iMac -- To wait or not to wait . . .

[jwp333]

I hoped for a new iMac with Leopard. I saved up my money. I was ready to wait until June if need be. Now I hear today's announcement regarding Leopard. I have a first generation iMac G4 that gets the job done, but I'd like something new. The alleged upcoming change in the iMac's form factor makes me want to continue my wait at least till they come out. How many are in my boat? What are you going to do?

[EngBrian]

I am in the same boat. Still needed to save a bit more money but hopefully would have been ready by June. At this point I will likely be going ahead sans Leopard and upgrading In october or november. I also want to take advantage of the likely free ipod promo for students. Hopefully if i wait long enough into the summer i can get a free upgrade coupon or something as well.

[levitynyc]

Just buy the damn thing. I have a 24 inch imac and it awesome!

[akadmon]

Forget about it! Just buy Mac Pro Octo ;)

[iW00t]

Since you already have an existing computer that works when keep lusting after something new and tormenting yourself?

It works, use it, when the new ones are out it is easier then to justify your decision.

[Sargiel]

I've just recently bought and received (yesterday :) ) a new imac 24" and it's an amazing system. If you are feeling the need to upgrade already I don't think it's worth waiting 6 months + for it to ship with Leopord.

[KershMan]

I just bought a 17" iMac to replace my first gen Mac Mini. Bought the 17" and will extend the desktop out to a 20" ACD that was hooked up to the Mac Mini.

I was kicking this around for a while, and with Leopard's delay there was no reason to wait any longer.

[viperguy]

You said that the system you're using now does the job... so why not wait for a while and (maybe) get a completely new and redesigned system that probably might ship with Leopard, the new iLife and the trial for iWork?
I'd wait :D

[psycoswimmer]

Keep your G4 until it dies, (I love the G4's design by the way...) and then buy an iMac because you will need it.

[iBunny]

Just wait. Everyone says not to wait but you know updates are imminent. Dont wait for leopard, but you know the current iMac line is comming to an end. Im not saying wait forever, but its pointless to buy tech that you know is about to be replaced very very soon. So Just buy as soon as the updates come... and everything will be all good.

[Vidd]

I'm in the same situation and I'm beginning to think there's some sort of cathartic side to some of these threads rather than asking for advice. :p

The G4 design's much cooler anyway, but we don't know when they're upgrading this one.
I think it's more of a matter of waiting for a speed increase, although it would have made sense for them to plan a significant upgrade along with Leopard so that could lend some credence to that rumour. They wouldn't delay it just to stick to a dual-release, though.

What size screen are you using now?

[iperson]

I've been in the market for a 24 for quite some time now. I was waiting for June and upgraded hardware and the new OS, but now I don't know. I almost ran out and bought one when I heard the bad news today until I remembered that often the first versions of new hardware with new chips that Apple puts out often have some problems (like the g5 imacs I keep hearing about). Maybe for me and my uses a current 24 will turn out to be just the ticket. I absolutely HATE looking at this laptop screen.

When I bought my G3 ibook 500, it was the best ibook they had. 2 months later, the 600, 800, etc. Then the g4 ibook, tibook, and on and on. Really, the only win in this situation is to buy what you want and enjoy it for waht it is. A new Mac!

Ah, hell. I'm going to do it tomorrow. A base model with 2 gb ram will put a big smile on my face for sure. Oh yes...

[Zwhaler]

The 24" iMac is such a good computer that Santa Rosa won't make it much better. Buy now. As for the 20", like mine, it could use a GPU update, but it is good enough. I beat Quake 4, Prey, COD 2, and countless other games on very good settings. Games were a trend for me - I don't really care about my GPU being slightly underpowered anoymore.

[fall3n]

Just buy it. I love my 24". Enjoy it, then buy leopard when it comes out. It's only 200 bux

[TheGlenn]

I have a 98 dell on dial up . I thought it would be neat to update my computer with all the neat things you can do on them now . I played around with the 20 inch imac & liked it alot . So much that I really think i'm going to get one . I guess my question is for home use is there going to be much difference between the imac out now as compared to the next one in line for the 20"er. Microcenter has them discounted 150 bucks . Also will Leopard run the same or close . I truly am blown away by the secrecy & guessing games . My computer now is only good for checking pictureless emails . I can't even bring up a web page but I will wait if I need to . I hope I don't come across as an idiot . Any help would be appeciated .

[Dave00]

I would certainly NOT wait based on the new operating system. The first release of Leopard is going to be riddled with bugs and incompatibilities, as they always are. So, your true ability to use Leopard is not going to occur until months after the initial release. I try never to buy the first version of a new OS or the first iteration of a hardware release. For example, there's many obvious ways the Apple TV can be improved, and I have no doubt you'll soon see an Apple TV that can show your iMovies, etc - so I'm waiting on that. But with the iMac, you've got a stable product whose only real changes in years have been monitor size and the switch to intel. I have an iMac G5, about 2-1/2 years old, and it works like a charm. I don't anticipate even wanting a new machine for at least another year or two, and even then if they manage to come up with a way to swap in an intel processor, I'd do that. (Currently there's none.)

Dave

[Piepz]

Buy it!

There's nothing they can really upgrade to iMac (except the GPU).. Santa Rosa will come only in May 9 or so and it will take a while when Apple will put it in their Macs (see how long it took for Mac Pro to get Quad processor x2 (octo core) ?)

All I know that I'm buying my first Mac ever (20" iMac) in two weeks! :D :apple:

[&RU]

The G4 models are a thing of beauty - the best computer purchase I've ever made - but they are getting a little long in the tooth compared to the new iMacs. Unfortunately, the G5/Intel enclosure just doesn't have the same appeal visually or ergonomically. Hold on to your G4. Squeeze that last bit of moneys worth out of it until October, then you can get a new OS and the new (rumored) iMac enclosure!

[TheGlenn]

DAVE00 - Thanks for your advice . IF was your message was the guys thread I have hijacked I'm sure he is appreciative as well.

[fall3n]

I have a 98 dell on dial up . I thought it would be neat to update my computer with all the neat things you can do on them now . I played around with the 20 inch imac & liked it alot . So much that I really think i'm going to get one . I guess my question is for home use is there going to be much difference between the imac out now as compared to the next one in line for the 20"er. Microcenter has them discounted 150 bucks . Also will Leopard run the same or close . I truly am blown away by the secrecy & guessing games . My computer now is only good for checking pictureless emails . I can't even bring up a web page but I will wait if I need to . I hope I don't come across as an idiot . Any help would be appeciated .

Leopard isn't going to really have that much amazing software for a user like yourself. There may be the new series of iLife, but there's so much you can do with the current stuff anyway. One thing I should mention is that you say there's a store with a $150 discount on the current 20" model. Usually when this happens it means a new update is coming out very soon. At least from my experience at working at a retail computer store with Apple, that was 2 years ago though. I say go for it, compared to your system now you'll be seeing a whole new world, so you really don't need to wait for the latest and greatest as anything you get now will be amazing.

[TheGlenn]

fall3n, I appreciate the advice . I think Apple itself is offering a 150 dollar rebate as well as microcenter . With the amount of money that is spent I just want to make sure I get as much life & enjoyment out of it as possible . Thank you

[Italchef]

I've been waiting patiently for a new iMac since Christmas! I have a G4 which I love, but I do some editing of video and photographs and my baby just can't keep up anymore. I really like to test my system and have several apps open and on the go, and it really bogs down at times. The G4 will become the family/kids machine in the living room. I have the network all set up and ready to go, airport extreme in place, extreme card in my G4. I'm just waiting for the new iMacs! I don't really even care about a new design; I'm all about a speed bump, new price etc.
Now, I've waited this long, I suppose I can wait another 4 months. Honestly though this has become a bit ridiculous. Come on guys, iWant.


Mick:cool:

[fall3n]

fall3n, I appreciate the advice . I think Apple itself is offering a 150 dollar rebate as well as microcenter . With the amount of money that is spent I just want to make sure I get as much life & enjoyment out of it as possible . Thank you

Ah, I guarantee you will get much life & enjoyment out of it. Sure, you can wait, but you really won't notice much difference, I guarantee that as well. Plus right now with $150 off, that's amazing! Apple rarely ever gives discounts.

[jwp333]

Thanks for the input from all of you. I'm leaning towards waiting a while longer, not necessarily for Leopard.

It was mentioned in the reply by one poster that Apple has a $150 discount on the iMac. I don't see it at the Apple Store. The retailer mentioned with the $150 rebate is one that I have not heard of before or dealt with. Any opinions on them?

[Mr. Burns]

The comp in my signature is too slow to enjoy WoW, and my impression is that Oblivion runs with some slow down on even the fastest iMac 24" based on the reading I've done here. I am hoping to wait for updates soon after Santa Rosa (I can't imagine we'll see those until around WWDC). Sounds like it will handle the latest popular games a lot better, which may not be important to others, but it is to me. I am also hoping for a form factor change as the side slot for the disk drive is hard to work with on a corner desk with shelving. We'll see. Might have to start thinking Mac/Book Pro. Btw, I've been pacing the refurb site for a good month now every afternoon after work, and after the announced delay the pages are nearly empty every time I go there. Looks like lots of people have already made their decision. I'm waiting til' next hardware update, but a 24" iMac would not be a waste of my money (I'd just have to get a new desk).

The Comp USA in Madison was selling iMacs at a discount recently. I don't know for sure if that is related to inventory changes coming. My impression is that retail stores don't know anymore than we do as to release dates, given my quest to find a Wii (found it 15 min after it had been delivered). Unless they're given promo packages instructing them on what's coming up, I believe that they are just trying to keep inventory moving. You don't make money on anything that sits on a shelf.

[mark88]

I wouldn't bank on a new iMac so soon. The current design is pretty hard to beat. I mean it looks like a display!!

They can make it thinner perhaps?

[Italchef]

I wouldn't bank on a new iMac so soon. The current design is pretty hard to beat. I mean it looks like a display!!

They can make it thinner perhaps?

I agree with you on this one. There's been alot of criticism on the current design in the sense that people seem to want a whole new look. I love my G4 lamp design but I also like the current design. Where would they go from here? It's so compact and sleek looking. Now I'm not a big Jay Leno fan, but the current design doesn't remind me of him at all. Besides, I don't think that Jonanthan Ive created it with him in mind. As far as I know, and there are many more people on here with more knowledge than me, but since that G5 came on the scene, they've put an iSight into it, and changed the port layout in the back. What more can you do to it? Perhaps this is why we're all buying the new machines and they're the ones responsible for the "Wow" factor. Just give me an update!

Mick:)

[jwp333]

As I said in the original post, after a little bit of saving, I have the money to buy a new iMac. But I've been thinking over the last 2 days that maybe I'd get more benefit out of an HDTV than a new Mac. As I said in my first post, my old Mac does get the job done except for HD movie content. I am amazed by HDTV whenever I see it at other people's homes. I could end up spending the same amount of money for a Mac as I would for a 40 or 42 inch LCD with 1080P, and I could get the content for free over the air.

[TheGlenn]

As I said in the original post, after a little bit of saving, I have the money to buy a new iMac. But I've been thinking over the last 2 days that maybe I'd get more benefit out of an HDTV than a new Mac. As I said in my first post, my old Mac does get the job done except for HD movie content. I am amazed by HDTV whenever I see it at other people's homes. I could end up spending the same amount of money for a Mac as I would for a 40 or 42 inch LCD with 1080P, and I could get the content for free over the air.

Funny, I've got my 52" HDTV paid off & have saved some of my tax refund for a new computer .Thats why I've put it off a new computer for a year & a half.It looks like I'll pull the trigger . Thanks for the replies .

[TheGlenn]

Thanks for the input from all of you. I'm leaning towards waiting a while longer, not necessarily for Leopard.

It was mentioned in the reply by one poster that Apple has a $150 discount on the iMac. I don't see it at the Apple Store. The retailer mentioned with the $150 rebate is one that I have not heard of before or dealt with. Any opinions on them?

Microcenter is a major computer retailer in Atlanta . They have like three locations .They are known as a very reputable company . They are doing a 150 dollar rebate for the 20' & 24" Imac this month . They are calling it Apple month . Apple was doing a rebate till April 15th .I read online but I have never been to an Apple store . The guy that had showed me the imac knew about the manufactures rebate . He said something to the affect that atleast with us you know you'll get the 150 refund . I think he was joking . Anyway if it happened at one chain it WILL happen at others . With a company as central as Apple seems there is no way only select companies could offer a rebate .

[Phtosynthesis]

I recently sold my broken iBook for parts and I decided on an iMac. I was going to wait until they shipped with Leopard, but I need a new computer soon. I'm just going to wait until they update the hardware, wait maybe a month or so after that for better revisions or whatever, and then hopefully that timeframe will be within Apples free upgrade to Leopard when it releases.

[twoodcc]

updates have to be coming soon....i wouldn't buy until an update.....and i advise you to do the same if you decide to get one

[Gaelic1]

I sold my old Mac 3 months ago and bought the MacBook which I am now using. My plan was to use the MB until the new iMac 24 came out and sell the MB. I like the MB so well, I intend to keep it and buy the iMac 20 when it comes out, whenever that is. I'm sure I could sell off the MB if I wanted to for a good price and would have had the use of an updated Mac the whole time. Anyway, it works for me.:D

[Canada071]

I am also in the same boat. iMac update: when-when-when ?!? :confused:

[TheGlenn]

I really appreciate everyone's responses . What I have come away with is maybe you should wait or maybe you should go ahead & buy one . In other words ,there is no magic answer .
It's such a major purchase for so many any help is naturally sought . Thus thats why so many people have asked the same question . I guess the answer is can you wait till october when most people think a new model will be released if not the current model is fine .

[bfresh]

I went so far as to actually purchasing a HP Pavillion and a 7600GT graphics card. Then I went to an apple store an fell in love with the iMac. I then returned the HP and graphics card. I decided I was going to go with apple; however, I would wait for the new iMac before purchasing. I was hoping that it would have been released at NAB or before, but now I have decided I will wait 'til WWDC. If nothing comes out then, I will purchase the 24" iMac.

Everyone that is saying that there won't be any changes to the model doesn't know what they're talking about; unless they work for Apple and are divulging secrets. I say don't give in because of instant gratification - only for necessity.

[andygiff]

Like everyone else I was playing the waiting game, but impatience got the better of me and I received my 24" imac 3 weeks past. As an XP switcher, it's the best move I've made. I would have loved to switch to Leopard directly but Tiger is a joy to use after XP (I never seriously considered Vista). If you really need it don't wait, Tiger is already a Vista-beater!

[Andrew D.]

Down the road Leopard WILL be available EVENTUALLY of course for a price. So technically you are not being crippled in anyway. Play the waiting game if you want or throw in the towel which you won't regret.

[Henri Gaudier]

I too am waiting for the new iMac and I had high hopes that it would switch to a desktop chip and zoom up to 2.9 GHz or there abouts instead of sticking to it's mobile chip which is maxing out at 2.4 I believe. I was sorely disappointed that at NAB nothing came. It was improbable due to the nature of the event but .... Anyway, I have some insurance money from a dead iBook and in France you have to buy before being recompensed and so my insurer is getting tired of my claim not reaching completion and is hassling me to buy my replacement computer but I don't want to buy now - right on the cusp of a revision. I phoned Apple France today and said "Can I order and pay for a 20" iMac but you don't send it to me and then when you release your new model, you can upgrade me to that and if there's a difference in cost I'll pay it?" The man on the phone said "No that's not possible and why do you think there's going to be a change?" So I said "Because it's so long over due in every way - by revision averages, the chip. Everything!" He said "Your wrong there is no revision coming. We've updated our line for the foreseeable future!" He was a grim company zombie bastard but .... "For the foreseeable future!" I hope he's wrong. My advice is to hold on. Not for Leopard but for a new model. Surely it's just around the corner.

[c.joe.go]

it is rather annoying reading posts a/b :apple: denying any pending updates. secrets are good to a point, then they just impede on our ability to make informed choices on rather large purchases. i must say however, that there is some level of anticipation that they keep with those of us that check for product updates frequently. they have a captive audience of people with cash waiting for the next big thing, at any point, they can boost their sales figures for a quarter..... so maybe late may imac release. get cash in before a possible iphone delay.

[PostTribber]

Penryn, the next chip family to be based on the Core micro-architecture, will include the following enhancements (among others):

- Speeds in excess of 3 GHz
- Dual-core L2 cache of 6 MB, Quad-core L2 cache of 12 MB

...with the penryn chip coming with 6 MB per processor, I'm waiting til June to see if they may be incorporated in the new iMac's. there also may be a substantial speed increase applied, perhaps more than the 2.33 ghz currently available on the 24". I like the iMac's, and will be using this for animation only. my Sawtooth will continue as my FCP 4 Suite/Internet until 'death' do us part.

[maxeythecat]

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/5945/applekitty12lo1qy4.gif (http://imageshack.us)

[maxeythecat]

Don't laugh but I'm still quite happy with my eMac 1.25 G4 for the time being....it's sturdy, pretty unflappable and except for the fact that it does get a bit draggy with newer software out there, it's very pleasant machine. I plan on getting an external hard drive to boost my storage and upgrade my memory to 1GB( any recommendations out there?) so that should perk this puppy up until whenever I decide to get a new unit. Obviously from what I've been reading here, I'm rather inclined to wait until Leopard's ready to come out, especially if there is indeed an upgrade within the Imac line....nothing worse than finally plonking down $1200.00 for a computer you've lusted after for better part of a year only to find out that the upgrade coming in a few months bounces the resale value of your box down to nothing in the blink of an eye. I fell for that once before with my first Mac..I bought an Imac G3 450 Mhz DV+ for $1200.00 ( still have it too!) and thanks to the release of the G4 about six months later, it's value fell to about $600.00 in nothing flat. Talk about getting outclassed in a hurry! Ironically, I replaced my G3 with the eMac that I am currently using, and it's still a pretty tight running machine, which I might add still retains a fairly decent resale ticket 3 years on. Better still, I can tweak it a bit and actually keep up with the rest of the pack despite a few obvious limitations here and there. Of course I'm aware that by the end of the year I'm gonna have to move on to a MacIntel, cos let's face it.....that's the future and there's really no way to avoid the inevidible. Until then however, I'm gonna use this baby and enjoy myself!

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/5945/applekitty12lo1qy4.gif (http://imageshack.us)

[TheGlenn]

Well I guess I will hold off & wait a couple of months . The last barrage of postings have convinced me to wait it out . At my age patience has finally set in . If I hear nothing about a new Imac in the near future I will check back with ya'll.I appeciate everyones insight & guidence on this difficult & relatively expensive decision .