20" vs. 24" iMac

[Nigel Harkness]

I'm in the process of debating whether to get the 20" iMac vs. the 24" iMac. I am planning on using it for some audio production, video editing as well as using it for school work. I want the 24" soooo bad because it just screams "BUY ME" when you see it in the apple store.

Here is what i'm pondering:
For just over $2100 the bare bones is what i'm getting plus apple care with the 24"
(which is still great)
For just over $1900 i'd be getting 2GB of ram, 500GB hard drive and apple care
with my student discount for the 20"

Also one more questiono I need to get apple care right now or should I wait until around a year???

Any insight that anyone has to help me make a decision is greatly appreciated.

[jeffrey collins]

Re: 20" vs. 24" iMac

For the money you got...get the 20"...the 24" isn't going to be much more of help to ya. The 20" will even look nice for those videos.

Now the 24 will look a bit better. But for the extra money Apple charges you...I'd either go for the 20 or wait about 6 months...then the price will be better for your value.

[beanzncheez]

Re: 20" vs. 24" iMac

If you have to ask someone here, then go with the 20" but if you were really thinking about it, then you should've gone with the 24". 20" will seem small after a while and you'll be kicking yourself for going for less. You never want to short change yourself. Always go with the best that you can attain.

[asdf_admin]

Re: 20" vs. 24" iMac

no you do not need to buy the applecare up front, you have one year to do so.

24 is nice, I agree, but you might as well drop the money into a mac pro. the imac, can be upgraded, or very little can be. It is the all in wonder machine, and beautiful. It is a lot of money for something that can not have it's CPU, PCI, etc changed out. Plus if you want to buy a new system you need to buy everything again.

macpro system and get yourself a nice 23+ screen. You will be very happy, and screen with travel with you to your next upgrade. that is my imo.

[Nigel Harkness]

Re: 20" vs. 24" iMac

Is there an adapter that I can use for my current VGA monitor?

[asdf_admin]

Re: 20" vs. 24" iMac

I believe it does, if not you can always buy one. It's about 25 bucks I think.

That is what I will be doing. Just a better investment in a long run. Plus, I have had terrible experience with all-in-ones. Something breaks, and the thing is worthless. At least with a desktop you have the options of upgrading, and changing out parts.

[Troklo]

Re: 20" vs. 24" iMac

Go with the 20 the 24 looks great but I think its to much of a diferrence for only 4 inches.
Btw I bought one at the beginning of the year and couldnt be more happy with it.

[feather]

Re: 20" vs. 24" iMac

I don't know how true this is but I once read 24" is over kill for the distance between our seats and our monitors, 22" is the sweet spot.

[Nigel Harkness]

Re: 20" vs. 24" iMac

After alot of debating with myself I have decided to get the Mac Pro instead of an iMac and I am going to wait the extra month or two to save the difference. I decided that I didn't want to be stuck with an unexpandable/updateable computer in a couple of years, plus if something happens to the iMac's screen then I would be shit out of luck for the time it takes to fix it.

Thanks everyone for their advice. I'll post pics when I get it.

[miketpoto]

Re: 20" vs. 24" iMac

Wise choice!

[jeffrey collins]

Re: 20" vs. 24" iMac

Why would you think something is going to happen to the monitor? Those things are brilliant, just as long as you know how to treat a computer.

If you do for the MBP....get the better faster 7200 rpm hard drive so it is more like a real desktop computer instead of the 5400 drive they come with.

[miketpoto]

Re: 20" vs. 24" iMac

Why would you think something is going to happen to the monitor? Those things are brilliant, just as long as you know how to treat a computer.

If you do for the MBP....get the better faster 7200 rpm hard drive so it is more like a real desktop computer instead of the 5400 drive they come with.

He said MAC PRO not macbookpro.

[beanzncheez]

Re: 20" vs. 24" iMac

I don't know how true this is but I once read 24" is over kill for the distance between our seats and our monitors, 22" is the sweet spot.

The picture quality on a 22" is inferior to those of the great 24" models out there. For some reason the technology invested on the 22" are not up to par yet. I've read numerous reviews and have gone and looked at them myself.