Which to buy? 2010 2.93 i7 w/ SSD or 2011 3.4 i7

[1thrasher]

Originally posted in the wrong forum; please reply here: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1158220/

I will be purchasing a new iMac soon, and was wondering whether I should purchase a refurb 2010 model 2.93Ghz Quad-core i7 with a 256Mb SSD for $1999, or should I spend the +$200 for a brand new 2011 3.4Ghz Quad-core i7 with the standard 1Tb hard drive.

I'm a programmer, and want a new powerhouse to minimize the build times on my Adobe Flex applications. Honestly, that's my primary consideration for this machine. I will not be playing games, doing any video or graphics processing, nor have the need for large amounts of data storage -- I'm currently using about 130Gb, and I could trim that to half if I needed to.

Macworld results put these machines nearly head-to-head:
http://www.macworld.com/article/153602/2010/08/mid201_corei7imac.html
http://www.macworld.com/article/154660-3/2010/10/speedmark_65_results.html

It would appear to me that the optimal machine would be the newer model because of the faster processor (and thus faster Flex build times). Can anyone else please weigh in?

Also, has anyone heard of connecting 2 external monitors to through the new dual Thunderbolt connections, thus having 3 monitors with the new iMacs? (I have two 28" monitors now, and I'm thinking three could either be a) awesome or b) way too much real estate for what I do.)

And lastly, would I be remiss in not considering a mac pro? According to the speedmark results posted by macworld, I'm better off with the two above iMacs vs a similarly priced (if not $500-$1000 more) mac pro -- I don't want to spend $3k+ on a machine.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[imaginex20]

It depends on if you're going to want or need Thunderbolt ports.

You mention that you have two 28" monitors, the older 2010 iMac doesn't support two monitors where as the 2011 model does.

I can tell you now that the 2010 model will feel significantly faster compared to 2011 due to the SSD drive. I have a MBP with SSD and it feels faster than my iMac due to the responsiveness of the SSD.

 

[nyukfui]

SSD vs HD should have less impact for your build time than the 3.4G vs 2.9G.
I will go for 3.4G option and if budget allow, 3.4G + SSD.

 

[patp77]

Easier to add an SSD to an i7 3.4 later or easier to add 2 Thunderbolt ports and an i7 3.4 to the 2.93 later?

Obviously option 1 is the only one possible which is why I would probably lean in that direction for your situation. I would just wait a week to get the free iPod and resell it to give you the cash to pay for the SSD upgrade.

 

[1thrasher]

ssd responsiveness

Thanks for the replies.

I do have an new macbook air with the 64Gb SSD, and it is considerably faster than my iMac i3 with regards to responsiveness. However, I'm guessing that nyukfui is right in that an SSD will likely not (greatly) affect/reduce the build times that I'm looking forward to.

Also, say I go with the new, faster 3.4 and use just one additional monitor through one of the thunderbolt ports, couldn't I just add an external SSD (when OWC releases one) using the other thunderbolt port? I mean, as I understand it, the throughput on those ports are fast enough to support the bandwidth needed to maximize the ssd's speed, right?

And by the omissions, I'm assuming glossing over the Mac Pro (under $3k) option is for the best.

 

[archer75]

The newer model, without a doubt.

 

[Michael383]

I'd go with the 2011 3.4 i7.

 

[Badger^2]

I was under the impression that Flex had really low system requirements?

You can daisy chain TB ports. http://www.apple.com/thunderbolt/

 

[MarrkDaviid]

The 2011 model is definitely the better option, the SSD and HDD bracket can be ordered from Apple, whereas the thunderbolt ports and second generation sandy bridge architecture cannot.

 

[NutsNGum]

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If you can afford it, new everytime. Especially with regard to iMacs.

 

[TheNakedMan]

If it's in your budget, buy a newer one.

See both have hyperthreading. So that 2.93 will go to like what 3.4 at load. The 3.4 will go to 3.8 ish?

I'm going to be one of those that say thunderbolt won't be making it as big time since HP and the rest aren't supporting it. It will be like firewire....expensive and only seen on special units. It is cool though, to be able to hook up two more monitors. I've got one...and I'm looking into this device that can split up the mini display port into 2. It does cost like 125 bucks though.

Personally, I saved the 800 bucks, bought the refurb i7 2.93. I'm loving it right now. I have a 23 inch monitor hooked up to it. I do a little programming, photography, writing, and web stuff. It suits my needs just fine.


I don't think you could go wrong either way. I will be upgrading an SSD in mine shortly, I had one in my macbook pro...and I'll be looking to OWC to fill the need.