2011 iMac 21.5: 2.5GHz or 2.7GHz?

Since the price difference between iMac levels in Apple Certified refurbs is less than when new, is it worth it to get the 2.7GHz? 2.5GHz is $799, 2.7 is $979 (when new, $1199/$1499). CPU and video card are slightly better, the hard drive twice as big. Thanks.

It depends on what you intend to use the iMac for. I also have a 2011 iMac with basic configuration (2.5 GHZ, 500 GB HDD, 512 MB ATI graphics) and it's plenty fast for me. I'm not a gamer nor am I involved with anything graphic intensive. However, $180 more for better graphics, a larger hard drive, and a slightly faster CPU seem well worth the extra cost.

Wow, thanks much for the swift reply. I'm not a gamer either, just Photoshop (not super advanced). I also have an external 500GB. But it's tempting even if the improvement might be marginal (I assume 8% between CPUs, and I've read 10-15% for the video card).

Thanks again.

For Photoshop go the 2.7GHz. Then boot the memory up to 16GB. It is user installable on the mid 2011 model.

Yeah I'm planning on 8GB (I hear 16 is a bit much, but maybe that's no longer the case these days?). Thanks!