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Thinking of an Imac 24 but will it be replaced shortly?

M

madz

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Hi, am about to order a 24 imac, 2.4, 2gb ram, 750gb hd coming over from a PC background but was wondering if they will be replaced anytime soon like the next 6 months? Also is it worth upgrading the warranty to 3 yr applecare? Does this include onsite warranty if it breaks?

cheers
 
I highly doubt it will be replaced in the next 6 months. They just released the aluminum one a month or two ago. AppleCare is definitely worth it. But you don't have to buy it now. You can buy it later. I'd just recommend buying it before your 90-day telephone support is up. I'm not sure about the onsite service. But you can always bring it to your nearest Apple Store.
 
JSchwage said:
I highly doubt it will be replaced in the next 6 months. They just released the aluminum one a month or two ago. AppleCare is definitely worth it. But you don't have to buy it now. You can buy it later. I'd just recommend buying it before your 90-day telephone support is up. I'm not sure about the onsite service. But you can always bring it to your nearest Apple Store.
Click to expand...

The aluminium iMac was released in August 07 so that's 5 months now. The Buyers guide suggests that now might not be the best time to buy.
 
Thanks, what is the buyers guide? the link gives me errors on page when opening?
Thanks
 
You just never know when Apple will upgrade, but as many say if you need the machine now, buy now. If not then hold on. It should be upgraded sometime between now and the next 6 months.

As for upgrading the Apple Warrenty to 3 years, in the iMac's case I would STRONGLY recommend you do. It's a small price to pay should anything go wrong. The onsite service I believe is only available in a few countries.
 
gavd said:
The aluminium iMac was released in August 07 so that's 5 months now. The Buyers guide suggests that now might not be the best time to buy.
Click to expand...
Wow, my gosh. Has it really been that long already? Getting older definitely has its disadvantages, such as time just flying out the window.
 
madz said:
Thanks, what is the buyers guide? the link gives me errors on page when opening?
Thanks
Click to expand...

The Buyer's Guide lists the products and gives some information on when things were last updated, average life cycles etc. You can get to it by using the tab at the top of the page if my link didn't work.
 
Excellent, thanks.

I noticed this years macworld is on 14th Jan - do they announce any new products etc here? I dont really need the imac but I dont need my car/bike/itouch etc etc, just cant help myself. I could get away with keeping my PC but 🙂
 
I bought an iMac 2.4 just before Christmas, upgraded to 500GB. I felt the 750 wasn't worth it, since I have 3 500GB external hard drives already. Bought 4GB of memory from OWC ($100 bucks compared to Apple wanting $1000 for 2x2GB) Sold the original 1GB stick. I was using a Macbook with my 24" dell monitor. Now I have a 24" imac AND a Dell 24" monitor, this dual setup kicks ass. the machine flys and doesn't get loud. my macbook's fan would go crazy loud when i'm encoding.

Applecare is probably worth it since you seem up'd the hd to 750gb. I'll probably get it later at edu price $119.

I was debating on whether or not to wait, but honestly, the iMac is pretty damn fast for my needs, I'm sure they will update the iMac sometime this year, I'm thinking in May. but I've been enjoying my iMac everyday for the past 2 weeks and throughout this year I'll be enjoying it. In technology if you need something now, just get it.
 
I also recently purchased an iMac 24", and I'm not too concerned. I purchased a refurbished model, and it's absolutely perfect. No gradient issues, no condensation, nothing. Since staying under budget was an issue for me, I won't be in the market for a newer model that would most likely be in the $2000 range anyway.

After the rumors of the Blu-Ray stuff the closest thing to an upgrade I see would be a Blu-Ray read/write option but knowing Apple it would probably be in the idea of at least $500+ for the add-on.

Some others have also speculated about the idea of an upgrade to the video card.

If these two things are of significant interest to you, and you aren't concerned about cost, then I'd wait. If cost is an issue, and these things aren't that big of a deal, then go ahead and buy. 😀
 
I would wait until after MacWorld before you go and buy it. MacWorld is only 11 days away and you never know what could happen... it's crazy like that!
 
I'm having the same dilema. My Dell is operating well and covers my gaming fix. Its 4 yrs old but I upgraded the AGP vid card a few months ago and it allows me to play games like LOTRO flawlessly. (If anyone is looking for a good AGP card, I think mine is that digitex x1900xt or something) If u really want to know the exact card, send me a private message and i'll 100% verify that for u.

I want to get a MAC because gaming has become less of a priority to me and I love the MAC OS and software (for video, music etc). Its just nicer to use.

I'm in no rush at the moment to buy, even though i want one now ! lol. But i'm gonna wait till after Macworld in January to see what develops. Now, the Aluminum IMAC probably wont be redone, but they may upgrade some components (processor or vid card). I know alot of people upset that the IMAC is pricey for the parts. Honestly, they should upgrade a few of the components.

So a totaly redesign wont happen but by switching to Intel Chips this should make it easier for them to just pop in new parts more quickly then a total redesign.

I'd wait a few months if you can to see what develops. And if you have the $$$$ , the new Pro Notebook will definately get some upgrades sooner than the IMAC. I just don't want to spend a fortune so i'm more interested in the IMAC.

Lets put it more simple: Gaming = PC, Everything else = MAC. Just wait till after MACWORLD before making your decision. You might get some insight into any proposed changes to the IMAC.
 
Going by how they have conducted updates in the past, we will be seeing the Alu iMacs for at least another year. The most you can expect from a New Year update would be an option to add other things to the base model. Video and maybe... possibly a Blu-Ray reading drive.

I highly doubt it though.
 
UbuntuFu said:
Applecare is probably worth it since you seem up'd the hd to 750gb. I'll probably get it later at edu price $119.
Click to expand...

I agree that AppleCare is worth it. I got mine for my iMac on eBay for $87 shipped and it worked like a charm.
 
Rustman said:
Going by how they have conducted updates in the past, we will be seeing the Alu iMacs for at least another year. The most you can expect from a New Year update would be an option to add other things to the base model. Video and maybe... possibly a Blu-Ray reading drive.

I highly doubt it though.
Click to expand...

I really don't think that the iMac's will get the Blu-Ray drive on the next update (whether it's at MacWorld or in May, etc). I do think that they will definitely get the mobile Penryn.
 
What kind of upgrade to video would they implement? Just a faster card, more ram or would they offer a Nvidia choice?

I'm looking to get my first iMac and not sure when to buy (will wait till at least after Macworld). If they do announce a change in May, will those changes be available right away or not until the end of the year?

Thanks
 
Thanks for the replies, think I might wait until after macworld but

a. how fast do they generally bring out changes they talk about at macworld?

b. as I'm in the UK will I wait longer for changes to come through? Similar to Iphone? It was available months before in the US

c. Anyone know if the imac already has software built in to allow me to burn DVD's straight to my Ipod Touch?? The guy at apple said "yes" but not sure if I need some extra software?
At the moment on my PC I'm using Videora to achieve this.

I'm thinking if its only going to be video and blueray then not a big issue for me aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh the wait 😀😀
 
madz said:
a. how fast do they generally bring out changes they talk about at macworld?
Click to expand...

It usually ships the day they announce it, but in some cases, like the iPhone, it's at a later date. I read somewhere on here that consumer products like iPods are available in the stores the morning before the keynote.

madz said:
b. as I'm in the UK will I wait longer for changes to come through? Similar to Iphone? It was available months before in the US
Click to expand...

I wouldn't know, I live in the US.

madz said:
c. Anyone know if the imac already has software built in to allow me to burn DVD's straight to my Ipod Touch?? The guy at apple said "yes" but not sure if I need some extra software?
Click to expand...

I use a free program called Handbrake to rip movies for my iPod... you can download it at handbrake.fr.
 
Well the only changes that would be made are spec changes. And if you're buying an iMac you're most likely not going to care too much about what video card/processor it has. Seeing as all the parts are mobile parts iMacs have never been the best bang for your buck in terms of power.
 
madz said:
Hi, am about to order a 24 imac, 2.4, 2gb ram, 750gb hd coming over from a PC background but was wondering if they will be replaced anytime soon like the next 6 months? Also is it worth upgrading the warranty to 3 yr applecare? Does this include onsite warranty if it breaks?

cheers
Click to expand...

GET APPLECARE!! Very much, I would say wait after MacWorld.

madz said:
Excellent, thanks.

I noticed this years macworld is on 14th Jan - do they announce any new products etc here? I dont really need the imac but I dont need my car/bike/itouch etc etc, just cant help myself. I could get away with keeping my PC but 🙂
Click to expand...

MacWorld is where all the big things start, iPhone Mac Mini, everything, so Apple does introduce products there.

metallicaisgood said:
Well the only changes that would be made are spec changes. And if you're buying an iMac you're most likely not going to care too much about what video card/processor it has. Seeing as all the parts are mobile parts iMacs have never been the best bang for your buck in terms of power.
Click to expand...

*$&# IT! I'm just learning recently that my powerhorse 2.8 uses a mobile processor and video card and is pissing me off, im not getting it either, both are in desktop sections on their site, and have NO idea what this mobile thing is about.



All together, just getting my imac 2 months ago, I wouldn't be happy if they update it at MacWorld. I wouldn't mind if they add a blu-ray drive either. I mean, this 2.8 would still have ASTONISHING value, but ill be so damn pissed if they put penryn in these things, just at least as they dont touch the 2.8 model for another 9 months, im fine 😀!!.
 
madz said:
b. as I'm in the UK will I wait longer for changes to come through? Similar to Iphone? It was available months before in the US
Click to expand...

The iPhone was quite a bit different. There won't be a delay like that if the iMac is updated.

As some of the other posters have said, I don't think there will be huge updates, but if you can wait a little while longer then you might as well. I know there is never a good time to buy computers as everything gets updated but it's probably worth waiting a little while longer.
 
Thanks guys, will probably wait until after macworld just in case 😉 but then its mine 🙂
 
not a good time to buy an iMac 24"

I just returned my iMac 24" 2.8 back to the local Apple store because of gradient screen problem. I got a chance to examine some 24" intel imacs and all of them had the same problem. Washed out colors at the left side and some bleeding at the bottom of the screen. I paid for my imac about $2300 plus apple care, and I was intending to use it with my CS3. This did not happen and I'm glad I got rid of this mac in time.

My advise is to wait for a couple of months so that apple can fix this issue.

Vlad
 
madz said:
a. how fast do they generally bring out changes they talk about at macworld?
Click to expand...
Depends. Sometimes things are immediately available in Apple Stores. You can always order online as soon as the store is back up but sometimes things take a few weeks until they're delivered. For example, the Nanos were available more or less immediately, the iPod Touches were delayed for a few weeks.

b. as I'm in the UK will I wait longer for changes to come through? Similar to Iphone? It was available months before in the US
Click to expand...
That was a different scenario to do with phone contracts and demand - although it did happen with the original iPod minis. In general, you'll be waiting for it to show up at resellers (i.e. John Lewis, Amazon) but it will be available at the Apple stores quicker.

c. Anyone know if the imac already has software built in to allow me to burn DVD's straight to my Ipod Touch?? The guy at apple said "yes" but not sure if I need some extra software?
Click to expand...

Nope. You'll need Handbrake or something along those lines to do it. Easy enough to do.
 
... they've been on the market 4 or 5 months now, right?

In that case, do expect an update around summertime or before. Not Q1 though.
 
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