24 inch vs. 20 inch: Is bigger REALLY better?

Hi,

I have (at least) two questions here. First of all, I recently purchased this 20 inch iMac (2.66 GHz). I am coming from a MacBook Pro 15 inch and now I am considering exchanging the 20 inch iMac for the 24 inch iMac (not sure yet: either the lower-end 24 inch or the higher end 24 inch). I have already migrated and set this one up. I am not even sure if I CAN exchange. I will have to call Apple to find out. I am just wondering if people think that it would be worth the exchange and the head ache of packing it up, sending it back, waiting, and of course spending more money. I researched for days and I was under the impression (after measuring) that the 24 inch would not fit in the space that I intended it to go. I was fine with this because I am used to the 15 inch screen and was happy to be spending a bit less money. After getting this one here, my husband asked me why I did not get the bigger screen (after I am sure we discussed this) and then proceeded to show me that it would actually have fit and that I must have measured wrong. It will only fit with a quarter of an inch on each side! Now I am just torn. I personally am fine with the size (and I am the main Mac user in the family). I have no need for superior graphics as I only do internet and word processing. I am thinking that the aesthetic will look better because it will be like a custom fit in the space I have intended for it. It is the three guys in my life (husband, and 2.5 year old twin sons) who have assured me that the bigger one will probably be better. Do you think they are right or not?

Another minor question: When I ordered this mac I signed up for the Apple Care Protection Plan and I did not receive any information on that with the computer. How do I know if I have been enrolled?

Thanks.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.5), and MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Oct 17, 2008 7:48 PM

Reply
9 replies

Oct 17, 2008 8:03 PM in response to CaitlinSAdams

Caitlin,

You only have two weeks to return/exchange your computer so if you are past 2 weeks you're out of luck.

To check to see if your AppleCare is in effect go to:

https://selfsolve.apple.com/GetWarranty.do

After I registered my iMac on AppleCare it took about a month to receive the confirmation paperwork. If you bought yours at the time of purchase (I did not) your machine is probably covered, the above link will confirm that.

Oct 17, 2008 8:13 PM in response to CaitlinSAdams

Hi Caitlin

Let me answer your last question first. When you buy from and Apple store they activate your Apple Care plan at time of purchase. I don't know where you got yours but you can check your warranty by going to this website:

https://selfsolve.apple.com/GetWarranty.do

Type in your computer's serial number in the blank and it will tell you when your warranty expires. If you have Apple Care and it's activated the expiration date should be some time in 2011.

As to your 20 inch 24 inch dilemma, were you able to compare the two operating side by side before you purchased yours? If you did and are satisfied with the 20 inch model, then that's the one you want. You're the main user. Yes the bigger one does have better graphics (IMHO) but you don't need that and can save quite a bit of money with the 20 incher.

And more importantly, if you would have a 24 inch model confined in an area with only a quarter of an inch to spare on the side, you couldn't access the drive without pulling the computer out or turning it sideways, to say nothing of heat dispersion. In fact your 20 incher might even be too tight for easy drive access although heat dispersion should be alright with a couple of inches space all around.

Basically, it's your call on this. but a tight fitting 24 inch model could mean trouble somewhere down the line.

Good luck with the guys 😉

Rick

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24 inch vs. 20 inch: Is bigger REALLY better?

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