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HELP...Imac 24" 3.06ghz or 2.8ghz...NEW vs REFURB..IS IT WORTH THE EXTRA $300?

A

ajenda

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 9, 2008
28
0
Hello ...my husband and I are having a heated discussion about which I mac to get. We have macbook pro now.

I guess my main question is processor speed. My husband seem to think the 2.8 is good while think 3.06 is better even though I have NO idea how much faster that really is in relative terms. Im a sucker for the marketing I guess.
Is it really worth the extra $300??????


I am really into photography not really video imaging or gaming. I mainly use it for web surfing and editing tons of photos with photoshop.

I can get the refurbished 3.06 for $1,899 or the 2.8ghz(refurb) for $1549.

That is another question..has anyone purchased refurbished?? The warranty is the same so I guess it would not really matter.

Thanks for any help!:confused::confused::confused:

Anyway..Im confused
 
I say its not worth it. By the time you get to the limits of that machine (2.8) you could just buy a new one and get whatever speed processor that is. Most important IMO is 20" vs. 24" in which 24" is a no-brainer.

Save $300 and buy 4Gb of RAM (non-Apple) and an 500Gb - 1Tb external HDD for time machine purposes (backed up pictures is priceless).
 
GimmeSlack12 said:
I say its not worth it. By the time you get to the limits of that machine (2.8) you could just buy a new one and get whatever speed processor that is. Most important IMO is 20" vs. 24" in which 24" is a no-brainer.

Save $300 and buy 4Gb of RAM (non-Apple) and an 500Gb - 1Tb external HDD for time machine purposes (backed up pictures is priceless).
Click to expand...
Damn...thats just what my husband said...Im going to hide this thread.....LOL;)
Thank you ....I think you just helped make my decision! Would you have any reservations about buying a refurb???
 
Just had the same debate with a friend, as I'm thinking of getting a desktop also. I'd second that the RAM would be a much better buy. Definietly not $300 worth of processor -- doubt you'd even notice a difference between the two.
 
GimmeSlack12 said:
Not really. I mean it has the same warranty as you said, and my brother has bought refurbs and had no issues.
Click to expand...

+1 to that. I bought a refurb. iPod touch (1st gen) a few months ago and even though the pricing has dropped 20 bucks, the ipod was in brand new condition. most of my friends thought it was new. the select few who didnt think it was new didnt know what an ipod touch was, since many ppl call it a "itouch", but you get the idea. I personally doubt you'll see the processor speed difference. it's very minor, just like my macbook 2.2ghz and the current Penryn one that runs at 2.4ghz. Hardly any difference at all, you wouldn't notice it at all.

Also, go for 4Gb of ram (random access memory, 4gb is max for any mac, except mac pro). A time machine backup drive is also very important.
 
ajenda said:
My husband seem to think the 2.8 is good while think 3.06 is better even though I have NO idea how much faster that really is in relative terms. Im a sucker for the marketing I guess.
Is it really worth the extra $300??????
Click to expand...

If you don't get the 3.06Ghz iMac everytime you see the beachball, watch a finder window populate the images in cover flow or count the bouncing dock icons you will regret getting anything less then the fastest iMac.

The truth is the speed difference is probably not noticeable when running nearly any app. I bought the 3.06 for the psychological warm and fuzzy feeling of finally getting a 3Ghz Mac :)
 
There is a slightly noticeable difference in performance between the 2.8 and 3.06 (I'm on the 3.06); nothing really major in that department though.

Secondly, and more importantly, you get a MUCH better nVidia Graphics card, which is great, and more HD space standard.

I'd say go for it, only because I love mine and the great movies and gaming.
 
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