Anyone else going iMac instead of new MBP?

[satchmo]

I was so intent on picking up the new 2016 MBP.
But now that it's out, I'm not sure it's the right direction (for me).

It seems an iMac may be not only better performing, but a better value. Cheaper and certainly better video performance (especially the 27").
Sure, I would lose portability, but my current setup is an older 2010 MBP attached to a 24" LCD.

Now I'm just hoping March will bring a new iMac. And if not, just pick up the current one for a song.
Just wondering if there are others in the same boat.

 

[macmee]

I love my iMac to death but personally (and this is just my opinion so don't take it as gospel!) I would go for the 2016 MacBook over the iMac:

1. The MacBook just got refreshed, and the iMac is going to be refreshed very soon, so in general not the best month to buy into an iMac right now

2. Personally I like the portability of the MacBook and TB3 is very useful for me

3. I've had a lot, and I mean a lot, of problems with my iMac and image retention. I've had 3 replacements from Apple and the problem persists. It also turns out that more people have similar (but usually slightly less) retention with their iMacs too.

4. The SSD in the MacBook is wicked fast and beats the iMac. Since I don't game, I would benefit more from faster IO on the MB than I do with my GPU on the iMac

Now to play devils advocate for a minute I will tell you 2 reasons why I like the iMac, because this is the iMac forum and I don't want my fellow iMac friends to sneak into my house and murder me in my sleep:

1. Other than the image retention, the colors on the screen are in a league of their own and the screen is huge

2. In general, iMacs scream performance

 

[BlueTide]

Yeah, I'm at least waiting to see what the new iMac and/or Mac Pro (yeah, sure...) will be. I can do with my older MacBook Pro and if the desktops will be good, I might just switch portables to MacBook and/or iPad Pro.

 

[roadkill401]

I am not sure if anyone here reads some of the report rags on what intel is up to. The latest reports say that the next generation of Intel chips are about the same speed and performance as the past ones. There are really not adding anything to the table that was not there in the past.

What you will be getting is possibly the added support for TB3 into the mix. But I will bet with that Apple will be BOLD and remove all the other not needed ports such as your USB3 and TB2 ports and give you 3 or 4 of the newer USB-C ports. Think getting dongles and patch boxes to get everything that you currently have plugged into your computer to work. It will be a giant leap backwards for most to be able to say you are on the cutting edge like Apple wants you to be.

 

[Longboardcat]

I was so intent on picking up the new 2016 MBP.
But now that it's out, I'm not sure it's the right direction (for me).

[doublepost=1484526210][/doublepost]I agree the new MBP has reached a design stage where it no longer caters for the mass of Apple users, rather those that like to carry very thin cases or sleeves. The latest MBP has no DVD Drive, cannot upgrade the RAM, no USB ports, not sure if you can upgrade the SSD or not, so in 5 years we now just have the basic computer and screen all at nearly twice the price of the well equipped original. Being thin and light is okay as long as you don't have to carry around a satchel full of add ons, Its like buying a book with 3 pages when the previous ones had 6 pages. These are tools not pieces of art ... time for for Apple to stop catering for the whims of the fashion conscious they won't be around in the next 20 years they will have moved on to something else.

 

[CWallace]

I intend to stay iMac because I do not need portability (I have an iPad Pro 12.9 for that). And everything USB I connect uses a detachable cable so I'll just replace those with USB-C variants so no need for dongles for me.

 

[richinaus]

[doublepost=1484526210][/doublepost]I agree the new MBP has reached a design stage where it no longer caters for the mass of Apple users, rather those that like to carry very thin cases or sleeves. The latest MBP has no DVD Drive, cannot upgrade the RAM, no USB ports, not sure if you can upgrade the SSD or not, so in 5 years we now just have the basic computer and screen all at nearly twice the price of the well equipped original. Being thin and light is okay as long as you don't have to carry around a satchel full of add ons, Its like buying a book with 3 pages when the previous ones had 6 pages. These are tools not pieces of art ... time for for Apple to stop catering for the whims of the fashion conscious they won't be around in the next 20 years they will have moved on to something else.

haha what a load of crap........

1. it more than caters for most users. I am sat here right now doing 'pro' work on one and my workflow hasn't changed one bit.
2. DVD drive went ages ago - never missed it. seriously what do you need it for?
3. haven't been able to update ram in ages, and why do you need to? I have never had to in years.
4. it has 4 of the very latest USB ports which are working well for me and will do into the future.
5. why do you need to update the SSD ? buy right at the start.

I have no 'add ons' except for the usual charger.

These people who spout crap really need to get a life rather than spreading idiotic comments.

instead I am enjoying a fast, light and modern notebook. you can keep the clunky computers of old as far as I am concerned.

Funny thing is the iMac is already missing most of this list except RAM upgrades. It will be 'missing' the USB's the same as the MBP.

 

[rawweb]

I was so intent on picking up the new 2016 MBP.
But now that it's out, I'm not sure it's the right direction (for me).

It seems an iMac may be not only better performing, but a better value. Cheaper and certainly better video performance (especially the 27").
Sure, I would lose portability, but my current setup is an older 2010 MBP attached to a 24" LCD.

Now I'm just hoping March will bring a new iMac. And if not, just pick up the current one for a song.
Just wondering if there are others in the same boat.

So, I owned a max configuration 27" Late 2015 5k until yesterday. I sold it and picked up a late 2016 15" MacBook Pro. That iMac was the best desktop I ever owned, BTW. And I've owned them all. Why? Why did I do this? I lost my mind...somehow, I ended up a couple hundred bucks ahead!

My life is increasingly more mobile, and being constrained to my desk in my basement studio makes me feel like I'm at work. After all, that's what I do at the day job. It's kinda nice to lounge around with the MacBook Pro at home, and actually see my kids. That iMac though, it was a beast. I do miss having a 4GHz processor available, but I think I'll get along just fine.

If you're after raw power and sitting at a desk, the iMac is the ultimate desktop offering from Apple right now. However, I adore this new ability of being mobile and having the ability to dock to my ancient thunderbolt display and KRK studio monitors for when I need to do final mixing/mastering. I've been a desktop guy since the PowerMac G3, so this is a major transition for me. Sure, I've owned companion mac notebooks, but I never saw them as powerful enough to drive my needs. I reconfigured my desk to kind of look like the setup in the announcement keynote behind Schiller. So far, I'm digging it.

If you're after having a mobile workstation that gets the job done, just not as quickly, the 2016 15" MacBook Pro is a great option (albeit expensive). If you want a bit more processing power, the iMac is the choice.

IMO (shared by very few), a 2017 iMac refresh will not be a game changer. As we know, processor speed improvements have all but stagnated, GPU options will be limiting and ports are likely to start disappearing with a possible new even thinner design (one of these years they're bound to solder 27" ram) The Late 2015 already introduced an improved retina screen, faster SSD storage, 4gb mobile GPU and the ability to expand to 64GB of ram (unofficially). I can't see Apple taking "risks" and introducing higher core count CPU's and desktop class GPU's thanks to the thin thermal chassis. If you need an iMac, and like ports for your devices, why wait for the unknown?

 

[EnderBeta]

I love my iMac to death but personally (and this is just my opinion so don't take it as gospel!) I would go for the 2016 MacBook over the iMac:

1. The MacBook just got refreshed, and the iMac is going to be refreshed very soon, so in general not the best month to buy into an iMac right now

2. Personally I like the portability of the MacBook and TB3 is very useful for me

3. I've had a lot, and I mean a lot, of problems with my iMac and image retention. I've had 3 replacements from Apple and the problem persists. It also turns out that more people have similar (but usually slightly less) retention with their iMacs too.

4. The SSD in the MacBook is wicked fast and beats the iMac. Since I don't game, I would benefit more from faster IO on the MB than I do with my GPU on the iMac

Now to play devils advocate for a minute I will tell you 2 reasons why I like the iMac, because this is the iMac forum and I don't want my fellow iMac friends to sneak into my house and murder me in my sleep:

1. Other than the image retention, the colors on the screen are in a league of their own and the screen is huge

2. In general, iMacs scream performance

To play devils advocate in the interests of pros and cons.

1. Even if this person buys the iMac and the new one comes out the next day the maxed out iMac still out performs the current MacBook Pro maxed out.

2. The iMac 5K maxed out is less expensive now on Apple's website then it was when I purchased mine in March of 2016 so it is at least not a situation where the machine is full price.

3. My screen has been fine but to be honest the keyboard has been absolute junk. I have replaced mine once through Apple and I need to get it replaced again because the finish on the keys is coming off again and the connection keeps cutting out or shorting and sending a key press infinity until I cycle the power on the keyboard.

4. I'm not sure I need any faster speed then my iMac's 1TB SSD has. In terms of capacity it would be nice to see Apple offer the machine with the 2TB drive if it is the same connector.

 

[varian55zx]

I prefer iMac over MBP. It's the best looking desktop there is.

The performance is also better than MBP and the desktop experience is just so much better. There is nothing better than the screen on the 5K iMac

 

[satchmo]

So, I owned a max configuration 27" Late 2015 5k until yesterday. I sold it and picked up a late 2016 15" MacBook Pro. That iMac was the best desktop I ever owned, BTW. And I've owned them all. Why? Why did I do this? I lost my mind...somehow, I ended up a couple hundred bucks ahead!

My life is increasingly more mobile, and being constrained to my desk in my basement studio makes me feel like I'm at work. After all, that's what I do at the day job. It's kinda nice to lounge around with the MacBook Pro at home, and actually see my kids. That iMac though, it was a beast. I do miss having a 4GHz processor available, but I think I'll get along just fine.

If you're after raw power and sitting at a desk, the iMac is the ultimate desktop offering from Apple right now. However, I adore this new ability of being mobile and having the ability to dock to my ancient thunderbolt display and KRK studio monitors for when I need to do final mixing/mastering. I've been a desktop guy since the PowerMac G3, so this is a major transition for me. Sure, I've owned companion mac notebooks, but I never saw them as powerful enough to drive my needs. I reconfigured my desk to kind of look like the setup in the announcement keynote behind Schiller. So far, I'm digging it.

If you're after having a mobile workstation that gets the job done, just not as quickly, the 2016 15" MacBook Pro is a great option (albeit expensive). If you want a bit more processing power, the iMac is the choice.

IMO (shared by very few), a 2017 iMac refresh will not be a game changer. As we know, processor speed improvements have all but stagnated, GPU options will be limiting and ports are likely to start disappearing with a possible new even thinner design (one of these years they're bound to solder 27" ram) The Late 2015 already introduced an improved retina screen, faster SSD storage, 4gb mobile GPU and the ability to expand to 64GB of ram (unofficially). I can't see Apple taking "risks" and introducing higher core count CPU's and desktop class GPU's thanks to the thin thermal chassis. If you need an iMac, and like ports for your devices, why wait for the unknown?

I get where you're coming from. I did the same years back when I picked up a 2010 MBP to replace an aging iMac. Added the 24" display and loved (still love) the freedom of doing some work on the patio.

As I said, my intent was to continue to go the MBP route. However, now that I've seen some of the limitations of the 2016 MBP (13" nTB has only 2 USB-C and still no d-GPU), I thought to look at other options. Yes, the 15" model would be awesome, but it's not within my budget.

That said, my power needs are not super high. I don't even thinking quad-core/i7 or 4ghz is necessary. Most of my work is in web and print design, not video or audio. I could certainly pick up the current Mac today, but there's no immediate urgency and I'm sure they'll still be available the day after a new one is introduced (hopefully in March).

Plus, I want to keep my options open...who knows, Apple might surprise us with something jaw-dropping. Like a Mac mini with updated specs!

 

[richinaus]

I get where you're coming from. I did the same years back when I picked up a 2010 MBP to replace an aging iMac. Added the 24" display and loved (still love) the freedom of doing some work on the patio.

As I said, my intent was to continue to go the MBP route. However, now that I've seen some of the limitations of the 2016 MBP (13" nTB has only 2 USB-C and still no d-GPU), I thought to look at other options. Yes, the 15" model would be awesome, but it's not within my budget.

That said, my power needs are not super high. I don't even thinking quad-core/i7 or 4ghz is necessary. Most of my work is in web and print design, not video or audio. I could certainly pick up the current Mac today, but there's no immediate urgency and I'm sure they'll still be available the day after a new one is introduced (hopefully in March).

Plus, I want to keep my options open...who knows, Apple might surprise us with something jaw-dropping. Like a Mac mini with updated specs!

You had a look at the base model 13" with TB? I got this one for home use and is a very nice machine. Not sure what it is like in Canada, but here in Oz we can already get 10% off these machines through retailers.
I also got the maxed out 15" for work - it is smoother etc. but not massively so for general tasks. The difference is when I will push it for my 3d modelling / visualisation work.

Otherwise, yep hold out to March.

 

[maflynn]

I have mobility needs, but I find having a solid desktop computer and then something small and light (and less expensive) fits my needs nicely. I can't say what the future will hold for me, because my iMac is so new, but as of today, I'm enjoying my arrangement, i.e., prefer iMac over MBP

 

[klky]

My 27" iMac is a late 2013 model so it doesn't have the 5k screen which I've been lusting over since they came out. My screen's hinge finally gave out two weeks ago so now, I have a small box wedged behind the screen which is a quick no-cost fix that doesn't bother me too much.

I picked up one of the retina MacBooks in 2015 and love the combination with the iMac. For a moment, I was tempted by the new MBPs as I've grown tired of waiting for an iMac refresh but they are so grossly overpriced. At the end of the day, I know that an iMac/larger screen will be better suited for my photography work so I will continue to wait for a little while longer. If by March, there is still no word on a new iMac, I will either get a current 27" 5k iMac or take a serious look at the Surface Studio. I am as big an Apple fan as anyone in here, but I am also objective enough to see when others are creating innovative and intriguing products. Despite what Tim Cook says, it is evident that less and less love is being given to the desktop range of products and I'm quite worried for their future. Let's see.

 

[decafjava]

I just got a 5k iMac, on the other hand I was never really considering a laptop as I wanted/needed a replacement for my old desktop. I think however the cost/features ratio of the new Macbook pro even with some really interesting features (touchbar has a lot of potential) is not worth it for me.

 

[pdxplm]

I've got a 2010 Mac Pro 6 Core. The video card died (sparkling pixels and kernel panics). I was tempted to get either an air, mini, or a new MBP. I ended up getting a replacement video card for $150. I'm holding out until I see what the new imac's have in store for us. I really am disappointed in how Apple has let us down with buggy software and upgrades that aren't really upgrades!

I really wish we could go back to the upgradeable memory and drives...

 

[LethalOptical]

& here I was lurking around having the same dilemma as you guys. Glad to be able to read more discussions on this with you all. *watches thread*

 

[jharvey71884]

I've got a 2010 Mac Pro 6 Core. The video card died (sparkling pixels and kernel panics). I was tempted to get either an air, mini, or a new MBP. I ended up getting a replacement video card for $150. I'm holding out until I see what the new imac's have in store for us. I really am disappointed in how Apple has let us down with buggy software and upgrades that aren't really upgrades!

I really wish we could go back to the upgradeable memory and drives...

How is your 6-core working these days? Pawn shop has a cheap one I have considered.

 

[komiez]

Bam! Slammed an iMac 27" 5k 4.0GHz, m390, 8GB (will upgrade 3rd party ram ofc) etc.
Needed the screen plus the i7 4.0GHz for my music studio. And the most important: 100% self upgradeable RAM.
Cannot trust the new iMac line that's coming. We'll see. If it's better and I haven't opened it up and have warranty left, maybe I'll return it. We'll see.

 

[Trahearne]

Dropped my order of 15" rMBP in October.
Wanted to order 15" rMBP + LG 5K earlier this month, but decided to wait for the new 5K iMac instead. My 13" is still serving me well, and I do not need a powerhouse on the go. For the buck, I get a way more performant thing on my desk while saving quite a lot to spend on other things... like travelling. :-]

 

[pdxplm]

How is your 6-core working these days? Pawn shop has a cheap one I have considered.

It's a die hard machine...I love it and glad I spent the money to eek out a few more months of existence. I love the ability to throw in drives or memory if I want. I had to use a windows laptop while I waited on my card, funny how you get used to how noisy the Pro is. Careful with the Pawnshop ones, I've seen postings about Powersupply issues and such...

 

[IngerMan]

If price is no object then a high end 15" plus 5K monitor would be nice but it still is not as powerful as the mid to upper iMac, but probably serve most peoples needs. But the cost is a few grand more setup then a iMac. I do not think its a fair comparison between the 2 laptop vs desktop. It one or the other or in many cases Both as I have.

 

[cynics]

Two different products.

If you don't need portability it only makes sense to look into the iMac. At least in my opinion.

As much as I want a MBP the iMac suits my workload much better.