27" iMAC

Allan FG

I need to upgrade my current MAC, I'm looking at the 27" iMAC. How does the glossy monitor hold up in the real world? It looks great in the store but I'm not sure about how it will hold up over the long term. Anyone have one?

cmason

Don't have the 27in, but on the laptop, it really depends on the room where you have the iMac. If it is filled with windows, or more importantly you have a big window over your shoulder or just to the side, you will be miserable. At least a laptop can be moved and positioned, but an iMac cant very easily. You can angle it and that helps. (this is primary reason I bought a refurb 'white' iMac, it has matte screen)

However, the shiny screens do offer incredible 'pop' and look great. You can always get this below if it really turns into a problem:

http://www.photodon.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Category_Code=AppleiMac&Product_Code=RJ1-3420-01K

MarkR

I have one!

It's awesome for photoediting (all that space!), as long as you can control the lighting in your room.

Two caveats: It's big. Really really big. Measure your workspace carefully, cause it doesn't always fit in areas where it looks like it will fit. (And the brushed metal sides dent easily. :cry )

Also, the wireless keyboard looks really cool, but if I could do it again, I'd at least upgrade to the one with the number pad.

The Magic Mouse, however, is all kinds of awesome, especially if you've ever had to do a weekly cleaning of the old Mighty Mouse.

Newsy

Might want to wait a bit longer though I think the storm is dying down. Check the Apple forums on this product.

http://gizmodo.com/5478509/the-conclusion-to-the-faulty-imac-saga-the-beginning-of-the-fix

..............................

Alternatively....

Dell has release their U2711 and it has DisplayPort connectivity and a matte screen and uses the same LG supplied H-IPS panel as found in the iMac.

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&sku=224-8284

Here's some reviews for you.
http://www.prad.de/new/monitore/test/2010/test-dell-u2711.html
-use Google Translate page by page to translate
-English version should be out in another week or two.


http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/dell_u2711.htm

http://www.flatpanelshd.com/review.php?subaction=showfull&id=1265617565

http://www.anandtech.com/displays/showdoc.aspx?i=3725

..............................

NEC will be releasing their version of a 27" monitor using this panel sometime later this year. It will be the "PA271w" and will have an internal high bit LUT. Similar features to the new PA241w that was just released.

http://www.necdisplay.com/Products/Product/?product=5a6621b9-e9c4-4f02-8542-e6251364bf7c

The "PA" series is replacing what was known as the "Multisync 90" series.

.

colourbox

MarkR wrote:

Also, the wireless keyboard looks really cool, but if I could do it again, I'd at least upgrade to the one with the number pad.

That's a very important point. The iMac comes with the basic keyboard. The extended keyboard is a free upgrade, but you have to specify it at the time you order!

MarkR

colourbox wrote:

That's a very important point. The iMac comes with the basic keyboard. The extended keyboard is a free upgrade, but you have to specify it at the time you order!

Unless you buy a refurb, which is what I did. Then you have to take what you can get.

mrbill62

5:45 am on the 25th
Refurb Core i7 iMac available for $1849 at the Apple Store online - inventory constantly changes.

Refurbs are great deals.

MarkR

mrbill62 wrote:

5:45 am on the 25th
Refurb Core i7 iMac available for $1849 at the Apple Store online - inventory constantly changes.

Refurbs are great deals.

I agree. Apple does a fantastic job with their refurb stuff, much better than some other companies I could mention.

colourbox

MarkR wrote:

Unless you buy a refurb, which is what I did. Then you have to take what you can get.

Fair enough...I love Apple refurbs

Allan FG

Thanks for all the replies, I'm going to find a refurb I like and pull the trigger.

jdorseydesign

I'm totally going for the Core i5 refurb once I get some $$$. I'll also have to sell my 24" white iMac... I'll miss that machine, it's been very awesome to me.

Simo70

I would like to upgrade my 4 years old iMac with the 27", although I am still not convinced on the glossy screen. Reading the previous post I noticed that some of you bought the refurbished one.
Can someone explain to me what refurbished really means?? Is it defected?? Used?? Open box??

Allan FG

I bought a refurb. It comes in a plain box without any apple logos on it. You get the Monitor/CPU, bluetooth keyboard, bluetooth mouse, and a power cord. It has the same warranty as a new one. You don't get to pick options but if they have a refurb that meets your needs you can save some cash. I was worried about the glossy screen but all I can say is now that I have used it for a while I'm very happy with it.

aquaticvideographer

This might help.

According to the Apple Store website,

"
Apple Certified Refurbished Products are pre-owned Apple products that undergo Apple's stringent refurbishment process prior to being offered for sale. While only some units are returned due to technical issues, all units undergo Apple's stringent quality refurbishment process.
"

So it sounds like they may be returned/open box and/or defective products.

cmason

Refurb is simply one that has been refurbished, ie repaired or rebuilt by Apple. it is no different than a 'regular' machine from apple. Mine came in an Apple box and it has all accessories. It carries the full warranty. Apple sells them at a small discount.

You find them in the refurbished section of the Apple Store:

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac?mco=OTY2ODY3Nw

Just bought two refurb iPod Touches, so that makes 6 Apple refurbished products I own, and no issues with any of them.

MarkR

I've so far dealt with refurbs from a number of companies, both at work and in personal use. Apple really sets a high bar for their "refurbished" devices, and I would not shy away from them just because they are refurbished. In both of my dealings with Apple, (iPod and now iMac) I could tell no difference from brand new except for the box.

jdorseydesign

Speaking of refurbs, I just pulled the trigger on this one:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB953LL/A?mco=MTU3ODcyNDE

27" Quad-core, yeah baby yeah! :ivar

BTW, this is an excellent price on this one

Allan FG

The nice thing about Apple is that they populate the memory with 2 each 2 Gig sims. This means you can upgrade to 8gb of RAM without throwing anything away.

Newsy

Allan, test the 27" panel with this test page.

http://tapplox.com/imac-led.html

Any yellow tinge on the lower 3rd of the panel?

Green on left, red/pink on right?

.

jdorseydesign

Allan FG wrote:

The nice thing about Apple is that they populate the memory with 2 each 2 Gig sims. This means you can upgrade to 8gb of RAM without throwing anything away.

That is nice Although, I wonder if I can hold out until the 4GB chips get cheaper and buy two of those to put into the other slots. I'm assuming it will work with 12GB of ram?

Allan FG

I don't know, right now you can get 4 GB for about $120. I'm thinking I could upgrade to 8GB and by the time I need more the other chips will have dropped in price.

jdorseydesign

Newsy wrote:

Allan, test the 27" panel with this test page.

http://tapplox.com/imac-led.html

Any yellow tinge on the lower 3rd of the panel?

Green on left, red/pink on right?

.

Thanks for this link, I'll be testing and calibrating mine when it gets here on Friday! I'm hoping since it's a refurb, that Apple has already dealt with the yellowing problem on it. In fact, people swapping out yellow ones for new ones might be why they have so many refurb 27 inchers on the site

Jonnyyaya

I have a 27 Imac Love it !!! I ordered mine with a few extras but got more ram here..

Cheap and its where Apple Rep said to buy.

http://www.crucial.com/index.aspx

jdorseydesign

jdorseydesign wrote:

Thanks for this link, I'll be testing and calibrating mine when it gets here on Friday! I'm hoping since it's a refurb, that Apple has already dealt with the yellowing problem on it. In fact, people swapping out yellow ones for new ones might be why they have so many refurb 27 inchers on the site

Well, I think I have the yellow tinge problem on the new iMac. However, it's really not very bad. I only noticed it once I started looking with a plain white background in complete darkness.

I'm not sure it's worth the hassle of trying to send it back or not.

Other than this, I love the machine so far. It's very fast and this screen really shows the details in my photos.