I myself never considered that option for one reason: crappy graphics card. I really really want the Ati one. I never liked the way nVidia works.
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2009 iMac: Why pick 20" over 24"?
- Thread starter taxdad
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I myself never considered that option for one reason: crappy graphics card. I really really want the Ati one. I never liked the way nVidia works.
I considered the mini, but the iMac was a much better value and I really like the clean design. I figure my desktop has 5 less cables on it than if I went with a Mini.
One reason I had considered a Mini was so I could get a monitor that I could share with another device like a gaming console. But it turns out that it buying a second monitor with an Imac makes just as much sense if not more.
And I think the 20" display is Very Good. Consumer Reports concurs what I've been saying by rating the 20" iMac display "Excellent."
One reason I had considered a Mini was so I could get a monitor that I could share with another device like a gaming console. But it turns out that it buying a second monitor with an Imac makes just as much sense if not more.
And I think the 20" display is Very Good. Consumer Reports concurs what I've been saying by rating the 20" iMac display "Excellent."
I have this setup and am very pleased. I'm not a huge monitor freak so I don't know how to compare the 2209WA to iMac displays but it's gotten great reviews all over the place. I bought a refurb for $179 from Dell Small Business (just used the name of the non-profit I work for without creating an account). To my uneducated eye the 2209 WA doesn't come close to the quality of 24" iMac but it may be good enough for some (like me).
The 24" iMac has H-IPS and the 2209WA is an e-IPS. I'm not sure what e-IPS is exactly, but in my search someone called it a 6-bit panel with some smoke and mirrors to improve viewing angle. H-IPS/S-IPS panels are expensive, whereas this "e-IPS" Dell isn't.
Thank god there is someone with some sense here! At what point was a 2.66ghz core 2 duo processor ever just suitable for web browsing and email. It is powerfull enough for most apps. With a limit of 8gb of DDR3 RAM it is a fantastic machine. (The GPU is no slouch either).
My girlfriend uses one for graphic design, it is more powerful than most of the macs in their mac suite!
The screen is not perfect for colour correct work but the colour shift is much more insignificant than most seem to make out! Also at what point does the viewing angle make any difference for most applications of a computer? Unless people are buying Macs for watching movies nowadays.
The point here is that the 24" iMacs are fantastic machines and having dedicated graphics and a faster cpu is always a bonus for gamers and creative professionals (where time is money) but seriously the 20" iMac only suitalbe for web browsing and emails? Dear me!
To the OP I have had the fortune of owning a 20" iMac a 24" iMac and a Mac Pro in the last 2 years as my needs and demands have changed. I have also used the new 2.66 iMac and can honestly say if you think the spec is right for you (and the price) then go for it you really wont be disappointed. Some people here are either power hungry, or Mac snobs, don't be fooled by those who would seek to put you or a 20" iMac down just because it is the base model!
While I agree with everything here (hell, my iPod works great for Internet/email, pretty much any computer for sale will do fine with this) I think you misunderstood the point of the person you quoted.
He didn't say the iMac 20 was only good for low-power tasks, rather that it is the mac of choice for those users. You can use it for much more, but a mostly computer-illiterate user will be best off with it- it has all the power they will need for years and years and the all-in-one form factor works well (I don't think a lot of people realize it, but even so much as plugging in a monitor cable really scare the crap out of a lot of computer users).
if your even considering the 20" iMac than it will work for you. From the way you worded your post it sounds like the 20" is fine you just want the 24". If you want the 24" and have the money go for it. You won't be disappointed. Just remember, people never complain about the screen being too big but they do complain about it being too small. Basically if you want it and can afford there is no reason why you shouldn't get the 24". If you do get the 20" then you have a couple hundred $ to spend on some accessories.
Good luck deciding hopefully this wasn't too confusing
Good luck deciding hopefully this wasn't too confusing
I got the 20"
I got 20" because it was cheaper, and because any bigger and I wouldn't have been able to see my TV over the top of it. And also because it meant I could get a bigger HDD and better specs.
I got 20" because it was cheaper, and because any bigger and I wouldn't have been able to see my TV over the top of it. And also because it meant I could get a bigger HDD and better specs.