2017 iMac Options - tight budget

[cb3]

NEED to get a new Mac for family computing and light 2D graphics work (page layout - Illustrator, etc.)

Looking at 2017 27inch iMac. Tight budget. What are the best upgrade options if I can only choose ONE?

I think 27 inch is better for my old eyes. I can upgrade the RAM myself (yea!).
i5 vs i7 processor - if I drop down the processor to i5 I can afford higher options.

1. SSD paired with 4GB graphics card
2. HD - Fusion Drive paired with 8GB Graphics card

Which would give the best speed and longer lifespan (future proofing)

Thanks for advice.
cb

 

[Glmnet1]

You should get the SSD.

 

[caskibum]

+1 SSD.

Also, you say "Family Computing", if someone in the family is in school make sure you're taking advantage of the academic discount, save a few $$ there, maybe get both upgrades?

 

[Nunyabinez]

I have one iMac with a 256GB SSD and one with a 3TB Fusion. In day-to-day computing I don't notice any difference.

Also have one with an i5 and one with an i7. Only time I notice a difference is when I transcode video. If you don't have software that takes advantage of hyper-threading the i7 is unnecessary.

 

[lurcher]

I think 27 inch is better for my old eyes. I can upgrade the RAM myself (yea!).

Are you sure you can upgrade the RAM yourself? I've just bought a 21" and have been told the RAM is soldered tot he motherboard and it cannot be changed. I could have done with more but thought I'd just buy some off Crucial.com and save on Apple's extortionate prices for RAM!

 

[Mikael H]

Are you sure you can upgrade the RAM yourself? I've just bought a 21" and have been told the RAM is soldered tot he motherboard and it cannot be changed. I could have done with more but thought I'd just buy some off Crucial.com and save on Apple's extortionate prices for RAM!

Smaller model iMacs haven't had a RAM access hatch for years. 27" ones (except for the upcoming iMac Pro) do.

 

[2ilent8cho]

If you are on a tight budget try the Apple Refurb store , https://www.apple.com/shop/browse/home/specialdeals i have ordered many Mac's from here you cannot tell they are not brand new apart from the box says refurbished on it. Stock changes regularly so one in the config you want might appear at some point.

 

[jaduff46]

+1 SSD (512K if you can afford it, 256K if not).
i5 should work for you

 

[Fishrrman]

Agree 100% with jaduff in post above this one.

GET THE SSD.
NOTHING else will give you more bang for your bucks.

 

[conteaparis]

Get the SSD. You probably won't need the better graphics card for graphic design. Same with the i7. Don't really think you will need it, and there are people complaining about the fan noise.