21.5" iMac vs 27" iMac Choices - thoughts?

Joined
Dec 11, 2009
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Hello!

I'm a recent college graduate looking to upgrade from using my 2007 Santa Rosa MBP to a new 2011 iMac. I'm looking to use the new machine for browsing, email, word processing, iPhoto (perhaps Aperture in the future) and Handbrake encodes prior to traveling with the iPad.

I'm debating between a 21.5" with significant changes to the base hardware and a 27" with only the upper-level graphic chip. What would you do if you were me? Or would one of the base specifications be your choice?

Thanks for the input! ;D

21.5" iMac Specifications ($1939 w/Education Pricing)
2.7GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5
4GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
1TB Serial ATA Drive + 256GB Solid State Drive
AMD Radeon HD 6770M 512MB GDDR5

27" iMac Specifications ($1989 w/Education Pricing)
3.1GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5
4GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
1TB Serial ATA Drive
AMD Radeon HD 6970M 2GB GDDR5
 

chscag

Well-known member
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
65,248
Reaction score
1,833
Points
113
Location
Keller, Texas
Your Mac's Specs
2017 27" iMac, 10.5" iPad Pro, iPhone 8, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 Mini, Numerous iPods, Monterey
Take a look at the MacWorld testing results regarding the new iMac line of machines and draw your own conclusion from that. They also include speed benchmarks and graphic computing power. LINK
 
Joined
May 14, 2011
Messages
76
Reaction score
1
Points
8
Location
Iowa
Your Mac's Specs
2010 27 iMac 2.93
Well, technically for what your doing, the 21.5 should be plenty. I have a 27 and personally, I love the screen size. I also have a apple remote so it doubles as a tv in the bedroom. So if you figure in that, the 27 might be a better buy.
 
OP
S
Joined
Dec 11, 2009
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Well, technically for what your doing, the 21.5 should be plenty. I have a 27 and personally, I love the screen size. I also have a apple remote so it doubles as a tv in the bedroom. So if you figure in that, the 27 might be a better buy.

Thanks - I hadn't thought about that. Would be a nice way to watch/listen to a podcast in the morning...

Thanks!
 
Joined
Mar 13, 2011
Messages
224
Reaction score
3
Points
18
Your Mac's Specs
2011 MacBook Air, i5 27" IMac, 2010 21.5" IMac, 2010 Mini, 2011 13" MBP, IPhone 4, Airport Extreme
Also since the price your lookin at isn't that much different might as well get the bigger screen.
 

Shop Amazon


Shop for your Apple, Mac, iPhone and other computer products on Amazon.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
Top