iMac 1080p/16GB vs. 4K/8GB

[EightyTwenty]

Which would you chose, assuming you wanted to use the computer for 7-10 years?

I've heard you can get an Apple authorized technician to upgrade RAM in the 4k, but has anyone done this and do you know how expensive it is? Can you bring your own RAM and ask them to install it for you?

 

[SecuritySteve]

7-10 years is a long time. I am not sure any computer is built to survive that long (while many do, they are the lucky ones, not the expectation). I would go with the 4k / 8 GB because it has a faster processor, and will likely be upgradable (if not by you, then by a technician) along the road.

 

[jerwin]

I think I would wait for a CPU that isn't affected by Spectre/Meltdown.

 

[SecuritySteve]

I think I would wait for a CPU that isn't affected by Spectre/Meltdown.

If he's doing virtualization, which are the instruction sets that are impacted by Spectre / Meltdown, then he's replacing his machine more than once every 7 years. I think he's fine on this issue.

 

[jerwin]

Are these current models?

 

[EightyTwenty]

Are these current models?

Yeah, the 2017 iMacs.

If the 4K had user upgradable RAM like the 5K, this would be a very easy decision. I'm just worried about being stuck with 8GB and it really affecting the machine a few years down the line. I feel 16GB should be fine for modest use for the next 7 years at least.

I just want to avoid those damn beach balls that made me return the 2014 Mac Mini. Using that thing was like walking in quicksand. So frustrating.

 

[jerwin]

Are you interested in an SSD, a fusion drive, or a hard drive?

Might I suggest a hexcore mac mini, perhaps with a eGPU upgrade three or four years down the line?

Trends in Computing:

better GPUs
faster SSDs
more cores

a dual core cpu, coupled with a hard drive is likely to go out of fashion relatively quickly, despite its 16 GB ram.

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

A bit more info would h.

The 21.5" and the 27" model both offer 4K versions. Talking about having a tech install additional memory is odd. The 27" is user upgradable via a hatch door on the rear. The 21.5" has memory available in the 8GB Standard or 16BG BTO.

Seven to ten years is more than a little hopeful. What you are going to be using the iMac for, plan nor replacement every second model or so, or about 4-5 years. Cost does come into play but second hand a four year old machine will fetch much more than say a nine-ten year old model.

Suggest a 27" model with best graphics and largest capacity i5 CPU and 32GB of memory with a full Blade Drive.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I just want to avoid those damn beach balls that made me return the 2014 Mac Mini. Using that thing was like walking in quicksand. So frustrating."

The beachballs do not come from "RAM".
Rather, they are a result of what kind of DRIVE is inside the Mac.

Platter-based hard drive = beachball city.
SSD = fast and smooth.

If you want 7+ years of usage, I'll make the following recommendations:
1. DO NOT buy a 21" iMac. Get a 27" 5k instead. You will NOT regret doing so.
2. DO NOT buy a fusion drive. Get an SSD inside. Even a smaller-sized one will do fine.
3. Buy at least the "midrange" model. 3.5ghz (has 7600 CPU instead of 7500 and better GPU).

Get a 27" with 8gb of RAM, and you have the option of easily adding more later on.

IMPORTANT note regarding iMacs and SSDs:
You CANNOT buy these at brick n mortar Apple Stores nor at most retailers.
They MUST be special-ordered online through Apple's online store.
A VERY FEW resellers (such as B&H in NYC) pre-stock SSD-equipped iMacs for immediate shipment (but be sure you read their return policies re computers first).

Again -- the beachballs are from the drive inside, and not so much "from RAM".

 

[EightyTwenty]

The 21.5" and the 27" model both offer 4K versions.

The 27" is 5K. It is too expensive for me, and I find the screen to be massive.

Talking about having a tech install additional memory is odd.

What makes it odd? The 4K iMac needs to have it's screen removed and torn apart to upgrade the RAM. I'm not interested in doing that myself and ruining the machine. Apple website says it needs to be taken to an authorized location to upgrade RAM.

 

[SecuritySteve]

The 27" is 5K. It is too expensive for me, and I find the screen to be massive.



What makes it odd? The 4K iMac needs to have it's screen removed and torn apart to upgrade the RAM. I'm not interested in doing that myself and ruining the machine. Apple website says it needs to be taken to an authorized location to upgrade RAM.

I would strongly advise you to consider what @Fishrrman had to say in his last post. SSDs are the new norm, and getting a spinner HDD will give you beachballs of death no matter what other specs your system has. They are more expensive, but they are worth every penny.

If you already were planning on an SSD, then great. If not, consider going to a lower amount of RAM to afford the SSD. It is seriously worth it.

 

[EightyTwenty]

I would strongly advise you to consider what @Fishrrman had to say in his last post. SSDs are the new norm, and getting a spinner HDD will give you beachballs of death no matter what other specs your system has. They are more expensive, but they are worth every penny.

If you already were planning on an SSD, then great. If not, consider going to a lower amount of RAM to afford the SSD. It is seriously worth it.

I was planning on using USB 3.1 or Thunderbolt external SSD.

 

[SecuritySteve]

I was planning on using USB 3.1 or Thunderbolt external SSD.

Alright, that's a good solution too. I guess the only remaining consideration then is if you need the 4k screen real-estate. Do you often have many windows open, or have precise display needs? 1080p will look much more 'pixilated' than a 4k screen will. If you don't care or can't notice, then a 1080p monitor is probably alright for you.

Some pros for the 4k are that the screen is more future proof. As more developers design applications for larger resolutions, they will slowly begin to no longer fit on a 1080p monitor. The 4k also comes with a better processor than the 1080p iMac, and since this is a long term investment every ounce of CPU power you can get will be worth it.

As far as the RAM goes, you will probably want to upgrade your RAM from 8GB to 16 GB along the road. Ideally you would do this before your AppleCare support runs out, and have it done by Apple themselves. If done from Apple, the memory upgrade will probably be just as expensive down the road as it is now, if that factors into your calculations at all.

If it were me, and I was using the computer for regular home usage, I would go with the 4k.