Getting a new Computer: How is the new 24" iMac?

I've been using my 1.42 Ghz G4 Mac mini since 2005 and its starting to show its age (perhaps an understatement). When it takes 40 seconds to open iPhoto you know something is amiss. What I will say is that its been entirely stable and problem-free during this time.

I don't want another Mac mini, I need a bit more power this time around. My question, does anyone here own the 2.66 Ghz / 640 GB / 4GB 24" iMac? It retails for $1499 and my student discount would knock off about $150 from that price not to mention the $200-300 I could sell my Mac mini for.

My only reservation is that it uses the same integrated graphics system as the MacBooks, the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M. I've heard its an excellent system and delivers good results, but its still integrated. Can anyone vouch for its performance? I won't be doing intense gaming, just Photoshop, iMovie, etc.

If it helps I have a 3.06Ghz 24" iMac with 4GB and it absolutely flies with LR and PS. Like you I don't do gaming, just photos and it's absolutely perfect for it.
You won't be disappointed that's for sure.

I own an older 24" iMac the first one to come out 2.16ghz 3gb Ram and it still this day runs like a dream after about 30 months. I run Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Final Cut Pro, Adobe CS3 &4 all flawlessly. I love this machine to death. I think you'll like it too. It's not expected but apple is releasing some new production information in June. Might want to wait till then.

I'll most likely buy in early August, after Snow Leopard is released.

Does anyone know if it can play full-screen 1080p video without dropping frames?

Any modern dual core computer will play HD video.
That means the entire Mac range, even the basic Macbook.

But, why not look at one of the new dual core mac minis?

The 2.26ghz version, with 4GB of ram will have about 90% of the performance of the 2.66ghz iMac for a fraction of the cost.
It will of course be considerably faster than what you currently have!

And you can keep your using your existing monitor, keyboard mouse etc.


Remember the entire Mac consumer range is built around laptop processors, etc, so when it comes to performance they are compromised.

You've actually just illustrated one reason i want the iMac over the mini. The mini uses a slow 2.5" hard drive while the iMac uses a faster 7200 RPM 3.5" drive. By the time you've spec'd the Mac mini close to the 24" iMac there is only a $350 disparity between the two. A gorgeous 24" LCD, double the HD space, and an extra 0.4 Ghz of processing power (How is the Core 2 Duo a "laptop processor"?) are well worth that IMO.

DDWD10 wrote in post #7806766
I've been using my 1.42 Ghz G4 Mac mini since 2005 and its starting to show its age (perhaps an understatement). When it takes 40 seconds to open iPhoto you know something is amiss. What I will say is that its been entirely stable and problem-free during this time.

I don't want another Mac mini, I need a bit more power this time around. My question, does anyone here own the 2.66 Ghz / 640 GB / 4GB 24" iMac? It retails for $1499 and my student discount would knock off about $150 from that price not to mention the $200-300 I could sell my Mac mini for.

My only reservation is that it uses the same integrated graphics system as the MacBooks, the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M. I've heard its an excellent system and delivers good results, but its still integrated. Can anyone vouch for its performance? I won't be doing intense gaming, just Photoshop, iMovie, etc.

The $1,799 24" iMac has the ATI 4850 option for $50 more (2.93GHz CPU as well). That video card can handle any game currently out of the Mac and about medium-high for the newer PC titles. It will also give you a little speed boost in Final Cut Studio, After Effects and thier smaller cousins.

Like Moppie said, any modern computer with 3d capablity will play HD video. My early 08 MBP can play 4 HD videos @ 1080i at the same time without dropping frames.

DDWD10 wrote in post #7810075
Does anyone know if it can play full-screen 1080p video without dropping frames?

Sure, but where are you going to get 1080p content?

DDWD10 wrote in post #7811820
How is the Core 2 Duo a "laptop processor"?

Because it's a socket P chip and the 9400m is a mobile chipset (thus the 'm' in its name).

Tony-S wrote in post #7812218
Sure, but where are you going to get 1080p content?

Blu-Ray and HD-DVD.

I'm torn between the low and mid-range 24" iMac now. I'm sure I'll find some way to justify the $300 premium

I've already put off getting the 200mm f/2.8 L

In2Photos wrote in post #7812288
Blu-Ray and HD-DVD.

Not on a Mac.

Tony-S wrote in post #7812383
Not on a Mac.

One more reason not to get a Mac then!

Tony-S wrote in post #7812218
Sure, but where are you going to get 1080p content?

In2Photos wrote in post #7812288
Blu-Ray and HD-DVD.

In2Photos wrote in post #7812391
One more reason not to get a Mac then!

I work in 1080p with my Canon HV30 but it can be a pain and there are extra steps involved. Full 1080p is highly available on Mac's.

MaxxuM wrote in post #7813418
I work in 1080p with my Canon HV30 but it can be a pain and there are extra steps involved. Full 1080p is highly available on Mac's.

I think the question is about entertainment (e.g., movies, etc.). I don't know what you mean by "highly available on Macs" as I know of no providers for such content, other than 1080p trailers from the Apple web site. And those aren't too entertaining.