Refurb i5 or new i3?

[mattpreston11]

Pretty sure others have asked a very similar question, but which one would people reccomend? The refurb i5:

Refurbished iMac 27-inch 2.66GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 with ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics with 512MB memory

http://store.apple.com/uk/product/FB953B/A?mco=MTU3ODcyNDE

Or the new i3:


27-inch: 3.2GHz
ATI Radeon HD 5670 with 512MB


http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/shop_mac/family/imac?mco=MTAyNTQzNjA

The only difference between the two being the processor and graphics cards.

With student discount, they both end up very similarly priced, about £38 between them (refurb being more expensive).

Gracias.

 

[Hellhammer]

The refurb is definitely better deal.

 

[mattpreston11]

What about the graphics?

4850 (i5) vs 5670 (i3)

I won't be gaming too much but I do from time to time. Mostly Football Manager but some steam games also.

Thanks

 

[Hellhammer]

What about the graphics?

4850 (i5) vs 5670 (i3)

I won't be gaming too much but I do from time to time. Mostly Football Manager but some steam games also.

Thanks

4850 is a lot better, nearly as good as 5750 (aka Mobility 5850)

 

[fhall1]

I'd go with the i5

 

[samk8000]

If you're not going to be running a lot of programs at once, I'd get the i3 because of the hyper threading

 

[CaoCao]

you would be a fool not to buy the i5, it's definitely better since it out matches it on everything

 

[tc3jg]

lol I just asked this question....and ive got my i5 refurb on the way

 

[cobrasneverdie]

I also made this choice 3 weeks ago, but when I did purchase my i5 the next day the i7 was up for only 100 more.... oh well
either way *high five*

 

[Gaelic2]

My last three Macs have been refurbs and they have been no trouble at all! Go for the refurb!

 

[jokemjokester]

My last three Macs have been refurbs and they have been no trouble at all! Go for the refurb!

my reburbished i5 came in two days ago. I'm still blown away with how beautiful the screen is!!!

 

[tears2040]

Personally I do not like the 27" monitor at all. I think Apple should make a 24" as the 27 is way to big for my liking.


Second I would have suggested you get the base model Imac 21.5 i3 and upgrade the ram and hard drive as these are things that usually can benefit you more than just having more cores for your processor.

 

[Flatz]

I just got my first ever Mac last week.
I bought the Quad Core i5 refurb.

Love it!

Though I think I will be upgrading the ram at some point.