Buy New 2020 iMac or wait for redesign and AS?

[BasilFawlty]

I currently have a mid-2011 27" iMac and was almost ready to pull the trigger on the 2019 model (9th Sen i9 processor) when they came out with this latest refresh (10th Gen i9). I know there is likely a redesign with a new non-intel chip in the future, but I've decided to get this latest refresh. The design of the current 2020 27" is very similar to what I have now and I'm quite happy with it. (The only difference really is that my 2011 has the DVD drive in the side).

 

[melltuga]

I'm thinking of getting the new iMac 27" as my first-ever Apple product (aside from an iPhone I got at the end of last year). Can anybody tell me what the switch to ARM means in terms of support for next years?
I know Apple said they are going to support the Intel - Macs for years to come, but, looking at the history of Apple products, can this considered to be true?
I feel like Apple has always been a company to drop support pretty quickly for hardware they felt is outdated.

It's just that I don't want to spend 2000$/€ on a piece of hardware that won't get any support in five years.

If the iMac lives longer then, let's say, six to eight years, I'd have no problem installing a Linux-Distro on it (although I'm not even sure that's possible), but I'd still like to get (security-)updates for the coming 5 - 10 years.

 

[jazzer15]

I’ve switched many a Mac to SSD from HDD and never once opened them up. All MAC”s can boot externally, buy an external SSD from Amazon, you can spend a few dollars for a cheap one or a couple of hundred for a faster branded one.

The speed increase you’ll get from an external SSD will make your wife think you’ve bought her a new 2020 model. Trust me.

The late 2009s are still on USB 2.0 and Firewire. Will hooking up an SSD externally to boot from really make that much of a difference?

 

[Arctic Moose]

I know Apple said they are going to support the Intel - Macs for years to come, but, looking at the history of Apple products, can this considered to be true?

I’d say so, yes. OS support is typically dropped after about seven years, architecture change or not.

If the iMac lives longer then, let's say, six to eight years, I'd have no problem installing a Linux-Distro on it (although I'm not even sure that's possible), but I'd still like to get (security-)updates for the coming 5 - 10 years.

Any popular Linux distro will run fine on it for years and years after macOS support is dropped.

 

[jazzer15]

So it seems it may come down to an interpretation of what Tim Cook means by supporting intel Macs "for years to come." My wife still has a functional 10 year old machine, but in a few months the OS will no longer be supported. I have no issue giving my 2015 to my wife and buying a 2020 and then waiting a few years or so to see how the AS Macs and related software plays out, but if I am going to be forced to replace both machines at the same time in another 4 or 5 years because Apple stops supporting intel, I wouldn't be thrilled.

Unfortunately, there is no way to know for sure. You take your chances I suppose.

 

[wavesm]

I’ve been very close to buy latest iMac but after reading about PowerPC to Intel transition I decided to wait.

PowerPC only got one MacOS update after Intel was released so in less that one year was “obsolete”

I appreciate iMac Intel can still run Windows or Linux but for this I would by an AMD PC for a fraction.

I will wait to see first AS released. If performance is really a step forward I could compromise (e.g. a laptop with external Monitor) for having a future supported architecture.

If their performance is really underwhelming I will the get last Intel Mac.

 

[CheesePuff]

I’ve been very close to buy latest iMac but after reading about PowerPC to Intel transition I decided to wait.

PowerPC only got one MacOS update after Intel was released so in less that one year was “obsolete”

I appreciate iMac Intel can still run Windows or Intel but for this I would by an AMD PC for a fraction.

I will wait to see first AS released. If performance is really a step forward I could compromise (e.g. a laptop with external Monitor) for having a future supported architecture.

If their performance is really underwhelming I will the get last Intel Mac.

It's going to be quite interesting to see what happens to the value of used latest generation Intel Macs once their entire lineup is switched over to Apple Silicon. While it will keep the demand up for those who need to run Windows or x86 software, it will go down for all other uses.

 

[wavesm]

It's going to be quite interesting to see what happens to the value of used latest generation Intel Macs once their entire lineup is switched over to Apple Silicon. While it will keep the demand up for those who need to run Windows or x86 software, it will go down for all other uses.

Agree, specially as design is also to be refreshed. If it was a 32inches redesigned then I would take the plunge but as is I see not much value for the current uncertainty.

 

[Fernandez21]

No problem. I just thought I’d suggest it as it may give your wife’s iMac a couple of years additional use at which point you can safely upgrade to a rev B Apple Silicon iMac.

To be honest unless you:

• Are running a business from your iMac
• Require Bootcamp
• Have important software that needs to run at native speed and may not be transitioned to run natively on Apple Silicon for a while
• Like Intel/the architecture/want to own one of the last ever Intel Macs

Then I would avoid buying a new Intel iMac now. As far as Apple Macs are concerned it’s effectively an end of life architecture. It’s impossible to say how long it would continue to receive software updates and the newest OS as things have changed a lot since 2005, but as an example, PPC Macs sold as late as 2006 could not run Snow Leopard released in 2009. They did continue to receive Leopard security updates until 2011.

It may be completely different this time and I may be spreading unnecessary fear, for which I apologise in advance, but a 27” iMac is a lot of money to spend. And based on the fact that your wife still uses her 2009 iMac and you have a 2015, I’d imagine you’d want at least 5 or 6 years from any purchase you make.

One other consideration is that High Sierra will officially reach its end of life status later this year. This means it won’t receive further security updates. This may be a problem for you, it may not, but it’s good to be aware of it.

While MacOS software updates may be end of life, you could always repurpose it as a Windows PC to keep receiving updates and features even when Apple stops supporting it.

 

[CheesePuff]

Agree, specially as design is also to be refreshed. If it was a 32inches redesigned then I would take the plunge but as is I see not much value for the current uncertainty.

I ended up pulling the trigger on the top tier model today, replacing a Late-2015 base model with a Fusion Drive. Should be a pretty substantial upgrade all around, including the screen since mine has started having the pink fading issue all around the edges.

 

[sage73]

I ended up pulling the trigger on the top tier model today, replacing a Late-2015 base model with a Fusion Drive. Should be a pretty substantial upgrade all around, including the screen since mine has started having the pink fading issue all around the edges.

Thanks so much for mentioning pink fading issues, now i noticed my late 2015 has the same thing. lol !

 

[jazzer15]

While MacOS software updates may be end of life, you could always repurpose it as a Windows PC to keep receiving updates and features even when Apple stops supporting it.

Good point. And for her purposes she may not care if she is running WIndows or Mac OS.

 

[wavesm]

Good point. And for her purposes she may not care if she is running WIndows or Mac OS.

Not sure your wife but mine hates when I switch between OS; Women want things simple and predictable which MacOS does. And they also appreciate design.

I assume most wifes trust their husbands for tech advice. She may get upset if after one year her computer is outdated and needs to switch OS, after having spent thousands.

 

[Fishrrman]

The question:
"Buy New 2020 iMac or wait for redesign and AS?"

The answer depends on the user's needs.

Some folks want to maintain "compatibility with the past" and keep using their older software. I belong to this group.

There are others who just have-to-have "the latest and greatest" -- many of those types in evidence right here at MacRumors. If they don't get an ARM Mac within a month or two of the initial release, they'll fret and worry that they're being "left behind".

The 2020 iMac will represent the epitome of the aluminum Intel design, with a fast-running SSD inside. They should prove to be useful for many years to come, particularly since they'll still run "version 10" of the Mac OS, that still "looks like" the Mac OS -- instead of the blend of iOS/MacOS that's coming very soon. Again, I prefer "the traditional look", and will stay with it as long as I can.

 

[wave84]

All my reasoning is telling: "wait"!

Apple will certainly want to rock the boat with the new Macs. But comparing them to the classical Macs is going to be complicated. My opinion is that performance is a red herring. It will be hard to compare performance directly, for a number of reasons:

- no more windows / boot camp, no more windows gaming
- different architecture, different optimisations in software, assuming you even get the same software
- Apple is probably going to hardware accelerate various tasks in the silicon. So for example video encoding or machine learning related stuff might be spectacular, while general computing not so much.

So in the end I suspect Apple are going to focus on the product design overall and its new features. We might expect any of the following:

- Face ID
- incredibly thin, light and bezeless design, iPad Pro-ish
- passive cooling (which would be kinda awesome for a desktop computer)
- Pro Motion display
- Mini LED display
- wireless charger in the stand
etc.

As you can see, performance can become secondary, as long as it's "good enough", assuming you get some of the above features. If a new iMac comes with all of the above, I might forgo Windows and all my legacy software and just go all in on the new stuff. What's 2 months in the grand scheme of the universe?

 

[jazzer15]

The question:
"Buy New 2020 iMac or wait for redesign and AS?"

The answer depends on the user's needs.

Some folks want to maintain "compatibility with the past" and keep using their older software. I belong to this group.

There are others who just have-to-have "the latest and greatest" -- many of those types in evidence right here at MacRumors. If they don't get an ARM Mac within a month or two of the initial release, they'll fret and worry that they're being "left behind".

The 2020 iMac will represent the epitome of the aluminum Intel design, with a fast-running SSD inside. They should prove to be useful for many years to come, particularly since they'll still run "version 10" of the Mac OS, that still "looks like" the Mac OS -- instead of the blend of iOS/MacOS that's coming very soon. Again, I prefer "the traditional look", and will stay with it as long as I can.

I have to admit, I probably fall more within your camp. I like the idea of the new design/smaller bezels and such, but I also have no doubt based on history that as soon as the new design is released the inevitable posts about this issue or that defect will start. And the current Macs are more than sufficient for my purposes. And I don't particularly see a need for a new OS look, but I'll adapt. My only concern is that Apple may decide that supporting intel-based Macs for "years to come" might be fewer years than I would like, but I can't predict the future.

 

[satchmo]

I have to admit, I probably fall more within your camp. I like the idea of the new design/smaller bezels and such, but I also have no doubt based on history that as soon as the new design is released the inevitable posts about this issue or that defect will start. And the current Macs are more than sufficient for my purposes. And I don't particularly see a need for a new OS look, but I'll adapt. My only concern is that Apple may decide that supporting intel-based Macs for "years to come" might fewer years than I would like, but I can't predict the future.

Don't forget to include third party developers as well.

 

[jazzer15]

Not sure if I should do a separate post for this, but I'll try here first.

If I do buy a 2020 iMac, how would the mid Tier i5 compare to my current late 2015 i7? Do I need to go to the Top Tier i7 to see significant performance gains? I'm using the computer for Logic (nothing too heavy), Lightroom and other photo editing (as a hobbyist) and reasonably light video editing, among other typical stuff (web, etc.)

 

[CheesePuff]

Not sure if I should do a separate post for this, but I'll try here first.

If I do buy a 2020 iMac, how would the mid Tier i5 compare to my current late 2015 i7? Do I need to go to the Top Tier i7 to see significant performance gains? I'm using the computer for Logic (nothing too heavy), Lightroom and other photo editing (as a hobbyist) and reasonably light video editing, among other typical stuff (web, etc.)

The i7 in the 2015 is quad-core with Hyper Threading, which yielded GeekBench 5 scores of: 1039 / 4218

The 2020 mid-tier i5 is 6-core with Hyper Threading, yielding GeekBench 5 scores of: 1149 / 5856

While the improvements will not be substantial, it will perform all tasks faster than the 2015 i7. You will see larger improvements on the GPU and storage side.

 

[jazzer15]

The i7 in the 2015 is quad-core with Hyper Threading, which yielded GeekBench 5 scores of: 1039 / 4218

The 2020 mid-tier i5 is 6-core with Hyper Threading, yielding GeekBench 5 scores of: 1149 / 5856

While the improvements will not be substantial, it will perform all tasks faster than the 2015 i7. You will see larger improvements on the GPU and storage side.

Thank you. The 2015 also has a 512GB SSD and upgraded 4GB GPU, so probably not a huge difference there either.

 

[CheesePuff]

Thank you. The 2015 also has a 512GB SSD and upgraded 4GB GPU, so probably not a huge difference there either.

The read/write of the SSD will be slightly improved, and the 2020 model uses the latest 7nm AMD GPU's which do perform much better than the Radeon 500 series it replaced, which was already a decent improvement of the Radeon R9 series in the 2015. But if you're not doing anything that utilizes the GPU, then not much of a benefit.

 

[jazzer15]

The read/write of the SSD will be slightly improved, and the 2020 model uses the latest 7nm AMD GPU's which do perform much better than the Radeon 500 series it replaced, which was already a decent improvement of the Radeon R9 series in the 2015. But if you're not doing anything that utilizes the GPU, then not much of a benefit.

Thanks again. I would benefit from a better GPU doing some of the video and photo things, but it's not a professional need. Typically I would just spend the extra money and go for the top tier (and I still might if I bite the bullet and make the purchase) because I keep my computers a long time, but given the pending change to AS and the possibility of upgrading again sooner than I might typically do so, I was thinking it might make sense to save the $$. Still, I feel like the Top Tier is a pretty good value (as Apple products go).

 

[ravinder08]

I’ve switched many a Mac to SSD from HDD and never once opened them up. All MAC”s can boot externally, buy an external SSD from Amazon, you can spend a few dollars for a cheap one or a couple of hundred for a faster branded one.

The speed increase you’ll get from an external SSD will make your wife think you’ve bought her a new 2020 model. Trust me.

Do you have any links or instructions on how to do this please?

 

[The_Lord_of_Apple]

Do you have any links or instructions on how to do this please?

Goto System Preferences and access StartUp Disk then select which disk you want to boot from. Your external boot disk must be plugged in.

 

[TinaBelcher]

I gave up on waiting for the redesign and ordered the refreshed 27-inch. My last imac was a late ‘9 model that run its corse 3 years ago. my patience ran out after months of waiting for nothing. I wouldn’t be surprised if theres’s a redesign within next year, as Apple loves to release provoke costumers like that. Buy hey, its not like you’re gonna be the first to buy the new intel imac, right? Always get the 2. gen, and then just sell your current one. That’s my plan.