Buying my first iMac. Few questions inside. Thanks in advance!

[MMM.PWR]

Let me begin by saying I already have a very capable computer, as you can see in my sig. I have a keyboard w/ keypad & magic mouse / stand, etc.

My ideal setup that is not possible: 2x 24" ACD's + laptop screen. However, it is either too complicated or not possible (from what I've heard).

So I've settled on the 27" iMac. I don't do video editing, but I may "dabble" with it in the future for fun. As of now I just do heavy photo editing in Photoshop and some Flash.

Now the main question: which iMac? I know it's been asked, but I still am not 100% on which to get. I think the i5 is more than enough for what I want.

What do you guys think or suggest?

And one more question: can I use the Magic Mouse to control both computers without having to turn Bluetooth off one whichever I'm not using at the moment? Is 2 mice overkill???

Thank you!

 

[danistyping]

Before you ask which one to get, you should describe what you use the computer for.


In my personal opinion, regardless of what you do with it, you should get the i5. The Core 2 Duos are old tech and will have crappy resale in the future. For a little more money you will be future proofed.

I also don't recommend paying 200 bucks more for the i7 unless you are doing very processor intensive work. In two years your i7 will still be fast, but your graphics card will be crap. The 4850 is good but the i7 bottlenecks it by a lot. Save the dough, and if in the future you want to upgrade for newer tech, you'll have strong resale with your i5.

 

[MMM.PWR]

Thanks for your reply - I have settled for the i5 as well. I will use the computer as my "main" computer, regular web, music, photo, word, misc, leaving the MBP for when I'm not at my desk.

Only thing out of the ordinary is Photoshop and dealing with hi-res photos but that is about it.

I've read I have to unpair the Magic Mouse with one computer before I can use it with the other? If that's the case then I will have to keep my Magic Mouse and use one per computer.