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Which iMac to buy?

jasko

jasko

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 26, 2006
471
5
I know, I need to make my own decision on this, but I just want to get input from you all...

Bottom line is, I'm looking to buy a new 24' iMac (refurb) from Apple.com so I can sell the one I'm on now before the value goes down any further...

My situation: My desk faces away from a Window. As in, my computer screen itself faces a window, with venetian blinds... do you think the reflection would be horrible?

Anyone with Mac knowledge, please give me insight on what you would do, in my situation...

My options:

1) Get this one: http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nplm=FA878LL/A

imac_24_125_070807.jpg


Stats:
Refurbished iMac 24-inch 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo - $1,399.00
24-inch glossy widescreen display
1GB memory
320GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB memory
Built-in iSight Camera

2) Get this one: http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nplm=FA456LL/A


ac_imac24_100506.jpg


Stats:
Refurbished iMac 24-inch 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SuperDrive $1,199.00
24-inch widescreen display
1GB memory
250GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
NVIDIA GeForce 7300GT with 128MB GDDR3 memory
Built-in iSight camera

My biggest issue is the glare. There's a 10% restocking fee if I want to return it...

thanks.
 
trust me I sit at 4 windows with the sun facing me each day, and the glare is hardly notice able, its perfect, you cant notice it, the screen might have anti glare coating for the really bright light purposes.
 
flopticalcube said:
The 2600 is much faster than the 7300 although for your purposes you won't see a difference.
Click to expand...

Did he say what his purposes were? :p

A happen to agree with your advice. :D

I have no glare issues with my 24" aluminum iMac. The glossy screen is a total personal preference issue though. Another advantage to the mid-2007 model is that you can do 4GB of RAM as opposed to only 3GB RAM on the white model.
 
SaSaSushi said:
Did he say what his purposes were? :p

A happen to agree with your advice. :D

I have no glare issues with my 24" aluminum iMac. The glossy screen is a total personal preference issue though. Another advantage to the mid-2007 model is that you can do 4GB of RAM as opposed to only 3GB RAM on the white model.
Click to expand...

He did but he edited it out. No video games, surfing and something else unrelated.
 
flopticalcube said:
He did but he edited it out. No video games, surfing and something else unrelated.
Click to expand...

lol oops yeah I forgot that. Yeah I MIGHT do some SLIGHT gaming, but I doubt it...

Mostly surfing, some video editing, and some photo editing.

I know the glare issue has been discussed into oblivion, but I just need some input on that mainly before I go out spending over $1000 :confused:
 
hey jasko,

sounds like you're getting a newer machine, more upgradability, and more bang for your buck with the aluminum.

the white 24'' price doesn't seem to reflect a price i'd be willing to lay down given its outdated specs.

I have the most current iMac and the 24'' screen is just gorgeous. absolutely stunning.

and my computer looks out on the western sunset - it gets real bright in here.
 
Jon.Stewart87 said:
and my computer looks out on the western sunset - it gets real bright in here.
Click to expand...
Your previous input does make sense.... but my computer faces the bright eastern sunset of south florida.... (the screen faces the window, not the back :() so, uggggggggh. i don't know!
 
flopticalcube said:
He did but he edited it out. No video games, surfing and something else unrelated.
Click to expand...

Oh, LOL, I figured it must be something like that. His edit makes your comment look a bit odd and I've never known you to be presumptive nor give anything but excellent advice in these forums.

Definitely, based on that criterion there wouldn't be a noticeable difference between the 7600 and the 2600. :)

Even if he's planning on doing even minimal gaming I would recommend going for the aluminum iMac. It's got a more powerful CPU, GPU and the ability to address more RAM.
 
My office is on the second floor and my desk sits about 5 foot from the corner. I have one large floor to ceiling window directly behind me (about 5 foot) and 1 large window (same size) to my right side about 6 foot away. I have a 20" aluminum iMac (about to upgrade to the 24") and do not notice much glare most of the time. If there is some slight glare at some point in the day (depending when the sun shines directly through) I simply reach out and tilt my screen slightly left or right or up and down. Viola, easy fix. Glare gone.

BTW I have no blinds or curtains on these windows.

Pick the one you want and enjoy.:)
 
BamaDMD said:
My office is on the second floor and my desk sits about 5 foot from the corner. I have one large floor to ceiling window directly behind me (about 5 foot) and 1 large window (same size) to my right side about 6 foot away. I have a 20" aluminum iMac (about to upgrade to the 24") and do not notice much glare most of the time. If there is some slight glare at some point in the day (depending when the sun shines directly through) I simply reach out and tilt my screen slightly left or right or up and down. Viola, easy fix. Glare gone.

BTW I have no blinds or curtains on these windows.

Pick the one you want and enjoy.:)
Click to expand...

lol.

that was pretty reassuring. I am probably going to roll with the 24' Alu one. Thanks for the input guys. :apple:
 
I moved from the 1.83ghz 17" to the 24" Alu 2.4ghz and although I first thought the only difference was screen size I was wrong. The extra horsepower was well worth it coupled with the 2600XT graphics.

I sit about 5 feet from a window and although when I first power up I can see my reflection once I start using it I kind of see through it.

Get the Alu 2600 model, you won't regret it.
 
Thanks guys.
The choice was made.


RFB, IMAC 24/2.4/320/SD-USA



$1,399.00


1


$1,399.00

Ships by:


Jun 13 - Jun 16

Delivers by:


Jun 17 - Jun 20
Subtotal $1,399.00
Sales Tax $83.94


Total Price
$1,482.94

:eek:
 
I agree - the $200 is well worth upgrading to the AL.

This is my first glossy screen, and the glare isn't bad at all. Also, you can easily adjust the tilt (and the vertical viewing angle is fine so doing so doesn't sacrifice anything) to ameliorate any bad glare from the window/blinds.
 
SaSaSushi said:
Great choice and a great machine! I should know, I have the same one. ;)

About the only thing you may want to do is swap out the 1GB RAM for 2x2GB sticks and you're in business.

Enjoy your new iMac!
Click to expand...

Yah. Well, the last refurb I bought from Apple, they hooked me up with 2GB ram instead of 1GB that was listed, so I was hopppppppppppping that they would this time too, lol. If not, the next thing on my list to spend money on is, indeed, more ram. :)

I just need to look around on who has the best price and also try to Ebay this one that I'm on.
 
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