Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Buying reduced 2020 27" iMac when larger ARM iMac launches?

A

andydckent

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 2, 2009
59
4
Edinburgh, Scotland
I currently have a top spec 2017 iMac 27" and while this computer performs well it's a few years old and I am considering when to sell it and upgrade. I enjoy using Mac OS and the physical form of the iMac suits me but I do play a lot of games, including using bootcamp every so often where games are not available on Mac OS.

I am considering whether it might be worth waiting until the rumoured larger ARM iMac is released or announced and at that point picking up a 2020 model 27" iMac (possibly at a discount) to do me for the next few years until it's clear what the situation will be with Windows ARM, Windows gaming on ARM, emulation, gaming on ARM macs etc.

Just wondering if anyone else was considering doing the same or if you have views (I am sure you do) on whether this is a good plan or not?

Thanks

Andy
 
I believe that if your current setup is working for you, why change.

If on the other hand it's slow, runs hot, fans spinning and apps don't open quickly, then it's a good time to switch.

Currently there is a chip shortage and Apple is having production issues as a result.
Waiting for a 2020 discounted 27" may not happen due to the shortages.

You may want to wait for the M1x iMac when the 27" gets replaced with a larger rumored screen.
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/28/chip-shortages-for-ipads-and-macs-may-cool-apples-hot-streak.html
 
  • Like
Reactions: trip1ex
OP wrote:
"I enjoy using Mac OS and the physical form of the iMac suits me but I do play a lot of games, including using bootcamp every so often where games are not available on Mac OS."

Sounds like you would be better suited with an Intel-based Mac, rather than Apple Silicon.

Of course, with an m-series Mac you will lose bootcamp, certainly for the short-term and perhaps for good.

You may be able to live without this -- it's strictly YOUR decision.
But... take a good, long look "before you leap".

A closeout 2020 iMac might be the right choice.
Be sure to get it properly equipped.
 
Fishrrman said:
OP wrote:
"I enjoy using Mac OS and the physical form of the iMac suits me but I do play a lot of games, including using bootcamp every so often where games are not available on Mac OS."

Sounds like you would be better suited with an Intel-based Mac, rather than Apple Silicon.

Of course, with an m-series Mac you will lose bootcamp, certainly for the short-term and perhaps for good.

You may be able to live without this -- it's strictly YOUR decision.
But... take a good, long look "before you leap".

A closeout 2020 iMac might be the right choice.
Be sure to get it properly equipped.
Click to expand...
The other option is to use Geforce Now or google stadia. If you use ethernet instead of wifi, it's much like playing normally. For single player games - I have not tried it on multiplayer.
 
trip1ex said:
I'd recommend a Windows pc for gaming once supply-demand returns to normal.

I wouldn't bother upgrading to a 2020 iMac from a 2017 for games.
Click to expand...
Agree @trip1ex
That's what I did because my 2019 iMac ordered with a top level video card would not run MS Flight Simulator on Bootcamp at a decent frame rate.

For my flight simulator, I use a modified Dell PC w/ 32GB RAM, RTX2080 video card, dual gaming monitors, flight control yoke, Airbus flight stick, Airbus thrust controls and rudder/pedals.

My son uses it for his online gaming and works phenomenal.

Macs I have are for other uses.
 
Originally I was committed to holding off on the next "big" Imac. But since I really would just like more screen, I am considering getting a 24", a TB2/3 adapter, and using my 2011 27" in target disk mode.

Does anyone have a sense of whether or not that would be a good idea?
 
Silmakhor said:
Originally I was committed to holding off on the next "big" Imac. But since I really would just like more screen, I am considering getting a 24", a TB2/3 adapter, and using my 2011 27" in target disk mode.

Does anyone have a sense of whether or not that would be a good idea?
Click to expand...
I don't think the 2011 iMac would work as target mode.
You need an older non TB iMac (2009-2010).
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I suspected the buy a gaming PC option might come up but I am not sure that I can justify buying two computers when one would do, plus I prefer to play on Mac as booting up windows always seems to take a decade (not literally but much slower than running Mac OS).

I suppose if I did go down that route I could get a mini mac and buy one screen to use with both pc and mac to save a bit of money and space.

This is a bit of a hypothetical as the rumoured larger M1/2 iMac is not released yet and my current set up is working well, but the moment will come that I'll have to make some sort of choice as to whether to stick to a newer intel mac or move to M1/2 and potentially buy a PC too (horror o_O ). I guess there will be more information available by then anyway.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back