A choice!

[Clidsy]

Hi everybody,

This may be a bit early as we're still waiting for benchmarks on the new iMacs, but I'm getting the impression (wrongly possibly) that there's no big advances in the new iMacs.

I was prepared to buy the i7 with 512ssd and M395x graphics, but it's a lot of money (£2400) if it's not 'all that'.

I do need a new iMac because my current one is a mid 2007.

Therefore I'm considering this - a late 2014:

3.5ghz (3.9ghz), i5, 8gb RAM, 1tb fusion (with 128ssd I believe), M290X 2GB.

This would cost me £1700, so I'd be saving a bit.

I use it for Creative Cloud (I'm a designer), but nothing too big and wouldn't mind playing the odd game (Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Elite Dangerous)

It may be a bit early to say until more info is in on the latest iMacs and I'm happy to spend more if it's worth it, but any views would be most welcome.

Thanks all.

 

[Sirmausalot]

I put together a list https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/answers-which-retina-imac-do-i-get.1929275/page-2#post-22132842 but there is a variability in which creative cloud applications you are using. Opted for exactly the configuration you are describing and it is 'all that'. But I use Premiere Pro, one of the most demanding applications in the suite (but not as demanding as say After Effects)

 

[huffy15]

Get the base model with the ssd with 24gb ram (aftermarket). It'll do the job. It's going to be easier to resell and you'll be able to upgrade in three years with a 8k imac

 

[Sirmausalot]

Get the base model with the ssd with 24gb ram (aftermarket). It'll do the job. It's going to be easier to resell and you'll be able to upgrade in three years with a 8k imac

The 5K iMac is specifically designed to cut Final Cut X 4K footage on a single screen. It also gets us to Apple's 'retina' DPI Not many filmmakers are working in 8K so I don't see an 8K iMac any time soon. The additional money is 'worth it' the question is how much do a users specific programs make use of the more powerful graphics card (certainly the entire creative suite) and the higher powered CPU (all programs benefit, but multi-threaded applications benefit more)

If it's not a huge sacrifice, and you're not buying on credit, get the more expensive computer. Ot get a refurb of last years model with the 295x and i7....

 

[Clidsy]

Thanks for the replies so far!

 

[Joe1602]

I upgraded from a mid-2011 21.5" to the 4K 21.5" iMac. Like you, I needed an upgrade. But my preference is to buy new and highly upgraded since I expect it to last for 4-5 years.
And FWIW I have been VERY happy with the new one so far! I'm not that interested in benchmarks, just in my real-world usage it is an incredible machine with a beautiful display.

 

[Clidsy]

Is the i7 & m359x worth the additional £400?

 

[Sirmausalot]

Is the i7 & m359x worth the additional £400?

Yes.

Look, this comes up all the time. Is it 'worth x amount' Quite honestly, all of the upgrades are worth their respective amounts. You can't get this quality screen for this kind of price, nor the kind of flash memory apple includes for any kind of price. The upgrade in CPU and GPU are each worth the money. So every upgrade (except the RAM which you should do yourself) is worth it. Is it worth it to you? It depends on your budget, what specific programs you are running, and what you are comfortable with. Should you max out your purchase? As long as it doesn't put you in debt or cause a serious hardship elsewhere. So figure out what you are comfortable with.

 

[Kappsi]

Is the i7 & m359x worth the additional £400?

The i7, sure, if you do processor intensive things.
The M395X is a lot more iffy, it's hard to say because it depends on if you really need that extra 2GB VRAM. I didn't, so I only went with the M395. But you kept your last iMac for 7-8 years, so in that time, perhaps the 4GB VRAM will be significantly more important.

 

[theosg]

Is the i7 & m359x worth the additional £400?

No.

Look this also comes up all the time too:
The 395X GPU is not all that much of an improvement over the 395.
See other threads about the specifics... And, yes, I know it hasn't all shaken out yet.
I agreed w/ Kappsi about the i7. I did spring for that.
But for the $250-300, the 395X can just go heat someone else's iMac!!!

(with apologies to Sirmausalot, i just couldn't resist being emphatically contrarian...)

- Devil's Advocate

 

[Clidsy]

Thanks all - looking at benchmarks, the 395x doesn't seem that much of an improvement, although Kappsi makes a good point considering how long I keep my Macs. I doubt however my new one will last quite as long! I am pretty much decided on the i7 so thanks everybody.

So, if the general consensus (see original post) is to definitely not go for the late 2014 retina iMac as a cheaper alternative, then it's down to the GPU in the 4.0ghz i7.