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Should I (get the 20" or 24" iMac)?

Well, as all the sacrifices you'd have to make by getting the 24" can actually be upgraded somewhere down the line, it seems that you should get the 24".

Put it this way: If you got the 24" with only 1GB of RAM, you'd be able to upgrade that later. If you get the 20", you can't exactly upgrade the monitor later on can you?
 
You can always add more ram after the fact. Don't worry if you can't budget it in right now. Get the best processor and graphics card and biggest HD you can afford and just enjoy the machine. Worry about ram later.
 
I knew all those things about the iMac 24", but in $CAD, just an iMac 24" baseline, with nothing added is 2300$ plus, you have to add about 300$ for the tax. So it's like 2600$ at the end, and I have nothing but a 24" display ! :eek: That's why I went for the 20". I have all of the things I wanted inside, and I don't have to upgrade nor the RAM, nor the VideoCards...

I agree that an iMac upgrade may be coming soon, but I just couldn't wait any longer. Anyways, I think I'll have a good machine. Plus, I'll get Leopard when it comes out, so that's not so bad...:D

The only thing that I hate about the Online AppleStore, is that I have to wait about two weeks before they get it shipped to my house...I should have bought it to the AppleStore Laval, near where I live ! :rolleyes: :D
 
iNeurox said:
I knew all those things about the iMac 24", but in $CAD, just an iMac 24" baseline, with nothing added is 2300$ plus, you have to add about 300$ for the tax. So it's like 2600$ at the end, and I have nothing but a 24" display ! :eek: That's why I went for the 20". I have all of the things I wanted inside, and I don't have to upgrade nor the RAM, nor the VideoCards...

I agree that an iMac upgrade may be coming soon, but I just couldn't wait any longer. Anyways, I think I'll have a good machine. Plus, I'll get Leopard when it comes out, so that's not so bad...:D

The only thing that I hate about the Online AppleStore, is that I have to wait about two weeks before they get it shipped to my house...I should have bought it to the AppleStore Laval, near where I live ! :rolleyes: :D
Click to expand...

Big mistake getting it online. I had to return mine twice! Then I asked for a refund...then bought at carrefour laval. I am now on iMac #5...but happy with it. Overall, a terrible experience.
 
Brightness is NOT necessarily the selling point for displays.

I think the 20" iMac actually has a better quality LCD panel in it (check that out with Google or on the photography forums). I don't think anyone uses full brightness on a screen anyway, do they?

Also, you can't have "too many" pixels for displaying SD video. If you mean you'd be scaling it too large for full-screen viewing on a 24", then you simply don't make it full-screen - you could make your viewing window the size of a 20" monitor if you wanted (or bigger, or smaller).

Edit: read the posts on here (not sure which forum) (or probably on Google somewhere) on differences between S-IPS and S-PVA LCD displays.

Edit2: This post is a good start: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/231339/
 
gamerz said:
wow... you are a mirror image of me, except im poorer... I'm still saving for my Imac but im almost there, now its a matter of convincing my parents, or waiting for 10.5 or leopard. Damn all the Mac upgrades!!!
Click to expand...

I know how you feel, parents can sometimes be restricting.
 
Just my two cents, I just spent a weekend playing with a friends 24" with the GeForce 7600 with 256MB card. I was speechless, we played Mac and PC games with unbelievable quality. Nearly all games played at native resolution of 1920x1200 and I was shocked at the detail and the speed... that that didn't support running at this resolution (Doom 3 and Prey for example) played with breath taking visuals at 1600x1200

Seriously jaw dropping performance! Just thought I'd share some insight for those that haven't seen a 24" with the highest end graphics card. Can't wait for revisions to come out with updated specs!
 
Is there anyway to benchmark the Imac 20" graphics to compare it to the 24"; I have been waiting on Leopard for a final Boot Camp before I install Windows and I'd like to know if I could play some games like C&C3 or World In Conflict.

Thanks in advance.
 
jdavtz said:
Brightness is NOT necessarily the selling point for displays.

I think the 20" iMac actually has a better quality LCD panel in it (check that out with Google or on the photography forums). I don't think anyone uses full brightness on a screen anyway, do they?

Also, you can't have "too many" pixels for displaying SD video. If you mean you'd be scaling it too large for full-screen viewing on a 24", then you simply don't make it full-screen - you could make your viewing window the size of a 20" monitor if you wanted (or bigger, or smaller).

Edit: read the posts on here (not sure which forum) (or probably on Google somewhere) on differences between S-IPS and S-PVA LCD displays.

Edit2: This post is a good start: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/231339/
Click to expand...

Again I would have to disagree ... I compared the 20" and 24" side-by-side. The 24" LCD is clearly better and I have also done plenty of research.

I guess at the end of the day the buyer should look for themselves and make up their mind. Like my dad said if you cant see the difference, dont pay for it!!

BTW. My other main monitor is an Eizo which is incredible and blows the 24" away. But ofcourse it is quite pricey.
 
i went for the 24", having looked at both...the extra real estate on the screen makes working so much easier - can have 2 documents open, or work on docs and the internet.

amazing for gaming and dvds too
 
The Choice

Another vote here for the 24"

My friend has the 20" which I have used, but I am so glad getting the 24".

I did have to borrow some more money from my parents, but for me it is one of those things. You go with the 20" only to save money and end up regretting it every day you sit down at the computer.

The few hundred dollars difference is a pair of shoes for some ladies. :)
 
by the 24" imac w/ 1gb ram and the largest harddrive you can afford, you can always add ram later once you get some more money. you won't be able upgrade your screen size. the 24" imac is obviously the better choice hands down, no question here
 
I just finished setting up my new 24" IMAC. It's the best. There is nothing like it. So much real estate to work with. Being a professional photographer I am really loving this.
 
I just received my iMac yesterday ! :D Only one week of waiting; not that bad ! :p

The 20 inch widescreen is PERFECT ! I am in love with my iMac : it's the best yhing I have ever bought ! I am just amazed by the beauty and the simplicity of the machine. And Tiger is MUCH easier to use than Windows ! OMG ! It took me only 2 minutes to configure my printer, my network and my Internet on the Mac !

Well, I'm 100% satisified !

Apple All The Way ! :)
 
Gratz, my MacBook should be here in about the week...DAMMIT I CANT WAIT ANYMORE(pulls out gun and knife)

WHERES THE NEAREST DAMN APPLE STORE.
 
the 24 is nice but $500 USD extra is a lot, i ended up getting the 20 inch; either way it's a huge upgrade from my 15 inch laptop.
 
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