Which iMac Would You Choose?

[accountforit]

I recently sold my mid-2011 21.5".

I have the option to buy the following iMacs locally. I can't decide which is the better option. One is cheaper and newer, while the other offers more but costs more and is older.

Both computer's geek bench scores are almost identical.

If you can shed some light as to why you voted the way you did and vote, it would be greatly appreciated.

Option 1:

Cost: $995
2013 - 21.5" iMac
2.7 ghz
8gb RAM
Traditional 1tb HDD
Current warranty valid until November 2014 (applecare can be purchased before then)


Option 2:

Cost: $1,300
2012 - 27" iMac
3.2 ghz
16gb RAM
Traditional 1tb HDD
Applecare valid until 2016

 

[Ak907Freerider]

Go 27inch. Bigger screen better processor user upgradable ram. Better resale

 

[Commy1]

Having had a 21.5" iMac myself I can safely say that I wish I had had the 27" had it been available.
Of the options you listed the 27" is definitely a the more bang for your buck.

 

[andycho7]

I recently sold my mid-2011 21.5".

I have the option to buy the following iMacs locally. I can't decide which is the better option. One is cheaper and newer, while the other offers more but costs more and is older.

Both computer's geek bench scores are almost identical.

If you can shed some light as to why you voted the way you did and vote, it would be greatly appreciated.

Option 1:

Cost: $995
2013 - 21.5" iMac
2.7 ghz
8gb RAM
Traditional 1tb HDD
Current warranty valid until November 2014 (applecare can be purchased before then)


Option 2:

Cost: $1,300
2012 - 27" iMac
3.2 ghz
16gb RAM
Traditional 1tb HDD
Applecare valid until 2016

I would definitely go with the 27-inch. Because...
1. Just the fact that it's hard drive is a deal breaker for me, but 5400rpm hard drive on a desktop? No thanks. At least 7200rpm.(or better yet Fusion drive or 256GB SSD?)
2. Bigger Screen size = better (for me at least)
3. User replaceable ram. Unless you want to be stuck with 8GB of ram until the AppleCare expires and want to rip out the display later to upgrade the RAM. I would just go with the 27-inch to avoid all that hassle.
4. I'm not 100% confident about this one, but I believe the Late 2012 27-inch's base CPU is faster than Late 2013 21-inch's base CPU. Correct me if I'm wrong.
5. Better resale value.
6. (I'm assuming that both option 1 and 2 are the base models) Better Graphics in my opinion. Depends on your needs but overall, it runs faster on 660M with the games I play.
Extra. It looks sexier

 

[accountforit]

391 views, 14 votes, and a couple replies.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Nismo73]

I really like my 27" for the fact that you can have two browsers open at full width, side by side - you can't do that on a 21".

Or what I usually do is, have chrome take up the whole right side, and on the left, safari is open 3/4 of the way down and have itunes and twitter open on the bottom left, side by side.

 

[accountforit]

5 people voted neither. I sure would like to know their reasoning.

 

[David085]

I pick the 2012 imac 27"
the 21.5" size is small with lower resolution then the 27" with 2560x1440 since is good I have a 21.5" 2012 imac and I thinking I should of went with the 27" in the first place but not going to sell it for awhile.

 

[Kayan]

I voted neither just because I am planning on buying a 27", however, I wouldn't settle for an older model. But that is just me and the way that I buy computers. I tend to buy computers very rarely, but when I do, I like to buy the best I can afford so it will last a while. BUT, supposing you did have to make a choice between the two right now, I would of course choose the 27" for all the reasons listed above.

 

[kathyricks]

All iMacs seem crude and dated to me now that I've been spoiled by the retina displays of the iPad Air and rMBP. So I personally would not consider any iMac until Apple makes one with a retina or other type of ultra fine pixel display.

 

[accountforit]

All iMacs seem crude and dated to me now that I've been spoiled by the retina displays of the iPad Air and rMBP. So I personally would not consider any iMac until Apple makes one with a retina or other type of ultra fine pixel display.

God forbid. You better throw away all your TV's and any other screen that is not 2x normal acceptable resolution as well.

 

[cambookpro]

I'd go for the 27".

I have both a 27" Thunderbolt Display and a 21.5" iMac, and I have to say I much prefer using the Thunderbolt Display. Plus it's faster, and has user upgradeable RAM. Design is also the same, so you won't be missing out on the 'sexiness' factor

The extra warranty could also be a lifesaver if you keep it plan on keeping it for more than a few years. All in all, I think the 27" offers much better value.

 

[cocky jeremy]

I'll always go with the larger screen. If you said 27" and 32", I'd pick the 32". I just love having a lot of screen real estate.