iMac for my parents

[kazdim]

Hello everyone. Parents use the computer for websites, TV shows and photos, as well as games on Facebook. I want to buy them iMac 21.5 4K late 2019 in the basic configuration as a gift. I hope the new system won't cause them any problems, just the question about browser games, will they work normally on the 4K screen? Won't they freeze? Or maybe there will be other difficulties?

 

[ruslan120]

The Fusion Drive is terrible in those machines, ie its slow bandwidth cripples the usability of the rest of the hardware. I would recommend upgrading it to an SSD at the very least. Nice of you to do that for your parents by the way.

Browser games will work fine.

 

[Zdigital2015]

Hello everyone. Parents use the computer for websites, TV shows and photos, as well as games on Facebook. I want to buy them iMac 21.5 4K late 2019 in the basic configuration as a gift. I hope the new system won't cause them any problems, just the question about browser games, will they work normally on the 4K screen? Won't they freeze? Or maybe there will be other difficulties?

Go to the Apple Certified Refurbished Store and look at the 21.5” models w/SSD there or consider getting the 2017 27” top model with 2TB Fusion Drive from B&H or another discounted outlet - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1342560-REG/apple_mned2ll_a_27_imac_with_retina.html

At $1579.00, they get a fast CPU, fast GPU and a large drive with fast performance without resorting to an SSD. It is also only $79.00 than the $1499.00 2019 4K iMac 21.5”. Try to stay away from the 1TB Fusion Drive as it is slowed down by a paltry 32GB SSD as opposed to the 128GB SSD in the 2TB Fusion Drive. If you’re budget is stretched too far with that take a good hard look at the Refurbished Store or wait until closer to Black Friday for more deals on the 2019 models. Hope that helps.

 

[Zandros]

The Fusion Drive is terrible in those machines, ie its slow bandwidth cripples the usability of the rest of the hardware. I would recommend upgrading it to an SSD at the very least. Nice of you to do that for your parents by the way.

Browser games will work fine.

Base configuration doesn't even have a Fusion Drive. It has a bog standard HDD.

 

[JacobHarvey]

As others have said go for an SSD if possible in the 21.5 inch as unfortunately the 2TB Fusion with 128GB SSD seems to only be an option in the 27 inch model.

Using a 5400 RPM 2.5" HDD as the only storage drive in a brand new 4K iMac in 2019 reeks of bean counters running the show. Even my prehistoric 2009 iMac came with a 7200 RPM 3.5" HDD as standard a decade ago.

 

[Fishrrman]

I agree with "Apple refurbished" as mentioned above.
I also agree with "SSD" -- even if it's on the small side, 512gb or even just 256gb.

Do your parents have a Mac now?
If so, what size hard drive is in it?
HOW MUCH SPACE have they currently used up on the internal drive?
My guess is they probably don't need a large SSD...