17" vs 20"

I am short on cash but really want a mac. I currently have a 19" CRT (Curved) (Actually I measured the viewable and its 18") so I would think that the 17" would be too small. Since its widescreen does it make it look bigger? Is it worth it for the extra money? Thanks.

A 17 inch TFT is actually equivalent to around a 19 inch CRT in viewable area. You would not find the 17 inch small, and yes, IMHO, the widescreen effect does make it look a tad bigger than a standard 17 inch TFT.

If you do a lot of graphical work, then maybe the 20 inch would suit your needs. Otherwise the 17 inch is just fine. Is there anyywhere near you where you can go and view them to see the actual difference?

I have both the 17 and 20" iMacs .. Bot are great, but once you get use to the additional real estate you can't go back

The 17" LCD may be a little smaller than the 19" CRT, but what resolution are you running your CRT at? The resolution determines the real desktop size. Personally I'd go for the 20" as the screen is one of the single most important features of the system.

Avid6eek said:

the screen is one of the single most important features of the system.

Click to expand...

How do you figure 3 inches makes that much of a difference unless you're doing editing where you need that much real estate?

I am using 1280 x 1024 (I assume thats the resolution for the iMacs?)

I found this good deal on ebay, how much do you thin I should offer it for?

Product Family: iMac

Memory (RAM): 1 GB

Processor Type: PowerPC G5

Hard Drive Capacity: 160 GB

Processor Speed: 1.8 GHz

Operating System: Mac OS 10.4, Tiger

Screen Size: 20 inches

how much?

The 17" iMac runs at 1440x? and the 20" iMac at 1600x?.

So you'd have a LOT more screen space to work with whichever iMac you decide to go for.

As an owner of a 20" iMac i would certainly say go for the 20". My wife has eye problems and has to run at the 1024 res in order to be able to read things and on a 17 that would mean very little on the screen and a whole lot of scrolling.

No matter which resolution you run at i think you will find that you will perfer the 20", but if you can handle the 1200 or 1600 resolution you certainly perfer the 20" over the 17 because of the much bigger desktop.

Drunken Pirate said:

I am using 1280 x 1024 (I assume thats the resolution for the iMacs?)

I found this good deal on ebay, how much do you thin I should offer it for?

Product Family: iMac

Memory (RAM): 1 GB

Processor Type: PowerPC G5

Hard Drive Capacity: 160 GB

Processor Speed: 1.8 GHz

Operating System: Mac OS 10.4, Tiger

Screen Size: 20 inches

Click to expand...

i would not go over 925

the compusa by my house has a bottom of the line iMac G5 for 999 brandnew in box. the apple guy said they have 5 or 6 of them.

OK thanks alot. I really want the 20'' now . I will offer that guy 925 and see if he bites.

Don't think he will considering that 20" G4 iMacs sometimes still go for nearly that much.

Hehe, yea, but its woth a try. How high should I go?
EDIT: He wants 1200. Is it worth it?

Here is wat i found out, you could get a referbished 20" 2.0 with 512 ram for 1299 or i have an educational discount and i will be willing to help you out with it if you pm me (you could get a 17" with 1.5 gb ram and 160 hd for 1379 usd)

We are talking USD, right?

Drunken Pirate said:

Hehe, yea, but its woth a try. How high should I go?
EDIT: He wants 1200. Is it worth it?

Click to expand...

EDIT-XTREEM said:

i would not go over 925

Click to expand...

I would let it go. Once you factor in his shipping/handling, you can get a brand new one with a full warranty for the same price or less.

Ok, unless he goes lower, im going for a 1300 + Free shipping
http://store.apple.com/1-800-780-50...8wKUz2s3E6jiOubjgAPZ/8.0.17.1.0.8.25.7.11.7.3

Would this RAM work for the computer above?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820141164

I have never worked with a mac before, but I have installed ram many times in a PC. Is it hard on a mac?

Also, as far as I can see, my educational (I have one, but thanks for offering) discount dosn't apply to refurbished products.

why limit yourself to just one display?

;-)

Cause im poor.

LOL... I hear you there... but I'm poor only because I bought this awesome 23" monitor with my system.

Yeah... the extra 3" is worth it...