iMacs have been updated! Lets discuss

Definitely jump for the i5 or i7. The i3, while nonetheless good, is no that much of an improvement over the old Core 2 Duos. The i5 and i7, though, are amazing!

SSD's are blazing fast, compared to HDD. A lot of people boot off of the SSD, so all of you're programs including you're OS are on the SSD, therefore you are improving performance of you're system as a whole. SSD's are expensive and it's more economical to use low capacity SSD's so you don't have room for you're data, therefore you have an HDD for main storage.

A quad core basically gives you twice the processing power, depending on what you're doing you may or may not need that power.

Performance wise, there isn't much of a bump, but it looks better on paper

With each core there is the 'potential' for more work to be done. Imagine people are standing in line at the movie concession-stand (the CPU) - the people represent your software while the register(s) represent the cores. The more registers (cores) you have open the more people (software) can be served and sent on their way. Some computers (Mac Pro) have two concession-stands, each with multiple registers. That's how the Core2Quad and Core2Duo's work. The i series (i3/i7) processors add one more level to this and open 'virtual' cores. In this analogy, you could think of them as those self serve registers. Some software can see all the cores (registers) while others cannot. However, even though some software cannot see every register, the operating system can redirect software (people) to other registers (cores) while the software that cannot see the added cores only use the first one or two registers. So, more often than not, multiple core CPU's can out perform much faster dual core CPUs. Faster dual core's however shine when people are not running several programs at the same time (also called multitasking). That's why games and office productivity software runs equally fast on dual or quad cpus while audio, photo, video and 3d software do much better on quad/dual-quad systems. Hope that makes scenes.

MaxxuM wrote in post #10613765
The i series processors add one more level to this and open 'virtual' cores.

The i3s and i7 have hyperthreading, but not the i5.

Tony-S wrote in post #10613799
The i3s and i7 have hyperthreading, but not the i5.

Pulled this from the tech specs on Apple's site:

The only processor that doesn't have hyperthreading is the quad-core i5. The non quad-core i5 does have hyperthreading. What is Turbo Boost?

Tony-S wrote in post #10613799
The i3s and i7 have hyperthreading, but not the i5.

Oops, I knew I would miss a detail or two

The quad core i5 is made with the same die as the i7, just with hyperthreading disabled.

Thanks for the input so far everyone. I'm going to be buying one of these soon, so I'd like to make a wise choice

I think I'll pass on the SSD. Maybe in the future I can add one if I decide I need it, but for now I don't have the $700+ to spend on that option.

My biggest issue right now is that I am building a desk which this computer will sit on. The desk is in a hole in the wall (used to be a bar) and is 4 feet wide. I'm afraid the 27" (25" in width) is too wide for the desk that's almost finished

If I decide on the 27", I will spend the extra money for the i7. Otherwise I guess the i5 in the 21.5" model will have to suffice. I can always buy the 27" and return it if its too big though

Staszek wrote in post #10613851
The only processor that doesn't have hyperthreading is the quad-core i5. The non quad-core i5 does have hyperthreading.

Right, dual core i5 has hyperthreading but not the quad core.

Increase of cpu clock speed on-demand.

Staszek wrote in post #10613911
My biggest issue right now is that I am building a desk which this computer will sit on. The desk is in a hole in the wall (used to be a bar) and is 4 feet wide. I'm afraid the 27" (25" in width) is too wide for the desk that's almost finished

My desk is 4 ft wide by 2 ft deep and the 27" iMac fits quite nicely. Even the keyboard tucks away.

That's what I have, and that's what you should do if you can afford it.

Trout Bum wrote in post #10612433
Not building my own computer-- forgot I must always mention that on this forum...
I also use LR.

Thanks.

If you're heavy into multitasking, video, scientific or audio (Logic) then the i7 for sure. Otherwise, the i5 has enough power for most people. However, for $180 I would seriously consider just getting the i7.

Tony-S wrote in post #10612313
It's just a multi-touch trackpad, like what's found on Apple's laptops (e.g., gestures, etc.). I doubt it's an equivalent to a Wacom and it's unlikely to be pressure sensitive.

I know what it IS, I'm asking what it's useful for.

I want to know where they found the room to put in an SSD. I don't understand what they're leaving out or what shrunk for it to fit

Am I the only one having screen issues with the new iMacs?

Three different units back when they first came out...all had nasty yellow screens. I just barely tried again....No yellow but there is a weird gray bar across the bottom of the screen. I really want one of these but I just cant believe my bad luck with the screens.

I just ordered the updated i7. Hopefully I get a screen I can live with.

Same thing as any multi-touch trackpad with gestures, but not useful like a Wacom.

My 27" is beautiful. No screen issues with it.