iMac purchase advice new intel chips

[bekx]

Hi all,

My beloved 9 year old iMac 17" Intel 1.83 Ghz died two weeks ago from logic board problems ...So here I am, trying to decide what to do.

I've looked at the 2.7 Ghz iMac 21.5" as a replacement but I've just found out that there are some new Intel chips just released. (Broadwell)

Should I buy an iMac now or wait a bit for the new chips to be installed?

Are there any other things I should keep in mind when buying as to make my purchase as 'future proof' as possible (famous last words, I know, but I didn't do to badly waiting for the Intels to come out 9 years ago!!!)

I'd be very grateful for your input!!

Cheers

 

[Anonymous Freak]

Broadwell isn't a "full line" CPU update. It will only be released in dual-core-mobile and high-end-quad-core-desktop varieties.

So we'll see it in the MacBook Air for sure (well, as sure as any guesses about Apple products are, anyway,) probably in the 13" MacBook Pro, possibly in the lowest-end 21.5" iMac and the Mac Mini, but likely not in any other systems.

VERY possibly in the highest end 27" iMacs as an option, and the Retina iMac.

But if you're looking at anything but the lowest-end 21.5" iMac (the cut down dual-core model,) then go ahead and buy now.

Plus, Broadwell is mostly about power improvements, not performance improvements, so on a desktop, it's not as big a deal.

 

[shiekh]

I'd argue that power consumption can be a big deal on a desktop, as low power means cool running which may greatly extend longevity.

 

[Anonymous Freak]

I'd argue that power consumption can be a big deal on a desktop, as low power means cool running which may greatly extend longevity.

The power difference we're talking about isn't a huge difference, though. And since desktop CPUs are designed to operate at their given thermal envelopes, the newer CPUs just increase speed slightly for the same power draw. The ultra-low-end iMac, if it gets a Broadwell CPU, will, like the current one, likely keep using a mobile CPU - which, with the desktop-level cooling, means the CPU is *NOT* going to be the failure-prone item.

 

[bekx]

The power difference we're talking about isn't a huge difference, though. And since desktop CPUs are designed to operate at their given thermal envelopes, the newer CPUs just increase speed slightly for the same power draw. The ultra-low-end iMac, if it gets a Broadwell CPU, will, like the current one, likely keep using a mobile CPU - which, with the desktop-level cooling, means the CPU is *NOT* going to be the failure-prone item.

So, in theory I'm safe with the 2.7 Ghz 21.5" iMac?...The ultra low end one (1.4 Ghz doesn't really interest me as I don't think you can up grade the RAM).

 

[redheeler]

So, in theory I'm safe with the 2.7 Ghz 21.5" iMac?...The ultra low end one (1.4 Ghz doesn't really interest me as I don't think you can up grade the RAM).

To upgrade the RAM on any of the thin 21.5" iMacs still requires the LCD glass and panel to be unglued and re-glued, even though it's not soldered like the low-end one. Not an easy task.

I wouldn't be as excited for Broadwell chips as the 21.5" getting a 4K retina display, also likely in the next update. If you're going to wait, wait for that.

 

[bekx]

To upgrade the RAM on any of the thin 21.5" iMacs still requires the LCD glass and panel to be unglued and re-glued, even though it's not soldered. Not an easy task.

I wouldn't be as excited for Broadwell chips as the 21.5" getting a 4K retina display, also likely in the next update. If you're going to wait, wait for that.

The 21.5" have to be unglued to upgrade the RAM? Jeez, I didn't realize that (it just shows how much catching up I have to do!).

Do you know when it's *likely* that the retina displays will be installed in the rest of the iMacs? This year? Next?

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Look at the Buyers Guide in the top to get an idea on what everybody else knows.

But if your 2006 (?) model has served you so far, any new model will be amazing for you - Just make sure to get one with SSD or Fusion Drive to future proof it.

 

[redheeler]

The 21.5" have to be unglued to upgrade the RAM? Jeez, I didn't realize that (it just shows how much catching up I have to do!).

Do you know when it's *likely* that the retina displays will be installed in the rest of the iMacs? This year? Next?

I would say this year is very likely, but exactly when is still unknown. Definitely would make sense to coincide with the release of Broadwell or Skylake.

 

[bekx]

Look at the Buyers Guide in the top to get an idea on what everybody else knows.

But if your 2006 (?) model has served you so far, any new model will be amazing for you - Just make sure to get one with SSD or Fusion Drive to future proof it.

Yes, my iMac was a 2006 model with only a RAM upgrade in 9 years..... Your ? made me laugh!!! ;-)

I'll go and look at the buyer's guide now.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Ram rarely an issue these days

Yes, my iMac was a 2006 model with only a RAM upgrade in 9 years..... Your ? made me laugh!!! ;-)

I'll go and look at the buyer's guide now.

With 8GB standard in the imacs, unless your use case calls for lots of RAM (I'm pretty sure you'd know if it did), then you'll be fine for years to come. Yosemite will run fine with a couple of apps open on 2GB.

As another poster said the best upgrade is fusion or SSd this is what really makes modern PC's fast fluid and a joy to use and the PCie connected ones in macs are some of the best around. This would be the only upgrade I would go for.

I don't see retinas in the lower end iMacs for a while yet.... but I could be wrong...

 

[erickj]

Look at the Buyers Guide in the top to get an idea on what everybody else knows.

But if your 2006 (?) model has served you so far, any new model will be amazing for you - Just make sure to get one with SSD or Fusion Drive to future proof it.

I'm not too sure about this actually. I just replaced my 2009 21" with a top end 27" iMac and I couldn't be any more disappointed in it. Runs (seemingly) slower than my 2009, especially in regards to web pages and email. iTunes has a lag when starting a song. Even booting and waking from sleep are seconds lost. I opened 27 preview pictures and got a spinning beach ball. I don't know if I got a lemon or what, but I'm wiping it today and returning it. Worst 2000$ decision I ever made.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Let me guess, you went for a HDD? No wonder it is slower then, as you are using the same old technology on a newer OS (I assume).