Is this imac good value for money

kazzer

Saw this in PC World here recently for approx €1150 from what I remember. Now for somebody just starting out in the world of macs, is this a good deal considering the latest 20'' costs €1500 odd? I can see that it uses the older core duo and only has 512MB RAM but would this make a very big difference to the performance? How does the old core duo and newer core 2 duo compare? Are there any other major differences between the two models? I was looking at the new 17'' but I really want that big 20'' screen! Thanks guys.

Sad Professor

You would definately need more RAM, 512 just isn't enough IMO. You could get this seperately of course but it adds to the total cost. The new core 2 duos are 64bit which will be a benefit when Leopard arrives, they're also faster.

You could get the current imac core2duo 17" for about the same price, but its a smaller screen and hd. Depends how important the 20" display is to you.

Are you sure that was the right price? PC world aren't usually the best place for macs.

If it were me I'd rather the newer chip but its up to you.

deevey

Considering a core2duo upgrade might cost you as little as 300 quid at current prices and is a slot in, I think its a fantastic deal!

I'd get it, play with it, and hold on till the core2 prices drop then upgrade

For the time being get it and upgrade to 2 gigs of ram.


BTW my macbook core duo has replaced my 3.0ghz P4 desktop so it'll be plenty fast I assure you.

kazzer

Thanks for the replies guys. So are core duo and core 2 duo the same socket, and is the processor easy to replace on the mac? Are there any other differences between the older and newer 20'' imac except for the ram and cpu?

Oriel

Something sells fishy here - Apple are selling this for £999 why are PC World selling it for £749? I mean, Ok less RAM, but nothing worth a £250 drop.

Sad Professor

Sinecurea, the one Apple are selling is the latest "Core 2 Duo", this one from PC World is the older "Core Duo". I'm surprise Pc world dropped the price at all, they usually keep selling older models at the original price.

Anyway, from what I've heard, replacing the CPU in an imac is no easy task, if its actually possible at all and bye bye warranty if you do.

K.O.Kiki

It might just be because it's an ex-display model, coupled with the 32-bit-only CPU.
As regards CPU upgrades, it's probably possible & no easy task, but IMO the average consumer is better off with faster harddrives & more RAM.

sturgo

for whats its worth i wouldnt buy a usb cable from pc world.

K.O.Kiki

What I want to know is, why can't I seem to find a USB hub for less than a tenner??

TerrorFirmer

K.O.Kiki wrote:

What I want to know is, why can't I seem to find a USB hub for less than a tenner??

Pound shops sell them, I got one for 2 euro, it's not visually inspiring but it does actually work....:D

Sad Professor

sturgo wrote:

for whats its worth i wouldnt buy a usb cable from pc world.

Neither would I. Aside from the ridiculous prices, the last time I was in the Liffey Valley branch the staff were so hostile toward me I swore I'd never go back. Maybe the other branches are better :rolleyes: