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Upgrade or not to upgrade iMac

G

GordysGadgets

macrumors newbie
Original poster
I switched from the dark side a couple years ago. Started with MBP then finally decided to move on with life and bought a 24" iMac mid 2008 3.06 duo core w 4 GB RAM. I love it too. Macs are awesome.
Now apple dangles the carrot in front of me with the i7.
Here is the dilemma...I always had an upgrade "rule" that I needed to double whatever component I was upgrading.
I looking at buying new i7 2.93 Quad w/ 8GB RAM and the SSD and TB.
Question for anybody with one of these new machines is will I get double or better the speed with it?
I run graphics ( photoshop) / web design and office programs spend for my biz i spemd 8 hours a day on it so the beach ball gets old quick....and while I know the Quad Core is probably overkill I've learned from the past to just get the best or regrets follow.
Any words of wisdom from the forum? I really appreciate any advice to help me off the ledge.🙂
 
I very highly doubt you would notice a very significant difference going to an i7. Yes, it's shiny and new, but the i7 is like having a semi-truck just for a six-pack type overkill for word processing, etc. If you don't use CPU-heavy applications, you won't notice the difference. One thing to remember with computers is that a faster clocked processor or a processor with more cores does not necessarily equal a faster computer. If you really want a new one, I would recommend going with one of the dual core models, they will be just as fast for your use. And if you really want speed, pick up a 27" with the optional SSD. That will give you a much more noticeable speed boost than a faster processor.
 
You won't get double the speed with the i7 on Office and web development apps. If current performance with your duo core is fine, better wait a year or two for Sandy Bridge, Lightpeak / USB 3.0, and cheaper SSD options.
 
Good advice.
Thanks for your replies. It's a business thing, afriaid of tax breaks changing etc. Machine doesn't have to be twice as fast just a good jump. The ssd looked like a major speed bump.

I will probably wait it out and hope I can still deduct one off next years taxes.
Strange how easily we become Impatient kids with new computers.

I sell apple accessories so always looking at the latest gear 🙂 I'm an apple addict!

Thanks!

Gordy
Gordys.gadgets@gmail.com
 
I went ahead and purchased the quad 2.93 GHZ 27" with SSD.
Love it. Best computer I have ever owned and I've had a few.
Recommend the SSD to anyone that can get one. Makes a world of difference.

I do have some bad to report though, the first iMac received from Apple hung up on M/A transfer. Before proceeding with anything I called Apple so I would not be wondering if it was something I did. Anyways worst finally came to worse and after a couple calls a reformat was indicated as perhaps a corruption in the M/A trasfer. Kept getting the Kernal panic on shutdown.
When I went to boot from the install disc nothing but a white screen. The unit was under 24 hours old.
It was after about an hour of trying to get it to go that I told them, Just send me another one. I do not live close to an Apple store.
They accomidated and 5 long days later the replacement arrived. Runs perfect and instead of Migration assistant I used the carbon copy cloner.
All is well happy as a clam. Nothing is perfect.

Regards
www.gordysgadgets.com
 
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