While I agree, I think technology is on that cusp and may already be there in certain comparisons. If Apple does elect to put the 680m in the new iMac, it's a big step.
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All-In-One Design is Fail IMO
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While I agree, I think technology is on that cusp and may already be there in certain comparisons. If Apple does elect to put the 680m in the new iMac, it's a big step.
3 21 inch lcds at 1080p are better then 1 27 inch for me. but pulling the lcd factor out.
every part listed has a 3 to 5 year warranty.
an optical drive is 20 bucks.
my build will be far more quiet.
my gpu will be an msi r7950 it crushes the imacs gpu.
my ssd is a 512gb ssd. I used the standard 1tb hdd in the imac
my machine will pull more then 16000 on geekbench top imac is 13000.
You said that there was nothing beneficial about AIOs other than them being suitable for dumbasses who can't plug components into a tower. Not much of a leap of logic to conclude that you think that those who choose an iMac (Apple's only desktop AIO) over a Mac Pro or Mac mini (Apple's only desktop non-AIOs) are also in that category.
The fact that many people on this forum, whom I agree are more knowledgable than the average computer user, choose an iMac suggests that the decision is based on AIO benefits that you deny exist. Truth is, there are other valid reasons to buy the iMac beyond the one that you cite.
If Apple offered a tower smaller than a Mac Pro, I'd be the first in line to buy one to replace the iMac in my home office, but they don't. In the meantime, the iMac is an elegant solution that looks great and does what I need it to do.
And one more thing: Don't call me "kid" unless you can say that you started using computers 42 years ago, as I did.
I predict at some point Apple will consolidate the Mac desktop line into one product with a low, medium, and high price point.
No more Mac Mini, iMac, Mac Pro but a product that replaces all three.
No more Mac Mini, iMac, Mac Pro but a product that replaces all three.
Is that carry in warranty service? Not really the same type of warranty as Applecare hence the extended warranty options provided for the parts in the screenshot.
What about the other parts? Wireless keyboard ($69) and mouse ($69) of same quality is a combined total of approximately $140 plus tax.
You haven't really established a comparable build yet but I concede would most likely have a better GPU at the same price point given that the iMac specs haven't recently been refreshed. The build not yet being fairly comparable negates the SSD example and reference to geekbench. I haven't heard to many gaming rigs that are quieter than an iMac.
Many of us don't live near an Apple store. And the genius bar is horribly inefficient - I'd rather just mail stuff in.
Authorized Apple service providers are all over the place. At least 4 of them in the area I live. Always provide great service from my dealings with them. Doesn't need to be an Apple store. Whether or not the genius bar is horribly inefficient is a matter of opinion.
Also, what OS would the u-built run?
Windows, nope.
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/15125414/
Hackintosh isn't quite a Macintosh. Requires more tinkering and effort to keep running as well as the real thing.
A good Linux distro would be respectable. Some wouldn't even require much tinkering after initial setup. I would rather run Linux on that machine than make it a Hackintosh.
I would still prefer to have a Mac over that machine running Linux. Just my opinion.
Windows, nope.
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/15125414/
Hackintosh isn't quite a Macintosh. Requires more tinkering and effort to keep running as well as the real thing.
A good Linux distro would be respectable. Some wouldn't even require much tinkering after initial setup. I would rather run Linux on that machine than make it a Hackintosh.
I would still prefer to have a Mac over that machine running Linux. Just my opinion.
Here's a build I quickly put together. The system I'm comparing to is the 27" imac w/ the 3.4GHz processor, 16GB RAM, and 1TB + 256GB HDD+SSD. Total comes to about $3200.
For a similar amount of money, I spec'd out a system with much higher end components. I deliberately left out speakers and webcam since I don't really care for them... but I could easily fit those in for the same price if I went with a lower-end case or monitor or motherboard or... anything really.
You're also not taking into account how a tower+monitor can save you money in the long run. You don't have to throw away the monitor with each new PC. A good monitor can easily last 8+ years - but an iMac forces you to buy a new one if you want a new PC. Also, if you want to upgrade the video card and leave everything else - you can.
If having to wait 30-90 minutes beyond the time of your scheduled appointment is not horribly inefficient in your book, then you have loose standards. Over the years I've been to the genius bar at least 20 times at various stores for various issues - every time I had to wait well beyond my scheduled appointment even though I always made it a point to arrive at least 15 minutes early.
I personally don't know of any authorized Apple service providers near me. Nearest Apple store is about an hour away. It's easier for me to just mail my stuff in to Apple... but that's no more convenient than what any other reputable brand offers.
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Although I'm typing this on a mac... I personally prefer Windows. It's better for multitasking IMO (well Windows 7 is... Windows 8 is terrible for that...). I just find myself being a lot more productive in a Windows environment.
Even if that weren't the case - building a hackintosh isn't that difficult. In fact, there are some gigabyte motherboard which basically don't require any tinkering if you get a compatible video card. I think I would be willing to spend a little bit of time tinkering to get much higher end components than what an imac offers (or to save some money with similar caliber components).
Linux is worthless in a consumer environment.
Don't know what you critics are harping about - the 2011 revision iMac with a i7 processor and what at the time was a reasonable mobile GPU was and remains a beast.
Indeed, one got sick of waiting for Apple to refresh its iMac line-up - sold my one top-end 27in i7 to invest in new model in May - God was I stupid.
Still, the iMac at 27in is a good capable machine, it runs well with a i7 desktop 4 core processor and presently we have a choice with two excellent mobile GPU's from NVidia and AMD.
All we now require is the top end 27in model to come equipped with a 240 SSD and minimum 2T HDD.
I concur with other commentators though that Apple should have made access to the HDD as simple as the RAM, particularly given this is the item that usually fails first.
Also, if your investing US$2,500 in a top end iMac, its axiomatic that you purchase AppleCare - you'd be a fool not too.
In a nutshell, Oct 2009 revision 27in imacs are still selling used for more than US$1,000 - how many PC's hold that value.
I love my big iMac, get annoyed at LCD screen issues and wish for a little more user accessibility - apart from that I'm as happy as a pig in *****!!!!!
Indeed, one got sick of waiting for Apple to refresh its iMac line-up - sold my one top-end 27in i7 to invest in new model in May - God was I stupid.
Still, the iMac at 27in is a good capable machine, it runs well with a i7 desktop 4 core processor and presently we have a choice with two excellent mobile GPU's from NVidia and AMD.
All we now require is the top end 27in model to come equipped with a 240 SSD and minimum 2T HDD.
I concur with other commentators though that Apple should have made access to the HDD as simple as the RAM, particularly given this is the item that usually fails first.
Also, if your investing US$2,500 in a top end iMac, its axiomatic that you purchase AppleCare - you'd be a fool not too.
In a nutshell, Oct 2009 revision 27in imacs are still selling used for more than US$1,000 - how many PC's hold that value.
I love my big iMac, get annoyed at LCD screen issues and wish for a little more user accessibility - apart from that I'm as happy as a pig in *****!!!!!
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Parts on sale so not a fair comparison. Factor in the iMac hasn't been refreshed lately and etc...
Never experienced that at an Authorized Apple service provided.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1434
Both Valve and Blizzard hate Windows 8. Valve is pushing to bring steam and more games to Linux in the wake of the disappointment with Windows 8. Other game and software developers are as well.
Plus, Windows is scary. See the link in my previous post.
Or, here!
Around the time of a recent iMac spec refresh, one isn't going to get better spec for the money building a Hackintosh. Hackintosh require more work than the real thing and most consumers couldn't be bothered.
Anybody that builds there own machine should have no issues using Linux, unless they're a gamer but as mentioned above this is starting to change.
Comparing a gaming rig to an iMac is pointless due to gamers requiring shorter upgrade intervals most specifically in relation to the GPU.
No Mac makes an optimal gaming rig at the moment.
And trust me - you wouldn't want any DELL display.
The iMac Display is so lala but way better then any DELL display I've seen.
Edit / Offtopic:
Because they are stupid. Windows 8 is way better then any Windows Version I have been using before. That goes for performance as well as creativity, animation and modern interface looks.
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LOL .. This thread is turning quickly from "Why AIO is not that cool" into "iMac spec is so goddamn awesome".
Nobody questioning how good or bad iMac spec really is. It's just another endless war, man. I thought the topic here is "why I wish iMac wasn't an AIO"
A lala land custom built PC doesn't have Thunderbolt (well, mostly) yet ..
Yeah, but iMac does not have USB 3.0 too. And also it has quite weak GPU by today's standard, while with PC you can get better deal with those parts. In the end it's all even out.
It wasn't fair comparison because iMac is not refreshed yet ..
Uh huh, but it's the "newest" thing Apple sells TODAY. So comparing it with the newest PC tech today ain't exactly wrong either.
Parts of this and that on PC are on sale, so it's not fair to compare with fully priced iMac ..
And what's wrong with that? Do you think Apple's 256GB SSD option on iMac is fair for $600 today? Do you think Apple 16GB RAM upgrade worth extra $600? Do you think 2TB HDD upgrade from Apple for iMac worth $100 today?
Oh right, you can buy some parts like RAM and install it quickly by yourself way cheaper than Apple extortion rates. Riiight, so you deal with on-sale parts with your Mac too, oh good to know .
Nobody questioning how good or bad iMac spec really is. It's just another endless war, man. I thought the topic here is "why I wish iMac wasn't an AIO"
A lala land custom built PC doesn't have Thunderbolt (well, mostly) yet ..
Yeah, but iMac does not have USB 3.0 too. And also it has quite weak GPU by today's standard, while with PC you can get better deal with those parts. In the end it's all even out.
It wasn't fair comparison because iMac is not refreshed yet ..
Uh huh, but it's the "newest" thing Apple sells TODAY. So comparing it with the newest PC tech today ain't exactly wrong either.
Parts of this and that on PC are on sale, so it's not fair to compare with fully priced iMac ..
And what's wrong with that? Do you think Apple's 256GB SSD option on iMac is fair for $600 today? Do you think Apple 16GB RAM upgrade worth extra $600? Do you think 2TB HDD upgrade from Apple for iMac worth $100 today?
Oh right, you can buy some parts like RAM and install it quickly by yourself
way cheaper than Apple extortion rates. Riiight, so you deal with on-sale parts with your Mac too, oh good to know .
My responses were intended to convey that the premise of this thread is nonsensical because it compares machines intended for different purposes via specs. Of course machines intended for different purposes would have incomparable specs.
Also, Apple's refresh interval is longer than some other manufacturers but the typical consumers for these products don't really care about this as shown by Apple's profitability.
The most significant benefit of a tower over an AIO is the ability to upgrade components. References were made to the GPU so the purpose is either professional or for gaming. Apple makes the Mac Pro for professionals that want upgradability of a tower. An iMac wounldn't be an iMac if it wasn't an AIO.
Whether or not Apple would be successful marketing an intermediate tower between the Mac Mini and Mac Pro is a better topic for this thread.
Would this machine make Apple more significant in the gaming space is another interesting topic.
Bashing a successful product that many users enjoy to achieve the above discussion isn't productive.
Also, Apple's refresh interval is longer than some other manufacturers but the typical consumers for these products don't really care about this as shown by Apple's profitability.
The most significant benefit of a tower over an AIO is the ability to upgrade components. References were made to the GPU so the purpose is either professional or for gaming. Apple makes the Mac Pro for professionals that want upgradability of a tower. An iMac wounldn't be an iMac if it wasn't an AIO.
Whether or not Apple would be successful marketing an intermediate tower between the Mac Mini and Mac Pro is a better topic for this thread.
Would this machine make Apple more significant in the gaming space is another interesting topic.
Bashing a successful product that many users enjoy to achieve the above discussion isn't productive.
Problem is, the majority of people buying an iMac is not buying it because it's an AIO. People buy iMacs today because it's been so great today and become the best and fastest Mac desktop people can get at reasonable price. Only a few customers enjoying iMac purely because it's an AIO. Oh the design, it's so awesome I wanna hug it?
Yes, iMac woudn't be an iMac if it's not an AIO. But turned out the form factor also has its own problems, drawbacks, and limitations. Given
sells that imaginary xMac, or at least a cheaper MacPro, I believe it would be the most popular Apple desktop today. Not necessarily would change the fact that notebooks sell more than desktops today, however it would be a better world for Apple desktop lines.
Yes, iMac woudn't be an iMac if it's not an AIO. But turned out the form factor also has its own problems, drawbacks, and limitations. Given
sells that imaginary xMac, or at least a cheaper MacPro, I believe it would be the most popular Apple desktop today. Not necessarily would change the fact that notebooks sell more than desktops today, however it would be a better world for Apple desktop lines.
Every iMac owner that I know bought an iMac because it was an AIO.
Everyone I know that requires upgradability and isn't able to justify a Mac Pro doesn't own a Mac.
I think the best solution would be for Apple to make the Mac Mini more user servicable/upgradable by increasing BTO options and possibly making the GPU upgradable like the RAM and HDD.
Everyone I know that requires upgradability and isn't able to justify a Mac Pro doesn't own a Mac.
I think the best solution would be for Apple to make the Mac Mini more user servicable/upgradable by increasing BTO options and possibly making the GPU upgradable like the RAM and HDD.
Yeah. And why do you think I end up with an iMac?
If I didn't think AIO was great, and it was an awesome computer, which is true to some point, why would I have ended up with it?
Which is also why I originally never questioned iMac spec. In fact, I mostly agree with you. It is a hard to beat machine as overall, especially back then in mid-2011 when it was fresh. The spec, the price point is just right (except for Apple SSD and RAM options )
But it turned out bring some problems that a real tower system wouldn't have. And some months or years later it's not uncommon that iMac owners would bend a little and say "Oh I wish my iMac could do that, but I'm not ready to shell out the whole machine" or "I wish I could just trade my graphic card".
In contrary with your friends, some of my coworkers own iMacs too, and many would jump the wagon instantly for a real tower solution like MacPro had they had the money. They just don't love AIO that much anymore after some time. But hell, it wasn't cheap, and it's a dying breed so far.
I believe moral of the story is, you just can't have 'em all, huh?
If I didn't think AIO was great, and it was an awesome computer, which is true to some point, why would I have ended up with it?
Which is also why I originally never questioned iMac spec. In fact, I mostly agree with you. It is a hard to beat machine as overall, especially back then in mid-2011 when it was fresh. The spec, the price point is just right (except for Apple SSD and RAM options
)But it turned out bring some problems that a real tower system wouldn't have. And some months or years later it's not uncommon that iMac owners would bend a little and say "Oh I wish my iMac could do that, but I'm not ready to shell out the whole machine" or "I wish I could just trade my graphic card".
In contrary with your friends, some of my coworkers own iMacs too, and many would jump the wagon instantly for a real tower solution like MacPro had they had the money. They just don't love AIO that much anymore after some time. But hell, it wasn't cheap, and it's a dying breed so far.
I believe moral of the story is, you just can't have 'em all, huh?
I bought an iMac because it was an AIO. I have to take my desktop to and from places, and an AIO it makes easier. Plus the design.
Well You are correct. For a lot of points.
As for quiet just depends on the gpu settings. I can run my gpu at 99% low temp(65c) with fans at 45%.
Why I just downclock the gpu. I have 5 settings for the gpu.
As an aside
I owned an iMac 27 inch great looks very nice gear. I had it 18-20 months. I got lucky when I sold it for 2 reasons
1) I had purchased apple care that meant it had 16-18 months left
2) It ran snow leopard natively I found a buyer with thousands of dollars worth of snow leopard only software.
I paid 1700 sold it for 1200. not a bad deal for me.
All this talk of mobile GPU on the iMac got me thinking. I was going to get the next updated iMac to use in Bootcamp mode for gaming. I think I'll just get one of those Microsoft Signature PCs with an updated desktop GPU instead. The price was about half than the iMac and it was using the latest hardware.
I have Mac games I like to play too but I guess I'll have to deal with the fan noise and use the Intel HD Graphics 4000 on my new Macbook Air for Mac gaming. It isn't perfect but it works.
It is obvious that Mac desktops will never be all they an be.
I have Mac games I like to play too but I guess I'll have to deal with the fan noise and use the Intel HD Graphics 4000 on my new Macbook Air for Mac gaming. It isn't perfect but it works.
It is obvious that Mac desktops will never be all they an be.
O rly? Says who?
Yes. If the market exhibited sufficient demand,
would build them. introduced the iMac to great derision - and to great demand.Face it: most people don't need a tower. They're not going to upgrade anything (short of peer pressure from geeks, then suffer a profusion of incompatibility issues). By the time most people do need a serious boost in GPU, CPU, memory, storage, etc. it makes more sense to just replace everything all at once for assurance it all works together well.
focuses on making a few "it just works" products for many millions of users. If you insist on a high-flexibility low-cost platform (which BTW is a compatibility/stability nightmare to most users), the world of cheap Windows-oriented PCs with an infinite variety of up/down/side-grades is at your fingertips at any price from dirt cheap to uber expensive ... funny, you don't seem interested in living in that world, and turn to ...
The assumption at the heart of your argument has no proof - just an assertion made by you. Who is this "majority" and how do you know that's why they buy an iMac? You keep saying this over and over, and making straw arguments (if a Mac Pro costs the same as an iMac yada yada yada). Anyone who refutes that or claims that they like the iMac because it is an AIO you cry "bull....". If someone doesn't agree with your perspective, you wave off their opinion. My 10 year old does that.
And as far as enjoying it "purely because it's an AIO....", I don't know if too many people decide to do ANYthing "purely" because of one reason or another. It's a compromise - you give up this to get that and in the end hopefully maximize your utility within the price you are willing to pay. Looks are important on my list, but if Dell or Lenova or ASUS or some other manufacturer had an AIO that looked better I'd probably still not buy it as the OS is important to me too. As is my history with the brand, their service, how it fits into my overall digital needs, etc...
I purchased my first iMac G3 in 1998 primarily because it WAS an AIO AND I wanted to give OS7/OS8 a shot. I got tired of towers, rectangular drab boxes, external CD drives, external monitor, the Windows way of doing things, etc. Having the entire machine all in place with a minimal desk footprint was very appealing to me, and 14 years later it still is. The design of my 2008 machine is still current and relevant, looks good in my home, and performs better than it did 4 years ago due to constant incremental upgrades (more RAM, swap out HDD for SSD, FW drives, drives connected to Time Capsule, etc.). I run Aperture, Photoshop CS5, Premiere Pro, etc. with no problems. I don't NEED a Mac Pro and I don't WANT a tower. Next year when I upgrade, it will again be to an AIO that runs OSX.