iMac suggestions?

Hello, I am new at your forum. I am a software engineer, I graduated just recently and next year I'll start my masters course. All of my life I have been a PC user and now I have decided my next computer will be an iMac.
I've been thinking about it for a long time, and now I am considering my options.
I have a question that might seem odd to you guys- forgive my noobness

I want the 21.5 inch one because 27 inches seem way big for me. I am looking at the tech details and I noticed that the 21.5 doesnt come with an i5 processor, actually I havent seen anything higher than the core 2 duo. Is this the case? If I want an i5 processor I'll have to buy the 27 inch model?
Does anyone know?

Any thoughts or suggestions? Please help me!

thank you in advance.

That is currently the only model available with the new chip or at least until the next refresh.

osxx said:

That is currently the only model available with the new chip or at least until the next refresh.

Click to expand...

thank you for your answer

The 21.5" iMac only comes with the Core2Duo processor up to 3.33 Ghz, the 27" includes the i5 and i7 processors as well..

The 27" seem huge, but once you start using it it doesn't feel that bad. And as a software engineer myself, you can always use as much real estate as you can get and the 2560x1440 resolution is just awesome for having multiple windows open side by side..

Regards

I agree with raz0rEdge, I switch from a 15" laptop to the 27" iMac and yeah at first it seems huge but you get used to it real quick and now I am glad I didn't go with the 21.5"

Thank you so much for your answers.
I am now seriously considering the 27 inch one, I am going to have it for a long time probably so the processor is important. It is definately more importand than the screen size. plus as you said, I am going to need as much space as I can get.

Also remember you can not change the gpu in an imac to pick the one that best suits your needs within your budget.

If you're going to keep the iMac for any duration of time, it makes sense to go with the 27" quad core..and since the price difference (in the US) between the i5 and i7 is just $200, the i7 27" is the best bang..stay with the 4GB of memory and upgrade it later by yourself.

I opted for a refurbished 27" i7 and picked it up for $50 less than a new 27" i5 iMac..

Regards