iMac 17" - 20" - decisions!

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Hello this is my first post and I am on a PC - hopefully for the last time!!!!!

After a lot of research i am down to 2 machines;

iMac 17" - £675 (PcWorld)
iMac 20" - £978 (PcWorld)

I know that the differences are;
20" has Superdrive, 1gig RAM and a 2.16Ghz processor.

As I can get an external dvd rewriter for about £50.00, Is it really worth the additional £303 for the above extras?

Any thoughts/comments would be appreciated.
Thanks
Craig

PS I will use it for video editing, internet, music and photo editing in that order!
 
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I just purchased the 17' iMac. I am doing all the same things you are except video editing. Been using the Macs for years, I am still amazed at how fast this computer is. In regards to screen size, I feel, for my needs, I have enough screen, processing power, and the like.
 
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For video editing the bigger machine is essential mainly because of the speed of the processor and the 1g ram. If possible I would upgrade to 2g of ram.
I am photo editing and with my machine some filters in PS are slow to react. Also the bigger screen can be a boon when looking at details.
 
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Woah, CRAIGYBABES! PC World?! Please, don't do it. PHONE the Apple sales team and haggle. You'll probably get a deal.

Also, as far as I understand you can't take your Mac back to PC World if you have a problem. There is a warranty, but they won't touch it.

It's an Apple computer. Buy it from Apple.

I'd go for the 20-inch if I were you. Phone them. Go on.
 
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MartinS you certainly got my attention!!
I really never thought of going in to the Apple Store in Birmingham!! Doh! I will now though!!!! Thanks.
I must admit when I went to PCworld they didn't really have a clue - i was just going to order it online.

I'll pop in to the Apple Store at the weekend. Do they really allow you to Haggle?

Thanks for the replies.
Craig
 
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Not sure about haggling in-store, but you certainly can if you phone them.

It's worth a try, though. Plus if you go to the Apple store in the Bullring you can buy it there and then!
 
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I agree with the first statement of [email protected] (not with the second) but only if you can afford it.
 
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Go with the 20". The extra real estate is worth it.

Since you indicated a superdrive difference, you must be comparing the 20" to the 17" 1.83GHz. I would not get the 1.83GHz. I was at CompUSA and tried to play a movie in iMovie on the 1.83GHz and it was terrible. The 17" 2.0GHz played it fine.

For $300 I would still go with the 20".
 
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The 20" is £999 at the Apple store.
I have been reading more and more good things about the macs and the OSX and I'm itching to go out and buy one!! - but...........Leopard (I've heard) is coming out in June and I may as well wait 'til then. There's no mad rush to get one anyway - I'm just excited!!!!!

Just a quick question - how much would Leopard upgrade cost if I bought a mac with Tiger on now??? Or hasn't it been announced yet.

Thanks
Craig
 
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It's about £80 I think. But you'd probably get iLife 07 as well.

You just need to ask if you'd you pay that amount to have three months' worth of fun...
 
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I've heard the Mac's are a "fair trade" item which means there's not much haggling or basically none. However, you may be able to haggle for software and a "free" upgrade to Leopard at this point, especially if they think you're going to buy somewhere else. I haggled at Comp USA just before walking out of the store and ended up getting my wireless keyboard and mouse at half price. It's worth a try! :D
 
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search as the difference between 17" and 20"
 
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I've heard the Mac's are a "fair trade" item which means there's not much haggling or basically none. However, you may be able to haggle for software and a "free" upgrade to Leopard at this point, especially if they think you're going to buy somewhere else. I haggled at Comp USA just before walking out of the store and ended up getting my wireless keyboard and mouse at half price. It's worth a try! :D

That's not my experience. I got what amounted to a 15% discount.
 

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