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20" or 24"

Trouble1

Trouble1

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 18, 2007
133
21
Thailand
Gunna get a refurb (crossing fingers no issues with pixels) iMac this week.

1. Get the 20" and take the savings over the 24" (same set up) and buy or at least put towards a Dell 24" wide screen (the Ultra version) costing $399-$599...and have a nice 24" monitor for extended desktop and/or for wife's future laptop.

2. Get the 24"

Can't really put up two pages on the 20" iMac, tried in the store, but it's big enough for what we do and not concerned about the difference in quality 20 vs 24" in the ???TFT???.

Sooo.
Anyone have this set up and like it? Wish they had gotten the 24" and why.

What should I know about using an external monitor for extended desktop?
Any other good quality monitors I should look at in addition to the Dell in similar price range and similar features?
 
if u are gonna buy a desk top u dont want another screen that is not of equal size. I would get the 24" (oh yeah i did)
 
I got the 24" (also a refurb like you intend - it arrives and is packaged as new). The extended real estate makes it easy to see multiple windows on the screen, and squeezing the mighty mouse spreads all open apps so you can see and select what you want if you've got a lot going on.

I'd get the 24", especially as it is likely to have a faster chip and a bigger HDD than the 20".

Also, I agree with the above poster in that having an iMac and then a second screen that was different would offend my sense of symmetry.
 
I just got the 24 inch.

I love it, its definitely more of an "experience" than the 20 inch... but I have one thing to say..... the 24 inch... looks big in the big wide open apple store, but when you bring it home it looks HUGE... I was scared at first that it was too big, but after a few days, I'm still loving it
 
ckesten said:
I just got the 24 inch.

I love it, its definitely more of an "experience" than the 20 inch... but I have one thing to say..... the 24 inch... looks big in the big wide open apple store, but when you bring it home it looks HUGE... I was scared at first that it was too big, but after a few days, I'm still loving it
Click to expand...

same thing happened to me
 
Get the 24", screen is 10 to 1 in my opinion. They use a cheaper crappy screen on the 20". If I had the cash to sell my current 20", I would upgrade to the 24".
 
ckesten said:
I just got the 24 inch.

I love it, its definitely more of an "experience" than the 20 inch... but I have one thing to say..... the 24 inch... looks big in the big wide open apple store, but when you bring it home it looks HUGE... I was scared at first that it was too big, but after a few days, I'm still loving it
Click to expand...

I agree, the shock value of first taking that heavy behemoth out of the box is incredible. Then to see the nice little intro video they do on such a brilliant screen - I loved it.

Definitely get the 24'', well worth it.
 
Trouble1 said:
Gunna get a refurb (crossing fingers no issues with pixels) iMac this week.

1. Get the 20" and take the savings over the 24" (same set up) and buy or at least put towards a Dell 24" wide screen (the Ultra version) costing $399-$599...and have a nice 24" monitor for extended desktop and/or for wife's future laptop.

2. Get the 24"

Can't really put up two pages on the 20" iMac, tried in the store, but it's big enough for what we do and not concerned about the difference in quality 20 vs 24" in the ???TFT???.

Sooo.
Anyone have this set up and like it? Wish they had gotten the 24" and why.

What should I know about using an external monitor for extended desktop?
Any other good quality monitors I should look at in addition to the Dell in similar price range and similar features?
Click to expand...
Really a toss up. I have the 20" iMac with a second screen and love it. Despite what others say here, the quality of the display is not really "crappy".

I personally would go with a dual display. The 24" iMac is nice but if you must stay within a budget and need 2 screens, go with the 20" iMac.
 
Chris Blount said:
Really a toss up. I have the 20" iMac with a second screen and love it. Despite what others say here, the quality of the display is not really "crappy".

I personally would go with a dual display. The 24" iMac is nice but if you must stay within a budget and need 2 screens, go with the 20" iMac.
Click to expand...

It's not so much staying within a budget nor needing two screens. I'm just thinking the 20" is much bigger than what I have, the 24" takes up way more room than another 23" screen and I like the idea that the $300-$500 will buy me another entire screen to use as I wish. Now that's a lot of real estate.
I hope I'm not disappointed.
 
Trouble1 said:
It's not so much staying within a budget nor needing two screens. I'm just thinking the 20" is much bigger than what I have, the 24" takes up way more room than another 23" screen and I like the idea that the $300-$500 will buy me another entire screen to use as I wish. Now that's a lot of real estate.
I hope I'm not disappointed.
Click to expand...
I honestly don't think you will be. Let us know how it goes.
 
24", its something that you really cant regret, i know at first i had the 20. then i kept hearing so much more about the 24" so 3 days later i xchanged it for the 24" and havent went back there is no comparison with screen. This 24 is so much cleaner screen wise and the extra room is a huge plus....i love mine:D
 
Get the 20" one and buy a separate display like a Cinema Display. Better choice out of the two.
 
If you've got the space and money I'd say jump for the 24" but if you do, be sure to upgrade to the 8800 GS. You might as well.

The 20" is really nice as well, just be sure to calibrate your monitor.
 
The trigger has been pulled

Well...my wife would have been happier with the 24" and I, with my budget minded (tight wad) thinking chose the 20" with 24" monitor...but, in the end, you always want to please your wife...so, we ordered the 24"

We can always purchase another 24" monitor if and when we decide it's needed (wanted).
In the mean time we can view pages side by side and supposedly the 24" is actually a better quality LCD.

They indicated shipping arrival between June 27 - July 3, hopefully it will show up on time as we'll be visiting the in-laws and will leave July 6th from where it's getting delivered.

Those of you that have ordered from the online or refurb store, did they arrive within the specified delivery by date?

I'll post more and maybe pics, definitely questions once I get the thing and get it set up.

...waiting...
 
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