Which iMac?

[Wasteservices10]

Hi all

I've decided that my next Mac will be an iMac but I'm having some issues on deciding on which model to purchase

I will be using it for office/admin work and light or medium Photoshop use. I'll also be using logic studio but my sessions are not normally too intensive so I think I'll be fine with a core 2 duo or an i3 w/the usual 4gigRam

First question: 21.5" or 27" screen?

At first I thought 27" but without a blu ray drive I really don't think I'll be getting much use out of it. I also don't play games on my mac. Is there any other reason why I should opt for the bigger screen?

Second question: hard drive

I'd like to use an Ssd for the access times so that the machine will boot and load apps quickly. This is my main issue with my current MacBook as it can take Photoshop, office apps, logic etc upto a minute to load. Is t possible to replace the internal hd with an ssd after purchase at an apple store?

Any other advice is welcome too, I have upto around £1,400 for the comp and I'm looking at the refurbished store for a bargain

Thanks

 

[TMRaven]

27 inch screen provides 60% more workspace, so it's nice when doing things like photoshop, movie editing or other graphical tasks. Once you've been spoiled with the great resolution the 27 inch screen provides, it's hard to use anything smaller.

It is possible to replace the hard drive with an aftermarket SSD on your own, but it's not quite like taking the side off a tower and swapping the HDD for an SDD in its bay. There are several user threads on this very subforum that have picture guides of them doing it.

 

[TheZA]

In my opinion for what I do with my computer (which sounds similar to what you do) I found no reason for the 27". Plus that is a little too large for the space I have it in. I understand about workspace for some people, but I just don't need it. And I can't recite the technical specifications about resolution, but comparing the screens side by side in the store, but they both looked about as sharp to me. I just recently purchased a refurbished 21.5" and it is awesome screen wise, resolution, speed. The one complaint I now have is the speed of the superdrive (mine is a Pioneer).

I think I have stated it elsewhere, I generally go for the bottom of the line as long as the chip is of new or current design. Clock speed is secondary. I figure such a bottom line computer is better than even near the top of the line from the previous generation. For me, I get three to five years at least out of a computer anyway before I feel the need, and even then it really isn't a necessity.

So, my recommendation is to do as I did, get the refurbished 21.5" I3 for about $1,019. But it all depends...

 

[Wasteservices10]

Thanks for the responses much appreciated

I think the 21.5" will be fine as I get by "ok" on my 13" MacBook at the mo.

Is there anyway to have the apple store fit an ssd after I've bought it? I've just been looking over some tutorials and it isn't something I'd feel particularly comfortable with doing myself. Should I decide to do it does anyone have any reconmendations on what size I should go for? It would be for apps and os only.

 

[TMRaven]

I don't think they're allowed to do it at all-- either that or they are allowed to do it, but you have to sign a notice saying it will void your warranty. I do think I remember reading one guy's post about doing just that.

If that fails, you can just get another computer store to do it for you. However it will void your warranty unless you replace the SSD with HDD right before you take the iMac back in for any repairs,checkups etc.