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New iMac, to wait or not?

T

Techguy172

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Feb 2, 2007
1,782
0
Ontario Canada
Hi guys,

It's been a while since I've been on these forums but I'm looking at a new mac, it's a been a while, I'm still using my old 2007 MacBook and it's getting slow. So I've been putting away money for a while now and have enough for a new iMac, I'm looking at the high-end 27" model. So my question is, should I wait a few more months for the updated one and what kind of improvements or changes are we looking at in the new iMac? I'm not right into the hardware like I used to be so I don't want to buy one now and then have a big update in a few months.

Thanks
 
Techguy172 said:
Hi guys,

It's been a while since I've been on these forums but I'm looking at a new mac, it's a been a while, I'm still using my old 2007 MacBook and it's getting slow. So I've been putting away money for a while now and have enough for a new iMac, I'm looking at the high-end 27" model. So my question is, should I wait a few more months for the updated one and what kind of improvements or changes are we looking at in the new iMac? I'm not right into the hardware like I used to be so I don't want to buy one now and then have a big update in a few months.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Hey i just bought 27" iMAC i5, and i am still consfuse about it. i have 14 days return policy. see if some one gives some update , that would be gr8.
 
if you can wait then wait
signature_cheekytonguesmile.jpg
if not then dont. it's as simple as that. most revisions might be minor hardware revisions. for most people, the current imacs will run superbly for them without limits and so there's no point waiting for the new one
 
Doubt it. Intel haven't released updates to their sandy bridge desktop, which means probably nothig till Ivy.
Since they run on mobile graphics chipsets, no 7xxx until desktop 7s come out (most likely). I'd say nothing until at least march-april-may next year.
 
No guarantee that the next update will be a major one. It might just be a refresh as we are seeing with the Mac Book Pro. Unless you want bragging rights to having the latest and greatest there's really no sense in waiting UNLESS you really have another MAC or PC that will hold you and you really want to wait & see.
 
Spadoinkles said:
Doubt it. Intel haven't released updates to their sandy bridge desktop, which means probably nothig till Ivy.
Since they run on mobile graphics chipsets, no 7xxx until desktop 7s come out (most likely). I'd say nothing until at least march-april-may next year.
Click to expand...

Haha, I'm actually in the same position, but I'm looking at a 21" 2.8 i7. I think I can afford one soon, so I'm a little split on whether I should wait or not. But if the timetables are so far off like you said for the new hardware, I think I'll opt for sooner rather than later...
 
Techguy172 said:
I'm still using my old 2007 MacBook and it's getting slow
Click to expand...

-what version of osx? clean install?
-how much ram do you have? 2007 can run either 3,4 gigs max
-original harddrive 5400rpm? 7200rpm could also really help

both ram and harddrives are easy to replace on macbooks...also installing fresh osx snowleopard (or lion,but likes more ram) and your macbook should be zippy as new...and the cost will be $120-150.
 
I'd wait.

I was thinking the same, intending to buy an iMac so that i could double it as a windoze machine and play a few games but didn't like the idea of buying mid-cycle as a few short months from now there could be an incremental upgrade that sees a slightly better gfx card,and perhaps an upgraded cpu.

I've opted instead to buy a base i5 mac mini, initially it was as a short term plan until the new iMacs come out, the MM would then move to the TV and be a glorified media player and the new iMac would take pride of place on this here desk but having used the MM now, i'm more than impressed by its performance.It handles photoshop wonderfully, even dealing with basic 3D work with no real slow down.

Come the next update which as someone mentioned may not be until April 2012 i shall check out what benefits there may be and shall decide then what i'm doing.

Good luck, whatever you decide will be the right option for you.
 
Travis Bickle said:
I'd wait.

I was thinking the same, intending to buy an iMac so that i could double it as a windoze machine and play a few games but didn't like the idea of buying mid-cycle as a few short months from now there could be an incremental upgrade that sees a slightly better gfx card,and perhaps an upgraded cpu.
Click to expand...

There's nothing by the name Windoze;)


To the OP: Macrumors Buyer's guide says iMac is approaching end of cycle. But I don't think you'll see new iMacs anytime soon since Intel Ivy Bridge processors are delayed. I think the new update will be a significant one, if you don't need one now, its worth waiting.
 
At this point, buy if you can, wait if you can. The next iMac revision will probably be in the April-June 2012 timeframe at the earliest. Of course, this is mainly dependent on Intel releasing Ivy Bridge.

With that said, I have a BTO 27" 2011 iMac with 3.4GHz quad-core Core i7, 2GB AMD Radeon 6970M GPU, 16GB RAM, and 1TB HD running 10.7.2 Lion. This is the finest computer I have ever owned.
 
iMikeT said:
At this point, buy if you can, wait if you can. The next iMac revision will probably be in the April-June 2012 timeframe at the earliest. Of course, this is mainly dependent on Intel releasing Ivy Bridge.

With that said, I have a BTO 27" 2011 iMac with 3.4GHz quad-core Core i7, 2GB AMD Radeon 6970M GPU, 16GB RAM, and 1TB HD running 10.7.2 Lion. This is the finest computer I have ever owned.
Click to expand...

And really, that computer is really gonna last for a good number of years with those specs.
 
If speed is what you need on your MacBook, max out the RAM, and instal a hybrid drive.

Then wait for the next iMac rev; it always feels good to buy right at the beginning of the product cycle!
 
I don't believe that there will be a new iMac soon. There is simply nothing it could be updated with — no new interesting CPUs or GPUs. A minor revision is possible, maybe increasing the default RAM size. The next big update would be Ivy Bridge.
 
I just bought my low-end iMac 2011. And I'm waiting for delivery, what I've seen in Intel reports Ivy will be 20% faster than sandy, so I don't want to wait half a year for just 20% performance. Mid 2011 very good Mac and it's a lot faster than 2010 model (60-70%), so it's decent upgrade for your money spent, 2012 won't have so many new features IMHO, and we still don't know release date.
 
jmpnop said:
There's nothing by the name Windoze;)


To the OP: Macrumors Buyer's guide says iMac is approaching end of cycle. But I don't think you'll see new iMacs anytime soon since Intel Ivy Bridge processors are delayed. I think the new update will be a significant one, if you don't need one now, its worth waiting.
Click to expand...

Since when are IB processors delayed? MR just had a story how they have gone into mass production on schedule for a Q2 release.

I say wait if you can. It wouldn't be surprising if the next iMacs feature a new design (certainly not guaranteed but possible). Even if they don't, they should include USB 3.0 (and if you want your iMac to be compatible with devices in 4-5 years time, this may be important), SATA 3 SSDs, and of course newer GPUs. On top of that, maybe we will see the return of the 24" so if you are interested in that size over the 27" it might be best to wait.

When it comes to buying a computer today, I think it is foolish not to have USB 3.0 and an SSD. Right now, iMacs lack the first and are using 2-year-old technology when it comes to the second. March-June is not that far away.
 
tom vilsack said:
-what version of osx? clean install?
-how much ram do you have? 2007 can run either 3,4 gigs max
-original harddrive 5400rpm? 7200rpm could also really help

both ram and harddrives are easy to replace on macbooks...also installing fresh osx snowleopard (or lion,but likes more ram) and your macbook should be zippy as new...and the cost will be $120-150.
Click to expand...

I have 4GB of ram, running Lion with a clean install and 500GB 7200 RPM hard drive, wanted SSD but need the space.
 
Logos327 said:
Since when are IB processors delayed? MR just had a story how they have gone into mass production on schedule for a Q2 release.

I say wait if you can. It wouldn't be surprising if the next iMacs feature a new design (certainly not guaranteed but possible). Even if they don't, they should include USB 3.0 (and if you want your iMac to be compatible with devices in 4-5 years time, this may be important), SATA 3 SSDs, and of course newer GPUs. On top of that, maybe we will see the return of the 24" so if you are interested in that size over the 27" it might be best to wait.

When it comes to buying a computer today, I think it is foolish not to have USB 3.0 and an SSD. Right now, iMacs lack the first and are using 2-year-old technology when it comes to the second. March-June is not that far away.
Click to expand...

Even i thought so, i bought 27" imac i5, works gr8, looks gr8, feels gr8..But once i put it on my desk in my office, its kinda BIG. i might go for 21.5 or may be wait couple more months and see if new relese has 24".
 
iMikeT said:
At this point, buy if you can, wait if you can. The next iMac revision will probably be in the April-June 2012 timeframe at the earliest. Of course, this is mainly dependent on Intel releasing Ivy Bridge.

With that said, I have a BTO 27" 2011 iMac with 3.4GHz quad-core Core i7, 2GB AMD Radeon 6970M GPU, 16GB RAM, and 1TB HD running 10.7.2 Lion. This is the finest computer I have ever owned.
Click to expand...

No SSD??? bah
 
Logos327 said:
Since when are IB processors delayed? MR just had a story how they have gone into mass production on schedule for a Q2 release.

I say wait if you can. It wouldn't be surprising if the next iMacs feature a new design (certainly not guaranteed but possible). Even if they don't, they should include USB 3.0 (and if you want your iMac to be compatible with devices in 4-5 years time, this may be important), SATA 3 SSDs, and of course newer GPUs. On top of that, maybe we will see the return of the 24" so if you are interested in that size over the 27" it might be best to wait.

When it comes to buying a computer today, I think it is foolish not to have USB 3.0 and an SSD. Right now, iMacs lack the first and are using 2-year-old technology when it comes to the second. March-June is not that far away.
Click to expand...
/Only reason to wait would be IB lower energy consumption, as energy prices rise year by year. Thats my opinion.
Cannot agree with that. Thunderbolt>USB 3. In big way.. Also, SSD is in option, so choosing it isn't limited. And not to be mentioned that, most PCs still use HDD, some do use HDD + SSD combo, but the SSD in that is usually small one, for instance, 64GB, 128GB.
 
N0ddie said:
And really, that computer is really gonna last for a good number of years with those specs.
Click to expand...


That's what I'm hoping for. If I really need to upgrade, I'll just get a Mac Pro and use the iMac as a display.


SuperMiguel said:
No SSD??? bah
Click to expand...


With 128GB SSDs going for around $200 aftermarket, I think a 1TB HDD is good enough for now. I'll wait for SSDs to have a better price per gigabyte ratio and believe me, I'll be one of the first in line when 128GB SSDs are going for $50.
 
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