Advice on iMac 27 in specs I should get

[vjaaan]

I have a MacBook Pro but I'm looking to replace my Dell desktop with an iMac 27 inch. I am used to 16 gb ram in my laptop, but I see that these huge iMacs only come with 8 (unless you add on). Does this mean they are plenty efficient with 8gb ram? I run Photos and iMovie on my laptop, but may also want to use the iMac for some of that.
Also, I need to run a couple of Windows programs on it. So I need to know if Parallel works well enough or do I have to partition with Bootcamp? Or, any other better alternative? Those Windows apps are just business program, not video intensive.
Thanks for any help here!
vjaaan

 

[Tekguy0]

MacOS is efficient with RAM, but you should upgrade to 16 anyway for futureproofing. Parallels works well enough, even on older machines, but it is intensive and requires RAM.

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

The 27” iMac’s RAM should be user upgradable. It’s a good way to save money on what Apple usually charges.

As for Windows, you can either boot camp Windows, or run a VM. No experience with Parallels, but VirtualBox is completely free, so you just need a copy of Windows and you can set up a VM pretty easily. If your tasks are not demanding on the GPU, I’d try VirtualBox and see if it meets your needs.

 

[mollyc]

Get the memory aftermarket and install it yourself. I've done it in all three of my iMacs.

 

[vjaaan]

Thank you all for the good replies. I just purchased the 27in iMac. I will get the extra ram and install it myself --- a good idea. On my Dell, I had Windows 7 and was able to upgrade to 10 at no charge. If I own Windows already, on the Dell, do I have to pay for a new Windows 10 if I am switching to a new computer?
Since I will be upgrading the ram, an I to assume I can run Parallel ok, and literally run two different apps together on the screen, one a Windows app and the other a PC app?
Thanks.

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

You will probably have to repurchase Windows, as the license on your Dell is associated with that computer.

 

[glenthompson]

I haven’t run Parallels rs but it needed plenty of RAM. I consider 16gb the minimum for virtual machines. One trick in Parallels is to install Windows and go through the authentication process then copy the VMSPc file onto another drive. This gives you a clean, authenticated file that you can use to create alternative Windows installs.

 

[mtbdudex]

Thank you all for the good replies. I just purchased the 27in iMac. I will get the extra ram and install it myself --- a good idea. On my Dell, I had Windows 7 and was able to upgrade to 10 at no charge. If I own Windows already, on the Dell, do I have to pay for a new Windows 10 if I am switching to a new computer?
Since I will be upgrading the ram, an I to assume I can run Parallel ok, and literally run two different apps together on the screen, one a Windows app and the other a PC app?
Thanks.

I run parallels on this older iMac, get more RAM than 16GB definitely.

You will probably have to repurchase Windows, as the license on your Dell is associated with that computer.

Agreed, you will need to own your own original copy.

Side bar to Darmok N Jalad:
Guess what episode of ST:TNG was on a few days ago?
I’m a huge Trekkie fan.
This the the rear right side of my basement home theater .

 

[MCAsan]

I would definitely wait until June to see what Apple does about changing CPUs and GPUs. It could be a brave new world in the near future.

 

[Azrael9]

I would definitely wait until June to see what Apple does about changing CPUs and GPUs. It could be a brave new world in the near future.

Agreed.

Azrael.

 

[Azrael9]

I run parallels on this older iMac, get more RAM than 16GB definitely.

Agreed, you will need to own your own original copy.

Side bar to Darmok N Jalad:
Guess what episode of ST:TNG was on a few days ago?
I’m a huge Trekkie fan.
This the the rear right side of my basement home theater .

Star Trek.

1. Star Trek. Kirk. Spock. Bones. Scotty. 'nuff said. Seminal classic. Charisma.
2. Deep Space Nine. The jewel in the crown of Star Trek franchise. Stately theme tune.
3. ST: TNG. Picard. Data. 'no.1.' A rip roaring galatic chime theme tune.

Azrael.

 

[mtbdudex]

Star Trek.

1. Star Trek. Kirk. Spock. Bones. Scotty. 'nuff said. Seminal classic. Charisma.
2. Deep Space Nine. The jewel in the crown of Star Trek franchise. Stately theme tune.
3. ST: TNG. Picard. Data. 'no.1.' A rip roaring galatic chime theme tune.

Azrael.

6 nights out of 7, all 5 series, free via OTA. My wife, how does she put up with me? Self challenge is within x seconds id the episode ...

 

[Azrael9]

I'd hang onto your wife if she can go toe to toe with you on that 6 of 7 nights.

I could certainly do 8 pm to 10 pm. Three great series.

Azrael.