Comparing my iMac to a new one - should I upgrade?

[ryanflucas]

My current iMac:

24" early 2008 BTO (2.8GHZ Core 2 Duo, 500GB HD, 4GB Ram, 512MB Geforce 8800GS) Under Applecare until May 2011.

compared to

21.5" iMac (3.06GHZ Intel Core i3, 500GB HD, 4GB Ram, ATI Radeon HD 4670 with 256MB) I would probably upgrade the ram to 8GB via 3rd party


I'm assuming faster, but how much? I use this for general business management paperwork, some photo editing, web design, and the occasional steam gaming. The LED panel on these new units looks much clearer to me so I'm tempted by that too.

Can anyone out there give me a ballpark of what mine would fetch if sold? I have the original manual, retail box, restore discs, everything. Just curious.

 

[TMRaven]

Unless you're mr. moneybags, then no. I'd even say no to the quad core ones.

I'd say your iMac will last you until ivy bridge.

 

[Hellhammer]

24" iMacs don't sell that well anymore, mainly because 21.5" is faster and offers nearly the same size and resolution. You wouldn't get more than 1000$ off your machine, probably even less because it's already over two years old. I doubt you planned that machine to last only little over two years so keep it. There is always something better and faster coming. After two years, the 21.5" is as obsolete as your iMac is now so that pattern is endless.

 

[ryanflucas]

What I'm looking at is the value between keeping what I have or selling it for $800-$1,000 and buying a brand new system for $1200. I'm running a small business so it's not that huge a difference in cost, but if it's not that much faster then it's not needed.

 

[xraydoc]

What I'm looking at is the value between keeping what I have or selling it for $800-$1,000 and buying a brand new system for $1200. I'm running a small business so it's not that huge a difference in cost, but if it's not that much faster then it's not needed.

That's the rub. What is the goal of upgrading. Is the software you use getting too slow? Big databases bogging your current machine down? If the iMac you have is too slow to be productive, then an upgrade is worth it - and anything you get for the old one is just a bonus. If your current machine is fast enough, then there's little point in spending the money. Especially if it's strictly for business purposes versus a "machine for fun."

 

[BradClarke]

I Just Purchased My 24" 2.8Ghz (early 2008) with 4 gigs of ram, original box, for $699.99 off ebay buy it now, got it about 2 weeks ago works great, The value of the machine has gone down terrible, but honestly I think you should hold out until next year, the price of this years 27" will come down more and you should be able to get one of those then. I actually bought this 24" over the 21.5 inch base model, I played with the 21.5 for awhile in the store and the screen size bugged me so much, seemed so small

You will prob be able to sell yours for $950 on ebay buy it now, I say this because you have the better graphics card in yours, and still has apple care. You should seriously consider a refurb 27" instead though if you really feel the need of upgrading.

 

[tears2040]

After owning a core two duo for 3+ years I just could never go back. The i3 just runs so beautiful. Also you can buy a new i3 ( bas model ) for a little over $1K.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC508LL/A?mco=MTkwMjE3NjU

It won't be that much faster, but it consumes less energy which in terms means it runs cooler and will ultimately last longer.

The best machine by far is a Mac Pro, 2008-2009 Mac Pros still bench insanely high #s. The only problem is your looking at spending about $2K with a Mac Pro.

 

[ITS ME DAVID]

I say sell it for whatever u can and get the i3 led screen alone is woth it.

 

[samywamy10]

Keep your current iMac

Keep your current iMac and upgrade that to 8gb ram. There's not really much of a performance increase between 2.8ghz and 3.06ghz. If you really like the new display so much, you could purchase a cinema display and have dual monitors .