Should I buy the new iMac 21"?

[aar2697]

I'm thinking of buying the 21.5 inch iMac sometime this month or February. I've had two hard drive problems in the past couple months and the computer runs slower than usual. I had to do 3 clean installs because - 1st time partition screwed up 2nd time because the keys were out of order 3rd the computer couldn't read the partition. I've been stuck with my 20" 2008 low end watching Apple blazing up the specs. Because I'm entering the age for labor, I plan to do 1080P movie editing in FCS, 10 MP SLR images. Things sometimes get a bit slow on me and FCP is almost impossible to use. I was thinking of giving the 20" to my mom for her basic work, my mom's desktop to my bro and nephews, and the 21.5 for me. I just want to know if it would really help me, or just keep me in a traffic jam again. Another thing, is there a way I can pay like $200 a month for supposedly 6 months (just an example). I also would like to play some GTA 4 and Left 4 Dead 2 on Windows 7 smoothly. They run pretty slow. Sims 3 is sort of slow on Win7. Thanks for any help.

 

[EliteF50]

Go for it.

 

[Paul B]

Why not the 27"?

 

[aar2697]

Why not the 27"?

The display would be overkill. I don't mind having to work at zoomed out image/video. Also, I carry my iMac around the house sometimes and I bring it on vacation and at my aunt's when I spend certain weekends there. It also wouldn't fit on my desk. Another thing is I see a lot of people having problems with them. Nor do we have enough $$$ anyways. I'll get a 27 inch when I really need it.

 

[Paul B]

Go for it.

+1

 

[aar2697]

Is there any way to do things a bit smoother on our money? Like we can't just right away spend $1200. I mean we can pay like $100-$300 a month, but we're not sure on how we can do that. I heard that Juniper VISA rips you off but also MacMall has like a BillMeLater thing. Thanks again for any help.

 

[Badger^2]

Is there any way to do things a bit smoother on our money? Like we can't just right away spend $1200. I mean we can pay like $100-$300 a month, but we're not sure on how we can do that. I heard that Juniper VISA rips you off but also MacMall has like a BillMeLater thing. Thanks again for any help.

Credit card?

Oct 06, 2009 -- Bank of America launches new credit card with simple terms

http://clarkhoward.com/liveweb/shownotes/category/7/40/

 

[danistyping]

Also, I carry my iMac around the house sometimes and I bring it on vacation and at my aunt's when I spend certain weekends there. It also wouldn't fit on my desk.

It sounds to me like you should consider getting a 17" Macbook Pro. You'll have a big screen, speed for your games and apps, and portability to go around the house, vacation and family. Just a thought.

Also, they may be upgrading the processors in the coming weeks to Core i5. You spoke about how your watching apple upgrade as you stay stuck in 2008...well, a great way to stay stuck in 2008 is to buy a core2duo processor in 2010. I'd wait a few weeks for core i5 and get a 17" mbp.

If not, get the 21.5 with the ati 4670, 3.33ghz. Solid machine.

 

[harleygold]

Wait till after the "event". They is talk of a 22" iMac/ touchscreen. Might be worth it.
As for the 21"...Love it! Very reliable and I've not had 1 issue. Apple life right now is sweet.

 

[aar2697]

Wait till after the "event". They is talk of a 22" iMac/ touchscreen. Might be worth it.
As for the 21"...Love it! Very reliable and I've not had 1 issue. Apple life right now is sweet.

I don't care about touch screen on computers. What's the point when you'd barely use it and it'd be like cleaning 7 iPhones everyday. It would be Hell.

 

[aar2697]

It sounds to me like you should consider getting a 17" Macbook Pro. You'll have a big screen, speed for your games and apps, and portability to go around the house, vacation and family. Just a thought.

Also, they may be upgrading the processors in the coming weeks to Core i5. You spoke about how your watching apple upgrade as you stay stuck in 2008...well, a great way to stay stuck in 2008 is to buy a core2duo processor in 2010. I'd wait a few weeks for core i5 and get a 17" mbp.

If not, get the 21.5 with the ati 4670, 3.33ghz. Solid machine.

I don't think you got the point that even the 21.5 is expensive, and its the minimum I need.

 

[ViViDboarder]

I don't think you got the point that even the 21.5 is expensive, and its the minimum I need.

I have a 21.5" right now and it's really nice. I was in your boat with not needing anything more powerful than that at the moment. I love it.

Creditcards generally have really high rates for financing so find out what the % is from Apple and then compare around with some other places I guess. Mostly you're going to be looking for the lowest % that gives you a monthly payment that you can afford. Usually the bigger down payment and the bigger monthly installments give you lower %. So just keep that in mind when shopping around.

Good luck and I hope you get to enjoy your new iMac soon!

 

[pcypert]

21 inch should do you fine... I'm wondering if they'll be announcing i5 in the 21 incher soon. Might be worth waiting till media event at end of month to see if they do any speed bumps....

Paul