I'm thinking of getting a new mac in the next month or so. The Mac Mini is just being a little too slow for me.

Now, I can get the iMac 20" refurb Rev A on Apple.ca for $1399, the same price as the 17" iMac Intel (Core Duo) with my student discount. I know the 17" has iSight, better process, graphics, etc... but the 20" has more screen space, it's user-servicable, and I have a 256MB RAM stick that can make the RAM 512...

So is screen space and user sevicability worth it? Or should I go with the new technology?

(As an aside, I also hate the Mighty Mouse... so I like that the refub 20" comes with the orignal mouse... but that's not really a big deciding factor).

I'm interested to hear what people think.

I'm not an expert and I don't play one on TV.... but I love my Intel 17".

I think it comes down to this: do you want the end of a product line, or the beginning? Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

There was an article on www.tomshardware.com interviewing an Intel representative. To make a long story short, when developers start to switch their methods away from PowerPC to Intel, then the speed advantages are really going to show.

The 20" iMac G5 rev A is good except for two things, potential capacitor problems and the terrible horrible NVidia FX5200 64MB video card. At least go for a Rev B imo.

Just do a price check comparing what it would cost to buy a 17" lcd vs a 20"

That alone should give you some food for thought.

If you've ever owned a 20" monitor, you'd know how great it is. I had an Apple 20" crt monitor that finally died. I replaced it with a 17" because I couldn't afford more, and suddenly my computing experience felt inferior. I finally picked up a decently priced 19" lcd but it still... feels... less. I want to go back to 20"

But that's just me.

Yeah, I've heard "Rev A" iMac G5 horror stories. A friend of mine bought a 17" and has had it for almost a year... She's never had an issue. Sometimes the fans spin up REALLY loud - but it's only momentary and then it goes away.

What are the "Rev A" problems?

(And yeah, I'd buy a Rev B 20" for $1399, for the video card alone, if I could get it anywhere... )

Well, this brings me to ask a question myself. The G5 is a 64 bit processor. More and more applications were to be written for this processor but now it's a big switch to Intel. Does that mean the G5 will never have all the programs written for it to allow it to run at it's designed efficiency or speed? What % of applications would be 64 bit by now anyway?
BTW, I have the Rev A Imac, not too much problem except the fan, also runs on high at times, otherwise, I'm happy with it, just not having to use a PC.

Anyone think the iMac can be loud, you can trade it for my kid's PC. It's on the desk next to mine and 2 nights ago I became aware of a load droaning sound. Thought someone had left the bathroom exhaust fan on. Checked, but it wasn't that, it was the PC running on high...

Getting back to the original post: if the new Mac has a processor chip that isn't soldered on, that can be upgraded, that's a big plus.
Here's a question to the long time Mac users. Having an upgradeable cpu seem a big advantage for the pc. Why didn't Aplle go with this before and does not having an upgradeable cpu make a computer obsolete faster?

I picked up a used Rev A 20-incher here for $1300 not too long ago (just after the Rev C announcement). I would not get one without Apple Care (which I did buy). Already, I have had to take it in for a new power supply. I assume that a refurb would get some TLC/review that may reduce the chance of capacitor problems but...

Also, keep in mind that the Rev A DOES NOT support Core Image. Does it matter? If you want to use Aperture it does. Other stuff may have be effected eventually.

In hindsight, I would only consider a used purchase if:
1. It was a Rev B (that supports Core Image, right?)
2. It was a private sale (and hence 15% cheaper). Keep in mind, this takes a piece out of your warranty. But that could provide you with funding for Apple Care (and you'll pay less).

The Intels are nice, but it's going to be a few months before Universal Binaries are pervasive. My guess is that Apple rushed these out to get developers to put their ass in gear and make the switch. I would bet many developers were laggards, waiting for Intel systems to sell before doing any work to support them.

MacDoc had some nice deals on B's when the C's came out. I probably should have bought one of his.

Anyhow, I have no huge regrets. It was for my wife anyhow, whose needs are far more modest than mine. My dual 2GHz is running just fine.