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.
How long after you buy an Apple are you still able to purchase Apple Care?
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.
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,
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.
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.
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?