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Today's iMac or Yesterday's iMac?

pammyspyce

pammyspyce

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 29, 2005
186
0
Bay Area, Calif
Should I get the newly released 2.8 24" iMac for $1800 or "yesterday's" 2.8 24" iMac for $1600 that's in the refurb shop? Is the chip that different? The refurb has a 500 GB hard-drive and 2 GB RAM.

I use my iMac to go on-line mostly and to store my photos and music. I have a Rev A iMac G5 right now.

TIA
 
You're not going to be needing the faster processor or higher bus speeds of the new ones.

Go for the "older" model. Save yourself the money. You'll never notice the difference.
 
blurb23 said:
You're not going to be needing the faster processor or higher bus speeds of the new ones.

Go for the "older" model. Save yourself the money. You'll never notice the difference.
Click to expand...

Agreed. If I was in your position, I would get the refurb.
 
pammyspyce said:
Should I get the newly released 2.8 24" iMac for $1800 or "yesterday's" 2.8 24" iMac for $1600 that's in the refurb shop? Is the chip that different? The refurb has a 500 GB hard-drive and 2 GB RAM.

I use my iMac to go on-line mostly and to store my photos and music. I have a Rev A iMac G5 right now.

TIA
Click to expand...

I would get the newer one. Better on the resale value.
 
pammyspyce said:
Should I get the newly released 2.8 24" iMac for $1800 or "yesterday's" 2.8 24" iMac for $1600 that's in the refurb shop? Is the chip that different? The refurb has a 500 GB hard-drive and 2 GB RAM.

I use my iMac to go on-line mostly and to store my photos and music. I have a Rev A iMac G5 right now.

TIA
Click to expand...

Chances are, the old one would cost you $1600 plus something like $100 for tax. (It depends on where you live.)

Instead, you could buy the new model for $1694 after a $100 rebate from MacMall. In this case, you probably wouldn't need to pay tax.

In the end, it might cost the same amount for either machine. Amazon often has rebates on iMacs, but the machines released today don't yet have a rebate.
 
I had the same decision to make as you, but with the 24" model.

I went with the refurb. I think I'll put that saved money to better use. I probably wouldn't have even noticed a difference with the new one. The 'old' ones are still great machines. I can't wait to get it!
 
I have the same question exept I'm trying to decide between the new base imac (about $1150 from Amazon after rebates) or the older 20" 2.4 imac that can be gotton at amazon for $1219 (after rebates). I'll be mainly using it for home video editing and photo editing.....
 
oawong said:
I have the same question exept I'm trying to decide between the new base imac (about $1150 from Amazon after rebates) or the older 20" 2.4 imac that can be gotton at amazon for $1219 (after rebates). I'll be mainly using it for home video editing and photo editing.....
Click to expand...

Same here. The previous $1499 model is marked down to essentially the same price as the new $1199 model, except with the older model you get the (slightly) better video card and a larger hard drive. It's hard to justify buying the new one, as long as the old models are offered for this price.
 
IJ Reilly said:
Same here. The previous $1499 model is marked down to essentially the same price as the new $1199 model, except with the older model you get the (slightly) better video card and a larger hard drive. It's hard to justify buying the new one, as long as the old models are offered for this price.
Click to expand...

Actually, I have the new one as being cheaper but as you said the older version has a slightly better video card and larger hard drive.
 
oawong said:
Actually, I have the new one as being cheaper but as you said the older version has a slightly better video card and larger hard drive.
Click to expand...

Right, the new entry-level model is still slightly cheaper ($20). I can't think of a good reason to buy the new one... with the possible exception that the price includes a $75 rebate, which (I think) is an Amazon.com store credit.
 
Get the new one as the processor specs and RAM speeds are better than the prior version.
 
I would get the newer imac since it has faster frontside bus (big improvement) + faster RAM (big improvement as well) and for $200 more its a good deal... + its brand new as well. If you were saving something like $500-$600 then I'd get the refurb but not for $200 which this machine will last you years might as well get the much faster one now.
 
nick9191 said:
The older 2.8 is a core 2 extreme, the new one is only a core 2 duo. Get the older one.
Click to expand...

I have the 'older' iMac, since last October. I have the 2.8 Extreme, 24" imac. It is a great computer and works great on all my graphic design programs.

Still a great machine!
 
So which is the better deal? the previous $1500 model (Now $1100 refurbished) or todays new base model ($1150 w/ ED discount). I plan on using it for itunes, iphoto, web browsing, watching HD videos, Sims 2. So for about the same price, previous 1500 model w/ 256 vram and 320gb HD; Or the new base model with faster FSB & ram, but smaller HD and 128 vram?
 
BilboBaggins said:
So which is the better deal? the previous $1500 model (Now $1100 refurbished) or todays new base model ($1150 w/ ED discount). I plan on using it for itunes, iphoto, web browsing, watching HD videos, Sims 2. So for about the same price, previous 1500 model w/ 256 vram and 320gb HD; Or the new base model with faster FSB & ram, but smaller HD and 128 vram?
Click to expand...

I'd say the best deal is the previous $1499 model for $1220 new from Amazon. I pulled the trigger on that deal today.
 
IJ Reilly said:
I'd say the best deal is the previous $1499 model for $1220 new from Amazon. I pulled the trigger on that deal today.
Click to expand...

Actually, I'm really not sure if the Amazon deal is a better deal but at least you are comparing new to new. If you take the Ed discount and add the cost of a 320 gb HD it comes out to about $1200 plus tax so you'll probably a little more for the newer set up than getting the previous set up from from Amazon. You'll probalby get a little more speed with the newer set up but you get a slightly better graphics card with the previous $1499 model. I'm thinking the new model might be better.
 
I would say, keep the G5 ...

But if you feel a need for a new one then, buy the new model. I *bet* this will be the first time that the iMac 24 is really faster than a Macbook Pro.
 
oawong said:
Actually, I'm really not sure if the Amazon deal is a better deal but at least you are comparing new to new. If you take the Ed discount and add the cost of a 320 gb HD it comes out to about $1200 plus tax so you'll probably a little more for the newer set up than getting the previous set up from from Amazon. You'll probalby get a little more speed with the newer set up but you get a slightly better graphics card with the previous $1499 model. I'm thinking the new model might be better.
Click to expand...

Not everybody gets the education discount. Also, we don't know the real-world performance advantages of the new processors, but I'm betting it will be marginal -- at least not worth the extra money to me.
 
IJ Reilly said:
Not everybody gets the education discount. Also, we don't know the real-world performance advantages of the new processors, but I'm betting it will be marginal -- at least not worth the extra money to me.
Click to expand...

For me, I get a government discount which is a little better than the education discount on the new base model so the price including taxes for the new model (with a 320 gb hard drive) is equal to the $1219 I'd get from Amazon on the older $1499 model with the added benifit of being able to get it right away at the local Apple Store. My only question is whether or not the local Apple Store can upgrade the hard drive for the $47 shown on the on-line store.
 
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