Need help with purchase imac 27"

[roofexpert]

I am finally switching over to Mac and need some help deciding what imac to get. I am looking at buying a refurbished imac 27-inch; 3.2GHz Intel Core i3 processor ($1,439.00), 2.66 GHz Quad-Core i5 ($1,529.00), and 2.8GHz Intel Quad-Core i5 processor ($1,699.00).

The majority of the time I am writing reports in Microsoft Word, emailing, and surfing the web (research and some personal). I typically will have multiple programs and files up at time (current report that I am working, several past reports that I cut and paste from, photographs that I had taken during my inspections, the web, and email program)

I also work in AutoCad (a few days a month) where I draw roof plans and details. My drawings are very simple (no 3-D or rendering). When I switch to Mac I will be also be switching to TurboCad.

I also would like to redesign and continue to update my company website. I have worked with Microsoft Expressions but will be switching to Adobe Creative Suite cs5 (Dreamweaver, photoshop, and flash). I would also like to make small instructional videos for my website. I’m not a graphic designer buy any means.

Lastly (and sorry if I am asking too much), my dell laptop is near its end (blue screen of death several times a week). I have been living with the blue screen since January. I back up every night and while I am working on a file I have it set to auto save to dropbox. I have a back-up Desktop I can use if my Dell completely crashed. Although my computer situation is extremely frustrating, I can live with this another month if I need to. Since I never have tracked the cost of Mac computers, I do not know how much the will typically drop in price when there is a refresh. If it is a few hundred dollars, I think I will wait. Would you recommend me waiting or is the price drop very little?

 

[talmy]

Expect a price drop of the previous generation by $100 to $200 in the refurb store. Occasionally previous generation iMacs appear in the refurb store now, such as the 27" 2.8GHz i7 for $1699. But you always have to consider that the current generation refurb at the same price (a newer 2.8Ghz i5) might still be a better deal.

 

[Tomorrow]

Sounds like your current machine is giving you lots of trouble - don't bother waiting, buy now.

 

[roofexpert]

Thanks for the input.

Considering my computer use, do you think I will be happy with the i3 for 5 years or would it be smart to upgrade to the i5. I'm not someone that needs the top of the line computer or the latest in technology. I also don't buy or upgrade my software that frequently (currently I work with Office 2003 and AutoCad 2002).

I might give it another weak before I buy in hopes that I may be able to save $100 to $200. I can't wait until June or July for a refresh.

So excited about making the change to a Mac. Since my software is getting out of date, perfect time to upgrade both my software and computer experience.

 

[Tomorrow]

If you're going to use AutoCAD, I'd buy the i5 or even an i7. Otherwise, any processor you get is probably fine.

 

[roofexpert]

I'm going to switch to TurboCad. AutoCad is more than what I need and too expensive. I do simply roof plans and cross section details (no 3D or rendering). Does this make a difference on which processor I should get or do you still recommend the i5 or i7?

Thanks again for your help.

 

[Tomorrow]

I'm not familiar with TurboCad, so I can't speak to it. I do know that even though it's thought of as a graphical program, AutoCAD is very CPU-intensive, regardless of how powerful your video adapter is.

 

[roofexpert]

Thanks for you input.