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Difference betwen iMac 17 and 20?

M. Malone

M. Malone

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 11, 2004
677
2
I have been planning on getting an iMac for the last 6 months, and I have gone as far as ordering it then canceling it the next day, now I think I'm sure I'll order it, but what difference other than screen size and processor speed would make to me, I plan to use it for web surfing, mail, MS Office, iChat, iMovie, no videogames at all, would like to view HD movies if possible, now $400 is a big price difference to me, so according to my uses, does the $400 difference justify the 20" for MY uses? thanks
 
Jericho2550 said:
that page was great! thanks, lots of help, 720P is more than great for me, I'm leaning towards the 17 inch already...
Click to expand...

No problem.... I have a feelin thats my next computer too :D ... Ive always wanted one and i dont have a mac desktop yet... :p
 
I've had a 17" and now a 20" - Personally, I like the 20" iMac much more.

If you plan to watch a lot of movies, or get a TV tuner like Eye TV to watch/record TV, I would recommend the 20" since it is much nicer when viewing full-screen video. Especially if you are sitting away from the computer, say on the couch or bed across the room.
 
m-dogg said:
I've had a 17" and now a 20" - Personally, I like the 20" iMac much more.

If you plan to watch a lot of movies, or get a TV tuner like Eye TV to watch/record TV, I would recommend the 20" since it is much nicer when viewing full-screen video. Especially if you are sitting away from the computer, say on the couch or bed across the room.
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here's the thing, in the very same room, I have a Sony HDTV 34" with DVD, so you really just made my decision on a 17" easier :D the ONLY reason I may want a 20" is to fit more iChat conversations and more pages on the screen. So I guess I am leaning to 17 for now
 
Jericho2550 said:
here's the thing, in the very same room, I have a Sony HDTV 34" with DVD, so you really just my decision on a 17" easier :D the ONLY reason I may want a 20" is to fit more iChat conversations and more pages on the screen. So I guess I am leaning to 17 for now
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Well if that's the reason, I personally wouldnt spend $400 more just to fit more pages on. Macs have expose for that, or whatever it is. The shortcuts F9 and F10 are perfect for multiple windows. You'll never have to worry about constantly moving windows w/ those keyboard shortcuts. Also, you can minimize and resize windows. Finally, Ive been living with a 12 inch screen for my whole use on a Mac... and ive been just fine, and I am constantly talkin to friends on iChat. I am pretty darn sure a screen over 50% larger than mine will be more than enough, but I dont know how many windows you have open, but I doubt its much more than I do. :D So, I think you should save the $400 and get the 17" model.
 
Jericho2550 said:
here's the thing, in the very same room, I have a Sony HDTV 34" with DVD, so you really just made my decision on a 17" easier :D the ONLY reason I may want a 20" is to fit more iChat conversations and more pages on the screen. So I guess I am leaning to 17 for now
Click to expand...

Yeah, in that case I'd probably say get the 17" - I use my 20" in a room without any other TV, so it is my computer/dvd player/TV/Tivo.

I will add as an FYI that the 20" screen can fit two standard sized web pages on the screen side by side at the same time, but the 17" can't. Not that I think that should justify your additional cost though.
 
Go For It

Jericho,
Go for the 20". There is absolutely nothing worse than saving some money and then regretting you didn't go for the one you want. All the logic, thinking, and justifying won't matter. Get the 20". You know that's the one your really want.
Go for it and I "guarantee" you won't be sorry.

Kyan
 
Or you could get the 17" iMac and get an external 20" minitor from Dell for $400 or $500 bucks. You would have more screen real estate than the 20" iMac for about the same price. Of course, this would only work if you had enough room on your desk for 20" and 17" screens (and didn't mind the *gasp* Dell monitor).
 
17 inch

In all the imacs ive used i have found that the 17" is the best because its just easyer to fit everywhere. and if you want a bigger screen just use an external monitor.
 
Jericho2550 said:
here's the thing, in the very same room, I have a Sony HDTV 34" with DVD, so you really just made my decision on a 17" easier :D the ONLY reason I may want a 20" is to fit more iChat conversations and more pages on the screen. So I guess I am leaning to 17 for now
Click to expand...
Why don't you get a Mac Mini with wireless keyboard and mouse and use the Sony HDTV as its display?
 
20" all the way.

Being able to view two webpages/word documents side-by-side is invaluable.

I can't understand why anyone would get the 17" (other than for strict financial reasons).
 
Personaly, I would go for the 20, no ?'s asked. But, if the 17 honestly fits your needs and budget, get that.
 
If you have a Apple Store or CompUSA I would go check out both. I have and personally I would get the 20" if I were to get an iMac. It is a lot more real estate and if you plan on doing iMovie and watching HD Trailers then it would be wise to invest in a better product.
 
still 400 bucks more for 3 inches is a lot. I know the hard drive is bigger, but that's only worth 30 to 40 bucks.
 
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