2012 iMac vs 2013 iMac

[Yebubbleman]

Ok, while the 2012 model will be shipping before year's end I am thinking that perhaps I should wait for the 2013 model.

I am considering this as the Intel chips (Ivy Bridge) for 2012 was released mid-year and the next Intel chips (Haswell) for 2013 is scheduled for release as early as March.

I am concerned that if I get this year's model Apple will make it obsolete in less than 6 months instead of around 12.

Just speaking out my worry. Really trivial.

Apple will offer both the 2012 iMac and 2013 iMac with Retina display? Built-in GPU would have double the performance by then so it could drive the lower-end model.

Apple typically (a) updates the iMacs with the latest Intel tech AFTER they update the MacBook Pro with them, (b) updates the iMacs every 8-10 months like the MacBook Pro, and (c) sticks to that schedule. Of course, they didn't this time and they didn't in 2006 when they unveiled the first Intel iMacs just three months after the iSight model iMac G5s had come out. Similarly, Apple did just introduce the 4th generation iPad much sooner than they had the 3rd after the 2nd, and the 2nd after the first, respectively, but those exceptions are much more rare. My guess is that you will have a good 8 months, at least, before Apple discontinues these new iMacs. It is highly unlikely that Apple will release Haswell iMacs when Haswell comes out. They didn't release Ivy Bridge iMacs when Ivy Bridge came out. Similarly, they didn't release Sandy Bridge iMacs at the same time that Sandy Bridge came out.

 

[Hexley]

Here is the relationship between the unibody iMac release and Intel chip releases. I use the Core i7 found in the 27-inch iMac as Intel stagger chip releases. Also included are the days between iMac releases.

2009 iMac (10-20-2009)
Core i7-860 (09-08-2009) Lynnfield
Less than a month difference
231 days between iMac release

2010 iMac (7-27-2010)
Core i7-870 (09-08-2009) Lynnfield
10 month difference
280 days between iMac release

2011 iMac (5-3-2011)
Core i7-2600 (01-09-2011) Sandy Bridge
4 month difference
280 days between iMac release

2012 iMac (12-?-2012)
Core i7-3770 (04-23-2012) Ivy Bridge
8 month difference
539 days between iMac release

2013 iMac* (Anytime in 2013)
(Anytime between March and June 2013) Haswell

*This iMac will probably have a Retina Display. Based on Apple's treatment of the Macbook Pro and Macbook Pro with Retina display I speculate that the 2012 and 2013 models will be sold concurrently.

Release of the iMac with Retina Display will all depend on the yield Apple can get for the display panels. I further speculate that Apple was initially supposed to release the Retina Display models this year but could not because of technical or price reasons.

Why else delay the 2012 iMac by almost 8 months?

I waited for the 2012 model because I wanted USB 3. Sadly this meant Apple omitting FW800.

 

[Scrapula]

My late 2009 Mac Mini works great, but the GPU limits it. I need a larger screen than my 22" and that has lags on Facebook games, lol. The new 27" will be fine. I checked for refurbished on 2011's. But the savings was only $350 for less memory, a slightly slower processor, high gloss display and USB 2.0. I will get a 2012.

I don't really care about Haswell. With the current speeds of CPUs, I don't think it will make a big difference. I don't think that there is any other new technology to put in the 2013, either. The 27" is already close to retina.

 

[Hexley]

My late 2009 Mac Mini works great, but the GPU limits it. I need a larger screen than my 22" and that has lags on Facebook games, lol. The new 27" will be fine. I checked for refurbished on 2011's. But the savings was only $350 for less memory, a slightly slower processor, high gloss display and USB 2.0. I will get a 2012.

I don't really care about Haswell. With the current speeds of CPUs, I don't think it will make a big difference. I don't think that there is any other new technology to put in the 2013, either. The 27" is already close to retina.

The 27-inch is 2560x1440 (3.7 megapixels). Retina on the iMac could go beyond 4K UHD at 3840×2160 (8.3 megapixels).

The built-in GPU of Ivy Bridge chips are rated to do this resolution.

^^ that's 9.4 megapixels.

 

[Scrapula]

The 27-inch is 2560x1440 (3.7 megapixels). Retina on the iMac could go beyond 4K UHD at 3840×2160 (8.3 megapixels).

The built-in GPU of Ivy Bridge chips are rated to do this resolution.

Image

^^ that's 9.4 megapixels.

Using up GPU for extra pixels that I cannot see because my monitor is already 40 inches from my face. I would never spend my money on that. I'm running 1680x1050 and want something just a little crisper and I'll be fine.

The actual reviews from people on this site state that using the new Mac Mini with the built-in GPU will run the current Thunderbolt display but still has lag on a screen saver.

 

[Steve121178]

Ok, while the 2012 model will be shipping before year's end I am thinking that perhaps I should wait for the 2013 model.

I am considering this as the Intel chips (Ivy Bridge) for 2012 was released mid-year and the next Intel chips (Haswell) for 2013 is scheduled for release as early as March.

May/June 13.

 

[Bear]

Intel Integrated Graphics is not used in any iMac.

2.5W power savings is a new world for Mobile Devices, but a Desktop 350W Powersupply is normally not able to adjust to so tiny savings well.

It's sad, but the next few CPU generations (Haswell/Broadwell/Skylake) will have nothing in the bag for iMac users. It's all about new ULV (Ultra Low Volage) CPU cores now.

From the bottom up, there will probably be about a 10% performance improvement for an iMac, so while not big, it's not nothing.

As for the power savings, it may be more than that for a desktop user as desktop processors tend to consume more power in general.

As for the integrated graphics, you are correct for current iMacs, however in the past Apple has used integrated graphics in the low end iMacs and could possibly do so again in the future.

 

[CoolSpot]

The main benefits to Haswell will be power consumption so I would expect MBP/MBA to get the only Haswell update in 2013. We'll be seeing an updated Mac Pro and iPhone 5S (and probably an ipad mini 2 (not retina)) as well.

 

[CWallace]

I could see Apple announcing Haswell-based MacBook Airs (without Retina) and MacBook Pros with Retina Displays at WWDC 2013.

If they still keep the non-retina MacBook Pro around (and I am inclined to believe they will not) then those would be announced with Haswell, as well.

iMac and Mac Mini with Haswell won't be before this time next year, IMO. And the iMac will not have retina, IMO.