I need a new Mac now! But I don’t know whether IMac would be updated soon, I’m very struggling, wait or buy iMac 2017 now?
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Can I buy imac 2017 now?
- Thread starter IanGregory
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As early as September 2017, when the iMacs were just a few months old, people started advising to "wait until October, they might get a silent update".
In October 2017, after absolutely nothing happened, people started advising to "wait until March, they might update them in Early 2018".
In March 2018, after absolutely nothing happened, people started advising to "wait until June, they might update them in Mid 2018".
In June 2018, after absolutely nothing happened, people are starting to advise to "wait until October, they might update them later this year".
Do you see a pattern?
In October 2017, after absolutely nothing happened, people started advising to "wait until March, they might update them in Early 2018".
In March 2018, after absolutely nothing happened, people started advising to "wait until June, they might update them in Mid 2018".
In June 2018, after absolutely nothing happened, people are starting to advise to "wait until October, they might update them later this year".
Do you see a pattern?
If you need one now, buy it now and don't look back. Even assuming that there's an update in October, which I think is maybe 60/40 at best, it's unlikely to be a game changer. We might see a slightly more efficient CPU with 2 more cores and maybe a slightly better GPU. Or not. I seriously doubt that there will be any change that will make you deeply regret your purchase, unless you are working on the outer edge of the iMac's performance envelope. (And if you are, I suspect you would have already bought an iMac Pro.)
I agree completely with kschendel. I have been waiting for the Imac upgrade or better yet the Modular Mac Pro. The rumor forums have been predicting this week we were gonig to get news or even an updated Imac or macbook. Nothing came and all the waiting is kind of dumb on my part. You either need it or you don’t. One of my clients is still using Imacs from 2010 and I have to say for day to day illustrator and photoshop I see no issues. I suspect if I brought in a new Imac Pro they would want one but all the speed has no affect on time spent in meetings and emailing clients.
If you have an old Imac or classic mac pro. Get the new 2017 5k and use it while you can. Then don’t look at these forums again for 5 years they will still be talking about the new one thats just over the next bump.
A simple rule of thumb, if you need it, then get it.
It is not like the 2017 model will be obsolete as soon as the next iMac comes out.
BTW, I see some variation of this question asked a few times a week, this link is from a recent thread with all sorts of good information related to when the iMac will be refreshed/redesigned. It was from a thread asking if people thought the new iMac would be announced at the WWDC.
I seriously doubt that anyone on this forum knows when they will be out, and if they do know, I doubt they would post it here.
As mentioned in the link I posted above, I think that Apple might not refresh the iMac until 2019.
The link above goes in depth to the reasoning, but here are the highlights:
1. It could cannibalize iMac Pro sales
2. There is not a suitable GPU for a new iMac except ones that might cannibalize the Mac Pro, maybe Apple could use new CPUs but old GPUs, but I don't think so
3. There basically been no rumors of a refresh, except one that state that there "might" be new iMacs before the end of 2018
4. The iMac is overdo for a redesign. A redesign would probably fix the current cooling issues of the 2017 i7 iMacs. Maybe adopting the cooling design and technologies of the iMac Pro would be suitable for a new iMac. But... This could potentially cannibalize iMac Pro sales, so I am thinking that it might be a while until this happens
I could be totally wrong, and there could be new iMacs tomorrow, but I wouldn't be surprised if Apple didn't refresh/redesign a new iMac until 2019,
Why do you think this?
I don't think that the next MacOS (10.15) won't be supported on the Late 2012 iMacs. With the iMacs, I think the first generation of a new design often has the longest runs of OS support.
Based off of history, there is a good chances of the Late 2012 models having MacOS 10.15, 10.16, and possibly 10.17 support.
I think 2012 and probably even 2013 models will be cutoff next year. There's absolutely no way they are going to be supported for a further three macOS releases beyond Majave. These models will soon be given vintage status.
I've been getting by on a Windows machine since my iMac 2011 gave up the ghost (CPU issue, I think). Was hoping to buy in June as I really don't like not having a Mac as my home day to day machine. But I also hate buying older Macs. I like to buy them "fresh" a month or two after release of a new model.
Is this just a gut feeling? What is your reasoning?
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I just did some quick research on this....
Here is the years of new OS support for the last 10 years of 1st get iMacs:
Mid-2007 Aluminum iMac - 2007 to 2015 with El Capitan
8 years of new OS X versions
Late 2009 Unibody iMac - 2009 to 2017 with High Sierra
8 years of OS X versions
Late 2012 Thin Unibody iMac - 2012 to ? Confirmed to be support to at least Mojave.
So far, 6 years of new versions
Of course things can change, and Mojave might be the last OS for the Late 2012 iMac, but recent history has shown that new OS support for the iMacs is actually really, really good.
Now, if you talk about older Macs, or other Macs like my Mac Pro 1,1 released in 2006, then Apple stopped new OS support in 2011, even though the hard ware is perfectly capable of running up to 10.11 in 2015. That is some crappy OS support.
Very, very few people were expecting a silent Sept/Oct 2017 update.
A few did predict spring 2018 but most of us thought that was too early. Most people were predicting a summer/WWDC 2018 update (myself included), and if not summer/WWDC 2018, then fall 2018.
I had to buy by summer 2017, so I bought then. However, if I were buying in 2018 and I could wait, I would most definitely wait.
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LOL
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Yep！very pertinent suggestion.
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Dude, your analysis is professional
Have you ever bought one? Can you get the full apple care with it that lasts 3 years?
Really agree. Yeah we’ll get new iMacs in October but until then - and with the intel processors that’ll go in them out in the market - get a saving on 2017s computer via Apple refurbished.
I have purchased many Apple refurbished products, you would never be able to tell they are refurbished out of the box.
And yes, you can get Apple Care with Apple's refurbished products.
awesome thanks. Every once in a while I see a build I'd like but they go fast.
What I want new is going to cost $3,450. I've seen the same refurbished for about $2,400-$2,500
Oh, for goodness sake it's really simple: if you need a new Mac now, buy one now. Yes new iMacs might come with six-core processors in October, but if you keep listening to other people about waiting – you'll be waiting forever. If new iMacs come in October, will your 2017 iMac suddenly stop working? The peformance difference won't be night and day.
I can't say I've always had a good experience with refurbished Macs from Apple: my 2015 iMac had image retention issues with the display and was a refurbished item direct from Apple. After the panel was replaced, the issue manifested again within four months, so it eventually needed replacing with a 2017 iMac. Don't want to put you off refurbished products but I just want to balance the feedback other people are expressing about refurbished Macs from Apple, and I don't know what Apple would do outside the EU in these circumstances. In the UK, retailers are usually required to replace goods after the first failed repair for goods purchased after October 2015, so I don't mind taking the increased risk of buying refurbished goods because I know Apple won't have a choice if something keeps goes wrong. And as others have pointed out, you do get a refurbished item that usually looks brand new for 15% - 20% off.
I can't say I've always had a good experience with refurbished Macs from Apple: my 2015 iMac had image retention issues with the display and was a refurbished item direct from Apple. After the panel was replaced, the issue manifested again within four months, so it eventually needed replacing with a 2017 iMac. Don't want to put you off refurbished products but I just want to balance the feedback other people are expressing about refurbished Macs from Apple, and I don't know what Apple would do outside the EU in these circumstances. In the UK, retailers are usually required to replace goods after the first failed repair for goods purchased after October 2015, so I don't mind taking the increased risk of buying refurbished goods because I know Apple won't have a choice if something keeps goes wrong. And as others have pointed out, you do get a refurbished item that usually looks brand new for 15% - 20% off.
There is always going to be a better product in the future.
Nobody knows what's going to happen with Apple. Maybe the 6 core CPU will be introduced this year, maybe not.
If you wait until October and Apple doesn't refresh the iMac what then? Will you be able to wait another 6 to 12 months?
Nobody knows what's going to happen with Apple. Maybe the 6 core CPU will be introduced this year, maybe not.
If you wait until October and Apple doesn't refresh the iMac what then? Will you be able to wait another 6 to 12 months?
The longest ever period between releases was 601 days. That would put it in Jan. 2019.
The average is 371 days, which would be tomorrow.
I'd say by October is a pretty sure bet at 514 days. If it were me, I sure as hell would wait, unless I absolutely had to buy.
If there likely to be any "rumours" if there was an iMac refresh between now and October?
Naturally, it would seem more likely if there is a redesign, but I suppose with a spec bump it would just "happen" one day (with changes noticable on the Apple Store / press release).
Naturally, it would seem more likely if there is a redesign, but I suppose with a spec bump it would just "happen" one day (with changes noticable on the Apple Store / press release).
The longest ever period between releases was 601 days. That would put it in Jan. 2019.
The average is 371 days, which would be tomorrow.
I'd say by October is a pretty sure bet at 514 days. If it were me, I sure as hell would wait, unless I absolutely had to buy.
I like the analysis, but I do think that the release of the iMac Pro may put a crimp into that timing, as it has GOT to be a factor as Apple decides what a new high end regular iMac will be.