Help me decide what iMac is best for me!?

[imac123]

Basically I'm deciding which configuration of the 24" version I'd like... which proc speed, graphics card, hard drive, and how much RAM..

I mostly use my computer for web design tasks... photoshop, etc, and the usual photo albums, mp3s, a minimal amount of small video editing, and minimal gaming. I don't NEEEEED a machine that is overkill

But on the other hand, I would also like a machine that won't lose its value or power too soon (would like to use it for at least 4 yrs).

And on the 3rd hand , I'm not rich, otherwise I'd get the top end of course.

Taking that into account... what would you recommend the specs be??

 

[BamaDMD]

Basically I'm deciding which configuration of the 24" version I'd like... which proc speed, graphics card, hard drive, and how much RAM..

I mostly use my computer for web design tasks... photoshop, etc, and the usual photo albums, mp3s, a minimal amount of small video editing, and minimal gaming. I don't NEEEEED a machine that is overkill

But on the other hand, I would also like a machine that won't lose its value or power too soon (would like to use it for at least 4 yrs).

And on the 3rd hand , I'm not rich, otherwise I'd get the top end of course.

Taking that into account... what would you recommend the specs be??

What is your budget? How much can/will you spend? This will help in deciding.

 

[memo90061]

oooh looks like we both want an imac for the same exact things!!! everything u just said its what i need an imac for too. im still using windows and im waiting to get an imac.

 

[imac123]

What is your budget? How much can/will you spend? This will help in deciding.

I was thinking arounnnd $2,000 .

I'm flexible w/ this, as long as I can make myself feel 100% comfortable that I'm not wasting money on any part of the deal. For example, even if i could afford to pay the $200 for apple to upgrade my RAM for me, I wouldn't do it since I think that price is not reasonable (since I could do it myself for $120).

 

[theMaccer]

Basically I'm deciding which configuration of the 24" version I'd like... which proc speed, graphics card, hard drive, and how much RAM..

I mostly use my computer for web design tasks... photoshop, etc, and the usual photo albums, mp3s, a minimal amount of small video editing, and minimal gaming. I don't NEEEEED a machine that is overkill

But on the other hand, I would also like a machine that won't lose its value or power too soon (would like to use it for at least 4 yrs).

And on the 3rd hand , I'm not rich, otherwise I'd get the top end of course.

Taking that into account... what would you recommend the specs be??

Get the base model, and max out the ram. I think that will do it.

 

[BamaDMD]

oooh looks like we both want an imac for the same exact things!!! everything u just said its what i need an imac for too. im still using windows and im waiting to get an imac.

That's great. I was in your shoes just a few months ago. Made the switch and never looked back. You will not regret it.

Get the best machine you can afford but with this new lineup, there are no bad machines (well maybe the 2600at graphics card with 128 is kinda crappy) but seriously, any other ones on that list will absolutely rock. You'll be able to do about anything on these.

Get one and have fun!

 

[nick9191]

I'd say take the top end. You only live once And the graphics card is far superior, so in a few years it will still be good for games (albeit on low settings by then). The extra CPU power will excel at photoshop and video editing as well.

You can leave it with 2gb for now, then stick in four down the road. Or take four now, Games, Photoshop etc. like RAM.

 

[BamaDMD]

I was thinking arounnnd $2,000 .

I'm flexible w/ this, as long as I can make myself feel 100% comfortable that I'm not wasting money on any part of the deal. For example, even if i could afford to pay the $200 for apple to upgrade my RAM for me, I wouldn't do it since I think that price is not reasonable (since I could do it myself for $120).

Get the next model up from base (better graphics card) and get 3-4mb of mem and biggest hard drive you can afford. I went with the 320 and now wish I had the 750

 

[D4F]

If you have around $2000 then get the extra $200 and go for max.
It's really worth it if you do not want to change computers too often.
the 3.06 is a beast and together with the 8800 GS it is a damn sweet piece of pie

 

[ASFx]

Best to get the maxed out one, especially if you want to use it for 4 years.

New apps are requiring more cpu and ram all the time.