Is the price of an i5 worthit over i3?

[spinstorm]

So I bought an iMac.

I bought a 21.5 inch base model then decided a few days later I wanted 27" so went and exchanged it.

Now I have a week left before I can no longer exchange and I am debating if I should upgrade to the quad core i5.

I have no need for a more powerful graphics card so that doesn't interest me. I am not much of a gamer.

I do however like to big time multi-task and I have been running windows 7 in vmware simultaneously while using OSX. I haven't noticed any huge slow downs.

I don't make music or edit video although I could well do so in the near future.

I have a perfect screen and a quiet iMac.

As things stand right now I don't need a quad core.

Is the trade off of money worthit for the extra cores? I may well get a bad screen in return.

I can't see a good reason to change it over... but its just nagging at me... If I didn't have the money it would make my decision much easier.

Can anyone help me decide? Thanks.

 

[alust2013]

I'd just keep what you have. If you don't need something more powerful, there isn't much reason to get it. If you don't do anything heavy, you won't notice any difference going to quad core, aside from your wallet being lighter.

 

[newdeal]

...

Hack in an ssd if you decide you want more performance in the future

 

[Matthew9559]

From what you said, I would keep the current iMac. Save the money. You can only future proof so much before it's overkill, IMO.

 

[ravinder08]

From what you said, I would keep the current iMac. Save the money. You can only future proof so much before it's overkill, IMO.

If you can afford it it is it not better to have a quad core? the way tecnology is moving it won't be too long before you regret not having bought the i5.
In fact the i7 is probably the best option in the long run if you intend keeping the machine for at least 5 years IMO. Why suffer from buyers remorse after your exchange period runs out?

Rav

 

[3lionsbecks]

If you can afford it it is it not better to have a quad core? the way tecnology is moving it won't be too long before you regret not having bought the i5.
In fact the i7 is probably the best option in the long run if you intend keeping the machine for at least 5 years IMO. Why suffer from buyers remorse after your exchange period runs out?

Rav

I doubt for what the OP uses the computer for that he will really need to worry about future proofing....

My last Dell computer lasted about 8 years before I upgraded to my Mac computers.

For everyday regular usage he will be fine with a i3. Email, iTunes, Web-browsing, word processing etc....shouldn't be a reason to get an i7