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Can't make up my mind (iMac 21.5 inch or 27 inch?))

Which iMac should i buy?

  • iMac 21.5 Inch (core i7, 16gb ram, 512GB SSD)

    Votes: 3 15.0%

  • iMac 27 Inch (core i5, 8gb ram, 512GB SSD)

    Votes: 17 85.0%
  • Total voters
    20
Thebeat07

Thebeat07

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 27, 2015
175
101
I can't make up my mind, its been 3 weeks and still undecided on which iMac to buy (no iMac pro). I am deciding between the iMac 21.5 inch vs iMac 27 inch. I was going to go for build to order. Is i5 compare to i7 a huge difference? What should I save on?

iMac 21.5 Inch: I will upgrade to core i7 processor, 16gb ram, 512 SSD
iMac 27 Inch: I will only upgrade to 512 SSD and upgrade the ram at a later time.

Both come out to be the same price. I am a Graphic and Web Designer. Which would you rather have?
 
For several years I worked with a dual screen system (PC) and really enjoyed having the dual screen setup. After retiring I got a MBP and loved it (Had used Apple in the past but due to work requirements had been using PC products). I got a 27" iMac about a year ago and absolutely love it. It provides plenty of work space and I often have three programs on the screen at once. It is actually easier for me than the old dual screen set up was.
 
I vote for the 27". I run AI, PS simultaneously (with multiple large files open in each) on my 2017 27" iMac 2tb with 8gigs of ram with zero issues. It's quite snappy. I don't know if you'll see a noticeable difference with a i7. If you can afford the 27" get it.
 
Get the 27"! The screen is stunning and your graphic and web design work will benefit from the increased screen real estate. And the SSD is essential. Upgrading with third-party RAM takes 5 minutes and you can do that when you choose.
 
Thanks Volusia, i was wondering how the 27” compared to the dual screens

Volusia said:
For several years I worked with a dual screen system (PC) and really enjoyed having the dual screen setup. After retiring I got a MBP and loved it (Had used Apple in the past but due to work requirements had been using PC products). I got a 27" iMac about a year ago and absolutely love it. It provides plenty of work space and I often have three programs on the screen at once. It is actually easier for me than the old dual screen set up was.
Click to expand...
hanks
[doublepost=1529770883][/doublepost]Thank you all! The 27” it is!!
 
The 27”. Your usage is not cpu bound and probably doesn’t benefit from the hyperthreading of the i7. The expandable memory of the 27 is a big advantage.
 
I have a 21.5 in iMac, and wish I could have gotten a 27 inch. Would make ram upgrades way easier...
 
tubeexperience said:
It takes a little over an hour to replace the memory in the 21.5 inch iMac.
Click to expand...

The memory modules in the latest 4K 21.5" iMac are replaceable according to ifixit but the machine still must be opened up in order to do it. You make it sound like it's an easy task - maybe for you, but difficult for most folks.
 
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27". You might say "I wish I'd bought a 27" but you're unlikely to say "I wish I'd bought a 21.5."
 
Get the 27". You will NEVER regret having bought the larger screen once you have it.

Get 8gb of RAM. Easy to add it later with the 27".

Get the SSD (512 or 256). IGNORE the advice about opening the iMac to install an SSD yourself. You will VOID YOUR WARRANTY by doing this.

Suggestion: pay $200 more for the 3.5ghz "midrange" model. It has a better CPU (7600 v 7500 in entry-level) and better graphics.
 
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chscag said:
The memory modules in the latest 4K 21.5" iMac are replaceable according to ifixit but the machine still must be opened up in order to do it. You make it sound like it's an easy task - maybe for you, but difficult for most folks.
Click to expand...

You are right that it's easy for me.

It would say that it's of moderate difficulty if you haven't done it before.

It took me a little over two hours my first time.
 
Fishrrman said:
IGNORE the advice about opening the iMac to install an SSD yourself. You will VOID YOUR WARRANTY by doing this.
Click to expand...

No, this does not void the warranty.

From the FTC:

The letters warn that FTC staff has concerns about the companies’ statements that consumers must use specified parts or service providers to keep their warranties intact. Unless warrantors provide the parts or services for free or receive a waiver from the FTC, such statements generally are prohibited by the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a law that governs consumer product warranties. Similarly, such statements may be deceptive under the FTC Act.

Each company used different language, but here are examples of questionable provisions:

  • The use of [company name] parts is required to keep your . . . manufacturer’s warranties and any extended warranties intact.
  • This warranty shall not apply if this product . . . is used with products not sold or licensed by [company name].
  • This warranty does not apply if this product . . . has had the warranty seal on the [product] altered, defaced, or removed.
“Provisions that tie warranty coverage to the use of particular products or services harm both consumers who pay more for them as well as the small businesses who offer competing products and services,” said Thomas B. Pahl, Acting Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Click to expand...

From MacSales/OWC:

Unfortunately though, there exists a misconception among some users and even technicians that opening the machine voids the warranty.

We address this topic directly with customers via our support portals and are happy to inform you here of the same fact: upgrading your Mac does not void its warranty.

This consumer protection is owed to the little known Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975. Put simply, the act states that a company can’t require you to upgrade with only its own branded parts to retain the warranty. This important act protects your rights as a consumer and allows you to install upgrades with peace of mind confidence.

However, the warranty doesn’t cover any damage incurred while installing upgrades.
Click to expand...
 
I believe what member "Fishrrman" was alluding to is that if you open your iMac and cause damage in the process, the warranty will be voided. Again, what might be a simple process for someone who is savvy and has done the procedure many times can be a "pit of vipers" for others. I have read thru many threads where the user damaged a connector or the display itself when opening up an iMac.

I even read a thread in another Mac Forum where the user closed his iMac after installing a SSD only to have the display fall off. He stated that the tape he received from OWC did not hold the display in place as it was supposed to.
 
What I was "alluding" to is that if a user buys one of the post-2012 "Taped together" iMacs, then opens it for any reason, if that user later takes it to Apple for "service", they will in all likelihood refuse to honor the warranty because the user opened it and there were "no user serviceable" parts inside, thus voiding the warranty.

Apple will repair it, of course.
But... the owner will PAY for such services.

That is why tubeexperience continues to give BAD ADVICE, particularly to people who might not have the ability to work inside their iMacs.
Further than that, I think the legality of his advice, insofar as the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is concerned, is wrong.

I'd like to hear from actual owners who:
1. Opened a post-2012 iMac
2. Later took it to Apple for service
3. Whether or not Apple honored the warranty.
Let's hear from you!
 
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Fishrrman said:
What I was "alluding" to is that if a user buys one of the post-2012 "Taped together" iMacs, then opens it for any reason, if that user later takes it to Apple for "service", they will in all likelihood refuse to honor the warranty because the user opened it and there were "no user serviceable" parts inside, thus voiding the warranty.

Apple will repair it, of course.
But... the owner will PAY for such services.

That is why tubeexperience continues to give BAD ADVICE, particularly to people who might not have the ability to work inside their iMacs.
Further than that, I think the legality of his advice, insofar as the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is concerned, is wrong.

I'd like to hear from actual owners who:
1. Opened a post-2012 iMac
2. Later took it to Apple for service
3. Whether or not Apple honored the warranty.
Let's hear from you!
Click to expand...

Wrong.

For the most part, the repairs went without any issue, but there were a few noticeable incidents.

___________________________________________________________________________

We sent the iMac in for repair and it came back repaired, but without the SSD.

It was our mistake because Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act allows the manufacturers to replace aftermarket parts with OEM parts.

After this incident, we decided to remove the SSD before sending in the iMac for repair.

___________________________________________________________________________

Another time, Apple cracked the display and said that the display was already cracked from a previous upgrade. Thanks to due diligence, we had taken photos before the repair to prove otherwise.
 
Last edited:
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