Looking at buying an iMac - Advice?

mrbez

mrbez

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Hi Guys,

Anybody on here own an iMac?

I've wanted one for years, probably going to bite the bullet today or tomorrow before the student offer finishes, but just asking for advice.

I'd be looking at the base 27" model.

I already have a 2009 13" Macbook Pro, which has been excellent and still runs as new. However, at times I do miss having a desktop and a large screen for photo editing etc. The monitor size and quality of the iMac is a major thing that appeals to me.

I've also heard that Apple are way over their usual update timeframe with the iMacs - So, I could hold on and wait, but to be honest, the models out now would be perfect for what I would use it for - I don't think waiting for a more expensive model would make a difference for me? Other than more cost, and perhaps some features that won't make the world of difference to me?

I don't want this to turn into a Mac vs PC thread - I understand I may get more for my money with a PC, but it's not going to happen.


Thanks.
 
I don't think mine does have a Thumderbolt port.

Plus, for that kind of money I would just rather buy the iMac.

My MBP is maxed with 8GB Ram and also an upgraded HD.

I think I will go for the 24" Dell and see how I get on, it seems to have excellent reviews. If not, I'll probably lose £50 on the monitor.
 
2009 wont have a thunderbolt, you do have the normal displayport version though.

HOWEVER, id avoid like the clap. glossy really makes it hard to work on.

dell IPS panels are the way to go for bang/buck.
 
There is rumour of an imac refresh late september / mid october.

I'm sitting on a pile of cash at the moment to replace my 24" iMac with what I hope will be a much quicker ivy bridge chip.

At the moment they are just rumours though, no leaked images have surfaced as is normally the case with new products.
 
TBH, every computer is out of date the moment it ships anyway. If you want/Need the computer now, just get it. Its still going to be a fantastic machine. And the next version isn't going to be leaps and bounds ahead...
 
SimonUK said:
TBH, every computer is out of date the moment it ships anyway. If you want/Need the computer now, just get it. Its still going to be a fantastic machine. And the next version isn't going to be leaps and bounds ahead...
Click to expand...

That's what I thought Simon. However, the more I think of it, I think it's a better idea to buy this Dell IPS monitor and just continue with my MacBook Pro
 
The iMac's much shiny-er than the dell.. And bigger...
 
digitalfailure said:
There is rumour of an imac refresh late september / mid october.

I'm sitting on a pile of cash at the moment to replace my 24" iMac with what I hope will be a much quicker ivy bridge chip.

At the moment they are just rumours though, no leaked images have surfaced as is normally the case with new products.
Click to expand...

That was exactly my stance (I have an '08 3.06 24") until a few minutes ago - when it was pointed out that the Ivy Bridge is now a year old. I'm now wondering if Apple are planning to miss another CPU generation to catchup?
 
I don't think the desktop version of the haswell CPU is due until the summer, I can't see Apple leaving the iMac alone that long, it's already over 500 days since the last changes to the iMac range, :eek:
 
I know, but paying a premium price for a premium but 1 yr old tech is going to stick for a while! Apple don't seem to be in any hurry to start the rumours so who knows?

Just to bring back onto track for the original poster - you may not get the £70 student offer, but buying a refurb on through Apple online looks a great deal (that I am sorely tempted by). Significantly cheaper than the £70 card offer.
 
There are always Mac Rumours. Indications are from one rumour is that iMac's will be updated next spring, possibly with the inclusion of a SSD as well as a HD. OS and Apps sit on the SSD for fast start up and data sits on the HD. Again Rumour only.

Glossy screen not a problem. Not if you position it properly. Had a glossy iMac for nearly 3 years now without any real difficulties.

You could get a an adapter to run the MBP on a larger monitor.You don't need a thunderbolt port. The mini display port on the MBP works fine with an adapter , I did this for over a year, with a MDP to DVI adapter. However a new iMac will run rings around you MBP in terms of speed etc.
 
It doesn't have Thunderbolt.

I often link my MBP up to my TV (Firewire > HDMI cable) and it works pretty well, resolution is good. Decent enough for movies, image editing.

Getting a separate display will certainly be cheaper than a brand new iMac. guess it depends on what you need/want :D
 
I've been using a 21" iMac since 2009 and I love it. It's been completely reliable, still looks great, the screen's beautiful, and it performs like the day I got it. I'd like to upgrade to the 27" but there's nothing wrong with my current one, so I can't really justify it, but I wouldn't hesitate if I was in the market for one.
 
They refreshed the range this time last year so I wouldn't expect it for a few months. Everything is out of date the moment you buy it anyway.

Apart from weird screen burn issues with mine, it's been fine so far ( 10 months old ). I don't think the newer apple stuff is anywhere near the build quality of the older stuff. Macbook was an arse from day one. Previous Ibook was perfect for years.
 
Last refresh of the iMac was a spec bump in May 2011.

I'm getting seriously impatient, to renew my 2008 24" iMac because I need to upgrade software and use some of the newer OS X features ( like iCal synchronisation through iCloud with my iphone and iPad) but I don't want to spend 2 grand on a machine that could be replaced in a couple of weeks.
 
Oh. There was definitely some kind of change around then. Whether it was a major refresh or not is another matter. Some of the memory sites I went on mention post september 2011 as being different somehow. I only know as friends bought their first imac just after that change.

There is mention of something new in October 2012!

http://www.theappleupdate.com/tag/june-new-imac-2012-imac-refresh/
 
My 2 cents , for what it's worth...
I got a MBA 2 year ago and from using that really wanted a 27" iMac. The more I looked at the rummer's about when the next iMac will be released I realised I was better off buying a 27" thunderbolt display and Mac mini. This way when the mac mini was out of date it is a much cheaper upgrade than a full new computer.
What ever you get , enjoy.....

Paul
 
wchadders said:
......... a 27" thunderbolt display and Mac mini. This way when the mac mini was out of date it is a much cheaper upgrade than a full new computer.
What ever you get , enjoy.....

Paul
Click to expand...

Unless of course Apple bring out a new and less reflective screen with the (yet to be) new iMac.
 
For the OP, another thought is when choosing your Model be clear what you want as the iMac is less upgradable due to its construction.

Sorry if I'm teaching you to suck eggs but it's an important one to re-emphasise.
 
Chappers said:
There are always Mac Rumours. Indications are from one rumour is that iMac's will be updated next spring, possibly with the inclusion of a SSD as well as a HD. OS and Apps sit on the SSD for fast start up and data sits on the HD. Again Rumour only.
Click to expand...

Where have you been hiding, SSD + HD has been available for a long time now via the Apple website store.
 
I think that he was saying that rather it being an option, as it is currently, it is speculated that SSD + HD will be fitted as standard. Certainly if this is priced as the current models are priced, an option I would order as soon as they were taking orders.

Currently the price jump is far too steep, but time and technology changes the world.
 
There are two 27" iMacs which differ in processor speed & video card. After that the only options are RAM and hard drive size - both of which can be upgraded later

Big screen, basic spec has always been my recommendation for iMacs

One way of looking at this is to think about selling the laptop. The longer you keep it the less value it retains. There is an ideal time to get rid and 3 years old is nearly too late

Nick Froome
 
bolide said:
There are two 27" iMacs which differ in processor speed & video card. After that the only options are RAM and hard drive size - both of which can be upgraded later
Click to expand...

Not true - have a look. You get options within each line of CPU, video, Hard drive size and/or SSD option. It is rumoured that the next iteration may include both HD AND SSD as standard.

That said, who knows! Apple like to promote rumours and are not rushing a new iMac out.
 
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