Depending on when it is financially feasible, I will be upgrading my comp sometime between now and summer. Of course, if I'm close to WWDC, I'll wait for upgrades. If however, my buying opportunity comes within the next month, I'm thinking of buying the 24" iMac off the Apple refurb site. I've read here that you sometimes get "a little something extra" when purchasing there, but it's no guarantee. I would really like the upgraded 7600 256mb Nvidia card in it, but I can't be sure it will be with the package I order. If it is not included:
1. Can it be upgraded?
2. Can I upgrade it myself? Is it a job for an amatuer (I'm not technically gifted, but I have upgraded RAM before)?
3. If not, will an Apple store do it?
4. Does it negate the warranty?
5. I've heard Nvidia will release a new series of video cards in April, some which may be included in future updates. Will some of those be of the same socket type as the current 24" iMac and therefore swapable (if Apple supports them in the current and new line of iMacs down the road)?
I know that #5 may be anybody's guess, but I'm hoping they will be upgradeable for the current iMac 24". If I buy a refurb, I'll wait to see what happens. At the least though, I'd like to install the 7600. I'll buy a refurb to save money, get a stable version of Tiger (then upgrade to Leopard later), and potentionally avoid a rev. A redesign of the iMac (bugs and all). I'm leary of buying rev. A's of anything. I may lose out on enhancements and a free version of Leopard, but I'd still have a great comp to use for some time.
BTW, thanks for all the help I've gotten on this site so far, indispensible.
1. Can it be upgraded?
2. Can I upgrade it myself? Is it a job for an amatuer (I'm not technically gifted, but I have upgraded RAM before)?
3. If not, will an Apple store do it?
4. Does it negate the warranty?
5. I've heard Nvidia will release a new series of video cards in April, some which may be included in future updates. Will some of those be of the same socket type as the current 24" iMac and therefore swapable (if Apple supports them in the current and new line of iMacs down the road)?
I know that #5 may be anybody's guess, but I'm hoping they will be upgradeable for the current iMac 24". If I buy a refurb, I'll wait to see what happens. At the least though, I'd like to install the 7600. I'll buy a refurb to save money, get a stable version of Tiger (then upgrade to Leopard later), and potentionally avoid a rev. A redesign of the iMac (bugs and all). I'm leary of buying rev. A's of anything. I may lose out on enhancements and a free version of Leopard, but I'd still have a great comp to use for some time.
BTW, thanks for all the help I've gotten on this site so far, indispensible.