Mike Miller4
Level 1 (40 points)

Q: 21.5 inch iMac: 1.4GHz vs 2.7GHz

My wife's 2007 white iMac is on it's last legs and we are thinking about upgrading to a new 21.5 inch iMac. The question is which of the two lower end models (1.4GHz vs 2.7GHz)? Budget is of upmost concern so if we can get by with the less expensive model that would be great but if not we could stretch the budget to the 2.7 GHz.

 

I am confused about the processor. My entry level 2008 iMac has a 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (6 GB RAM) and the current lower end iMac has a 1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 (8 GB RAM). How would the two compare in performance?

 

Do you think we would be reasonably happy with the iMac 1.4 GHz for light usage (internet, Microsoft Office apps, light photoshop work, etc) or should we push the budget and get the 2.7GHz? Thanks in advance,

 

Mike

Posted on Apr 23, 2015 8:05 AM

by Allan Jones,Solvedanswer
Allan Jones Allan Jones
Level 8 (35,316 points)
iPad
A:

When I do the math of performance v. cost. the 1.4's savings are less that the performance loss based on Geekbench scores (charts are from the excellent MacTracker database (mactracker.ca)):

 

1.4ghz score:

Screen Shot 2015-04-24 at 9.08.20 AM.png

 

2.7ghz scores:

Screen Shot 2015-04-24 at 9.09.24 AM.png

 

So the 1.4 model gives you 71 percent of the performance of the 2.7 but costs 84 percent of the price of the 2.7 (percentages on base prices of each model and the Geekbench score).

 

Remember when buying a 21.5-inch model you MUST get all the RAM you think you need at the time of purchase as RAM is not upgradeable in those models. For the 1.4, it is only available with 8GB RAM--you are stuck. You can oder a new 21.5 inch with up to 16GB RAM.

Posted on Apr 24, 2015 9:48 AM

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Mike Miller4

Q: 21.5 inch iMac: 1.4GHz vs 2.7GHz

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  • Helpful answers

  • by rkaufmann87,Helpful

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Apr 23, 2015 9:31 AM in response to Mike Miller4
    Level 9 (58,956 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Apr 23, 2015 9:31 AM in response to Mike Miller4

    The Photoshop work is what has me concerned. When you say light, it will need to be very light (like a couple of hours per week) in order to be happy with the entry level (1.4 GHz) machine. Because the i5 is a faster cpu than the core-duo the 1.4GHz i5 offset would be the same or faster than your core-duo.

     

    There are two upgrades I would strongly recommend though, upgrading RAM to 16 GB and adding a Fusion drive. The reason for the RAM upgrade is the 21.5" iMacs cannot have RAM upgraded at a later date, so once you buy it, you are stuck. The Fusion drive will make a HUGE difference in performance in startup, shutdown and accessing files and opening apps. IMHO both upgrades are well worth the money.

  • by D.Cohen,

    D.Cohen D.Cohen Apr 23, 2015 8:35 AM in response to Mike Miller4
    Level 6 (8,424 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 23, 2015 8:35 AM in response to Mike Miller4

    For most of the tasks you described, the 1.4 GHz iMac will be enough.

     

    However, if you choose the 2.7 GHz model, you will be able to use it without lags and slowdowns longer. You see, modern software requires more and more hardware resources and this trend is very unlikely to disappear. At least, now.

    I guess buying a more expensive model is something like investing in your future

  • by Mike Miller4,

    Mike Miller4 Mike Miller4 Apr 23, 2015 9:48 AM in response to rkaufmann87
    Level 1 (40 points)
    Apr 23, 2015 9:48 AM in response to rkaufmann87

    Thanks for your helpful input. I forgot to mention that we will probably be buying refurbished so we might not have the choice of the upgrades you mention. My wife uses very little Photoshop so I don't think that would be a big issue. What if we went with the 2.7 GHz but only 8 mg RAM and no Fusion? Given the light usage I described, do you think that we'd regret only having that amount of RAM years down the line? I don't know if this factors in but we tend to get the most amount of use out of a computer as possible before upgrading, usually 7+ years... 

     

    Thanks,

     

    Mike

  • by rkaufmann87,

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Apr 23, 2015 9:53 AM in response to Mike Miller4
    Level 9 (58,956 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Apr 23, 2015 9:53 AM in response to Mike Miller4

    Mike Miller4 wrote:

     

    Thanks for your helpful input. I forgot to mention that we will probably be buying refurbished so we might not have the choice of the upgrades you mention. My wife uses very little Photoshop so I don't think that would be a big issue. What if we went with the 2.7 GHz but only 8 mg RAM and no Fusion? Given the light usage I described, do you think that we'd regret only having that amount of RAM years down the line? I don't know if this factors in but we tend to get the most amount of use out of a computer as possible before upgrading, usually 7+ years...

     

    Thanks,

     

    Mike

    While buying refurbished is a money save finding the configuration you want in the entry level machines (21.5") will be difficult at best. In your case I would consider buying new, if you are attempting to save money then perhaps looking at an Apple Reseller, such as B&H Photo, Adorama, etc. may be able to help you out.

  • by Mike Miller4,

    Mike Miller4 Mike Miller4 Apr 24, 2015 7:06 AM in response to rkaufmann87
    Level 1 (40 points)
    Apr 24, 2015 7:06 AM in response to rkaufmann87

    OK, this helps... Thanks for your thoughts.

  • by Allan Jones,Solvedanswer

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Apr 24, 2015 9:48 AM in response to Mike Miller4
    Level 8 (35,316 points)
    iPad
    Apr 24, 2015 9:48 AM in response to Mike Miller4

    When I do the math of performance v. cost. the 1.4's savings are less that the performance loss based on Geekbench scores (charts are from the excellent MacTracker database (mactracker.ca)):

     

    1.4ghz score:

    Screen Shot 2015-04-24 at 9.08.20 AM.png

     

    2.7ghz scores:

    Screen Shot 2015-04-24 at 9.09.24 AM.png

     

    So the 1.4 model gives you 71 percent of the performance of the 2.7 but costs 84 percent of the price of the 2.7 (percentages on base prices of each model and the Geekbench score).

     

    Remember when buying a 21.5-inch model you MUST get all the RAM you think you need at the time of purchase as RAM is not upgradeable in those models. For the 1.4, it is only available with 8GB RAM--you are stuck. You can oder a new 21.5 inch with up to 16GB RAM.

  • by Mike Miller4,

    Mike Miller4 Mike Miller4 Apr 25, 2015 12:55 PM in response to Allan Jones
    Level 1 (40 points)
    Apr 25, 2015 12:55 PM in response to Allan Jones

    Thanks, Allan for the analysis and tip on Geekbench. I also looked up the performance of my 2008 iMac on Geekbench to give me a good sense of how the three machines would compare as far as performance. This helps. Thanks again.