Same type of question, diff scenario...

[nightscape94]

Okay, I beg forgiveness on this because I know there are a bajillion threads asking about i3 over i5 over i7, etc.

I'm hoping you tech heads can give me some insight on this before I head up to the Apple store. I'd like to have a background idea about certain info before I explore different options/machines.

I'm looking to get one of the new iMacs. I'll be using it for basic uses such as internet, video watching, word docs, etc, but I'll also be using it heavily for Logic/music recording editing. I don't know how effective the i3 would be, or if the i5 is necessary, or even an i7. I'm trying not to spend more than is really needed. If I don't need to go overboard then I won't. I'm not going to be doing a lot of gaming if any. It's just the music recording/editing that I'm concerned about. I don't have any frame of reference or idea about what I'll need to accomplish these tasks.

I've read some material, but I'm really in the dark when it comes to quad core (don't really have a grasp about what this is or does other than the basic belief that it simply splits up the data to make it run faster?), i5, i7 and all that. Again I apologize.

Can you guys give me any specs feedback about what is recommended based on my needs?

Thanks!
Tim

 

[Hellhammer]

AFAIK Logic cannot take advantage of Hyper-Threadng for some reason so quad core i5 (i.e. the stock high-end iMac) would be the best because i7 is only barely faster and others are duals i.e. noticeably slower. Refurb i5 is definitely the best deal

 

[nightscape94]

Thanks for the feedback, that helps a lot. It looks like the linked refurb is the pre-refresh. Do you think it's worth shelling out another $450 or so simply for the updated graphics by getting the equivalent new model? I don't even think I'll notice (probably answering my own question).

 

[Hellhammer]

Thanks for the feedback, that helps a lot. It looks like the linked refurb is the pre-refresh. Do you think it's worth shelling out another $450 or so simply for the updated graphics by getting the equivalent new model? I don't even think I'll notice (probably answering my own question).

You said you won't be gaming much so IMO it isn't worth the extra. Besides, 5750 is only ~10% faster than 4850 is so that's quite small increase for 450$