I'm planning on buying the iMac that costs $1199 with Leopard in October but I'm not hearing much about it so far. Everyone is either getting the higher end 20" model or the 24" model and not the base model. I want a computer were I can put a lot of digital media on it like music and photos but also do other things simultaneosly (not sure if I spelled that right). Is this computer fast enough do do what I need it for?
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What About The $1199 iMac???
- Thread starter youashwag
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I'm wondering the same thing if I should get 20" 2.0 or 2.4ghz.
I guess it depends if you are going to expect a lot out of your video card, like if you're going to be playing games. If not then you can just upgrade the RAM to 2GB (from Crucial or OWC) and upgrade the hard drive to 500GB.
Plus Mac OS X isn't a hardware craving monster like Windows Vista. So w/ little hardware (only 1GB RAM etc) you can still run Tiger.
Some one correct me if I'm wrong..
Kjmoon117
I guess it depends if you are going to expect a lot out of your video card, like if you're going to be playing games. If not then you can just upgrade the RAM to 2GB (from Crucial or OWC) and upgrade the hard drive to 500GB.
Plus Mac OS X isn't a hardware craving monster like Windows Vista. So w/ little hardware (only 1GB RAM etc) you can still run Tiger.
Some one correct me if I'm wrong..
Kjmoon117
Its not just the video card. The mid-range iMac has a 20% faster processor and a bigger hard disk.
Although the hard disk can be increased for around £30 so it shouldn't really be a deciding factor.
I got the base iMac. I don't play games and I could care less about the hard drive, because I store everything on my 2 TB file server. I rarely do things that are CPU intensive enough to justify the extra $300 for a slightly faster processor. The base iMac is a great, great value for non-gamers.
I would have liked to get the 24" just for the larger screen, but I couldn't swing that with the wife. I've got a 20" external in addition to the iMac's screen anyway.
I would have liked to get the 24" just for the larger screen, but I couldn't swing that with the wife. I've got a 20" external in addition to the iMac's screen anyway.
Nothing wrong with it but the higher level 20" seems to be better value.
Faster processor, 256MB video, and bigger harddrive.
Faster processor, 256MB video, and bigger harddrive.
Meh, bigger hard drive can be upgraded and it would still be less than the higher 20"...
Now 400mhz, customized ATI 2600 HD Pro (256mb), and if you go upto 24" you'll be rid of those TN-panels. That is the deciding factor. Those are things that can not be upgraded anytime by the average user. (Is the CPU welded on there?)
If you don't go CPU intensive task or graphic intensive (3d games, video editing etc) then just go for the baseline. It's like a highschooler who only does word processing getting the 2.8ghz extreme or a Mac Pro, sure it will be future-resistant...
It always helps to keep in mind that computers-even low end imacs that only run at 2ghz
have been able to edit video, make music and run photoshop for years.
have been able to edit video, make music and run photoshop for years.It always helps to keep in mind that computers-even low end imacs that only run at 2ghz
Very true, it's not like you're running Vista...
I have had the 2 ghz model for a few days and can say it's very snappy!
The Macworld benchmarks show very little difference between the 2 and 2.4.
http://www.macworld.com/2007/08/firstlooks/imacbenchmarks/index.php
The $300 can be used for memory or Apple Care or whatever.
The Macworld benchmarks show very little difference between the 2 and 2.4.
http://www.macworld.com/2007/08/firstlooks/imacbenchmarks/index.php
The $300 can be used for memory or Apple Care or whatever.
I ordered the base iMac and it should be here in a couple hours. The video card isn't an issue for me because I don't do video-editing and I also don't play games on a Mac. And the hard drive isn't an issue because I don't use nearly enough of my 80GB hard drive at the moment.
If it fits your needs, go for it. Keep in mind the 'base' iMac in this current lineup was one of the top iMacs in the previous lineup (aside from not having a 24" display).
If it fits your needs, go for it. Keep in mind the 'base' iMac in this current lineup was one of the top iMacs in the previous lineup (aside from not having a 24" display).
Video editing has very little to do with the graphics card. Memory and processor speed are more important.
Maybe with the programs you use maybe you should go for the 2.4ghz 20"... The CPU power could help you a bit...
But I'm a console guy aswell so that's why I'm getting the baseline.
For your needs you could even consider the Mac Mini. The reason you don't hear much about the 1199 model is because it has a very weak gfx card and the vocal wannabe gamers are only looking at the performance of the better 2600 Pro card not available in the 1199 model.
If you don't care too much about gaming you can save yourself a wad of cash by purchasing a Mac Mini and decent LCD.
If you don't care too much about gaming you can save yourself a wad of cash by purchasing a Mac Mini and decent LCD.
It should be more than adequate for anything that does not require a high end grafx card. Let's not forget its a dual core processor in this machine.
The 20" base model is where the real value is here. The other 2 models are just where Apple pads their margins. The upgrades in the next model up aren't worth $300.00 (even for gaming), and it's certainly not worth $600.00 to go to 24" - take that extra money and get a good second monitor for dual-screening if you need that kind of real-estate...
Edit: I just feel incredibly lucky that Apple gave us Firewire 800 even in the base model...
Edit: I just feel incredibly lucky that Apple gave us Firewire 800 even in the base model...
save even more $$$ and get the old imac
http://www.appleinsider.com/article...odest_gains_over_predecessors_benchmarks.html
not much difference other than looks.
http://www.appleinsider.com/article...odest_gains_over_predecessors_benchmarks.html
not much difference other than looks.
Just set up my new 20" 2ghz imac. All I can say is wow. This is a thing of beauty. Glare is a non issue unless you have big lights behind you. I applied the colour profile that someone posted on this forum and the colour is great. Yes I can see some range in colourshift if I move my head around, but it's minimal and compared to my ibook...hahaha wow. I have loaded it with 2 gigs of ram and I will try photoshop and Final Cut later. It sucks but I have to goout now...Oh! I love the keyboard. Now more crumbs stuck behind white plastic.
All the FUD about the new iMac is silly. My 2 cents
All the FUD about the new iMac is silly. My 2 cents
