Which of these refurb imacs do you like best?

[rjp]

Which of these refurb deals do you guys think is a better deal? I think they are each great for different reasons, but I'd like to hear other's inputs. It will be a general purpose family computer for my kids to use mostly. Also I will use it for photo processing (NX2 and iPhoto) when I'm not on my MBP (Still my favorite).

Thanks very much.

(1) (mid 2007)

Refurbished iMac 20-inch 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

20-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

849.00
----------------------------------------------------

(2) (early 2008)

Refurbished iMac 24-inch 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

24-inch glossy widescreen display
2GB memory
320GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB memory

1199.00
----------------------------------------------------

 

[LagunaSol]

You can never have too much screen real estate. So I vote the 24".

 

[AL2TEACH]

no contest, the 24'.

 

[rjp]

no contest, the 24'.

Details please. Are you voting 24" just because of size? Or is there more you like?

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

I thought you already bought the mid-2007 20" refurb, so why are you asking now?

Personally, I prefer the 24" when it comes to the aluminum iMac but if it's going to be the kids computer, I suggest keeping the 20" you already have.

 

[rjp]

I thought you already bought the mid-2007 20" refurb, so why are you asking now?

Personally, I prefer the 24" when it comes to the aluminum iMac but if it's going to be the kids computer, I suggest keeping the 20" you already have.

You're right Jay, and it looks awsome! However, I also ordered the 24", and it's still sitting unopened in my house. I have to decide by this weekend which to send back. There will be no restocking fee as I already explained to Apple what I was doing. They were so nice about it. I've never seen such excellent customer service. I'm hooked for life.

I think the kids are totally happy with the 20, the 24 is more for Dad's enjoyment (at the added expense of Dad's money) ;-)

So the question is whether to pay 350.00 to go from:

(20" TN / 2.4GHz / 4MB L2 / 800 FSB)

to

(24" IPS / 2.8 GHz / 6MB L2 / 1066 FSB)

 

[AL2TEACH]

Details please. Are you voting 24" just because of size? Or is there more you like?

lol, because I have it. no issues what so ever with it and the size. the size means no real estate issues.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

So the question is whether to pay 350.00 to go from:

(20" TN / 2.4GHz / 4MB L2 / 800 FSB)

to

(24" IPS / 2.8 GHz / 6MB L2 / 1066 FSB)

Personally, I think the H-IPS panel is worth the 350 if it's for your own enjoyment. If the 20" had an IPS panel, I would tell you to keep it. A 24" is overkill if it's a dedicated kids computer.

 

[rjp]

Does the HD 2600 handle the 24" screen ok?

lol, because I have it. no issues what so ever with it and the size. the size means no real estate issues.

Does the HD 2600 GPU seem to manage that big 24" 1920x1200 display OK?

I was wondering if it might be a little underpowered for so many pixels. It does a very good job with the 20" I have noticed, but I have not tried the 24.

How's it going?

Ever tried any games?

 

[AL2TEACH]

Does the HD 2600 GPU seem to manage that big 24" 1920x1200 display OK?

I was wondering if it might be a little underpowered for so many pixels. It does a very good job with the 20" I have noticed, but I have not tried the 24.

How's it going?

Ever tried any games?

it handles movies like a t.v. but I'm not into the games except for the demo Warcraft III (2003). every so often I will remember to play it, lol. wish I had more info about it for you.

 

[rjp]

Personally, I think the H-IPS panel is worth the 350 if it's for your own enjoyment. If the 20" had an IPS panel, I would tell you to keep it. A 24" is overkill if it's a dedicated kids computer.

Yeah, the 6-bit TN is a compromise for sure, but unlike some other people we know, I really think it's pretty a darn good screen. If I sit directly in front of it photo editing is accurate and reproducible. After calibration to D65/2.2 I am quite impressed. Sure, it fades from the sides, but it looks great head on.

Did you know its pixel density is higher than the 24?

 

[rjp]

This 24" imac display is crappy.

Well I decided to go for the 24", but when I unpacked it and set it up last night I noticed the display has several illuminated purple blotches on it (about the size of a pencil eraser). They were always there no matter what was displayed. They are more evident when the screen is dark. The screen in general is not as pure as the 20", i.e., dirty or uneven looking when displaying a white background. Corners dark.

Obviously the LCD is worn out. I guess they don't replace everything during refurbisment. This one slipped through the cracks.

Apple is sending another.

 

[hector]

Sorry to hear that, I have been weighing up these 2 refurbs but can't come to a decision.

Bigger and better computer
vs
smaller and cheaper (but still good) computer plus new guitar/lens... hmm

Hope the new one works out for you!