Need new iMac: Advice Please...

[steveroberts]

Well, looks like my C2D White iMac has problems with the logic board and I'll need to replace it.

I saw a 3.06 refurb 21.5" at the Apple Store for $999, and I'm tempted.

Any other deals I should consider in this price range?

SR

[jdc]

Well, thats the cheapest and lowest model iMac.

Sooooo, you arent going to find anything cheaper.

Its too bad you cant wait, new iMacs are due soon.

[steveroberts]

How soon? What's the scuttlebutt?

[jdc]

http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#iMac

well, it would be nice if they at least updated the low end 21" with the Nvidia 320M card like in everything else...

[vicrock]

I pulled the trigger on the refurb yesterday - even if new ones come out next week, I'm a cheapskate and wouldn't spring for one. The $999 refurb will be light years ahead of what I'm using now.

[decay]

the other day i saw 20" and 24" iMacs in the refurbs - they hadn't been there in some time... wonder if a 20" with a dedicated video chip would be any better than a 21" with the shared video? probably a wash...

[jdc]

only the very first two revs of AL 20"s had dedicated video

late 2007: 20" 2.0/Radeon 2400, 20" 2.4/Radeon 2600PRO

early 2008: 20" 2.4/Radeon 2400, 20" 2.66/Radeon 2600PRO

after that they went to the 9400M, which they are still using today

problem with the old 20" was the screens -- crappy TN panels with shifting color (I know, I have 2 of them)

[steveroberts]

Wow, didn't realize that the current 21" iMac has "shared" video.

Is that the same shared video that the Mini has?

Also, what are the drawbacks?

I do not game, but I am involved in some FCE video production.

Should I avoid shared video?

SR

[decay]

some 21.5s have dedicated GPUs