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Choosing the right 27 inch iMac

R

ronaldcastillo

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 25, 2009
619
36
I'm planning on purchasing an iMac in the next weeks and I'm having a hard time deciding which one to get.

Here are my two choices: (27 inch)
3.06 C2D Base Model + 8gb Ram (Upgrade) + Free Printer
2.66 Quad Core Base Model (No Upgrades)

I currently use my macbook for designing purposes and sometimes
video editings through Final Cut Express/iMovie.

I'm 15 years old, and have a budget in purchasing this iMac.
The problem that concerns me is will having an 8gb upgrade make a difference or will I rather go with a Quad Core along with 512mb graphics card?

Thanks. Feel free to give suggestions also.
 
definitively quad as you can always upgrade the ram and printer later. 4gb is enough for most people these days. you cant upgrade the processor in the future but with ram you can.
 
15? Damn, you're a hell of a lot better off when I was 15.

Ram and hard drives are cheap and plenty - and will only get cheaper. Those are a cake-walk to upgrade, too.

CPUs and GPUs, on the other hand - notsomuch. Stretch your dollar on the best CPU and GPU you can afford - because down the road, you're stuck with those two aspects.

I doubt 2GB or 4GB or ram off the bat will cripple you in any way.
 
Will 4gb vs. 8gb make a total difference? I really don't want to spend an extra $180 (+ tax) along with my Quad Core. Also, I already have printer but would want to experience having a wireless printer.

Also whats the difference between 3.06C2D vs. 2.66Quad Core?
I kind of know the difference but would like to know more.
 
Big-TDI-Guy said:
15? Damn, you're a hell of a lot better off when I was 15.

Ram and hard drives are cheap and plenty - and will only get cheaper. Those are a cake-walk to upgrade, too.

CPUs and GPUs, on the other hand - notsomuch. Stretch your dollar on the best CPU and GPU you can afford - because down the road, you're stuck with those two aspects.

I doubt 2GB or 4GB or ram off the bat will cripple you in any way.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm starting to realized that as I could always bring it in the Apple Store to upgrade my ram. I had the first generation of the Black Macbook and I think it's about time to upgrade my computer to a larger screen.
 
Get the quad. Because you can always upgrade the RAM later =)

It all seems good compared to what I'm using now. I'm on an iMac G3 running OS9 because my 24" imac is getting repired =0
 
How do you get that much money at 15? I guess the age for selling cocaine keeps getting lower I suppose? Anyways, while it wouldn't be within your budget https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/809303/ right there the i7 is at the very least a decent buy compared to what you would pay elsewhere. Not sure about the other cost.
 
Why is everyone suggesting quad is essential to run final cut express/imovie. It isnt - sure preformance will be better but the last generation of imacs (to my understanding) ran final cut just fine, and they were all core2
 
Def right, I am just explaining the value. Honestly all this quad stuff is major overkill right now, but you have the satisfaction of knowing that 2, 4, even 6+ years down the road it will run everything like a dream. With C2D I'm sure it will work fine too, but you def will see differences in performance.
 
I actually got the money from my past two birthdays. I saved them up on a savings account. I was talking to a Apple representative and they recommended me to upgrade to i7 2.8Ghz and hold off on the ram as it won't make much difference. Is that right?
 
XboxEvolved said:
Def right, I am just explaining the value. Honestly all this quad stuff is major overkill right now, but you have the satisfaction of knowing that 2, 4, even 6+ years down the road it will run everything like a dream. With C2D I'm sure it will work fine too, but you def will see differences in performance.
Click to expand...

Thanks.

i7 Quad Core or
i5 Quad Core + Free printer ($129.99)
 
ronaldcastillo said:
I actually got the money from my past two birthdays. I saved them up on a savings account. I was talking to a Apple representative and they recommended me to upgrade to i7 2.8Ghz and hold off on the ram as it won't make much difference. Is that right?
Click to expand...

I would say hold off on the ram because you can do that yourself at a later date.
 
Man your family must really love you to give you that much money for your bday. My family would throw me out the car in the middle of nowhere and tell me to try and find my way home on my birthdays. :(

Also yeah, since you have 4 ram slots in the 27' you could say, get a $65 2x2GB ram kit, and then a few years down the road max it out to 16GB, assuming the ram had gone down in price a lot it would be worth it.
 
I think you should get the i7 and the free $99 printer that you can get with a rebate. 4GB of RAM are plenty for now, but when you're ready to upgrade, be sure and do it yourself. It's as easy as installing batteries in a flashlight and will save you a ton of money. If you do it yourself, you can upgrade to 8GB of RAM for $92 right now, or you will probably be able to do it even cheaper if you wait a couple of months.

Bryan
 
XboxEvolved said:
Man your family must really love you to give you that much money for your bday. My family would throw me out the car in the middle of nowhere and tell me to try and find my way home on my birthdays. :(

Also yeah, since you have 4 ram slots in the 27' you could say, get a $65 2x2GB ram kit, and then a few years down the road max it out to 16GB, assuming the ram had gone down in price a lot it would be worth it.
Click to expand...

Well they would throw me parties and I would save most of them.
Is it worth upgrading to i7 or should I just get the i5 along with my free wireless printer? Still undecided on what iMac package I'm going to get.
 
Bryan Bowler said:
I think you should get the i7 and the free $99 printer that you can get with a rebate. 4GB of RAM are plenty for now, but when you're ready to upgrade, be sure and do it yourself. It's as easy as installing batteries in a flashlight and will save you a ton of money. If you do it yourself, you can upgrade to 8GB of RAM for $92 right now, or you will probably be able to do it even cheaper if you wait a couple of months.

Bryan
Click to expand...

Thanks :)

Should I upgrade to the i7 Quad Core?
I really wanna walk out of the Apple Store holding an iMac.
 
mac88 said:
$200 difference. If you can afford it then go for it. If you want it now, go for the C2D and walk out of the store with it and enjoy.
Click to expand...

I'm willing to wait for November. I've finally decided, I'll get a i5 Quad Core Base model along with my free printer. Hows that?
 
Yeah, if you can afford it, get the Quad system stock.

Later, when you're 18 or something if you think you need more memory, you could add some to it.

4GB of RAm and QUAD core will SCREAM.
 
powerbook911 said:
Yeah, if you can afford it, get the Quad system stock.

Later, when you're 18 or something if you think you need more memory, you could add some to it.

4GB of RAm and QUAD core will SCREAM.
Click to expand...

Yeah that sounds good. I'll let you guys know when I get my iMac!
Hopefully they release the Quad base model next week!
 
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