Help me pick an Imac?

[Infamous1050]

So, it's finally time to replace my late 2009 model lol

3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4 GB 1067 MHz
NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256 MB

I mostly use it for downloads and watching movies and my goal is to stay under $1300.

Since I watch a lot of movies, I definitely want the Retina 4K display. The base option with 3.0 quad core GHz and 1TB Serial ATA drive is $1,299.

Is this decent enough? Or should I get the 1TB Fusion drive for additional $100? I would also consider the 256GB SSD option for $200 but I'm struggling with my current 500GB hard drive so 256GB is no good for me.

What do you guys think? Any suggestions?

Thank you,

 

[mripadmini]

the base model should be fine but get the 256 ssd and then add a cheap external drive later if needed.

 

[Infamous1050]

the base model should be fine but get the 256 ssd and then add a cheap external drive later if needed.

Is it complicated to add external drive for someone who is not familiar with the process?

 

[06tb06]

Buy the $1299 iMac with 1TB Fusion Drive. You won't regret it. The 32GB cache in the Fusion will come in handy when booting and launching apps. Apple really needs to drop the 1TB non-Fusion drive from the lineup. Extremely slow.

 

[Ph.D.]

Is it complicated to add external drive for someone who is not familiar with the process?

It's very easy. Any external drive with a USB port will be fine. Just plug it in, and if it's not already formatted properly for a Mac, your Mac will ask if it should be formatted (just be a little careful not to format your internal drive!).

I'd suggest only 2.5" drives (not "thumb" drives), especially SSD's, for the simple reason that they can be powered over USB. The 3.5" drives will all require a brick or other power source, though of course they can be much larger.

After that, it will just show up on your desktop as a separate drive, including after sleep or reboots. "Eject" it first if you want to remove it from your computer.

 

[Infamous1050]

It's very easy. Any external drive with a USB port will be fine. Just plug it in, and if it's not already formatted properly for a Mac, your Mac will ask if it should be formatted (just be a little careful not to format your internal drive!).

I'd suggest only 2.5" drives (not "thumb" drives), especially SSD's, for the simple reason that they can be powered over USB. The 3.5" drives will all require a brick or other power source, though of course they can be much larger.

After that, it will just show up on your desktop as a separate drive, including after sleep or reboots. "Eject" it first if you want to remove it from your computer.

Do a lot of ppl do this? I just never liked the fact that you have to drag and drop things into a different drive. That's why I'm not sure if I can ever get used to it. I already have 2 other 500gb external hard drives and I hate using them. I only do it because I have to. That's why I'm leaning towards 1TB. I rather save a movie straight to a download folder and have it seat there instead of doing additional work of moving to a seperate folder. Makes sense right? And what I meant is if it's possible to download hard drive internally?

Thank you,

 

[theluggage]

Do a lot of ppl do this?

...I think a lot of people organise their download collections a bit, rather than just leaving them where they land in the downloads folder, so they have to drag things around anyway...

I just never liked the fact that you have to drag and drop things into a different drive.

Google "move mac downloads folder to external drive", "move itunes library to external drive", "move photos library..." etc.

However, if you really do just want to download and watch movies, and don't want to think about organising your files, the 1TB Fusion drive may be for you. Don't touch the base, non-Fusion model, though - it is a desk ornament.

 

[Infamous1050]

...I think a lot of people organise their download collections a bit, rather than just leaving them where they land in the downloads folder, so they have to drag things around anyway...



Google "move mac downloads folder to external drive", "move itunes library to external drive", "move photos library..." etc.

However, if you really do just want to download and watch movies, and don't want to think about organising your files, the 1TB Fusion drive may be for you. Don't touch the base, non-Fusion model, though - it is a desk ornament.

I have decided to go with 256 SSD. Not only it will last me longer but like you said, if I ever need the space, I can add as much space as possible by using an external drive. On the other hand if I have need more speed, it's going to be a pain in the ... and near impossible.