Core 2 Duo redundant in 3 years?

[superatombomb]

i'm considering getting the 21.5" iMac with the ATI graphics however i will need the imac to last at least 3 years. The most intensive thing i do is photoshop, illustrator, etc... and i won't be doing video editing or anything like that. Will the present core 2 duos be able to handle cs6 in three years or should i wait until i can get the quad core iMacs?

 

[thegoldenmackid]

While they likely will still be able to run it, the question is how well. Personally I'd wait if keeping it three years is a priority.

 

[ucfgrad93]

While they likely will still be able to run it, the question is how well. Personally I'd wait if keeping it three years is a priority.

Agreed. Wait until you can get one of the quad cores.

 

[Demosthenes X]

A Core2Duo will certainly last three years, You might want to replace it at that point, but that seems to be your intention anyway. By the time you're ready to upgrade to CS6, you'll probably be eying a new computer anyway, whether you buy C2D or i5/i7 right now...

That said, if you can afford to wait, the i7 machine is very, very quick, judging by the benchmarks...

 

[dukebound85]

all i can say is i hope my coreduo suffices for another 2-3 years lol

 

[Eidorian]

A 3.0 Ghz Core 2 Duo is already two years old in the processor arena.

 

[Badger^2]

pffft. it will work fine.

My 27 month C2D 2.4 iMac runs CS3 just fine -- and crunches big PS files no sweat -- 200 gig multi layer files + open, close, rotate, whatever

150 page color magazines in Quark 8

10,000 fonts in Suitcase

in another 6 months, it will be doing the same thing fine

one thing about graphic files -- an 8 X 10, 300 dpi photo today is the same size as it will be 6 months from now, and the same as 6 months ago. thats not gonna change. So if I can crunch that file not problem with my iMac now, nothing is going to change in the next 6 months that make that any different.

 

[rhinosrcool]

A 3.0 Ghz Core 2 Duo is already two years old in the processor arena.

So what?

 

[MacMini2009]

A 3.0 Ghz Core 2 Duo is already two years old in the processor arena.

Older means more experienced.

 

[Eidorian]

Older means more experienced.

Apple once again is late to the game and with a dead socket. Core i5 or bust and the lower end models should at least sport a Core 2 Quad. It's a shame really.

 

[superatombomb]

is it likely that apple will put a quad core in the 21" at the next refresh?

 

[Eidorian]

is it likely that apple will put a quad core in the 21" at the next refresh?

I expect the Core i5 750 to trickle down to the base 27" iMac from the $1,999 one.

I have no clue what Apple is going to do with the remaining LGA 775 Core 2 models. The might disappear entirely under H57 and Clarkdale or they might go Core 2 Quad 65W after all these years of waiting.

 

[MacMini2009]

I expect the Core i5 750 to trickle down to the base 27" iMac from the $1,999 one.

I have no clue what Apple is going to do with the remaining LGA 775 Core 2 models. The might disappear entirely under H57 and Clarkdale or they might go Core 2 Quad 65W after all these years of waiting.

Apple should of done this:

21.5" 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 9400M
21.5" 3.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo ATI 4670
27" 2.66GHz Intel Core i5 ATI 4670
27 " 2.8GHz Intel Core i7 ATI 4580

 

[Eidorian]

Apple should of done this:

21.5" 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 9400M
21.5" 3.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo ATI 4670
27" 2.66GHz Intel Core i5 ATI 4670
27 " 2.8GHz Intel Core i7 ATI 4580

The E8600 over the E7600 is only a significant improvement in price.

On launch I thought the base $1,699 27" iMac had the Core i5 750 but I was sad to learn the truth. I agree with you for the most part.

 

[Horus]

Dear Eidorian,

Would you help me to price a Windows-based Self-Build Computer, with same specs as the iMac i5/i7 ?
I'm asking this to you, because i think you're the one with the super "Leet" Hardware Lingo, and the only one who knows all those stupid Intel's codenames.

But, i have some restrictions:

It must be from scratch, mind you, i don't even have a case. it must has the same functionality as the iMac, (From a Monitor to a simple Webcam).

All the parts must be new, at full retail price.

The parts must be at least medium quality.

The Operating System must be Windows 7 Ultimate, Full Retail Version, I don't want the upgrade or the students version.

If you could post all the parts and their respective links here, it would be great.

Thanks.

 

[Eidorian]

I'm not sure if you're serious or not Horus. Otherwise I can just point you to a Dell XPS or Vostro Core i5 desktop, get the Dell display with the webcam that's on sale on Black Friday for peanuts, and don't skimp on the next business day on site warranty.

 

[Jpoon]

Dear Eidorian,

Would you help me to price a Windows-based Self-Build Computer, with same specs as the iMac i5/i7 ?
I'm asking this to you, because i think you're the one with the super "Leet" Hardware Lingo, and the only one who knows all those stupid Intel's codenames.

But, i have some restrictions:









If you could post all the parts and their respective links here, it would be great.

Thanks.

Thousands of people DO THIS every day. You're making yourself look like a fool D:...

Eidorian is making some valid points. You, however, have yet to contribute anything useful to the thread other than make an ignorant statement about how you can't pick out PC components in an intelligent manner.

 

[superatombomb]

yes, let's stick to the iMac please.

 

[miles01110]

The current iMacs will be able to run CS5, what's the problem with just using that for a while if CS6 comes out before your 3 years is up?

 

[Eidorian]

When has Adobe CS every really broken its support of older hardware? In my experience your current machine will run it but you'll have to make up for your hardware with patience.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

is it likely that apple will put a quad core in the 21" at the next refresh?

It'll be interesting, the heat problems are something that means that Arrandale will likely be the next option - whether that is in January/February with the MacBook Pro's or later on, it will obviously happen at some point.

 

[Horus]

Thousands of people DO THIS every day. You're making yourself look like a fool D:...

Eidorian is making some valid points. You, however, have yet to contribute anything useful to the thread other than make an ignorant statement about how you can't pick out PC components in an intelligent manner.

I'm contributing with something useful, since the OP wants to know if the iMac is going to last for 3 years, and I want to build a PC so i think i'm not going off topic.
I can choose the PC Components by myself, what i'm wondering is why Eidorian says that the i5 iMac should be 1699, when, in no way, i can price a cheaper PC solution similar to the iMac.

 

[Eidorian]

It'll be interesting, the heat problems are something that means that Arrandale will likely be the next option - whether that is in January/February with the MacBook Pro's or later on, it will obviously happen at some point.

Arrandale would be a step back with the gains Apple has made into the 65-95W processor arena.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

Arrandale would be a step back with the gains Apple has made into the 65-95W processor arena.

What do you mean? I thought that the reason they were able to go to desktop processors largely had to do with the size of the 27" allowing much better cooling?

 

[Eidorian]

What do you mean? I thought that the reason they were able to go to desktop processors largely had to do with the size of the 27" allowing much better cooling?

The 21.5" iMac is using the 65W rated E7600 with the option for the E8600.