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Which iMac Should I Get?

Z

zer0---

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 15, 2010
12
0
Hi Board,

I am trying to decide between these two iMacs. Forget the price differential, it's small enough not to matter to me. The biggest question I have is is it better to go with a New in Box model with a slightly slower processor or a Refurb from Apple with a slightly better processor? Other than the processor and New vs. Refurb, everything else appears to be the same.

#1
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/656541-REG/Apple_MB952LL_A.html

#2
http://store.apple.com/us/product/G0GE0LL/A?mco=MTU0Mzg0NTU

Thanks in advance for any advice you might have.

/zer0---
 
Hellhammer said:
Both are quite bad deal since they have C2Ds. I would get this or this instead (my vote goes for the latter)
Click to expand...

What's so bad about the Core 2 duo? What's so much better than the i3/i5 processors?

I'm in the same boat...I need to buy a 27" iMac asap. I'd buy the refurbished i3 in a heartbeat if it wasn't for the tax Apple charges.
 
JasonR said:
What's so bad about the Core 2 duo? What's so much better than the i3/i5 processors?

I'm in the same boat...I need to buy a 27" iMac asap. I'd buy the refurbished i3 in a heartbeat if it wasn't for the tax Apple charges.
Click to expand...

C2Ds aren't "bad", just slower. If you can get iX for nearly the same $, I would definitely pay the extra.
 

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Hellhammer said:
C2Ds aren't "bad", just slower. If you can get iX for nearly the same $, I would definitely pay the extra.
Click to expand...

Interesting. For me, it's hard to justify the extra $200-250 for the i3 processor when it's not a whole faster than the Core 2 Duo. But...I'm about to buy an iMac today and I don't want to buy something and regret it.

I've been perfectly happy with my 2009 Macbook Pro 17" 2.66 Ghz Core 2 Duo, which I sold to buy an iMac...
 
I see your point on the Quad Core i5, but now we are looking at $150+ price increase, plus sales tax of 6-7%.

But still, my main concern is in buying a refurb over a brand new unit, for only small bumps in proc speed? I guess my question is, should that be a concern?

/zer0---
 
To both of you, it's up to what you do with it. If you're using CPU intensive apps, then the extra CPU speed is worth it. If your usage is very basic, then C2D should be sufficient. If the price difference is small, then go for the better CPU. It will at least help when selling it
 
So I ran the numbers, and it would be about $175 more for the below upgrades, everything else appears to be the same between the two, plus the aforementioned New vs. Refurb debate. Prices below are all-in including shipping/sales tax:

New Core 2 Duo ($1,379)
CPU: 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Cache: L2 3MB
RAM: 4 GB(1066Mhz)
GPU: Radeon HD 4670 w/256MB

Refurb 3.2 i3 ($1,554)
CPU: 3.2GHz Intel Core i3
Cache: L3 4MB
RAM: 4GB(1333Mhz)
GPU: Radeon HD 5670 w/512MB


/zer0---
 
What are you going to use it for? That's the most important question. Remember that the i3 has better GPU as well
 
I don't really game, but I do some light video/audio editing, intermediate photoshop.

Hellhammer - What are your thoughts on New from B&H vs. Refurb from Apple? Should that even be a factor in my decision? Thanks again for your input.

/zer0---
 
zer0--- said:
I don't really game, but I do some light video/audio editing, intermediate photoshop.

Hellhammer - What are your thoughts on New from B&H vs. Refurb from Apple? Should that even be a factor in my decision? Thanks again for your input.

/zer0---
Click to expand...

I would go for i3 at least. I know it's 175$ more but in case you start to do heavier video&audio editing, the extra CPU speed will be worth it. 175$ is small price for "future-proof" computer.
 
This thread is helpful!

I do some pretty heavy photoshop / illustrator work, but like I said my 2.66 Ghz Core 2 Duo handles that work just fine.

I MIGHT get into some light video editing in the future, but nothing current. Is the i3 processor that ahead of the Core 2 duo? Is the i5/i7 leaps and bounds above the i3?

And to answer the question about new / apple refurb, apple refurbs are just as good as a new apple computer. Shouldn't weigh in to the decision at all other than the cost savings.
 
JasonR said:
This thread is helpful!

I do some pretty heavy photoshop / illustrator work, but like I said my 2.66 Ghz Core 2 Duo handles that work just fine.

I MIGHT get into some light video editing in the future, but nothing current. Is the i3 processor that ahead of the Core 2 duo? Is the i5/i7 leaps and bounds above the i3?
Click to expand...

If you can afford i5, go for it. You said pretty heavy PS work so you can actually take advantage of the better CPU. i5 gets you four cores so that's the most "future-proof" purchase. If i5 is stretching your budget too much, then settle for the i3.

As I said, C2D will be sufficient but as you don't buy computers every day, spend little more for something better. C2D is from 2007, iX is from 2010.
 
Buy it from Macconnection.com NO TAX in most states. Just picked up an New 09' 27" iMac i7 2.8 for $1699 shipped. You can also pick up an i5 Quad 2.66 for around $1550 shipped
 
Celedral said:
Buy it from Macconnection.com NO TAX in most states. Just picked up an New 09' 27" iMac i7 2.8 for $1699 shipped. You can also pick up an i5 Quad 2.66 for around $1550 shipped
Click to expand...

Got a link to that i5 for $1550? I don't see it on their site.

EDIT: Nevermind, I see it. Why do they have the I3 as $50 more than the I5?
 
JasonR said:
Why do they have the I3 as $50 more than the I5?
Click to expand...

I saw that too, and I am not sure why that is, unless they are looking at straight clock speeds and are valuing the 3.2 over 2.66? Maybe someone else has other insight.

Which one are you leaning towards?

/zer0---
 
zer0--- said:
@Celedral Never heard of MacConnection, they are legit I suppose? Are these new machines or refurbs? I assume New since it doesn't say Refurbished, but you never know....

@JasonR - this is the one I am looking at: http://www.macconnection.com/IPA/Shop/Product/Detail.htm?sku=10682076&cac=CartItem
Click to expand...

You are getting a great deal on the 09' models. They are new in box and you get the full 1yr warranty. I have ordered 7 macs from them and counting. 3 for my business and the rest for me and the family.

The i5 2.66 is way more futureproof than any of the i3s, and if you calculate Tax from the refurb store it almost makes it a no brainer


Note* an i3 is a Dual Core, while the 2009 i5 are Quad Core.
Don't be fooled by the i5 options in the lower to midrange imacs, those too are Dual Cores. Make sure it says Quad-Core
 
Last edited:
JasonR said:
Got a link to that i5 for $1550? I don't see it on their site.

EDIT: Nevermind, I see it. Why do they have the I3 as $50 more than the I5?
Click to expand...

the i3 is more expensive because its the NEW and Current 2010 Model. They only had C2D in the 2009 models. the i5 is late 2009 model, new in box, not refurb
 
Celedral said:
the i3 is more expensive because its the NEW and Current 2010 Model. They only had C2D in the 2009 models. the i5 is late 2009 model, new in box, not refurb
Click to expand...

Hmm, that doesn't jive with what Apple prices their i3's vs. i5's at. They show about $100 bump from the 3.2 i3 to the 2.66 i5. IIRC, the i3 is dual-core vs. the i5's quad-core, and Apple's current models offer the option of the quad-core i5 chip, with the low-end clock speed of 2.8 instead of 2.66 as of the last refresh.

From Apple's Refurb Store:
idzA6.jpg


/zer0---
 
So is the 2.66 i5 a quad core processor? If so...that seems like it's the best value for the dollar. If that's the case...I'll buy one today.
 
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