications SB is faster but unless you spend significant hours using such applications it may not be worth the extra $$$ compared to one of these brand new 2010 systems. Besides, since the TB equipped 2011 models no longer support target display mode from Mini-DP I can't use them.

Cheers,

SB or no SB the i7 870 2.93 is faster than the i5 both versions in the 2011 models the 2.7 and the 3.1.

The i7 3.4 is the only iMac 27 inch right now that is faster than the 2010 i7 model.

Hyperthreading+more cores=faster CPU. For CPU intensive applications the i7 870 is faster than the i5 2011 models. So for $1500 you are getting a faster iMac than any 2011 i5 27 iMac save for the SB i7 3.4 which is the fastest iMac ever made.

As far as raw CPU power goes:

2011 i7 3.4 imac
2011 i7 2.8 imac
2010 i7 2.93 imac
2009 i7 2.8 imac
2011 i5 3.1 imac
2011 i5 2.7 imac
2011 i5 2.5 imac
2010 i5 2.8 imac
2010 i5 3.6 imac
2009 i5 2.66 imac

Those are pretty much the top ten performing iMacs right now in that order give or take. As far as 27 inch models go. The 2.93 27 is the second fastest right now regardless of year. Second only to the 2011 27 3.4 SB.

Notice the hyper threading advantage. The i7 is king regardless of year.
 
Wish MacMall had refurb 2011 3.4's

Not saying it's worth it but I wish someone other than Apple was selling the refurb 3.4GHz i7 models. With sales tax for me, it takes the price up to where I might as well buy a new one.

I don't care that much about the extra .5 GHz but it would be nice to have Sata III, the updated graphics and Thunderbolt. Not sure it's worth $500 but still.
 
I got one ordered from MacMall yesterday, Cost Central is no longer on my list of 'approved vendors' for anything.

The MacMall rep was in quite the selling mood when I ordered, kept asking if I wanted to buy more stuff. I asked about additional RAM and he said 8GB went for $400, but he'd sell for $180 installed. I told him no thanks I can get it cheaper and do it myself. He came back with $100 uninstalled, I offered $85, ended up at $90. I think I found it around $75-80 online, so I wasn't too upset with that price. He offered Apple Care for $169 so I passed on that.
 
Picked one up with SSD for 1789

MacMall also has open box iMacs at a pretty good discount. Keep an eye on those too. There are some pretty good deals. Nice thing too is they're an authorized reseller so you can still get help from the Genius Bar.
 
MacMall also has open box iMacs at a pretty good discount. Keep an eye on those too. There are some pretty good deals. Nice thing too is they're an authorized reseller so you can still get help from the Genius Bar.

They also should qualify for the manually processed (automated system is for apple direct sales) lion up to date program.

Cheers,
 
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Finally decide to pull the trigger (after finding a nice 3% cash back deal), and now the website is down. Oh well, I guess I'll try again in the morning.

edit: No deal, they charge tax in CT.
 
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Finally decide to pull the trigger (after finding a nice 3% cash back deal), and now the website is down. Oh well, I guess I'll try again in the morning.

edit: No deal, they charge tax in CT.

Same here, so I bought the same machine with a 2T HD from Mac Consulting via Amazon. (they're an authorized store) The one from MacMall with the 1T HD would have cost me $1627 with tax, while the other was $1573 shipped.

Link on amazon

Weird they have the 1T HD listed for the same price as the 2T. Hopefully, it's not a mistake.
 
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thanks for posting this! price was too good to pass up and i ordered one from macmall. i hope it is not a "yellow tint" model.

i assume these do not ship with lion? what is the upgrade process?
 
thanks for posting this! price was too good to pass up and i ordered one from macmall. i hope it is not a "yellow tint" model.

i assume these do not ship with lion? what is the upgrade process?

They do not ship with Lion. I tried the automated "up-to-date" process and it does not work. I had to fill out and e-mail a form. I received a confirmation of receipt but no approval from Apple. Macmall is an Apple authorized reseller so it should go through.

*** Update: It took 9 days but Apple approved the Lion upgrade at no charge.

The machine is awesome. Mine has no yellow tint and works as a great monitor for my Windows gaming laptop as well as its native OS X.

Cheers,
 
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Mine came today and it appears to be perfect in every way. Currently editing a movie in iMovie and it is so much faster than my 2.66ghz c2d. I'm a very happy camper.
 
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