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Purchase dilema - please help me decide

M

mrl72

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 20, 2008
221
19
Hi - Just joined this awesome site. In about 3 hours I'll be making the switch from my 5 year old PC to nice new iMac. Problem is, major dilema in which one to purchase. I can essentially afford both and am torn between the 20" (either CPU) or 24" (2.4). I will mainly be using this for web design, non-professional photo stuff (family etc.), would like to edit HD video if possible, perhaps watch some movies (this will be on a desk in my guest bedroom) and a lot of VMware stuff (all of my web applications are in Visual Studio 2005). Two concerns and questions: Is the basic 20" fast enough for video editing, especially HD? Is the 20" panel going to be good enough for any graphics work I do?

I'm off to the Apple store in a short while so any help appreciated.

TIA.
 
But the 24", otherwise you might be kicking yourself in the arse for buying the 20" model with the crappy display.

Mark
 
Yes, the 20'' will be more then enough for you're needs, but how long are you planning on keep the iMac? 5 years like you're PC?

Then you might want to go 24'', to get higher end stuff, to last you longer
 
For consumer-level HD editing in iMovie, both machines will be just fine, and encode HD effects in real time. For your stated uses, I don't the raw speed is an issue.

The 20" uses a cheaper LCD panel. I would strongly suggest that you go see one for yourself in a store, play with the stock photos and videos and see what you think of the 20" screen yourself before deciding to buy one. Many here will say they are terrible, but there are many folks too who will say they find it to be great.
 
The 20" is fine - we have several at work and find them quite satisfactory. However, the panel on the 24" is significantly better and is well worth the extra dough if you can afford it.
 
Buy the most you can afford. That has to include third party memory if you want to have a good vmware experience. So factor in max memory to what you can afford to purchase at this time.
 
I disagree with buying the 24 inch. I'm about to buy my first Apple so I've been reading the forums here. I just joined and figured I'd post my plans.

I'm debating between the iMac or a 15 inch MBP at the moment. I would choose the 20 inch over the 24 for this very simple reason. You save about $300 dollars and you can then use that money to go buy a second after market monitor. For $300 you could buy a second monitor and upgrade your ram.

Also if you aren't waiting for a new release of the iMac then I'd go refurb because you will save money and still get a 1 year warranty.

This is the route I'm going if I buy the iMac.. I just can't make up my mind if I really want the MBP or not. So I've been watching to see if the new one gets released if not I'm likely ordering one or the other this Tuesday.

IMO you would most likely enjoy more ram and a second monitor vs the extra 4 inches..
 
Go with the 24". It's $300 more but well worth it. I, too, debated between the two until seemingly life's end and decided on the 24". Sure, you could buy the 20" and save a little money to go out and buy a second monitor---but why? Just do it right the first time and buy the nicer 24". I have the larger screen and am extremely happy with it---you get what you pay for!
 
this is good. i move july 1st. i'd love to have a new computer by move in day. i want the 24".
 
Thanks to all of those that posted. In the end I purchased a 24" and have not had time to reply since I've been having so much fun. However, I am annoyed over two things:

1. I have a stuck pixel that shows up green on a dark background. It's about middle vertically, 1/3 way in horizontally. Does this get "unstuck"? Should I return it?
2. iChat video does not work, but I'm hoping it's a global issue since I see people on other forums with the same problem.

Apart from that love it!

Thanks!
 
If I has the space Id probably have gone with the 24". But my desk just cant accommodate that size of monitor. I perfectly happy with the 20". The screen isnt crappy like everyone says. The viewing angle isnt as good as the 24, but I dont use it at an angle so that doesnt matter.
 
24"

Remeber that 20" iMac has a 6bit screen which cuts ********s of colors.
DO NOT BUY it if you plan to do any graphic design as you'll suffer more than you know.

The 24" on the other hand is perfect. I use a lot of Vue, Poser, Shade, Flash and Fireworks and can honestly say that with 4GB or RAM it glides with full 1920 x 1200 resolution.
 
mrl72 said:
Thanks to all of those that posted. In the end I purchased a 24" and have not had time to reply since I've been having so much fun. However, I am annoyed over two things:

1. I have a stuck pixel that shows up green on a dark background. It's about middle vertically, 1/3 way in horizontally. Does this get "unstuck"? Should I return it?
2. iChat video does not work, but I'm hoping it's a global issue since I see people on other forums with the same problem.

Apart from that love it!

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Congrats on the new machine! The latest iMac's are amazing machines for the price. Hopefully I can help you with your questions:
1. Apple has a policy about returning a machine with pixels. I think you need to have at least 7-8 pixels before Apple will accept a return. However, if it really bothers you it probably wouldn't hurt to call Apple and see what they could do for you.
2. My iChat hasn't worked since I got my iMac back in December. When you mean it "doesn't work", is this when you're trying a video chat or playing around in Photo Booth? Regardless, i think it's a common problem with the iMac's and hopefully Apple is working on a fix.

If you have any questions, search the forums or feel free to make a new thread. Everybody here is extremely helpful. :)
 
Dude your this post doesnt make any sense. You knew beforehand what people were going to say, if you can afford it get the 24".
 
Broken Apple without warranty....cost big bucks

Got a 20" iMac...returned it and planed to buy a 24" The colors change as you move to different viewing areas with the 20. The 24 looks good at any angle with lots more desktop. I am just starting out with the Mac, have been a PC fellow since 1984. I loved the easy learning curve with the iMac, and their system looked space age compared to other PC offerings.

After returning the 20” I visited the Apple Store before making my change to a 24in, 2.8GHz with 2GB mem. I talked and talked about their products and different setups and processors. Also was told that the 3 year warranty is a good deal. If something happen to the board inside which is all connected up with the audio, video, etc. a new board replacement would cost you a grand............fellow said if your warranty is out, and that is the case you would be better off just getting a new iMac. Man how reliable are they after the warranty is gone. You can go to any computer store and get reasonable replacements for PC do the work yourself and it’s done..........but the Apples are proprietary and seem to have you in their mitts if repairs are needed.

Don’t get me wrong, I am a serious looker at the Apple. Works wonderful, looks good too. But am somewhat concerned that repair cost later could really be a big issue. Any comments please.
 
Just wanted to post an update since it's been a few days (4 to be exact) since getting the iMac. My first comment is: GOD I LOVE THIS F'IN MACHINE! After using clunky old windows all my life (since the very first 8086 machines) and more recently Vista (which I could never get used to) I've never felt this way towards a computer and OS before. I mean it's just sooooo easy to use and everything is just so polished, even the 3rd party apps look great (compared to crappy developed VB apps on windows). In 4 days I've added 3 external 500GB hard drives (BTW if there's a CompUSA near you they are selling em from tomorrow for $29 each), 4 GB memory and added a boat load of applications: Office 2008, Adobe CS3, Google Earth, MacTheRipper, Transmission, VmWare Fusion and much more. Even better the wife loves it and we now fight over using it. Getting the 24" was definitely the best idea and now coming to work and using my 19" CRT is just so dull!
 
What's the deal with the 20 inch screen you guys are talking about? I didn't know there was a diffrence in quality of the screen. Thought it was just a size thing.
 
Choctaw said:
After returning the 20” I visited the Apple Store before making my change to a 24in, 2.8GHz with 2GB mem. I talked and talked about their products and different setups and processors. Also was told that the 3 year warranty is a good deal. If something happen to the board inside which is all connected up with the audio, video, etc. a new board replacement would cost you a grand............fellow said if your warranty is out, and that is the case you would be better off just getting a new iMac. Man how reliable are they after the warranty is gone. You can go to any computer store and get reasonable replacements for PC do the work yourself and it’s done..........but the Apples are proprietary and seem to have you in their mitts if repairs are needed.

Don’t get me wrong, I am a serious looker at the Apple. Works wonderful, looks good too. But am somewhat concerned that repair cost later could really be a big issue. Any comments please.
Click to expand...

Purchase the 24" and AppleCare using an Amex card that doubles the original manufacturer's warranty and you'll get 4 years of protection, long enough to keep you until your next upgrade. AppleCare is essential here because the iMac is basically a non-user-fixable laptop (and a giant Nano).
 
crockett said:
What's the deal with the 20 inch screen you guys are talking about? I didn't know there was a diffrence in quality of the screen. Thought it was just a size thing.
Click to expand...

If you sit at a 60 degree angle and try to use it the screen color has a yellow tint. If you are like 99.99% of most ppl that sit in front of the screen and use it, you'll never notice. Basically, if you ask me, ppl just like to bitch.
 
Not the greatest example, but I took a few pics at Frys the other day to compare. Im sure these werent calibrated the same since the straight on pics look different, but from the side angle you can definitely see what ppl are talking about.

Personally, like Ive said, I dont, never have, never will be using my screen at such an acute angle, so its a non-factor. As Ive mentioned in other threads, my last LCD monitor was also a TN screen and it wasnt until 2yrs after I had it that I realized it has this same discoloration from an angle.
And how did I even find out about it? I saw the threads here about the TN iMacs and looked at it from the side.

If you despise the 20", dont buy it. But quit bitching about it please. There are plenty of us out there that find it perfectly fine. In fact, Id say the complainers are in the VAST minority vs. happy users.
 

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