I am going to get an Intel Imac 1.8Ghz now or August (Assuming that the iMac will not change in August). I can get the new 899 imac at a student discount. When I upgrade to 1GB, 160GB HD it is still about 300 less than the standard 1.8Ghz model. The only difference is the video cards. Is it worth 300$ to go from "Intel GMA 950 graphics with 64MB of shared memory" to "ATI Radeon X1600 graphics with 128MB GDDR3 memory". Or can I just upgrade it myself for cheaper?
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iMac Video Card Decision
- Thread starter jdl8422
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the graphics card cannot be updated, its on the motherboard and can't be changed at a later time.
if you plan on keeping the machine for a while, and want to get the best life out of it buy one with as good of a video card as possible since it cannot be changed.
if you plan on keeping the machine for a while, and want to get the best life out of it buy one with as good of a video card as possible since it cannot be changed.
I think that depends on what you'll be using the machine for and how big of a deal price is.
The integrated graphics on my mini don't bug me at all. I can use Flight Simulator 2004 under windows, plus any other games (which I own at least) rather painlessly. Photoshop runs great on both OSs and iMovie and the rest of the iLife (on OS X of course) suite run fine as well.
If your going to do Pro work, or heavy photo/video editing, or even heavier gaming, I'd suggest you get the iMac with the better graphics card. It will have a longer lifespan as far as being up-to-date goes. It all comes done to price, though.
The integrated graphics on my mini don't bug me at all. I can use Flight Simulator 2004 under windows, plus any other games (which I own at least) rather painlessly. Photoshop runs great on both OSs and iMovie and the rest of the iLife (on OS X of course) suite run fine as well.
If your going to do Pro work, or heavy photo/video editing, or even heavier gaming, I'd suggest you get the iMac with the better graphics card. It will have a longer lifespan as far as being up-to-date goes. It all comes done to price, though.
Bluetooth and Optical Drive
There are a couple of other differences that you should be aware of.
The Educational model doesn't have Bluetooth (and if it's anything like the laptop line this can't be added later*). I rarely use mine and wouldn't miss it personally.
The educational model also has a combo drive (24x) instead of a Superdrive.
So ... You're getting 3 things for your extra $300. You'll have to ask if those upgrades are worth it for you. Me personally ... I'd take the $300 and buy a second monitor.
*Make that easily, apparently if you can solder well it *is* possible, just expensive and risky.
There are a couple of other differences that you should be aware of.
The Educational model doesn't have Bluetooth (and if it's anything like the laptop line this can't be added later*). I rarely use mine and wouldn't miss it personally.
The educational model also has a combo drive (24x) instead of a Superdrive.
So ... You're getting 3 things for your extra $300. You'll have to ask if those upgrades are worth it for you. Me personally ... I'd take the $300 and buy a second monitor.
*Make that easily, apparently if you can solder well it *is* possible, just expensive and risky.
jdl8422 said:
As others have said it really depends what you do and how long you will do it for. I know that as far as my iMac goes I'm set for a few years and it will then become my "backup" since the video card is the 128MB. I would say anything "heavy" such as PS or some animation (3D) you would be hard pressed but could still get by...just makes longer days. Also look at it from the point that you are....you spend all your time "looking" at the screen and that IMO is important for anything that will handle color, such as photos, videos and so on. If that's not your thing then sure, save your money and while your at it buy RAM from a third vendor.
iDuck said:
Not only can you buy that separately but it's on the page for customisation; it just costs ~$26 extra.
The only loss I really see is the lack of bluetooth because I personally find it very useful for transferring pictures between my phone and PC.
Integrated graphics and no DVD-writing shouldn't really be concerns and if they are you're probably looking at the wrong sort of Mac.
thanks. I didnt realize all the other differences between the regular and education. I am definately going to get the standard 17" at an educational discount rather than the 899 model. Also. can you have dual screens with an iMac? I currently have a 17" monitor i can use. I just wasnt sure if you could hook it up and it if it would look weird with the imac.
