27" / 21.5" iMac questions, on features and so on..

[Alvi]

Hi guys, i had some questions about the 21.5" Low end and high end iMac
1. Can i use it as a display, i heard something about the 27" It would be great that i can use 21.5" gorgeous display with my PC workstation, since i can't really use a 24" LED ACD
2. Did the 21.5" ones have Yellow screens too?
3. How much better is the ATI vs. the 9400M, is the ATI one replaceable in case of failure (already suffered a lot with another iMac which had a Graphics card failure which required a Logic board replacement)
4. What's the quality in compared to the LED Cinema Display?
5. Is it worth it to get the 3.33GHz Processor?

EDIT:
6. If i have a 1TB HD what would be the best size for a time machine external HD?

 

[outphase]

1. No, there is no input port
2. I had some slight yellowing in the lower right, but it wasn't all that bad.
3. I assume it's soldered in as well given the iMac's form factor.
4. Don't know.
5. I use the 3.06GHz one just fine.

 

[Alvi]

1. No, there is no input port

Pfff, that might make me get the 27" one

Btw, the Magic mouse is gorgeous tested it at the apple store, it was amazing

 

[Nihilvor]

The ATI card is significantly better than the 9400M, especially if you ever want to play a few games or run some high end graphics programs.

I got the 3.33 ghz, with the ATI card, and a Terabyte drive via the refurbish special. It's cheaper than simply getting the ATI card in a new one (without the better CPU and drive).

I recommend the faster processor. My geekbench score, in the 32bit mode they let you try for free, is 4712. That doesn't measure all real world experience, but I've been very impressed. The extra memory cache with the 3.33 version can't hurt in mutltasking situation either.

If your budget doesn't afford that, the base model is also very popular. You can't really go wrong.

Yes, btw. yellowing is an issue in the 21.5 models. It doesn't seem to take up as much of the screen though (the 27" is more prone, perhaps, because of the larger real estate).

 

[gunjeep444]

I just got mine today and really like it. NICE colors and the 21.5 seems plenty big to me.

One question, at the end of the day should you turn off the wireless keyboard and mouse, or does it matter?

LOVE that mouse!

 

[Alvi]

I just got mine today and really like it. NICE colors and the 21.5 seems plenty big to me.

One question, at the end of the day should you turn off the wireless keyboard and mouse, or does it matter?

LOVE that mouse!

Good question! I think the mouse has a switch on the lower part, if the keyboard has one too why not? but i still think they proly know when it's off so it won't use that much battery but enough to know when the computer gets on

 

[KevKaos]

I just got my refurbed 21.5 iMac last weekend and I love it. Does not "appear" to have yellow tint issues. If it does, it is not hurt my Mac experience. I am a Mac noob. Just moved over from a long history of Windows machines.

 

[GaresTaylan]

Pfff, that might make me get the 27" one

Btw, the Magic mouse is gorgeous tested it at the apple store, it was amazing

I really almost bought the 27" because I wanted the input... but for my taste the 27" is simply too large. My buddy has one and it looks obnoxious on his desk.

 

[Alvi]

btw, how does the display mode work? is the computer on while i use it to play a game or is the computer off?

 

[Alvi]

Anyone?

 

[Lordedmond]

on

 

[Alvi]

Is it worth it to pay an extra 200 bucks for the extra 5.5"?
The difference is huge, like a Netbook vs a 17" MacBook Pro, but if i have to keep the computer turned on while using just the display i have a few doubts on that, 21.5" is pretty good for a computer, but paying 200$ for a few inches i would still use as a computer... hmmm nah
My plan was using the screen as a usual Apple Cinema Display if i ever get a Mac Pro, or to connect my PC workstation, but it's a waste of energy and i would just use the computer without a reason, sadly Apple doesn't give a lot of feedback about that function