On Mar 5, 2010, at 12:29 PM, Brian McDonald wrote: > My lovely (and personal favorite) iMac has just started failing. It's > come back with disp/13/2 error and I know there's no turning back now. > > So my question is, I have just over 1K saved up. I'm currently bidding > on a 20" 2.0 C2D (2007) iMac. I'm willing to go as high as $700, if I > don't win I'm open to all options. > > So with Apple having refurbished iMacs 21.5" models for 1K should I > just fork up the savings and get something with a warranty? Or is a > G5, or intel iMac a good cost effective machine for a freelance > photographer like me?
Only you (and your bank account) can answer that question. But ... I'd not invest any money in a G5 iMac, mainly because of two things: they have rotten reliability and they're limited to running OS 10.5. That then pushes you into an Intel iMac. Apple refurbs are always a good deal, but I'd look carefully at the video and hard drive specs of the two current 21.5" models. Yes, the entry level model goes for $1,000 as an Apple Store refurb, but if you care about getting the best video display and storage room for your photography needs, the next step up is a pretty good deal for only $300 more. Buy the best LCD/video you can get; you might regret buying bottom line in the future. On the other hand, you might want to consider a previous-generation iMac with more bells and whistles for the same money. Whatever you decide, make sure you can run Snow Leopard today ... and tomorrow's OS when it comes zinging at us in the not too distant future. Good luck in your hunt. Jim Scott -- You received this message because you are a member of the iMac Group, a group for those using Apple iMacs and eMacs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/imac/list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To leave this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/imaclist
