The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Should I get prev gen (high end) or current gen (low end)?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by kentl901, Oct 20, 2010.

  1. kentl901

    kentl901 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    182
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Assuming both machines cost the same... which would you get?

    In particular, I'm looking at a 27" iMac w/ i5, older 512MB ATI card, slightly slower RAM

    VERSUS

    21" iMac w/ i3 3.2Ghz, new ATI card, slightly faster RAM?

    In my opinion, I think the 27" is still more future proof simply because of the i5. The other updates aren't too drastic in my opinion (faster RAM)..

    Thoughts? Thanks!

    Preliminary cost is ~$1500. I've been checking eBay and other retailers online.
     
    kentl901, Oct 20, 2010
    #1
  2. cdcohen

    cdcohen Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    13
    Messages:
    126
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Slower RAM? is it a 4xx0 series ATI card?

    Not sure why 21" would be the same price as the the iMac 27" and it has a i3...

    From the looks of it already i could go for the 27" iMac because the most important piece is the CPU (unless your a gamer). have you been looking in the Apple refurbished section of their website? There are some good deals there too.
     
    cdcohen, Oct 20, 2010
    #2
  3. masterchef341

    masterchef341 The guy from The Notebook

    Reputations:
    3,047
    Messages:
    8,636
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    206
    more info about the ATI card, but I think the 27" is better - it may also have a better graphics card even though it is older.

    Many previous gen 15" macbook pros still have faster graphics cards than the brand new 13" macbook pro, for example.
     
    masterchef341, Oct 21, 2010
    #3
  4. kentl901

    kentl901 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    5
    Messages:
    182
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    iMac 27" 2.66GHz Quad Core 4GB/1TB/SuperDrive/512MB Radeon 4850 $1500

    Versus

    Apple 21.5" iMac Intel Core i3 3.2GHz, 4GB RAM, 1TB Hard Drive, ATI Radeon HD 5670, SuperDrive, Apple Wireless Keyboard and Magic Mouse (MC509LL/A) $1399.

    After tax on the 21.5" machine.. it comes out pretty close.

    So the dilemma is... prev gen machine that is faster and bigger and more future proof or SLIGHLY cheaper, smaller, less future proof machine...

    My main issue is... is it worth it to still get a previous gen machine. The 27" i5 (late 2009) @ $1800 or 1900 is too expensive for my taste..

    Key differences btwn the two machine are really the CPU, graphics card, and RAM.
     
    kentl901, Oct 21, 2010
    #4