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20" Alum 2Ghz or 24" redefurbished white

C

cfs

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 8, 2008
630
16
Sorry for posting so much lately but since I am about to make the switch from pc to Mac I always seem to have another question that nobody can answer but this forum.

I am looking to buy an iMac. I was thinking about the 20" because money is an issue.

I then saw a refurbished 20" Aluminum for 1,299 with 2.4Ghz and a 24" White iMac for 1,399 shipped with Leopard.

I am not a graphic designer or a gamer. I care about longevity and peformance. I am not someone who will pay to update to a new OS if one comes out. I am someone who is still using the original ipod on my pc. The downside to this is I can't update i-tunes because doing so messes up my ipod for some reason. With this said, I want something that works, NOT A PC.

I know that they will both do what I need them to, but what do you suggest?

I only:
web surf
video chat
watch movies
watch internet tv
make home movies
listen to music
download pics

Cheers,
cfs
 
I would recommend a refurb. That way, you will probably not get the gradient screen issue as it has been checked by a technician.

If you want longevity, I would get the 2.4 GHZ 20-inch one refurbished, not the 2.0 ghz one. The 2.0 GHZ one will work okay with your needs, but it is not the best bang-for-buck and the graphics card is rather weak.
 
IMO, the white 24" is worth the extra money. The 24" screen is amazing, plus it isn't a glossy display (idk if thats a plus or minus for you; some people like it, some don't). But if you decide you don't want that large screen or you like the Alu models better, the 20" 2.4GHz refurb is another great option. Either way, you're getting a great computer.
 
i was in this same situation last week. I opted for the aluminum imac and it is fantastic! The aluminum and black color is so much better than white in my opinion.

The 24 inches is nice, but 20 is big enough for most people! The differences you'll also notice is the $300 price difference between the two. Listen, if you're thinking about the 24 refurbished, why not get the 20" 2.4ghz alum? It's 1299 refurb and still cheaper than the 24 white (1399)

It's faster (2.4-2.16)
it's graphics are better
Bigger hard drive.

That's the computer that will last you longer
 
I know that the 2.4 is higher, but why would it give me longeity over the 2.0? Also, does the graphics card matter that much when dealing with dvd's, imovie, and idvd.

I am in no way disagreeing, just trying to understand.

Also, does anybody by chance know if I add my own ram, will my AppleCare be void?

Thanks,
cfs
 
cfs said:
I know that the 2.4 is higher, but why would it give me longeity over the 2.0? Also, does the graphics card matter that much when dealing with dvd's, imovie, and idvd.

I am in no way disagreeing, just trying to understand.

Also, does anybody by chance know if I add my own ram, will my AppleCare be void?

Thanks,
cfs
Click to expand...

Well the 2.4 is quite a difference. U might not think so now, but in one year, the 2ghz will feel slow

More for the hard drive space than graphics I'd consider the 1299 iMac.

That was my thought process. I already had a MacBook 2ghz, it was decent, but to me 2.4 makes a world of difference
 
dwd3885 said:
Well the 2.4 is quite a difference. U might not think so now, but in one year, the 2ghz will feel slow

More for the hard drive space than graphics I'd consider the 1299 iMac.

That was my thought process. I already had a MacBook 2ghz, it was decent, but to me 2.4 makes a world of difference
Click to expand...

Thanks for your input. i am putting serious consideration into the refurb 20" 2.4ghz. However, refurb scares me. I take it I shouldn't be though. All I know is that I wouldn't buy a refurb PC.

cfs
 
I know people who wouldn't buy anything other than reburb.

All refurb's are thoroughly tested before dispatch (or so I believe) .. :)
 
themoonisdown09 said:
It will NOT void AppleCare if you intall your own RAM. Just make sure that it's Apple Certified RAM and not just any old RAM you get from your local retailer. I suggest going to OWC or Crucial to look for it.
Click to expand...

I will do as lots posted and buy ram online. I am not computer savvy, but not computer illiterate either. In the past I have added ram to laptops and have replaced lcd's. However, never owning a Mac I am a bit timid. Is the process something to be nervous about?

-cfs
 
cfs said:
I will do as lots posted and buy ram online. I am not computer savvy, but not computer illiterate either. In the past I have added ram to laptops and have replaced lcd's. However, never owning a Mac I am a bit timid. Is the process something to be nervous about?

-cfs
Click to expand...

Not at all. The Aluminum iMac's are easier to replace the RAM in, from what I've heard... but neither of them are hard. I know that OWC has a video for installing RAM on the aluminum iMac's, I'm sure they have one for the white iMacs too.
 
Definitely the white in this instance

The 20' Alu is well.... 20', and has a inferior panel, and is glossy to boot. A triple whammy (to me)
 
Spankin new 20" aluminum.

The White iMacs had somewhat "outdated" processors, aren't bad, but you may appreciate the 20". The only plus you will get with the 24" white imac is the bigger screen, which is nice, but I would recommend the aluminum imac!
 
Father Jack said:
I know people who wouldn't buy anything other than reburb.

All refurb's are thoroughly tested before dispatch (or so I believe) .. :)
Click to expand...

Is it true that a refurb could also mean it was a returned product that somebody did not want due to a scratch or dead pixel (that Apple would usually would not replace according to their policy because one dead pixel still meets standards) and the Apple store manager just gave in and it is now a refurb?

-cfs
 
cfs said:
Is it true that a refurb could also mean it was a returned product that somebody did not want due to a scratch or dead pixel (that Apple would usually would not replace according to their policy because one dead pixel still meets standards) and the Apple store manager just gave in and it is now a refurb?

-cfs
Click to expand...


i always buy refurbs, nothing but the best IMO.

I heard that on all returned mac laptops anyway, they replace the screens.

Really, refurb Macs are just as good as new. Just as good as new. Only difference is you don't get the new box, just a brown one .
 
If you don't need the extra horsepower on the GPU that comes with the 24" I suppose the alum is a better choice indeed, and I don't know how hard it is to replace RAM on those, but my white 24" nearly drove me crazy because of those weird rubber levers that can't eject the non-stock RAM properly.
 
iDarbert said:
If you don't need the extra horsepower on the GPU that comes with the 24" I suppose the alum is a better choice indeed, and I don't know how hard it is to replace RAM on those, but my white 24" nearly drove me crazy because of those weird rubber levers that can't eject the non-stock RAM properly.
Click to expand...

I heard, it shifts the RAM to the left or right or something
 
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