2.0GHz or 2.4GHz 20" iMac? - going to the store today!

[debroglie]

I'm heading to the apple store today and will be buying...

the 2.0GHz 20" with an upgraded HDD to 320GB for 1200

or

the stock 2.4GHz 20" for 1400

Anyone have any advice as to what I should go with? Money is an issue for us... Is there anyone out there who bought the 2.0 GHz and how do you feel about that purchase?

Thanks

 

[j26]

Personally I'd go for the 2.4 stock and if I need it add an external hd later.

 

[bigbadnewill]

i'd do the same as j26, get the best cpu speed now, as for a small price you can upgrade hdd space with an external one later, but you can't get the processor speed upgraded in the future.

enjoy the mac, i'm waiting for mine to arrive in the post, and i's excited!!

 

[mikef07]

I'm heading to the apple store today and will be buying...

the 2.0GHz 20" with an upgraded HDD to 320GB for 1200

or

the stock 2.4GHz 20" for 1400

Anyone have any advice as to what I should go with? Money is an issue for us... Is there anyone out there who bought the 2.0 GHz and how do you feel about that purchase?

Thanks

I will tell you this. I have never met anyone that wishes they had downgraded to anything but I have met many who wish they got the better one. This is with cars, electronics, computers, women, etc...

 

[maestrokev]

The 2.0 is plenty fast, nothing wrong with it. You haven't mentioned what you want to use it for? So the 2.4 saves you a few seconds of processing time, go ahead if you can afford it, but if money is tight you'll be fine. There's always something better around the corner ...

 

[teerexx52]

I'm heading to the apple store today and will be buying...

the 2.0GHz 20" with an upgraded HDD to 320GB for 1200

or

the stock 2.4GHz 20" for 1400

Anyone have any advice as to what I should go with? Money is an issue for us... Is there anyone out there who bought the 2.0 GHz and how do you feel about that purchase?

Thanks

I have new 20" 2.0. Love it. Plenty fast!

 

[slimslam]

good choice on the 2.0, if money an issue just save on that and instead of 2.4 maybe get an extra gb of RAM instead, will have much better effect.

 

[pcorajr]

I'm heading to the apple store today and will be buying...

the 2.0GHz 20" with an upgraded HDD to 320GB for 1200

or

the stock 2.4GHz 20" for 1400

Anyone have any advice as to what I should go with? Money is an issue for us... Is there anyone out there who bought the 2.0 GHz and how do you feel about that purchase?

Thanks

If you can afford it go with the 2.4 20" stock. that is what i got and you get a better CPU better Video and a better HD.

so for the extra 300 Dollars you get the following:

.4 Ghz more
128MB more of vram plus a better GPU
70 GB more HD space.

 

[mrgreen4242]

If you can afford it go with the 2.4 20" stock. that is what i got and you get a better CPU better Video and a better HD.

so for the extra 300 Dollars you get the following:

.4 Ghz more
128MB more of vram plus a better GPU
70 GB more HD space.

It really depends on how often you upgrade your machine... if you're going to keep it for 5 years, you'll probably want the extra CPU power. On the other hand, if you plan on a new machine in three years, it might not be as important to you.

The GPU/VRAM won't make a lick of difference to you if you're not a gamer. There MAY be some difference in Motion (part of FCS), but if performance in FCS is important for you I would advise against the 20" iMac in favor of something a little speedier anyways.

The HDD space, as mentioned, can be upgraded cheaply and easily later. You can add a 500gb FW drive for <$150 now-a-days.

If you're working with a fixed budget, and want the best performance for your money right now, and you're NOT a gamer, get the 2ghz model, add another gig of RAM (should be about $50), get a 500gb FW drive and take the $100 you saved ($1200+50+150=$1300 vs. $1400) and buy Parallels, iWork, PS Elements, Toast, or any of the other great pieces of software that make your Mac that much more useful. Or put it in the bank and save it for a rainy day, etc.

 

[AlexisV]

I got the 2.4Ghz, not for the CPU speed but for the better graphics chip.

And the bigger hard drive was a nice bonus.

 

[pcorajr]

The GPU/VRAM won't make a lick of difference to you if you're not a gamer. There MAY be some difference in Motion (part of FCS), but if performance in FCS is important for you I would advise against the 20" iMac in favor of something a little speedier anyways.

Not True today you have software that is starting to take advantage of the memory found in GPU's. Aperture is one that comes to mind. Also if you run dual display you want to have the extra juice. Eye candy is eye candy but nowdays that eye candy is making more use of the hardware. Before you had applications that where RAM hungry but slowly we are seeing more application that make use of Vram.

 

[debroglie]

Thank you all for your help (I checked in on the thread while at the Apple store)

I use my computer mostly for word processing, internet, iphoto, and some photoshop and indesign. For school, I now need to be able to run windoze, so that's why i need to upgrade.

No gaming, so I knew I didn't need the upgraded graphics card.

And I ended up going with.......



the 2.0 GHz with the harddrive upgraded to 320Gb (only another $44). I figure I don't NEED the processing power now and I'll probably be itching to upgrade again in a few years.

And I already have an external drive (with only a 120Gb in it now, but that can easily be changed), and good software. So I am very happy Now I just have to wait for it to arrive since it was BTO...

(Seriously, thank you all for your help!)

 

[ucfgrad93]

I bought the 2.4 iMac to get the faster processor, larger hard drive, and better graphics card. To me, $300 was worth it.