Do I need the i7?

[gentleman00]

I am not planning to use the imac for gaming, photoshopping, or use of other large applications. I am primarily going to be using the imac for word processing, internet surfing, iphotos, ichating, etc. Do I need the i7 or can I live without it and opt for the basic model?

 

[cmaier]

I am not planning to use the imac for gaming, photoshopping, or use of other large applications. I am primarily going to be using the imac for word processing, internet surfing, iphotos, ichating, etc. Do I need the i7 or can I live without it and opt for the basic model?

For your stated purposes the i5 is more than fine.

 

[gentleman00]

Isn't the intel 2 Duo the basic model?

For your stated purposes the i5 is more than fine.

 

[rgarjr]

A lot of people want to get the latest technology toys, so they get the one with the newest chip in it.

 

[Bryan Bowler]

Isn't the intel 2 Duo the basic model?

Yes, and it would more than cover your needs. There is no sense in spending the extra money for a quad-core.

Bryan

 

[cmaier]

Isn't the intel 2 Duo the basic model?

also more than fine.

 

[Techhie]

A lot of people want to get the latest technology toys, so they get the one with the newest chip in it.

You are forgetting everyone is also a professional who uses multi-threaded software on a daily basis.

 

[TMRaven]

You don't even need an i5, just get the baseline 21.5 inch model.

The desktop-grade core2duos in these new iMacs are blazing fast.

 

[RexTraverse]

I am primarily going to be using the imac for word processing, internet surfing, iphotos, ichating, etc.

If that's all, a Core Solo Mac mini would be fine. Don't worry about the processor and just get whatever has the features you actually care about at the lowest price.

 

[mrsir2009]

The i5 will be fine. You could do what your going to do fine on a baseline MacBook lol

 

[nawoo]

my 2003 ibook can do those things fine too!

 

[gjw4u]

OP, if $ is not an issue, you can allways go for the i5 or i7 iMacs, but the C2D would also do the things you specified, and you could save some $.

 

[mtnDewFTW]

You really don't need i7.
i5 should be more than enough for you.

 

[Sambo110]

What the others have said. The i5 would be more than enough if your just going to browse the web, check emails etc.

 

[Bryan Bowler]

Alot of folks are saying the i5 would be more than enough. I'd like to stress that the baseline C2D would be more than enough...

Save some money.

Bryan

 

[jvalente]

EVERYONE NEEDS AN i7

 

[300D]

Nobody needs more than 640kb of ram.