New computer wanted, advice appreciated.

[Denis99]

Bit of a ramble, apologies, probably a glass of red wine too many…

Had an increase in photography as a hobby in the last two or three years, also been an IMac user for at least the last decade.

I have an ageing IMac circa 2012 in one of the bedrooms, that doesn’t really do much , apart from very occasionally internet browsing.

My main Mac is a 2016 27” IMac .

I only use Lightroom with spot removal in Photoshop.

My main issue for wanting to upgrade is the use of Topaz denoise / sharpen.

I am not a computer expert, and editing is relatively simple, but all my knowledge is now in Mac editing and software.

——

What I dislike about the IMac is the constant upgrades with tech, I realise it’s inevitable.

Should I get the new mini Mac with a good spec monitor ( accepting that this will be kept for quite a few years), and enviably accept buying another mini Mac when tech moves on.


Or,

Buy an ageing , Mac Pro 2013 “trash can” with upgrading possibilities?

I really want a computer to keep, and upgrade as an when needed.

 

[Tdes]

Personally if it were me I would go Mac mini with the m1 chip. It seems that the technology is moving so fast that only so much of the trash can will be updatable. You also can't tell what kind of life it has had and what life it has left.

I have a Mac book pro with the m1 chip and am absolutely delighted (coming from a 2015 Mac book pro i7). They really are on another level!


T

 

[Tdes]

If you do go with the M1, upgrade the ram to 16gb, its not upgradable after purchase.

T

 

[ancient_mariner]

IMO the trashcan Mac pro is already thoroughly obsolete in the Apple universe, even if they still fetch a significant price. As suggested, an M1 Mini with 16GB RAM and 256GB internal drive would be a sensible option at this stage - not too expensive that you can't move it on in a couple of years if much faster chipsets appear. Go for an external SSD for storage through thunderbolt (IIRC there are some neat caddies that sit below the mini & hold the drive) and it will also make moving ctalogues less difficult too.

I've been quite tempted by an M1 Mac myself for the price/performance trade (NEVER thought I'd ever say that!) but I'm really not sure I would want to use the Apple OS again for my main computer.

 

[SteveA]

I recently bought an 24" M1 iMac, and am very happy with it.

I did consider the M1 Mac Mini but rejected it as I decided the iMac was better value for money. Consider the total cost including keyboard (especially if you want the Apple Touch ID one), mouse, quality 4K screen, external speakers, 1080p webcam, and microphone. A couple of other minor points: the iMac is a lot cleaner on the desk (one wire) and also more supportable than a Mac Mini with respect to third party peripherals (e.g. M1 Mac Mini owners had issues with some third party 4K monitors - I'd argue such issues are far less likely, or at least far more likely to be fixed, with the all-in-one iMac).

Another thing to bear in mind are the rumours that a larger 30" or 32" iMac will be released at some point this year, replacing the current 27" Intel model and likely using a more powerful M1 chip (the M1X?).

 

[Denis99]

Thanks everyone, looks like my decision is between the 24” IMac ( can’t stretch to a 27”), or Mini Mac.

Leaning towards the IMac, SteveA made some good points about value and compatibility, plus it looks neater.

 

[SsSsSsSsSnake]

Personally if it were me I would go Mac mini with the m1 chip. It seems that the technology is moving so fast that only so much of the trash can will be updatable. You also can't tell what kind of life it has had and what life it has left.

I have a Mac book pro with the m1 chip and am absolutely delighted (coming from a 2015 Mac book pro i7). They really are on another level!


T

Seconded even though I have the new M1 24 which I love