iMac questions again

[DawnM]

Ok, our PC looks to be completely crashed. I am hoping a friend can revive it and allow it to work until summer, but I am not holding my breath (6 years old).

So, we may need two Apple desktops this summer or at least one this summer and one the following.

What can the extra $300-$800 in imac cost offer me that I can't get with the basic model? I would love a 27", but honestly, I don't need it!

We use computers for internet, iphoto, imovie, word processing, school, and just general/basic functions. Do we still need the more expensive model?

Would you recommend two 21" lowest end models or maybe a 21" and a mini mac?

I have about $2K saved up, so if I get something more expensive, I will have to wait for a 2nd computer. I could swing two 21" lower end models by summer time and get (hopefully) the free ipod touches and printers.

So, do I need the more expensive model?

We are somewhat new to Macs. I get a MacBookPro last year for me and love it but don't want the kids on it.

Help!,

Thanks,

Dawn

 

[SabMad]

I have very limited knowledge but I believe with the larger 27 inch you will get a faster processor and more memory. When you go Mac it's hard to go wrong. I am completely happy with my inherited, 3 year old, 21 inch iMac.

 

[DawnM]

Yes, I believe this is true as is the screen is better quality.....from what I have read.

I just am wondering if I need that?

I am thinking I don't.

I would LOVE to inherit a good 21"! Lucky you!

Dawn

I have very limited knowledge but I believe with the larger 27 inch you will get a faster processor and more memory. When you go Mac it's hard to go wrong. I am completely happy with my inherited, 3 year old, 21 inch iMac.

 

[SabMad]

The only change I made was to upgrade the memory to 4 gig. We have a 21 inch iMac and a mini. I couldn't keep my DH off of my iMac so he bought a Mac Mini (we couldn't swing a new iMac) and LOVES it! Just make sure you have a good 21 inch LED monitor. He tried to use his 15 inch monitor and just wasn't happy with it. My recommendation is to make sure you have at least 4 gig, you will need it for iMovie.

 

[DawnM]

Thanks. That is helpful.

We have a 19" monitor that is a good quality. I need to see if it would work with an mac mini.

If it does, we may be ok with a mac mini and a 21", otherwise I don't think it would make sense to pay $1K for a mac mini vs. $1,150 for an imac if I need to spend more than $150 for extra parts.

Ok, 4 gig.....let me see what the memory specs are.

Dawn

 

[DawnM]

Ok, just looked at specs. I don't think the mac mini is a good option for us. I believe we are looking at the 21" minimum.

The mac mini, adding the 2Gb, is $800, even for the lower end model and with the educator's discount. I also cannot qualify for the freebies in the summer with a mac min.

For $350 more I can get a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, the freebies, and fewer cords and wires!

The lowest end 21" does come with 4gb.

Dawn

 

[newdeal]

ok I know a lot about macs. I own the base model 21.5" imac. The 27" is a huge screen but if you don't need it then don't get it. The differance in processor speed isn't going to be huge for you, because with the possible exception of imovie most of the programs you run won't task the processor much at all. The i5 and i7 options are faster than the i3 by quite a lot for tasks that rely on processor speed heavily, however most people don't run these applications. The applications you have listed are limited in speed not by the processor but by the hard disk. Because you get the same speed disk in all of the computers it would be wise to save your money and buy the low end 21.5" imac. If I were you I would either buy it from the refurbished store on the apple site (cheaper, same warranty, gone over by an apple tech in the USA to ensure its in prefect order instead of some assemblyman in china) OR I would wait till the summer when they offer the back to school promo. When the back to school promo is on you can get a free ipod touch with your computer purchase. Sell that online for $200 or keep it if you want. You can get the school pricing no matter what they never ask for proof you attend or teach at a school.

I have owned a bunch of macs, currently I have a 13" macbook pro that I bought used off the internet (cost me $1000 and it came with the applecare extended warranty, in Canada where I live that is around $1700 after tax from apple) and a 21.5" i3 imac that I bought during the back to school promo they have every year, you save $100 with the education discount and another $200 by selling the ipod touch

 

[SabMad]

Well said newdeal! Glad someone rescued me from my limited knowledge and helped Dawn.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

[snip]You can get the school pricing no matter what they never ask for proof you attend or teach at a school.
[snip]

When we bought our MBP in 2009, I definitely needed to provide evidence that I was a student. So if you want the educational discount and back to school specials, you need to be prepared. -- Suzanne

 

[DawnM]

Thanks. You have explained it well. I do have a 15" Macbook pro that my son could use if he needs something faster for imovie. He is 13 and will most likely go into something related to the arts or design as that is his bent. So, we may need something more powerful once he is older, but who knows what will be available in 5 years!

I got my first ipod touch last weekend. I think I have used it all of an hour or two as my kids keep hogging it! So, most likely we will keep those ipod touches!

Thanks,

Dawn

ok I know a lot about macs. I own the base model 21.5" imac. The 27" is a huge screen but if you don't need it then don't get it. The differance in processor speed isn't going to be huge for you, because with the possible exception of imovie most of the programs you run won't task the processor much at all. The i5 and i7 options are faster than the i3 by quite a lot for tasks that rely on processor speed heavily, however most people don't run these applications. The applications you have listed are limited in speed not by the processor but by the hard disk. Because you get the same speed disk in all of the computers it would be wise to save your money and buy the low end 21.5" imac. If I were you I would either buy it from the refurbished store on the apple site (cheaper, same warranty, gone over by an apple tech in the USA to ensure its in prefect order instead of some assemblyman in china) OR I would wait till the summer when they offer the back to school promo. When the back to school promo is on you can get a free ipod touch with your computer purchase. Sell that online for $200 or keep it if you want. You can get the school pricing no matter what they never ask for proof you attend or teach at a school.

I have owned a bunch of macs, currently I have a 13" macbook pro that I bought used off the internet (cost me $1000 and it came with the applecare extended warranty, in Canada where I live that is around $1700 after tax from apple) and a 21.5" i3 imac that I bought during the back to school promo they have every year, you save $100 with the education discount and another $200 by selling the ipod touch

 

[kisaacs]

Just a note - we have the smaller one with more RAM and it's been great.

We got ours at the refurb store:
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/imac?mco=MjEwNzM3NDA

They come with the same warranty and are generally a great deal. Keep your eyes open and you may be able to save a bit on the one you want.

Kristen

 

[rynosmom]

When we bought our MBP in 2009, I definitely needed to provide evidence that I was a student. So if you want the educational discount and back to school specials, you need to be prepared. -- Suzanne

So did we....They asked for the name of the college my son was attending and the guy looked it up and had to put enter to code for the discount to work.

 

[DawnM]

Just an FYI, I do qualify for the Educator's discount and have taken in my credentials but they didn't ask for them.

Dawn

 

[DawnM]

The pricier 21.5" is $1,099 ($400 off) at the moment. That might be a good deal for us. We would not get the ipod touch deal.....

Dawn

Just a note - we have the smaller one with more RAM and it's been great.

We got ours at the refurb store:
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/imac?mco=MjEwNzM3NDA

They come with the same warranty and are generally a great deal. Keep your eyes open and you may be able to save a bit on the one you want.

Kristen

 

[njsweetP]

So did we....They asked for the name of the college my son was attending and the guy looked it up and had to put enter to code for the discount to work.

So do you need physical proof, and if so, what would that be? My DD is graduating HS in June and we are planning on getting her a Mac and want
to take advantage of the promo if it's offered. She will be attending college full time in the Fall ( just don't know which one yet). She and I are both
religious education teachers (volunteer) - would that qualify as well?

 

[tlbwriter]

OP, this is a useful buyer's guide that will help you figure out when is a good time to buy:
http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

So do you need physical proof, and if so, what would that be? My DD is graduating HS in June and we are planning on getting her a Mac and want
to take advantage of the promo if it's offered. She will be attending college full time in the Fall ( just don't know which one yet). She and I are both
religious education teachers (volunteer) - would that qualify as well?

In DH's case, it was a school ID. If your teaching isn't at a recognized educational institution, you probably won't qualify.

 

[DawnM]

I would think by summer she will know what school she will ba attending, wont' she? She doesn't necessarily need proof, they just ask which school so they can code it.

I took in proof but they didn't ask for it.

You can even do it online and order it using a school code with no proof, so I don't know how you would prove it online.

Dawn

So do you need physical proof, and if so, what would that be? My DD is graduating HS in June and we are planning on getting her a Mac and want
to take advantage of the promo if it's offered. She will be attending college full time in the Fall ( just don't know which one yet). She and I are both
religious education teachers (volunteer) - would that qualify as well?