iMac - 2.4 vs 2.8 and ram

[rotlex]

Ok, this is my big week, LOL. This coming weekend, I'm finally taking the plunge on a new iMac. It will be an "upgrade" from my current 2.3Ghz 3 year old Powermac.

Anywho, I thought I was set on the 24" 2.4 Ghz model, but the 2.8 keeps pulling at me. So here's the question. I was originally going to go for the 2.4 Ghz model, and take the ram up to 4GB. Now, I'm looking at the 2.8, seeing by default I get the 500GB internal drive, and 2GB of ram. Of course, the initial cost is eh, a bit more, but heck, I'm hoping to have this thing last me at least another 3-5 years.

Bottom line - if it was you, would you go for the 2.4Ghz model and up the ram to 4GB, OR, the 2.8 with 2GB initially? (And no, I would not be buying the ram from Apple, but rather OWC).

Thoughts comments? Maybe go for the 2.8 and just for over the extra for the 4GB for that too? I guess I'm wondering if the additional 400Mhz of speed is REALLY worth the extra cost!

I hate decisions.

 

[Eidorian]

I guess I'm wondering if the additional 400Mhz of speed is REALLY worth the extra cost!

I only see a gain for time critical processing applications.

Then again at that price you might as well get a Mac Pro. My preference is just to get the 2.4 GHz model and get the processor upgrade.

 

[czachorski]

Here is one iteration: Start with the stock 2.4 and configure it. It starts at $500 less than the stock 2.8. Increase the processor to 2.8 for $250, take the hard drive to 500 GB for $100 and leave the stock 1GB RAM as is, and order 4 GB from OWC for $175. You are spending $25 more than the stock 2.8, getting better specs than the 2.8 by getting 4 GB of RAM instead of 2. Well worth $25.

Me personally, I just did this, and took the HD to 750 GB. That upped the price by another $150, but I figured once you set the size of that internal HD, you can never make it bigger, so I was willing to pay a little premium for the extra 250 GB compared to what I could have got in an external. But thats just me.

 

[divedude]

When I ordered mine, I started with the 2.4 with 1GB memory and upped it to 2.8 with the 500GB drive. I then ordered 4GB memory from DMS.

 

[rotlex]

Thanks for the replies on this. I never even thought about ordering the 2.4 and upgrading the proc to the 2.8. Mmm, I only wish you could just buy the 2.8 with 1GB of ram at an Apple store and keep the price the same as doing the upgrade to the 2.4. (Only because I hate waiting for something I've ordered on line once ordered, LOL). Actually, now I'm wondering if I could do the order through my "new" local store as that way, I don't have to worry about being home on delivery day and missing the Fed Ex guy. Would be handy to just stop at the store on the way home and pick this thing up, even if ordered.

I may go this route though as it seems to make the most sense! (Upgrading the 2.4 to 2.8 that is)

Thanks again.

 

[teiresias]

The only "build-to-order" options my "local" Apple Store (local is in quotes, because it's a good 30-45 minute drive, depending on traffic, to the nearest retail store) offers with iMacs appears to be their ability to add in extra RAM at the point of purchase if you request - otherwise, all of their stock is pretty much the standard configs on the Apple store page without any modifications.

If you want a BTO system you're pretty much stuck to ordering online in most cases.