U.C. Posted November 3, 2006 Share Posted November 3, 2006 I have decided to jump on the Mac bandwagon. Saw a nice Core Duo 17Inch Refurb for $949 and a 20 Inch for $1199. What do you recommend, I go for? I currently have a 19 inch CRT, which works amazingly well, and the display area is big enough for me. Also I would probably use my iMac for games, browsing, Office etc. Also, will the iMac graphic card, be able to handle all the latest games as the come out. I mean Hitman Blood Money, Caesar IV, Double Agent etc. I am not an uber gamer or such, infact am quite content with my GF4 Ti 4600. If I buy this, I would like to run it for approx 3-4 yrs more, after which, I will graduate and buy a new computer. Oh ya, if I run my games at 640x480 on my 1200x800 Laptop LCD, they appear blurry and stuff. Will the same happen on the iMac? 1680x1050 just aint a option on most games. Not that the x1600 could handle anything more than Q3 at that res. So lemme know, should I wait for the new iMac's based on the Viiv chips, and hopefully new graphic cards, or go for it know and which to go for. Thanks a lot Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/32029-should-i-buy-a-imac-now-also-17inch-or-20inch/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzuka Posted November 3, 2006 Share Posted November 3, 2006 I would go with the 20'', the graphics card should work with all new games, I can run oblivion on my 17'' at high graphics Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/32029-should-i-buy-a-imac-now-also-17inch-or-20inch/#findComment-224746 Share on other sites More sharing options...
dark4181 Posted November 4, 2006 Share Posted November 4, 2006 i doubt there will be a major iMac update soon. they c2d models just came out like a month ago... as for me, hopefully by april i'll be the owner of a 24" iMac Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/32029-should-i-buy-a-imac-now-also-17inch-or-20inch/#findComment-224815 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stadsport Posted November 4, 2006 Share Posted November 4, 2006 I feel like I should clarify this. There's no such thing as a VIIV Chip, or VIIV technology or anything like that. VIIV is a buzzword by Intel to market computers with Intel-based almost everything and running Windows XP Media Center Edition. They get a pretty VIIV sticker if they qualify. Awesome. And because of these requirements (ie coming with XP MCE, not running Intel networking, etc), a Mac will not qualify. It's basically the media equivalent of "Centrino Technology" which was just any laptop with an Intel chipset, processor, and wifi. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/32029-should-i-buy-a-imac-now-also-17inch-or-20inch/#findComment-225296 Share on other sites More sharing options...
U.C. Posted November 5, 2006 Author Share Posted November 5, 2006 SO there is no Viiv, i mean as a processor. Also what is the Santa Rosa chipset?? Somebody was saying, the Mac is going to be updated with it in Dec or something. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/32029-should-i-buy-a-imac-now-also-17inch-or-20inch/#findComment-225864 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Korrupted Posted November 5, 2006 Share Posted November 5, 2006 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centrino#Santa_Rosa_platform Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/32029-should-i-buy-a-imac-now-also-17inch-or-20inch/#findComment-225870 Share on other sites More sharing options...
U.C. Posted November 5, 2006 Author Share Posted November 5, 2006 Thanks a lot, I think i will go in for the 17inch. Budget is a bit tight, plus I may have to pay like 30% import duty on it. Just a few more questions 1) If I buy a Refurb from US, will it have Worldwide warranty? The Apple documetation says it 'may' have worldwide warranty. 2) For all you Intel Mac owners, when you play Oblivion or HL2 or whatever, do you play it at 1680x1050 or lower res? If you play it at lower res ,eg: 1024x768, is it blurry or perfectly sharp?? 3) Is it worth paying more for a Core2Duo than a Core Duo?? The 17Inch C2d is $1099, so thats a difference of $150. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/32029-should-i-buy-a-imac-now-also-17inch-or-20inch/#findComment-225898 Share on other sites More sharing options...
consolation Posted November 5, 2006 Share Posted November 5, 2006 2) For all you Intel Mac owners, when you play Oblivion or HL2 or whatever, do you play it at 1680x1050 or lower res? If you play it at lower res ,eg: 1024x768, is it blurry or perfectly sharp?? yes it will look really crappy and stretched out, unlike CRTs, LCDs only look good at one "native" resolution and scaling is a stop gap measure at best... So, if you can at all afford it, go for the 20" with a real video card. Unless you plan to upgrade your computer very soon you'll find the GMA950 becoming a less and less satisfactory option. 3) Is it worth paying more for a Core2Duo than a Core Duo?? Not IMHO, better a CD w/ a real graphics card than a C2D w/ a 950... Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/32029-should-i-buy-a-imac-now-also-17inch-or-20inch/#findComment-225933 Share on other sites More sharing options...
U.C. Posted November 5, 2006 Author Share Posted November 5, 2006 Umm the 17 inch comes with a X1600 128MB VRAM GFX. About LCD monitors, atleast the ones I have seen, they have a Auto button, which fixes, the screen stretch. So I was wondering?? NOTE: The $949 17Inch and $1199 20Inch are both refurbs, as mentioned in the first post. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/32029-should-i-buy-a-imac-now-also-17inch-or-20inch/#findComment-225945 Share on other sites More sharing options...
U.C. Posted November 7, 2006 Author Share Posted November 7, 2006 Ok, I went and saw the 20-Inch iMac today and WOW. I am hooked. This is the final config I will take 20 Inch Core 2 Duo 2.16 Ghz 1 GB Ram 250 GB HDD X1600 128 MB VRAM 3Yr Apple Care etc ..... Can I add my own 160 GB to it internally, I mean get two HDD's?? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/32029-should-i-buy-a-imac-now-also-17inch-or-20inch/#findComment-227780 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synaesthesia Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 No, you can only have one hard drive in there at a time. The only options are swapping your hard drive for a bigger one later (not too easy either) and/or using external storage. Good luck with your mac! Sounds like a killer computer... Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/32029-should-i-buy-a-imac-now-also-17inch-or-20inch/#findComment-227814 Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Nonny Moose Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 You can always get a Firewire hard drive later on. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/32029-should-i-buy-a-imac-now-also-17inch-or-20inch/#findComment-228330 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac-mini Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 you might want a USB one because firewire is not bootable on intel macs Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/32029-should-i-buy-a-imac-now-also-17inch-or-20inch/#findComment-228358 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axecaster Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 you might want a USB one because firewire is not bootable on intel macs Or just get an external case so you can buy/swap out cheaper internal drives and have the option of USB, 4pin and 6pin firewire, and if cost isn't a limit, firewire 800. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/32029-should-i-buy-a-imac-now-also-17inch-or-20inch/#findComment-228580 Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaitanya Posted December 15, 2006 Share Posted December 15, 2006 Wow! Hey nice dude! So u goin' for iMac . . . cool Wer are you gettin' it from huh? Cuz i was also lookin' for a 24inch one Tell me soon See ya! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/32029-should-i-buy-a-imac-now-also-17inch-or-20inch/#findComment-255825 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xenctuary Posted December 16, 2006 Share Posted December 16, 2006 (edited) I personally am waiting until after the Macworld Expo in mid-January on the off chance that the iMac line is reshuffled or prices altered. It's only a month away and could be well worth the wait. Edited December 16, 2006 by Xenctuary Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/32029-should-i-buy-a-imac-now-also-17inch-or-20inch/#findComment-256289 Share on other sites More sharing options...
asap18 Posted December 16, 2006 Share Posted December 16, 2006 umm, firewire is bootable on macs if its in the guid partition map. I do it all the time. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/32029-should-i-buy-a-imac-now-also-17inch-or-20inch/#findComment-256349 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bofors Posted December 16, 2006 Share Posted December 16, 2006 Ditto on waiting. Unless you really know what you are doing, need something now and find a killer deal on a refurbished Mac, it is best to wait until after MacWorld SF, when new models are certain to be introduced. I know for a fact that Appe has a revised iMac based on the 965 chipset in the works too. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/32029-should-i-buy-a-imac-now-also-17inch-or-20inch/#findComment-256351 Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaitanya Posted December 16, 2006 Share Posted December 16, 2006 Hmm, Waiting seems a good option. Also, one will get iLife 2007 with hopefully new iMacs & Leopard if by any chance one can wait for 3 months Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/32029-should-i-buy-a-imac-now-also-17inch-or-20inch/#findComment-256355 Share on other sites More sharing options...
wow Posted December 24, 2006 Share Posted December 24, 2006 Never buy hardware just before an apple event Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/32029-should-i-buy-a-imac-now-also-17inch-or-20inch/#findComment-261059 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandro17 Posted December 24, 2006 Share Posted December 24, 2006 Never buy hardware just before an apple event And maybe never buy hardware in December? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/32029-should-i-buy-a-imac-now-also-17inch-or-20inch/#findComment-261182 Share on other sites More sharing options...
paris04 Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 I was thinking of getting an iMac in October/November, but I didn't... so now I am waiting also until after MacWorld SF! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/32029-should-i-buy-a-imac-now-also-17inch-or-20inch/#findComment-263043 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orea Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 (edited) As many people have said already, i nearly bought an iBook just before WWDC, and my god it was a good job i saw some rumors on DIGG. Never ever buy anything before some apple related festival thingy. BaYlisS Edited December 27, 2006 by Bayliss Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/32029-should-i-buy-a-imac-now-also-17inch-or-20inch/#findComment-263058 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts