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How do you justify your lavish spending on a fully-loaded 27"

RedCroissant said:
I would go with a larger HDD inside the machine as opposed to using externals any day. You'll have faster and more efficient access to your information and you won't have the unnecessary cable mess. When I upgraded my 2009 iMac to a 3TB an was able to get rid of my externals, I was almost ecstatic.

I think you made good choices and would be more than happy to be able to afford the same machine right now. Enjoy it!
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I have (3) 2TB drives plugged into my current computer. I'm tired of waiting for them to wake up, having strange firewire outages, etc. I just ordered my new iMac with the 3TB Fusion. May put a 3TB drive in one of the external boxes for backup and if 3TB isn't enough, I'll use one of the externals as overflow.

Roy Hobbs said:
I wanted one so I bought it. No need to justify anything
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This right here. As long as you can afford it, why should anyone else care? I get Macs because I enjoy using them. I looked into Hackintosh route and decided against it. I prefer to use the computer, not mess around with it. I can't wait for my new iMac and have no regrets about it.
 
Today, I visited the big Apple Store in the Cherry Hill Mall (NJ) :p

The store was displaying four of the iMac 21.5 (2012) models.

I admit the overall item was first class, a few people were buying the latter and leaving with it within a 1/2 hour (base model); the reduced screen reflection was a big improvement.
Next to the new 21.5 was last year's 27 - the parade of reflections were very obvious.
Hopefully, in another week I can review the latter in comparison to the new 27 model.

Customer interest attracted to the new iMac was minimal, the majority of people appeared involved with the laptops and iPads.
Wait a sec... after viewing the new imac and a mac laptop I started to realize the only big difference between the two was the case/portability.

I wonder if the electronics within the new iMac are similar to the high end mac laptop computers?
One would have to believe the components (size) of the internal design have a similar reference.
I imagine a difference is noted but tend to believe they are very comparable.

:confused: :apple:
 
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I have always been a PC user as I couldn't afford a Mac until now. Back in the olden days (1987) when I first started graphic design, Macs were out of the price range of most mere mortals, now they're more affordable. I promised myself that one day I would own one, it didn't matter how long it took, but when I could do it, I would go whole hog and go for the max.

I've been spending over $1200 a year updating, upgrading, etc., my linux box, and I'm over it ... linux, particularly Ubuntu has always been a good friend, but now that I'm hitting my twilight years (somewhere between 45 and death), I just want to turn on my puter, do what I have to do, and not worry about it. I know that I'll have a computer that I'll get at least 3 good years out of, so that in itself justifies my 4K purchase. :D
 
i hate pc and thats how i justify by paying way more for something sexy clean and os that doesn't make me feel like i have lou gherigs disease
 
I justify it by enjoying myself at the Casino and purchasing the iMac with my winnings. :)
 
MagicThief83 said:
If you're serious, you sound pathetic. This "student" you're referring to is a full grown man with his own professional career that was self made.
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Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you (just the rich kids). I come from an era when computers weren't toys, and I get upset when the rich kids come on this forum and go on and on and on about how wonderful their toys are. I admit that I am slow in accepting that most computers are now toys. I do play with mine (internet, DVDs, etc - no games), but my computer is still mostly a tool. I earn my living with one. Peace, fellow-person-who-returned-to-school-later-in-life.
 
I've used my 2009 iMac from day 1 to now and really its only lately, with a change in use-case, that i really need the extra horsepower.

The display, while again showing its age a touch, is still pretty bang on, no crashing issues, still running latest software .... i cannot say the same for the last PC i bought.

So i spent £1800 on this one 4 years ago and i'm now spending another 2k on this new one .... i'm pretty happy overall.
 
highlightshadow said:
The display, while again showing its age a touch, is still pretty bang on, no crashing issues, still running latest software .... i cannot say the same for the last PC i bought.
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That's why you've to upgrade your PC, iMac is not such upgradeable... ;)
 
zarf2007 said:
Quite easily, my father is a billionaire, and the money he finds down the back of the sofa on a daily basis is > $1m
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Wow, I have the same computer as a millionaire. I can't be doing too bad then.

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MagicThief83 said:
Part of the reason why I'm weighed heavily with indecision between my 27" and the 21.5", is because some day, I would like to be able and do this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPaPkHz3TMk

Seems a tad bit easier with the 21.5" no?
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That is kind of odd isn't it, I mean I would record a video of the poor guy like he's an alien, but either you're so far from home you're carrying that thing around with you everywhere which seems awkward, or if you're not far then why not wait to get home/hotel room?
 
If you have to justify it, you are spending too much money on a computer. That is just the reality of it - don't go into debt or spend more than you can afford. There is no question that a fully loaded machine is a luxury for most people.
 
mapleleafer said:
Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you (just the rich kids). I come from an era when computers weren't toys, and I get upset when the rich kids come on this forum and go on and on and on about how wonderful their toys are. I admit that I am slow in accepting that most computers are now toys. I do play with mine (internet, DVDs, etc - no games), but my computer is still mostly a tool. I earn my living with one. Peace, fellow-person-who-returned-to-school-later-in-life.
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No qualms here-apology accepted. The ubiquity of technology is making it more a luxury nowadays, as opposed to a stark necessity. I like to play with my Mac but I also use it for work. My first PC was a tool and was used exclusively for work (would've failed school without it)-I too had purchased my very first PC with my hard earned cash, as my dad wouldn't buy it for me. I wish I was rich, and even if I were, I wouldn't gloat about it. What kind of Mac do you use (specs, etc.)?
 
Its dificult to justify . thats why I didnt pull the trigger at 3am after they went up. I did purchase it using the loose change and tips Ive been saving for a little over a year . it truly cushions the blow.
 
NJelect said:
Today, I visited the big Apple Store in the Cherry Hill Mall (NJ) :p

The store was displaying four of the iMac 21.5 (2012) models.

I admit the overall item was first class, a few people were buying the latter and leaving with it within a 1/2 hour (base model); the reduced screen reflection was a big improvement.
Next to the new 21.5 was last year's 27 - the parade of reflections were very obvious.
Hopefully, in another week I can review the latter in comparison to the new 27 model.

Customer interest attracted to the new iMac was minimal, the majority of people appeared involved with the laptops and iPads.
Wait a sec... after viewing the new imac and a mac laptop I started to realize the only big difference between the two was the case/portability.

I wonder if the electronics within the new iMac are similar to the high end mac laptop computers?
One would have to believe the components (size) of the internal design have a similar reference.
I imagine a difference is noted but tend to believe they are very comparable.

:confused: :apple:
Click to expand...

They are similar - most of the basic chipsets that support the system are common across all models (Thunderbolt controller, Intel's PCH, RAM SODIMMs, other miscellaneous bits), but there are a couple of very key differences:

* the CPU used in all the iMacs is a desktop Core i5 or i7
* the GPUs in the high end 27" are considerably more powerful than anything in Apple's laptops, even though they are also mobile parts. The GPUs in the 21" are on a par with what's available in the laptops (not quite as punchy as the retina 15" MBP, but better than anything in the Air or 13" MBP/rMBP)
* on the laptops and iMacs (except the base 21"), all machines have the new blade-style SSD connector, but the iMacs also have a second conventional drive bay for increased storage options (2.5" on the 21, 3.5" on the 27)
* the iMacs are considerably quieter, despite being more powerful, due to the increased size of the fan - you can run it more slowly.
* the screens are physically larger and brighter which some people like (the retina screens on the rMBP's are nice, but not everyone wants a 13" or 15" screen even if it is retina)
* the radio antennas can be bigger and further apart in a desktop machine, potentially giving you better reception, although this is likely moot given that most modern computers and wireless routers are pretty decent these days.
 
MagicThief83 said:
To be honest, I was about to give in during the summer and put down closer to $3000 for a loaded rMBP. I'm glad my patience persevered and am happy that I waited for the new iMac as it will be better utilized by me than the rMBP. I ordered the i7 3.4 GHz, 16GB RAM, 1TB Fusion Drive, and the 680MX. With a student discount, it ended up setting me back $2800 (educational discount and all)-not bad considering it will offer me much more oomph in terms of graphical and computer processing than the rMBP, and still ended being cheaper than rMBP even with the educational discount applied to that. I really didn't need a laptop. At the same time, I question such hedonistic spending, and wonder, did I really need to order such an extravagant iMac. I really could've settled for the 21.5", but realized since the iMac will be my only multimedia machine (e.g., playing modern and demanding Steam games, watching TV shows/movies, and consuming other content), I figured I'd go all out and treat myself since I don't spend this kind of hard earned cash everyday, and this will be my machine hopefully for years (4-5) to come as I don't on upgrading often. I wanted to future proof my purchase, but I still find the 21.5" design appealing and am slightly worried as to whether or not I made the right choice. I know the 680MX will destroy the GT 650M in terms of gaming, but I feel it would have been better to be fiscally responsible with money, and the 21.5" with the GT 650 is perfectly capable of driving modern gaming titles with suitable performance (I wouldn't have minded tweaking the settings a bit). I'm still not 100% convinced I need the 27". How do you guys justify your 27" purchase with all the bells and whistles, and were you compelled to purchase such?
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I earn a lot of money... So i spend a lot of money.

No need to justify.

Money is for spending OP
 
randy98mtu said:
As long as you can afford it, why should anyone else care?
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Because you'll complain you're still unhappy in your material glut.

Others will have to listen to you, and perhaps provide for you someday.

(Not "you" but "you"... English sucks.)
 
Johnf1285 said:
Cannot agree more. If I had the budget, I would go 27" with the high end GPU. But I can't!
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I think OP is having trouble funding his lifestyle and requires the say so of a forum user base to justify buying the imac.
 
I don't need to justify it.

I'm in need of a new computer for my part time freelance work (planning on going full time in late 2013) as an illustrator and concept artist. I've used Macs since 2008 and I don't plan on switching back to windows again.

So I'm thinking that me and my new maxed out 27" iMac will make me money from day one. And it's not like the ~$4000 really matters that much to me.

It's just money, meant to be spent.
 
You should have been around to spend $2000 in 1984 dollars for the first Mac that had 128k and floppy drive. Now those were expensive computers. :eek:
 
SiPi said:
I think OP is having trouble funding his lifestyle and requires the say so of a forum user base to justify buying the imac.
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Quite hilarious and far from the truth! This forum doesn't dictate my life decisions. Just curious as to how others rationalize their luxury purchase. It was more a matter of want versus need. Do I need the 27"...no. Do I want it with all the bells and whistles...yes. Being that I don't plan on upgrading often, I plan on using this machine for years to come-that alone justifies the premium cost I'm willing to make. Why buy a lower-end machine now that will lag considerably behind the technology curve, when I can go for the top that will serve me well into the future. Gaming was also a large factor that weighed into my decision to go for the 27"-had the 21.5" had a better GPU, then I probably would've settled for that. In addition, I do not own a television or watch TV-the 27" iMac will also serve as my multimedia device (watching shows, movies, streaming content, playing games, etc.) No need to make a baseless assertion on someone's life when you know very little about the person you're trying to debase.
 
MagicThief83 said:
Quite hilarious and far from the truth! This forum doesn't dictate my life decisions. Just curious as to how others rationalize their luxury purchase. It was more a matter of want versus need. Do I need the 27"...no. Do I want it with all the bells and whistles...yes. Being that I don't plan on upgrading often, I plan on using this machine for years to come-that alone justifies the premium cost I'm willing to make. Why buy a lower-end machine now that will lag considerably behind the technology curve, when I can go for the top that will serve me well into the future. Gaming was also a large factor that weighed into my decision to go for the 27"-had the 21.5" had a better GPU, then I probably would've settled for that. In addition, I do not own a television or watch TV-the 27" iMac will also serve as my multimedia device (watching shows, movies, streaming content, playing games, etc.) No need to make a baseless assertion on someone's life when you know very little about the person you're trying to debase.
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If you can afford it and want one, buy it. Especially if it's going to last you and be well-used for a few years to come. When you compare the cost of the machine for a few extra beers however often you drink etc. or more expensive dinners etc. etc. - things that are consumable; you begin to realize and think more about the true value of something that stays with you that you can count on being there for no more $ than the initial cost.

Plus... people need to keep buying these expensive machines so that there is still a market for them! ;) Imagine the world if the only options were cheap PC desktops and hackintoshes (aka crapintosh... which I've built before out of curiosity).

Go for it and enjoy! I'd buy one too if I didn't just buy the fully loaded MBPr 15" fully loaded with 2.7/16/768!
 
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