Recommendation for a 2008-2012 iMac?

[dandeco]

I have decided it's almost time for me to get an Intel desktop Mac. BUT, the thing is, I want one that has a good processor and graphics chip/card, upgradable RAM, a SuperDrive and audio input. I don't want to spend more than $600 on such a model, and I'm trying to aim for 20" to 21" in screen sizes. A model made between early 2008 and late 2012 would be good.
I plan to do quite a bit of photo and video work on this iMac, and I am hoping it would be at least a bit faster than my mid-2009 MacBook.

I'm kind of right now aiming for either the early 2008 or early 2009 20" screen models. Any recommendations?

 

[flopticalcube]

I would go for the 2011 21.5". They can take 4 sticks of RAM like the 2009 and 2010 models and CPU is a Sandy Bridge Core i5 or i7 which is nearly as fast as a 2013 iMac. The stock GPU is a AMD Radeon 6750m w/ 512MB GDDR5 VRAM which can handle most tasks sufficiently. They can take both a 3.5" HDD and a 2.5" SSD (with an adapter cable). They are going for $500-700+ on eBay.

 

[dandeco]

Hmm, that's a good choice. It'd cost a little more than a new Mac Mini, but that has NO optical drive, it has integrated graphics, and there's a chance they'll be updating the line soon. A 2011 iMac may be the safer bet.