Another Which-To-Choose Thread

[iLikeMySelf]

Hello,

I am deciding between the high-end 21.5" model iMac and the low end 27" model one. I will use my iMac mostly for Photoshop, Flash, iPhone development and gaming on Windows.
I went to the Apple Store and tried both iMacs, the 21.5" iMac's screen seems smaller than my current 17" iMac's screen, but it is ok. The 27" iMac was big, I did not use it enough to notice if it was uncomfortable for my eyes but I was standing like 10 cms away from the screen. My desktop is about 75cm wide so I think I have the space required for the bigger screen.
My uncle has the 21.5" iMac, he previously used a MBP and told me that the screen made his eyes red and I should not buy the 27" one. Of course he works with the computer about 8 hours a day since he is a designer, I am not going to use it that much, maybe 4 hours in weekends and 2 in weekdays.
As for flash, photoshop and all that stuff, I know the iMac can handle it more than well since my current one runs them perfectly but I wanted to do some gaming in this machine. I am not sure if the 27" screen will make the game run slower because of the higher resolution than in the 21.5".
Which iMac will have a better performance in gaming?
So which model should I go for, also consider that in my country the high end 21.5 iMac is 2272 USD and the low end 27" iMac is 2626 USD.
Also if this helps, I am 1,80m tall so I think height won't be a problem and I stand 90 cm away from my current 17" iMac.
Thank you in advance for reading all the story and I know threads like these have been made before but not in the same context. If you have any gaming benchmarks to share, your welcome too. Thanks again!

 

[Hellhammer]

I would get 27" but it's just my personal preference. This isn't something where people can really help because it's up to you. Which one do you like more?

 

[iLikeMySelf]

I like both. I know I will be fine with any but the 27" screen frightens me a bit since I am using a 17" screen now.

 

[TMRaven]

The 27 inch screen will be easy to get used to. You will be spoiled off of the really high resolution before you know it.

 

[Racerman]

I would also say to go with the 27 inch as this is the one I am getting, mainly because of me being a Photographer and wanting the larger space to edit on, plus the 21.5 not being that much bigger than my current 19 inch

 

[iLikeMySelf]

I am thinking of getting the 27" for now.
But what is the total height of the [27"] iMac including the stand?

 

[d88co88]

I am thinking of getting the 27" for now.
But what is the total height of the [27"] iMac including the stand?

I believe it is 20.4"

 

[iLikeMySelf]

In the website, it says 20.4" is the height of the iMac without the base, I think it is a bit bigger.

 

[KyleKlink]

I like both. I know I will be fine with any but the 27" screen frightens me a bit since I am using a 17" screen now.

True story: I drove up to the Apple store last November to buy one of the new 27" iMacs. I walked into the store, stepped up to the 27" and immediately began thinking that maybe I should go for the 21.5 inch. The iMac was just plain MASSIVE! I stuck with my guns and bought the 27" machine, and here I sit in front of it completely comfortable with the size.

Get the 27", you'll be happier in the long run, and eventually you will get used to the size and anything smaller will be unacceptable to you.

 

[iKimm]

Go for the 27". I am sooooo glad I did. . I thought it was going to be to big as well. It isn't. It is perfect!!!

 

[argeleri]

If your really looking to make this a gaming machine, get the i7 iMac. The reason i say this is because of the better graphics card and other improvements on the processor that will ultimately improve gameplay. However, since cost is a prohibitive factor, if your mainly looking for performance, get the smaller iMac with the i5 chip. The low end 27inch iMac will only have the i3 chip. Graphics cards are the same and so is the memory.

I just picked up an i7 iMac and its incredibly fast. Starcraft 2 and wow at full res is a pretty amazing sight to see. WoW feels like a new game at this resolution and display. I'm also a designer and on a computer for around 8+ hours a day and I don't have any type of eye problems. If anything I like it more because I have so *much more* screen real estate.

Also keep in mind, with the smaller 21.5 imacs that once the computer portion gets outdated, you won't be able to use it as an external monitor. Which for me was a key buying point, because ultimately even my i7 will get outdated but at least my display won't (monitors have a longer shelf life). At that point, I'll just use this as my external screen for my MBP.