Help Me Choose an iMac

[Snurry]

I am going to purchase an 27" iMac with 5k retina display and need a little help customizing it.

The base model is:

• 3.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
• 8GB 1867MHz DDR3 SDRAM - two 4GB
• 1TB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm
• AMD Radeon R9 M380 with 2GB video memory

At $2659
The slightly better version is:

• 3.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
• 8GB 1867MHz DDR3 SDRAM - two 4GB
• 1TB Fusion Drive
• AMD Radeon R9 M390 with 2GB video memory

At $2959

This seems ok to me, but I want to future-proof it and am willing to spend a bit more for it.

These are the main upgrades I'm looking at:
From 3.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz to 4.0GHz quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 4.2GHz
Would this give a noticeable difference? The upgrade is $475 so its a bit steep for a limited gain.

1TB SATA drive to 2TB fusion. Are fusion/ssd drives much faster than external SSD? Or would 1TB fusion be enough for operating system plus some programs.

Thanks for your input,
Snurry

 

[Dave245]

Unless you need it right now you might be better off waiting because Apple have confirmed they are working on new iMac's for later this year. They also confirmed they are working on "Pro" versions of the iMac which will more than likely mean higher specs if that's what you might need.

 

[Sirmausalot]

A fusion drive is the minimum and an SSD is one of the most important upgrades. As always, it depends on what you plan to do with it. If you are buying now though, look for a refurbished unit or wait until later this year.

 

[Fishrrman]

My oft-repeated iMac buying advice:
DO NOT buy an iMac that has a platter-based hard drive (too slow)
DO NOT buy an iMac with only the 1tb fusion drive (SSD portion is only 24gb (too small).
DO buy an iMac with either a 2tb fusion drive (SSD portion is 128gb) or a "straight" SSD.

 

[Snurry]

Unless you need it right now you might be better off waiting because Apple have confirmed they are working on new iMac's for later this year. They also confirmed they are working on "Pro" versions of the iMac which will more than likely mean higher specs if that's what you might need.

Thanks for the heads up. I think I'll go refurbished until the new models come out.

How does this one look?
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Apple-27...011046?hash=item21207d6ae6:g:0V4AAOSw2gxY0r0A

 

[Sirmausalot]

Thanks for the heads up. I think I'll go refurbished until the new models come out.

How does this one look?
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Apple-27...011046?hash=item21207d6ae6:g:0V4AAOSw2gxY0r0A

Order refurb direct from Apple. Looking at that sellers negative ratings, I would never do it.

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

If the OP is in Australia, Apple has not sold refurb iMacs for over eighteen months. Plenty of notebooks, but not one iMac nor Mac Pro. Methinks they are sold to resellers. A mate is a big Apple Reseller in Sydney and buys his late model iMacs from Apple.

 

[vrBrew]

Wait until the new ones are offered!!!

 

[Snurry]

If the OP is in Australia, Apple has not sold refurb iMacs for over eighteen months. Plenty of notebooks, but not one iMac nor Mac Pro. Methinks they are sold to resellers. A mate is a big Apple Reseller in Sydney and buys his late model iMacs from Apple.

I am in Australia and you're spot on. I could only find macbooks refurbished.

Order refurb direct from Apple. Looking at that sellers negative ratings, I would never do it.

The negative ratings were because they offered at a lower price $1200 US and is now posted at $1600 US
It looks like a pretty safe buy to me; is there any other reason you could think not to buy from them?

I still save about $1000 AU

 

[determined09]

Unless you need it right now you might be better off waiting because Apple have confirmed they are working on new iMac's for later this year. They also confirmed they are working on "Pro" versions of the iMac which will more than likely mean higher specs if that's what you might need.

That's true but the "Pro" will probably come with a higher price, too.

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

Sent you a PM Snurry.

Many traps in front of you like that US$80 freight, Import Duty listed as US$250, GST which will apply as it is over AUD$1 grand, Import Duty etc etc etc.

 

[Snurry]

I'm still looking at:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Apple-27...=item21207d6ae6:g:0V4AAOSw2gxY0r0A&rmvSB=true
As I need an apple computer for class by July

It costs:
$1650 US for the computer
$80 US for shipping
$250 US for import charges

Would there be any additional charges on-top of that importing in Australia?