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Frankie.

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 20, 2009
127
0
I realize the 21.5 just came out today but why go smaller when you can get a 24"? I'm in the market and really thinking of going for the 24" instead.
 
You mean a 24 inch refurb?

Why would you get "old" technology?* I never understand how people can purchase the older models of things when their is a newer model available.

* Excluding cars
 
Well it's not really that old is it? Didn't the 24" only come out early 2009?
 
The 21.5 inch display corresponds to the old 20" display. The 27" display corresponds to the old 24" display. On top of that the aspect ratio is different and the specs have changed.


What part are you not understanding?
 
The 21.5 inch display corresponds to the old 20" display. The 27" display corresponds to the old 24" display. On top of that the aspect ratio is different and the specs have changed.


What part are you not understanding?

That's kind of my point.. why buy new 21.5 when you can get the "old" 24" for cheaper?
 
Well, If your so intent on having a bigger screen then I guess it is a better deal...
 
I see your point, completely. I still think the 24" refurb deal is a good deal if you don't want to pay the extra $130 or so to get the 27" or don't really see the need or have room for a 27". 27" is fairly massive if you have a very compact space or smallish desk.

I did the math and with the educational discount and free wireless keyboard and new mouse, it's only about $130 more for the 27" over the old 24" refurb for $1299 with the refurb wireless mouse and refurb wireless keyboard, so I'm getting the base model new machine I guess. I'm still concerned 27" widescreen is SOOOO big, so I'm waiting to see one at my local store next week when they arrive. I'm so freakin' excited. I'll have a bigger screen than my PC friends. It's all about the size to us guys.;)
 
I see your point, completely. I still think the 24" refurb deal is a good deal if you don't want to pay the extra $130 or so to get the 27" or don't really see the need or have room for a 27". 27" is fairly massive if you have a very compact space or smallish desk.

I did the math and with the educational discount and free wireless keyboard and new mouse, it's only about $130 more for the 27" over the old 24" refurb for $1299 with the refurb wireless mouse and refurb wireless keyboard, so I'm getting the base model new machine I guess. I'm still concerned 27" widescreen is SOOOO big, so I'm waiting to see one at my local store next week when they arrive. I'm so freakin' excited. I'll have a bigger screen than my PC friends. It's all about the size to us guys.;)

That is exactly the point I was trying to get across. I debated on the 27" but with my budget I just don't think it's smart right now. Not to mention my desk isn't that big.
 
Hey jfrank, PM me, I have a 1 month old 24inch (Maxed out) for sale. I cant PM you for some reason, or if I could I wouldn't have posted this here.
 
That is exactly the point I was trying to get across. I debated on the 27" but with my budget I just don't think it's smart right now. Not to mention my desk isn't that big.

I'm one to talk, but I have a 32" TV on my desk, lol.

I honestly agree that it is huge, but will cater to those who want bigger and better. I think I have my eyes set on a 21.5".

But to the OP, which 24" are you looking at? The 2.93 is a good deal, considering its almost equal (hard drive size is different and comes with the GT120). It really depends on what you value more. I like new tech compared to outdated (IMO), unless its at a really good deal.
 
I haven't completely come to a conclusion yet but because I won't do much gaming if any at all. All I may do is get GTA4 and play the newest Call of Duty at the time. Biggest reason for it is web & graphic design. I was thinking the 2.66 would be fine, or at least I'm told so.
 
I haven't completely come to a conclusion yet but because I won't do much gaming if any at all. All I may do is get GTA4 and play the newest Call of Duty at the time. Biggest reason for it is web & graphic design. I was thinking the 2.66 would be fine, or at least I'm told so.

You don't need anything flashy when it comes to web design. I have a friend who got his masters in computer science from GT and he only had a macbook with MAYBE a 2 ghz processor, 2gb of RAM and it handled everything he did just fine.
 
well if you're into more compact get the 21.5 inch" :D

on a side note, a big plus for the 27incher, is screen estate, it has higher res, therefor, more windows you can open,, so less window switching or whatever,

I'm a designer, so its pretty much a plus for me, plus the new 27inch have video input, so you can actually use your iMac screen as an external display, (xbox 360? ps3? :D)

Oh, and one great addition on getting the 21.5inch, is you can have 8gig for real cheap!!! more ram is always a plus, you can get another 4gb, in OWC for just 87 dollars,
since the new iMacs have 4 slots now, + you get free wireless keyboard and free magic mouse :D

so definitely get the newer model! 21.5inch or 27inch, old model gives you only 2 slots, so getting 8gig, will really cost you
 
So the 24" doesn't have an video input so you can't use a Xbox 360 on it? No converters that would do the trick?
 
yes only the new 27 inch iMacs have video input,

the old iMacs only have video output
 
It's a great time to score a used 24". The upgraders are dumping them out like crazy.

I am pretty confident you can score a mintly used 24" for the same price of a 21". For me, the screen is more important than the rest of the specs...since it's already powerful enough for most people.
 
I realize the 21.5 just came out today but why go smaller when you can get a 24"? I'm in the market and really thinking of going for the 24" instead.

I am in the same boat you are in, i really like the new iMacs but i wish they has something between the 221.5" and the 27" models.

I have two computers on my desk, a gaming PC and an iMac. I use the iMac for everything, and when i want to play a game i move a little bit to get to my PC. There is room for me to upgrade to the 27" i think that will be a little to big. That said i still dont believe buying an older model is your best option, even thou the 21.5" model is smaller it is newer as well, i would go with that.

If you have an Apple store beside you, you can pop in and check them out for yourself.
 
cy88 said:
It's a great time to score a used 24". The upgraders are dumping them out like crazy.

I am pretty confident you can score a mintly used 24" for the same price of a 21". For me, the screen is more important than the rest of the specs...since it's already powerful enough for most people.

Note that the new iMacs have 4 slots for ram, so it can get double the ram as compared to the previous gen iMacs, heck even the top of the line previous gen only has 2 slots of ram

so for those who want to get 8gigs on an iMac they can upgrade really cheap, since 2gb sticks are cheap, as compared to a single 4gb ram stick,

and also 21.5" has the same resolution as the 24inch one, so same screen real estate
 
I was debating this too. Went with the 21.5. Basically same resolution in smaller package, meaning better pixel density and better picture I would think. Another reason was LED, SD-Slot and 4 RAM slots.
 
Note that the new iMacs have 4 slots for ram, so it can get double the ram as compared to the previous gen iMacs, heck even the top of the line previous gen only has 2 slots of ram

so for those who want to get 8gigs on an iMac they can upgrade really cheap, since 2gb sticks are cheap, as compared to a single 4gb ram stick,

and also 21.5" has the same resolution as the 24inch one, so same screen real estate

Yup, I agree for the most part. However, for people like me that's happy with the way it came stock (4gb ram), the larger screen with the same pixel is better for me. I mainly do photo post processing with my photography work. :)

It really boils down to the OP's preferences, either way, you can't go wrong!
 
This really will be a quandry for many folks. The 24" 2.66 dropped another $200 yesterday to $1099 at the Apple Refurb Store. A great deal since last week I was prepared to get one for the $1299.

For me though, I'm waiting till I get to a store with the new ones in stock to decide. I'm almost positive I'll go w/ the new monster 27". My desk is BIG.
 
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