21.5" i3 or i5 for imovie & logic pro

[Pazbien]

I have been using OS X for over a year (bought my first Macbook Pro last year), and decided I wanted to replace my old Windows HP Pavillion a500n and my Compaq Presario (both are around 7 years old) with a new Imac.

Uses:
The Sims 3 (terrible on my Macbook Pro w/ NVIDIA 9400M)
I-movie (i make a lot of home movies)
Logic pro (use it with my USB Boss Digital recording studio-maybe 3 times a year)
web surfing
youtube video uploading
Microsoft Excel

So the options are: 21.5" screens

1) iMac 3.06 i3 = $1150
Pros: Inexpensive w/ good performance
Cons: Is The Sims 3 playable on High? Is downloading AVCHD movies really slow?

2) iMac 3.2 i3 = $1399
Pros: 1TB, Bette graphics card
Cons: Bang for your buck, processor not quad core and no Turbo Boost

3) iMac 3.6 i5 = $1579
Pros: faster processor w/ Turbo boost
Cons: just as expensive as a refurbished quad core 27" from 2009

Thank you so much!

 

[alust2013]

Definitely not the first option. All around, it's just not a great option for what you want to do. Between the other two, the i5 would suit you better for iMovie and logic, however, if it's not heavy use, the i3 would do fine. Or you could get the refurb i7, unless you don't like the big screen.

 

[Ravich]

Why arent you getting a refurbished 27'' i5?

 

[Dsync]

Why arent you getting a refurbished 27'' i5?

If I were you, I would really go with that!!!

 

[Nihilvor]

3) iMac 3.6 i5 = $1579
Pros: faster processor w/ Turbo boost
Cons: just as expensive as a refurbished quad core 27" from 2009

Wait until the end of August and buy this model at a refurbished price. It should do what you want it to, without needing to go 27" (unless the bigger screen is a draw for you). Also, it will be as fast or faster than the 09 i5 27" for almost all applications.

 

[iamthedudeman]

I have been using OS X for over a year (bought my first Macbook Pro last year), and decided I wanted to replace my old Windows HP Pavillion a500n and my Compaq Presario (both are around 7 years old) with a new Imac.

Uses:
The Sims 3 (terrible on my Macbook Pro w/ NVIDIA 9400M)
I-movie (i make a lot of home movies)
Logic pro (use it with my USB Boss Digital recording studio-maybe 3 times a year)
web surfing
youtube video uploading
Microsoft Excel

So the options are: 21.5" screens

1) iMac 3.06 i3 = $1150
Pros: Inexpensive w/ good performance
Cons: Is The Sims 3 playable on High? Is downloading AVCHD movies really slow?

2) iMac 3.2 i3 = $1399
Pros: 1TB, Bette graphics card
Cons: Bang for your buck, processor not quad core and no Turbo Boost

3) iMac 3.6 i5 = $1579
Pros: faster processor w/ Turbo boost
Cons: just as expensive as a refurbished quad core 27" from 2009

Thank you so much!

Where are you getting those prices from? Discount or something?

The Core i3 3.2 is going to be fine for what you need it for. The Core i5 dual core over the dual core i3 3.2 is about a %10 percent difference. Thats it.

Not worth the money.

Check the links below.

 

[iamthedudeman]

Wait until the end of August and buy this model at a refurbished price. It should do what you want it to, without needing to go 27" (unless the bigger screen is a draw for you). Also, it will be as fast or faster than the 09 i5 27" for almost all applications.

That is not even close to being true.

There is very little difference between the two performance wise.


http://www.cpu-world.com/news_2010/2010052401_Core_i3-550_mini-review.html

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2901