17"... or not - (screen dimensions); osx

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Level 1

60 points

17"... or not - (screen dimensions); osx

hey guys,

Well as you may, or may not know, I've decided to definatly get an iMac. This will be my first Mac computer ever, and it so better live up to the reputation that Apple has. This board is starting to worry me a bit, and knowing my luck I'll get a 'lemon' (like in another thread in 'displays'). Anyway, I finished work late tonight and I got lost in the city (well not lost, the bus went a different way because it wasn't in peak hr). I had to navigate myself back (not that hard). Anyway, as I was walking along I came across this apple store 🙂 I've never actually been in an apple store before. There was a 17" iMac there on display (the display window was at foot level!). The screen looked TINY! I'm guessing it's the 17" because it was pretty small. This has fastened in my mind to definatly et the 20", however I do want to see one before I purchase. I'm thinking the 17" iMac, being widescreen, is less in height than a non widescreen crt/lcd 17"? If so, then I'm definatly going to have to get the 20". I couldn't live with something less in height than a normal 17" screen I don't think. How high and wide is the 20" screen (in cm)?

Another question I have, well actually my mate has, is about dual out. Does the iMac support dual out so I can have two monitors? I wouldn't particuly want it, but my mate was just curious.

Thanks guys 🙂

- leighton

edit:
oh yeah, I forgot about another thing I was meant to post. Since I'm new to the mac world, I was wondering if some of you guys could take screenshots of your mac. For example:

- blank desktop
- system preferences
- finder
- chat (msn, aim... whatever)
- mail
- iPhoto
- iMovie
- iDVD
- Dashboard in action
- iCal
- games
- basic menu's (clicking on the apple logo, file etc). what the heck does the apple logo do anyway?
- the dock in action
- anything else that you like about osx 🙂
- photoshop/flash/programs

Maybe I'm strange, but I like to look at the graphics of Macs 🙂 Does that transperant application thing appl to Tiger also? Like in windows, the background of the application is dark grey, the last mac i used, the background was transperant. Is this still the case? I don't mind if it's from Panther, Jaguar or Tiger (you'll just have to state which one it is :)) You can post here, or links or email them to "leighton dot kuchel at maunsell dot com" (I think you get the picture ;)) Thanks 🙂

- leighton

Posted on Aug 10, 2005 3:49 AM

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Answer 1

Gonfunko

Level 2

295 points

Aug 10, 2005 7:58 AM in response to leight

The 20'' screen is about 26.67cm high, and 43cm wide. The iMac does have a video out port on the back, and supports video mirroring. As to the screen size, it's kind of like buying any large object - it looks tiny at the store, but huge at home. My 20'' can barely fit on my desk, and the monitor's amazing. In response to the screenshots, just look around on Apple's site, especially on the Tiger section. I think they may still have some videos of a couple apps in action. The Apple logo is a system-wide menu choice that allows you to find out the specifications of your computer, update the software, shutdown, restart, log out and sleep the computer, force non-responding applications to quit, and give you a shortcut to system preferences. And finally, most applications in the current Mac OS have either a brushed metal background or a gray gradient plastic appearance.

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Answer 2

Aug 10, 2005 9:40 AM in response to leight

I have a 17", its huge for me. I thought about the 20" but that would require more space. In some ways I wish I had of bought the 20" in other I don't. After all I sit right in front of the screen, the resolution is high enough that I still get lots of the screen. It is not that widescreen's are that much shorter then regular monitors, they just look that way because they are widescreen. Anyway I am happy with the 17" like I said tho, im some ways I wish I had of gotten the 20" (just cuz bigger is better:P) but at the same time I figured for the price difference I could spend the money adding more ram and still save money.

Found this:

Size and weight (20-inch)
Height: 18.6 inches (47.2 cm)
Width: 19.4 inches (49.3 cm)
Depth: 7.4 inches (18.9 cm)
Weight: 25.2 pounds (11.4 kg)5

Size and weight (17-inch)
Height: 16.9 inches (43.0 cm)
Width: 16.8 inches (42.6 cm)
Depth: 6.8 inches (17.3 cm)
Weight: 18.5 pounds (8.4 kg)6

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Answer 3

Aug 10, 2005 10:12 AM in response to leight

Have a look at this area of Apple's website for screen shots of OS X in action.

Seeing a 17inch iMac in a large store will make it look smaller than the same Mac in your home.

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Answer 4

Aug 10, 2005 8:10 PM in response to leight

I think the 17" is fine. Some people like the 20", but I really needed only 17. Seems to work pretty good to me...

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Answer 5

leight Author

Level 1

60 points

Aug 10, 2005 9:20 PM in response to mbushnell

27x43cm! That's awesome 🙂 Actually, that's HUGE! A widescreen display as tall as a standard 17" tft! I like 🙂 This will be my first widescreen display, as well as a mac! Take about 2.5cm off the long side of an A3 sheet - and that's the size of the 20" iMac screen 🙂 (not the entire width of the computer). Niice 🙂 I would like a few cm more in height, but hey - i'm sure I'll get used to it very quickly 🙂 Thanks gonfunko!

I didn't think you'd want to take screenies - undrestandable, as this is a boring task! It's ok. I've seen all the screenies on the osx pages, as well as the demo's 🙂 I could use this display as a mini TV for my room also (watching DVD's).

I keep thinking whenever I use 'calculator', or other small app that 'dashboard' has of when I get my mac it will be a click away - instead of start > programs > wait accessories > calculator. It's going to be Superb! Sorry about all this rant that I go on about - I just love talking and looking at other's views about OSX and mac's, hence the screenie question 🙂 Brushed metal, like in iTunes. That's great because I like that design 🙂 Also the aqua buttons, they're awesome!

Video out - cool, so you can have two monitors! Who'd know why you want two 20" screens :P But hey, you may for something?

Thanks guys 🙂

- leighton

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Answer 6

Rod Hagen

Level 7

32,000 points

Aug 10, 2005 10:21 PM in response to leight

Take about 2.5cm off the long side of an A3 sheet - and that's the size of the 20" iMac screen

Now fold your piece of paper so that the diagonal is 17" long instead of 20" ( ie .85x the length - with the ratio of the sides lengths kept the same) and you will have the dimensions of a 17" for comparison.

Cheers

Rod

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Answer 7

Aug 10, 2005 10:44 PM in response to leight

Hi leighton,

I too, am a very recent switcher just like you. I was using Windows XP day in and day out untill I was blown away by this iMac model 3 months ago. Well, to tell the truth, I had always been a secret Mac admirer for years 😉 .

You can't beat the interface of a Mac .... its light years ahead of Windows XP. You can see it for yourself now.

Now coming to your question: 17" or 20"?
I really wanted to buy the 20" initially .. the large screen is irresistable .. but after a lot of self-control, went for the 17" eventually.
Firstly, 20" screen is huge ..... really huge. I am not a professional artist nor any videomaker to require so much screen estate. I mainly surf the internet, watch few DVDs, import photos from camera, write tech papers in Pages/Word and stuff like that. The 17" at home actually looks quite big. In the store, it does seem small, because there are so many large displays nearby.

Also, the 20" is quite heavy to carry around!!

My suggestion to you would be to go for the 17" 2 Ghz model and invest the additional savings in 1 GB of RAM or even more.

Hope this helps ... final choice is urs ....

Good day
S Ray

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Answer 8

Aug 10, 2005 11:08 PM in response to Suddha Satta Ray

I agree 20 inch is huge and very heavy if you ever wanted to take it somewhere.. I figured with the money I saved my buying a 17inch I could buy an extra 19" monitor for the same price

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Answer 9

Aug 11, 2005 12:01 AM in response to Courtnie Croft

I too about to get an iMac and am thinking what size of screen I should get. i was gonna get a 20' but now I think a 17' will do, as I'm not a professional on movie editing or things like that... and it does save my $ too.

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Answer 10

Rod Hagen

Level 7

32,000 points

Aug 11, 2005 12:21 AM in response to ENJOYmyIMAC

One great thing about the 20" for people who do mundane things like wordprocessing a lot (rather than movie editing and teh like) is that you can actually have two complete pages side by side for comparison or layout purposes. It really is a great computer for writers.

Cheers

Rod

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Answer 11

leight Author

Level 1

60 points

Aug 11, 2005 3:00 AM in response to Rod Hagen

Hmm. 17" or 20" - I got no idea hey.

I guess I'm like most of you guys here (well that posted in this thread anyway), and you do graphics for a hobby. Most of you seem content with the 17", mainly because it costs another $500 odd for 3" more (3 massive inches though). I guess I can't really say until I do actually compare them in the shop (or at home, but unfortunatly I can't do that!). According to apple, the 20" delivers 36% greater viewing area than the 17" does. Currently, I'm thinking of going the whole hog. Why you may ask? Well because:

1. I currently don't own a TV, and would like to watch DVD's in my room/in bed.
2. I don't have a burner in my computer, and our only burner is in mums 400mhz p3 with xp!
3. that burner is only for CD's, not DVD's
4. something that is fast so I can draw!
5. I like making wallpapers, so a big screen is great
6. I'm wanting to get into video production and my current pc can't handle that

Ok, so not much there states that a 20" screen is better for me. But seeing as I currently have a not very good computer, I'm thinking go the whole hog and convert. But it is a lot for an extra $500. I found a company which I can get a 20" iMac with 1gb ram for AU$2650 - cheaper than anywhere I've seen!

So yes, the question still is out there and I'm not knowing what to get. I think it will be on the spot decision - currently I'm leaning towards 20". It's only a weeks more work 🙂

Thanks.

- leighton

ps: A3 sheet screen size - wow 🙂

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Answer 12

Aug 11, 2005 4:59 AM in response to leight

You also get a bigger harddrive with the 20".

Personally, when I saw the 17" and 20" next to each other in the Apple Store I couldn't possibly have bought anything but the 20": its a beautiful huge screen (and some people have suggested a better quality LCD than the 17" - can't remember the technical details).

Also, if you're into video editing I would guess the bigger the screen the better. I'm into music production/composing and applications like GarageBand had so much more screen space for working with on the 20" than the 17" - that sold it to me straight away as it is incredibly useful to see as many tracks/loops/instruments etc I'm working on as possible...

Look at it this way (assuming price isn't a major factor): if you bought the 17" you might later decide you wish you'd bought the 20". If you buy the 20": no regrets!

😉

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Answer 13

Rod Hagen

Level 7

32,000 points

Aug 11, 2005 5:13 AM in response to Jon Coffer

Hi Jon,

I think price just might be a factor here though. If I had to choose betweeen a 20" in six months time or a 17" today, I'd go for the 17 every time!

In such a case its worth noting that the 17" is a very fine computer in its own right. It also has the advantage of not taking up anything like as much room on the desk, and being a heck of a lot easier to shift around, too, if you feel like working in a different room for na while.

Cheers

Rod

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Answer 14

Aug 11, 2005 5:25 AM in response to Rod Hagen

Rod, you're right the 17" is a superb computer for the money.

It's really a personal choice of what suits you best for what you want to do with it.

I had exactly this dilemma when choosing my iMac so went to the Apple Store and played around with both for a while before deciding that I really needed the extra screen space and harddrive more than size/weight/money(!)

Leight just seemed unsure of whether the extra screen space is enough to warrant extra cash - I was assuring him that it is, escpecially for the sort of work he might do with video etc...

Jon

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Answer 15

Aug 11, 2005 9:07 AM in response to Jon Coffer

Extra hard drive space... I bought the 17inch and paid the $90 (canadian) to upgrade the harddrive to 250 gigs and am very happy with it.

After all this talk in the post I started to reget buying the 17"... I thought man, I should of got the 20" so I went to FutureShop (they dont have apples) and I looked at the 17" and a 19" LCD beside each other and thought WOW look at that difference! I should of got the 20" then I went to my boyfriends and was watching him play World Of Warcraft on his 17" LCD and thought that is kinda small... then I went home, sat down in front on my iMac and looked at it and said "thank god I didn't get the 20" sitting down right in front it, its huge, now I havent done much with it yet. But I just finished my schooling (Digital Media Technologies) on a 15" laptop, and I didn't have any troubles with screen size. Then I started working for this web company on a 19" and I find I don't really like it, I mean I do, but its too big. And then they gave me a second 19" monitor... now having two monitors is nice, the screen size... its nice too. But I find when I am sitting right in front of it, there is too much screen for me to even look at all at once. So I am very happy I saved myself the money and bought the 17" (yes the money is only like 1 third of a pay check) but the 17" is all I need. After all, its just for hobby work, sure maybe I will start video editing... but I have made videos on a 15" iMac before and never had any trouble. And hey, if I want more screen I would rather have a second monitor and I can go buy a nice LCD for the same price as the upgrade.

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