iMac upgrade - stick or twist?

[agregson]

I have always used iMacs since before Intel. Tend to replace every 3-4 years and keep AppleCare.

Currently have a 2017 27” 5k with i5, 32GB and 500GB. The machine works very well for me and I love the screen. However off AppleCare and it is my main machine and approaching 4 years old.

Ideally would like a 5k replacement but I actually prefer 24” as a size - 5k 24” would be my ideal as I like highDPI.

I was considering holding off to see what replacement comes along for the 27”. However it is likely to be expensive and while I could afford to buy it I am not sure I could justify it. My usage now is mostly my own development work and I tend to use terminal for most productivity things - VIM and plaintext etc. The 32GB i5 was bought at a time when I was doing a lot more work and the need to run VMs - that is now gone.

One big advantage of the 24” is it fits within shipping limits for ease of onward sale when the time comes. 27” is just beyond economic shipping which complicates moving it on. I refuse to send to Apple for destruction!

I had settled to stay then the announcements and obvious new OS moving towards MX and away from Intel. I have noticed value of Intel dropping and the window when they are sought after will diminish. As more come on market values and opportunity to sell will drop. Then a friend came along with an offer to buy it for home working for £1000. Given replacement 24” (16GB, 256GB) is £1600 it is suddenly compelling.

A recent upgrade of my workshop computer from a NUC Windows 10 to M1 mini has confirmed just how capable the M1 is - it is way faster than my high end 2017 5k iMac on everything apart from the screen (I use the mini with an ultra wide and it is normal DPI which really does impact macOS pleasure IMO)

Is anyone else in a similar position and if so would love to hear your thoughts? Other independent opinions also welcome.

Thanks in advance.

 

[davegoody]

I think you may be surprised by onward shipping when the time comes with the new 27" when it's launched. Hear me out....... the new 24" M1 iMac is around half the weight of the previous generation, with smaller bezels so is not physically much bigger than it's predecessor either. I think it's highly likely that the new 27' replacement (30"?) will follow-suit and will be equally compact.

 

[agregson]

I think the size of the 27 replacement will be compelling. I also think the price will be considerably more than 24. While it may offer a faster processor, enhanced GPU, more than 16GB memory and a larger screen these will come at a cost. Given my workload now I am not sure it is justifiable. I have consolidated on one each of iMac, iPhone Pro Max, iPad Pro 12.9 and replace them as AppleCare expires. Given resale values the monthly cost of ownership works for me - I get an amazing amount of function and use from each.

I have an M1 mini in workshop (electronics, radio and software with a bit of 3D printing). This is connected to an LG 25” ultra wide though increasingly I ”see” the issues with normal DPI and prefer high DPI on macOS. I am very tempted to reduce the workshop and replace with an M1 macbook as that also offers a backup to iMac.

If the 5k 27” screen was not so superb it would be an easy decision. I also see more Intel iMacs coming on market and resale values dropping a little. I don’t think this will reverse. Given I have an offer for local sale/collect for £1000 for the current iMac I am very tempted to make the change.

Thanks for listening … sometimes just putting things in text and getting the odd feedback comment helps focus the mind!

 

[za9ra22]

I replaced a 2015 5k iMac with 32Gb RAM and 2TB fusion drive with a 24-inch M1, 8Gb/500ssd, and I'm mightily impressed with the speed and power of this thing. It is way ahead of the 27-inch in terms of usability, not least because in effect, the old iMac was regularly 'micro-pausing' while in use, and the 24 just doesn't.

I also prefer the 24-inch screen because the 27 was just too large for my relatively cramped desk - too close, so it was necessary to move my neck to see across and up and down the screen. The 24 also blends into the space rather better, so the bezels are nowhere near as distracting.

I think that what you decide really has to be more about the screen you want than any other feature. The 'big' iMac may have somewhat better specifications, in terms of cores performance and RAM, but likely not all that much - if it is released any time this year it would be way too early for a notable improvement in hardware, so the question is about whether a 24-inch screen now is a better option than a 27-32 (probably) later.

Bear in mind though that when eyeing up a potential deal for selling your existing 27-inch, you'll likely have a 4-week (or so) wait for an order for a new M1 iMac to be fulfilled - unless you can find the model you want in a local Apple store or reseller.

 

[wilberforce]

Sounds like a good opportunity to change to a smaller screen, if that is what you want.
Most people with 27" iMacs have the opposite problem: not wanting to pay more for a smaller screen.

After software, user interface components (screen, keyboard, mouse, speakers, camera) are going to have much more impact on the computing experience than what processor is in the box, unless the processor is clearly inadequate for the tasks. Especially for a desktop, where battery life is not a factor.

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

Don't know why you are struggling with your consideration.
You'd better maintain your practice. £1000 is a good deal for saying goodbye to your old iMac.

Want a big screen?
A 27" 4K monitor paired with Mac mini M1 is your recommended choice.

Want a simple AIO, prefer high DPI over small screen?
24" iMac is your choice.

3 years ahead, there will be a better Macs waiting for you.

 

[poked]

Don't know why you are struggling with your consideration.
You'd better maintain your practice. £1000 is a good deal for saying goodbye to your old iMac.

Want a big screen?
A 27" 4K monitor paired with Mac mini M1 is your recommended choice.

Want a simple AIO, prefer high DPI over small screen?
24" iMac is your choice.

3 years ahead, there will be a better Macs waiting for you.

FOMO is weirdly real. In three years we will have Macs that are better and faster, and buying one every year to “keep up” when you can upgrade your old device’s iOS and get the latest and greatest is pretty funny to me. 3 years in the future this statement is true, but I think computer manufacturers have done their absolute best to indoctrinate FOMO into their client base, which is incredible social engineering.

Take the £1000, op. It’s a good deal, and you get something new in exchange. Just don’t fall for FOMO. Updates to existing computers are made all of the time

 

[agregson]

FOMO is weirdly real. In three years we will have Macs that are better and faster, and buying one every year to “keep up” when you can upgrade your old device’s iOS and get the latest and greatest is pretty funny to me. 3 years in the future this statement is true, but I think computer manufacturers have done their absolute best to indoctrinate FOMO into their client base, which is incredible social engineering.

Take the £1000, op. It’s a good deal, and you get something new in exchange. Just don’t fall for FOMO. Updates to existing computers are made all of the time

FOMO is indeed a strange thing and a factor. Apple are very good at instilling desire. To be fair they do create compelling products. I use my iMac, iPad and iPhone almost all day (work, leisure, finanical … everything) and do feel I get a lot of value from them.
I was quite happy to run the iMac until end of OS upgrades as it is a super computer. The move from Intel upset that plan and I can see already changes exclusive to new OS and possibly only one more major update.
One of the reasons I buy into Apple is it just works. With another hat on I diagnose and work on infrastructure (mainly lower level network) and when it comes to devices I use to work remotely and for my own use I want to treat it like an appliance and let someone else do the diagnosing!

I tried an M1 mini with idea it may work with one of my screens - I have Acer Predator x34p 3440x1440, LG 25UD58 2560x1080, LG24UD58 3840x2160 and Dell P2415Q 3480x2160. I use these on a Windows 10 and BSD computer (ASUS and Gigabyte NUC) as need to run various software, electronics, router and other apps and don’t always want to connect random JTAG, flash programmes and so on to iMac. It convinced me macOS needs highDPI.

All 4 monitors had wake from sleep issues. The mini would wake (confirmed with warch wake alert) but screen seemed to try to wake then did not. Sometimes a power cycle on display worked and sometimes force restart. All displays have no issues on the ASUS and Gigabyte. Made sure to use same cables and used TB/DP and HDMI with same results. Went through the issues with Apple and, to my surprise, was advised to return for a refund as the tech could offer no solution other than a new blank account (same issue), OS reinstall (already a new machine but reinstall did not correct it). I liked idea of the mini and monitor but for me it soured the “just works” experience of the iMac.

I like devices on Apple Care as I cannot do much to them and I do depend on them, have only one of each and so on. Also a good idea to release equity and upgrade especially given use and dependence. I refuse to send the devices back to Apple for recycle and always sell on or give to a family member so at least help others who maybe cannot justify or afford the new ticket price.

While I don’t tend to get sucked in my FOMO (my home audio is FM/DAB radio, CD and Bluetooth on devices I have had for years) the M1 mini was a major shock in just how fast and responsive it was. Also the iOS apps and other features are compelling and I can see a use for them.

I appreciate the comments and feedback - always helps and is always valued!

I think the iMac 24 has to be worth a proper look. Now it opens another dilemma …. Colour! In the past it was easy. Now silver looks boring. My room has shades of yellow, I like yellow as a colour (black is fav colour, yellow second) and yellow iMac looks neat (to me anyway). The few pics in the new iMac 24 thread of yellow machines all look good. That said they all look good (maybe not so keen on silver) - blue, purple and red look especially good. Sigh. Maybe the decision on colour will be what stops me changing!

 

[poked]

I went with purple, OP. but yellow was my second choice, so I would just go with that. And if you don’t like it, there’s always the option of getting it wrapped into another color, but that’s pretty extreme and requires a lot of effort.

 

[gilby101]

Ideally would like a 5k replacement but I actually prefer 24” as a size - 5k 24” would be my ideal as I like highDPI.

Ideally (for a Mac) you would like a screen with around 220 ppi - that is in part why your 5K 27" looks so good. So if you like the 24" size, you will like its 4.5K screen.

 

[Surfman]

I replaced a 2015 5k iMac with 32Gb RAM and 2TB fusion drive with a 24-inch M1, 8Gb/500ssd, and I'm mightily impressed with the speed and power of this thing.

So did I but mine had 24gb ram, I got $1500AUD for mine about half new price, and got a 10% off the Silver 8/8/512, I also can claim the 10% get tax back so change over was $500, plus a instant tax right off.
It's so good, love the size and it looks so much more modern.

 

[agregson]

Ideally (for a Mac) you would like a screen with around 220 ppi - that is in part why your 5K 27" looks so good. So if you like the 24" size, you will like its 4.5K screen.

For me highDPI is more important than ultimate screen real estate, within reason. I have tried windows and macOS on normal 110ppi - windows is ok, macOS is not acceptable for my eye. I work a lot in terminal and the “retina” fonts are hard to replace.
Ordered a yellow iMac 24. Mid August ETA. I’m quite sure I will quickly get used to it.