White iMac - Where to get one?

[kheller2]

I notice that the refurb white 20" currently on store.apple.com lists the graphics card as an ATI Radeon X1600, rather than the NVIDIA 7300GT that was standard on the white C2Ds.


LK

Um no it wasn't. The 7300 was an option on the 20"
http://support.apple.com/specs/imac/iMac_Late_2006.html

Also, 24" white with 3GB: http://www.expercom.com/product_detail.html?PRODUCT_ID=447790

 

[Leon Kowalski]

Um no it wasn't. The 7300 was an option on the 20"

Thank you, sir -- I stand corrected.

Still, I see no reason to buy a refurb when new-in-a-sealed-box iMacs are readily available online at virtually the same price. (Or even less, when you consider sales taxes and some of the resellers' promotional freebies.)

LK

 

[Leon Kowalski]

I've seen some stuff suggesting that the panels in the old 20'' iMacs were better than the new ones, but is there actually any reason to believe that the 24'' aluminum iMac doesn't use the exact same panels as its predecessor..?

The new 24" iMac's panel has the same base part number as the previous model, but with a different suffix:

White C2D 24" .... LG.Philips LM240WU2-SLA1, 8-bit, S-IPS

Aluminum 24" ...... LG.Philips LM240WU2-SLB1, 8-bit, S-IPS

I presume that the base part number identifies the actual TFT panel, but the different suffixes could mean almost anything -- maybe just gloss vs. matte finish on the panel face, or maybe an entirely different backlight/diffuser/inverter assembly and/or a different grade of parts from the manufacturer's quality-inspection sort. I'll betcha a nickel that the old panel is too thick to fit in the new aluminum cabinet.

Of course, in the final analysis, part numbers make no difference; it's the end result that counts -- and light meters don't lie. Every ALU 24" that I've seen and/or measured had incredibly poor luminance uniformity -- 2.5:1 or worse.

OTOH, there's absolutely no doubt about the 20" ALU displays; the new product is a cost-driven major downgrade. In this case, the part numbers, light meter readings, and visual inspection all agree -- it's a disgraceful POS, far worse than any other TN panel I've seen. The glossy glass cover is just lipstick on a pig.

White C2D 20" .... Samsung LTM201M1, 8-bit, S-PVA

Aluminum 20" ...... LG.Philips LM201WE3, 6-bit, TN Film


...a thing of beauty is a joy forever,

LK

 

[vultureparade]

Right now I'm torn between a Macbook Pro and a White 24" iMac from Small Dog Electronics.

Ok, no problem. Remember that the old iMac will be worth less when you sell it on, won't come with Leopard and has a slower bus speed.

The first and the last may be true, but if you buy a new white 24" inch iMac from Small Dog Electronics, it comes new in box, so you are eligible for Apple's Leopard Up To Date program and can recieve Leopard for $10.

Also, the old 24" iMac also comes with a matte screen that works a whole hell of a lot better than the glossy screen for color sensitive work. It's also a lot easier on the eyes which is important for people with sensitive eyes or bad vision.
There have also been numerous reports on the new 24" alu iMacs' screen problems. I've only heard about a few negative experiences with the old 24" screens.

You're also saving around $400 if you buy the old white 24" iMac over the new 24" alu iMac.

So if you don't need the extra speed, bigger HD, better video card, the old white 24" iMacs are really a great choice.

I just wish I could decide between one and a Macbook Pro. If the Macbook Pros didn't have so many possible problems, the choice would be a lot easier.

 

[128k]

if you're still looking...

your best bet is a white 2.33 you can find them here- http://www.macofalltrades.com/ here http://www.powermax.com/ or small dog as others have mentioned or of course the apple refurb store if you catch them on the right day- I think the apple store is your best bet- Apple lists the base configuration on the site though many times you'll receive a better machine with either more ram, upgraded graphics or other bto upgrades... or not. I buy inexpensive machines ocationally for freelancers and have 4 24" 2.33 white imacs which callibrate into our mac pro/ eizo colorflow nicley. The white C2D Imacs are a much much better stable overall machine- new architechture' faster bus is negated by ram speed limitations, the small bump in ghz is negligable in real world performace and at the end of the day these are consumer machines, the white imac just happens to be a decent production box with a nice form factor as well. As far as resale who wants to buy a junky new (used) imac with extensively documented problems? The challenge in finding a white 24" should speak volumes.


I took a look at them recently before buying a few more white imacs for my kids, Apple should be ashamed, the new imac in my opnion are junk and the worst thing out of cupertino in recent memory. From the cheesy pc look alike desgin to the cheap glossy displays, they're the first mac in recent memory that I'd be ebarassed to own.

good luck

 

[Sam Spade]

Update: I ordered a white 24" 2.16 iMac from MacMall yesterday. There seems to be a bunch of these similarly spec'd units floating around new-in-the-box for about $1500. Should have it in a few days.

I would NOT recommend purchasing from MacMall. I will post my thoughts on my buying experience in the appropriate forum.

 

[Leon Kowalski]

This morning, I upgraded from my two ALU ex-iMacs to a white 20" 2.16 GHz from Smalldog.com.

$1200. -- NEW in-the box, with a free iLife '08 DVD, and a free Leopard update.
$30 shipping, no sales tax.

So far, the "buying experience" has been great, but I'll reserve final judgement 'til it arrives.
They seem like a bunch of Vermont neo-hippies ...

...so we'll prolly get along just fine, woof!

LK