Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Imac 2012 vs 2013

D

dice23

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 19, 2014
7
0
Hello I am looking to buy an imac, something that will last me 3-4 years. I am a graphic designer, I work with Web + Print. These are the two models I am looking at:

27 inch
Originally released October 2012
3.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost up to 3.9GHz)

8GB memory

1TB Fusion Drive

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680MX with 2GB

vs
September 2013
27-inch

3.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.9GHz)
8GB memory
3TB Fusion drive1
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M graphics processor with 4GB of GDDR5 memory
Built-in FaceTime HD camera

On both these machines I will upgrade the ram to 16GB.

To me I feel like the 2012 model should suffice, but I really don't know what to think nor how I feel about buying older technology. Please let me know what you think.
 
I

inhalexhale1

macrumors 65816
Jul 17, 2011
1,101
745
PA
dice23 said:
Hello I am looking to buy an imac, something that will last me 3-4 years. I am a graphic designer, I work with Web + Print. These are the two models I am looking at:

27 inch
Originally released October 2012
3.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost up to 3.9GHz)

8GB memory

1TB Fusion Drive

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680MX with 2GB

vs
September 2013
27-inch

3.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.9GHz)
8GB memory
3TB Fusion drive1
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M graphics processor with 4GB of GDDR5 memory
Built-in FaceTime HD camera

On both these machines I will upgrade the ram to 16GB.

To me I feel like the 2012 model should suffice, but I really don't know what to think nor how I feel about buying older technology. Please let me know what you think.
Click to expand...

I've actually owned both machines in those exact CPU/GPU/RAM configs. I originally bought the 2013, but had to return it due to the USB audio issues. I picked up a 2012 refurb and noticed 0 difference in day-to-day stuff, audio work, and the few games that I play. I saved quite a bit of money going with a refurbished 2012.
 
C

chukronos

macrumors 6502
Oct 20, 2004
458
186
Colleyville, TX
dice23 said:
Hello I am looking to buy an imac, something that will last me 3-4 years. I am a graphic designer, I work with Web + Print. These are the two models I am looking at:

27 inch
Originally released October 2012
3.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost up to 3.9GHz)

8GB memory

1TB Fusion Drive

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680MX with 2GB

vs
September 2013
27-inch

3.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.9GHz)
8GB memory
3TB Fusion drive1
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M graphics processor with 4GB of GDDR5 memory
Built-in FaceTime HD camera

On both these machines I will upgrade the ram to 16GB.

To me I feel like the 2012 model should suffice, but I really don't know what to think nor how I feel about buying older technology. Please let me know what you think.
Click to expand...

I have that exact config 2012. I am a heavy photoshop CC (2014) user and it works great. I love it! A lot of my actions are gpu intensive.
 
D

dice23

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 19, 2014
7
0
Re:

Thanks for your replies!! I ended up ordering the 2013 setup, I figured the $300 difference is worth a 4gb Graphics card, what do you think?

Also, do you run more than one screen on the 2012 Imac, and does it run games smoothly?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom