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Ideally, what is your max that you want to spend on an iMac?

EDIT: I would recommend this one - https://www.apple.com/shop/product/...uad-core-Intel-Core-i5-with-Retina-4K-display

The 1TB Fusion will be just fine for your use case. It’s not nearly as bad as it is being portrayed here. It is faster than a standard HDD, but not nearly as fast as the SSD. 8GB of DRAM is enough. The extra 400MHz on the CPU and the 4 GB VRAM for the RX560 is better than the 2GB RX555 video card.

That’s one of the two I was looking at. The other has the 256 SSD for 1229. I’m fine at that price, but worried about storage and I just didn’t really wanna bump up even more to get to the 512 SSD.
 
That’s one of the two I was looking at. The other has the 256 SSD for 1229. I’m fine at that price, but worried about storage and I just didn’t really wanna bump up even more to get to the 512 SSD.

The $1229 model has a slower CPU (3.0GHz) and the 2GB RX 555. The trade off to get the 256GB SSD just isn’t worth those two compromises. Other will strongly disagree with me, but I stand by my suggestion 100% given your usage.

Good luck!
 
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OP:

I'd get the 2019 -- even if it's a base model. But...

IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT
The BEST decision you could make regarding a new iMac is to pay a little more and get an SSD inside (instead of a platter-based hard drive or a fusion drive).

It will keep the iMac running at its best, for "the longest".

This will be the wisest decision you could make regarding buying a new iMac.
You will NEVER regret doing this.

Be aware that you have to order an iMac with an SSD via Apple's "build-to-order" pages, and then wait for delivery.
It will be WORTH THE WAITING.

Also be aware that you -might- be able to find an Apple-refurbished 2017-design iMac with an SSD already installed.
 
OP:

I'd get the 2019 -- even if it's a base model. But...

IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT
The BEST decision you could make regarding a new iMac is to pay a little more and get an SSD inside (instead of a platter-based hard drive or a fusion drive).

It will keep the iMac running at its best, for "the longest".

This will be the wisest decision you could make regarding buying a new iMac.
You will NEVER regret doing this.

Be aware that you have to order an iMac with an SSD via Apple's "build-to-order" pages, and then wait for delivery.
It will be WORTH THE WAITING.

Also be aware that you -might- be able to find an Apple-refurbished 2017-design iMac with an SSD already installed.

Thank you, and yes, they do have 2017 refurbs with SSD. As of right now, I’m thinking I might wait until the end of summer to order anyway (I work 3 p/t jobs and they all slack off a LOT in the summer), so I may even find a 2019 refurb at that point.
 
Stacey, I went the refurb route for my first Mac ever, 27" 5K 2017 i5 with an internal 512gb SSD. Then added a Samsung T5 external SSD for an external backup device. I'm older and that 27" 5K screen is fantastic for someone like me. Set the resolution as needed and it's just a great screen to use. SO clear! Honestly, I could't be happier with it. Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
Stacey, I went the refurb route for my first Mac ever, 27" 5K 2017 i5 with an internal 512gb SSD. Then added a Samsung T5 external SSD for an external backup device. I'm older and that 27" 5K screen is fantastic for someone like me. Set the resolution as needed and it's just a great screen to use. SO clear! Honestly, I could't be happier with it. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Man I have seriously been eyeballing that 27” screen too! I just don’t know how it would work on the desk I need to put it on, and I don’t know if I can make myself spend quite that much, but I may wind up doing that before it’s all said and done.

I know even going back to a 21.5 would be just fine since I’m currently using an 11” iPad, but man that 27 is NICE!
 
Man I have seriously been eyeballing that 27” screen too! I just don’t know how it would work on the desk I need to put it on, and I don’t know if I can make myself spend quite that much, but I may wind up doing that before it’s all said and done.

I know even going back to a 21.5 would be just fine since I’m currently using an 11” iPad, but man that 27 is NICE!

The potential snag in trying out the 27” is that if you have it on your desk for a few days and then return it because its taking up too much desk space, very likely once you go back to the 21” it will never seem quite right, you’ll have to experince of the 27” lodged in your head.
I had forever had a 21” imac and just last winter got the 27” one. Now the 21” seems pathetically small. I could never go back to that size.
 
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The potential snag in trying out the 27” is that if you have it on your desk for a few days and then return it because its taking up too much desk space, very likely once you go back to the 21” it will never seem quite right, you’ll have to experince of the 27” lodged in your head.
I had forever had a 21” imac and just last winter got the 27” one. Now the 21” seems pathetically small. I could never go back to that size.

Honestly, I put my daughter's 21" on my desk today, and coming from using an 11" iPP, this thing seems plenty big.

Man the text and screen are fuzzy and blurry compared to my pro! The 4K retina would be a HUGE improvement.

Truthfully though, once it's up and running, even this thing isn't super slow. I am sure I'd be just fine with the fusion, although I'm still on the fence about that vs SSD.
 
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