Long term value of the 2011 iMac

[Buildbright]

May I ask a question?

Why keep the computer so long? Modern Macs hold their value so well you could sell your imac after 3 years and buy a new one. I know it may sound like non-frugal idea but your TCO (total cost of ownership) will be the same or lower. With Apple Care you will never have to worry about a internal problem that could cost you as much as the Imac is worth.

I know you mentioned cars but automobiles are different animals. They lose their value rapidly, offer longer warranties, and have more repair options.

 

[aComicBookFan]

Perhaps I come from a different generation and time when technology was a lot less disposable than it is today. If you bought something expensive like a fancy car, a big TV, or a real PC when an 80286 was the hottest thing then you would take care of it and do your best to fix it. I understand times are different now. Technology moves at a different pace and society has different expectations. Maybe my expectations didn't change. Call me old fashioned.

Macs are premium products and they carry a price tag to match. I consider them to be like the Rolex of computers. They are more like pieces of art rather than mundane functional blocks. Owning a Rolex (which, by the way, I don't) is an experience. It tells the time in a way that a Seiko or Casio can't. You know that the Rolex is doing it with hundreds of polished mechanical parts all carefully put together in a beautiful system that only Rolex can make happen. The Mac is similar in that it performs as a computer in a way that only Apple can make happen. Call it the seemless integration between hardware and software. Call it OS X. Call it "the thing just works and I don't need to worry about it". The Rolex will say it's 10:30AM like a Seiko and the Apple will make a ZIP file like a PC could. But, you will appreciate how you read 10:30AM and how you got that ZIP a lot more. Translation: it's all about the user experience!

(Disclaimer: I know my Rolex analogy breaks down when you think about mechanical vs. quartz accuracy, durability in harsh environments, etc. The analogy was only meant to go so far.)

Being a premimum brand, Apple knows that they can't make junk or their reputation and differentiation would suffer. I have a feeling that they will save a nickel where it makes sense but they will also spend a dime when it makes sense too. Maybe I did get lucky with my G5. Every time I power it up it will boot up - guarenteed. I haven't had any bad pixels on my screen. The hard drive never crashed. I never lost data due to weak sectors. My DVD drive spins and the laser focuses just fine. It flat out works. Granted, it only got moved twice. It has sat in the same position, unmoved and untouched, for the past three years. Before that it was in one spot for four years. I felt like I took care of it and it took care of me.

This is a huge part of the value that people are willing to pay for. I'm on the lower end of middle class so I can only pay for something like this once in a while. The iPad 2 I have was a fluke. I won that in a raffle. Now that I have it I intend to keep it until it falls apart into pieces. And even then I'll probably rubber band it back together.

Sorry for the long post. I hope it offered an insight into my shopping perspective.

-- Boris

 

[leman]

Boris,

I strongly disagree with your description "Macs are more like pieces of art rather than mundane functional blocks". In fact, computers from Apple are the most functional — minimalistic, no-nonsense features - computer I know and this is also the main reason why I use them. And I con't see them as expensive (I am a grad student, I don't have any money basically) - the top 27" iMac for around 2200€ has a projected cost of only 60€ per month over three years (which where I live is basically a price for a good meal at a restaurant); and after that you can still sell it for at least a 1000€.

Another point is that the technology moves at a very quick place. As I have already written before, it does not make much sense to own a computer for a prolonged period of time, because even the entry model three years later will be quicker than the most expensive model right now. You cannot compare this to cars etc.

I believe, the right approach to purchasing a computer is to identify you need and then to get a model which would cover them. Basically, your requirements are so low that any Mac model will perform more then satisfactory in your case. You can get an entry level iMac or an entry-level MacMini, get some RAM at a third-party store and you are set for the next three years. When your warranty runs out, sell the computer (you will get at least 40-50% of the original value, which is great for computers) and get a new one. This is the most economical and pragmatic way to own a computer. I mean, you also don't wait until your shoes fall apart, you get a new pair once the old one shows first signs of severe wear.

 

[aComicBookFan]

Hi Leman,

Interesting reply! We have different perspectives. I see PCs as being minimalist in form and function. There is nothing more or less in those ugly square boxes than what is required for the machine to power up. If heat is an issue then make the box bigger. The components that go into a run of the mill PC are lower quality many times. Nothing was built tasetfully, artistically, and beautifully. Macs are the complete opposite to me. They are well thought out beautiful products and they go beyond the minimum requirements for packaging and operation. As a engineer, I can appreciate what went into the design, packaging, and manufacturing of a Mac. PCs? Not so much.

I understand your logic in calculating the monthly cost and I get it. My goal is to get it even lower than your 60 Euros! And, I totally understand that in three years there will be another couple of releases of Macs that will be faster than whatver I have. My argument is that just because something is "new" and "faster" is not necessarily a reason to upgrade especially if the machine I have now works just fine. I know everyone here teases me for using automotive analogues but I want to offer one more here. Suppose I buy a small car with a 1.6L engine that produces 110HP. In three years a new model comes out with a similar sized engine but produces 240HP with no increase in fuel consumption. Would you swap out your car? Some people would and that is fine. Personally, I would drive the 110HP car until the wheels fall off.

I agree with you that I could cycle through hardware every three years. After three years I sell what I have and I make sure I save up during those three years to cover the rest of the new machine. Like I said, I am old fashioned in that I use things until they are worn out to nothing. You mentioned shoes and I have to confess that I do keep my shoes beyond the first signs of wear. The soles can go flat - that's fine. A bit of the tread can peel off - I glue it back on. I wash my shoes in the clothes washer in a gentle cycle every so often too (makes them unbelievably clean!). As long as the inside is whole, doesn't give me blisters, and are comfortabke to wear for long walks then I keep my shoes. I spend a bit more on shoes ($45 at a shoe shop vs. $20 at Walmart) and I look for American made New Balance shoes specifically (vs. generic store brands). But, these shoes will last me at least one year.

I don't mean to come across as argumentative. Perhaps I need to catch up with modern culture and reset my expectations a bit (5 year life vs. 7 year life). But, I think you will find there are lots of other people like me who quietly hide with their older machines looking to get a few more years of reliable service from their Macs.

-- Boris

 

[leman]

Well, if you want to compare computers to cars, imagine that the car fuel consumption would drop 50% every year and the price of fuel will raise 50% every year. After few years, it may actually be more economical to get a new car than to continue driving the old one Your 110 vs 220 HP argument is a bit wobbly, because who needs 220 HP on a car anyway with current speed limits? I will be getting the new Honda bike this summer, and despite having only 48HP, it can still hit 0-100km/h in 5.5 seconds while reaching 190km/h speeds on the highway. Its more than enough for me because I use the bike as an all-year commuter and I don't do races.

Of course, that's all subjective. I can see your point and I agree that there is truth to what you say. I simply believe that my approach (buying a slower model now, to sell it in 3 years and replace it with a new slower model) will give you more in terms of computer satisfaction (you are always upated), reliability (you are always covered by warranty) at the same (or even lower) price than getting a quicker and more expensive model now.

 

[madrag]

being in exactly the same situation as the OP, and also having an HD, ODD, and everything else that just works and works a lot!

I too understand that if your machine lasts longer, it saves you more money and these macs are expensive (good, but expensive).

I am in the same boat, and I too have a problem in spending a lot for a mac and then spending another "lot" three or less years later.

Not to mention selling just for the sake of it behing three or a bit more years and still behing valid.

I mean, if the machine is ok, I see no reason to dispose of it. I know newer macs are faster and will accept other OSs, etc, but one has to evaluate if that is worth a change or not. For me it hasn't been until now (I can't run anything intel, and now I really need it, that's one reason, and honestly, the only reason for me, because my G5 is a beast, it runs and runs and I'm now with another problem: what to do with my G5 beast when I get a newer mac?).

I bet the iMac will last at least five years. I don't know if it's the way I treat my macs, but they all work (I have six, prior to the G5) and no issues with anything/HD, memory, and I still use a 14" Apple CRT display, 13 years old and counting, everyday!

 

[xumax]

Boris,

I strongly disagree with your description "Macs are more like pieces of art rather than mundane functional blocks". In fact, computers from Apple are the most functional — minimalistic, no-nonsense features - computer I know and this is also the main reason why I use them. And I con't see them as expensive (I am a grad student, I don't have any money basically) - the top 27" iMac for around 2200€ has a projected cost of only 60€ per month over three years (which where I live is basically a price for a good meal at a restaurant); and after that you can still sell it for at least a 1000€.

...i.

Makes me wonder who is the folks buying it, if everybody would handle it that way?

I understand the situation, being of the same generation, i guess.

My problem is kind of different.
I have bought an iMac mid 2011 (27 is a MUST !!) and I worry so much if I keep that machine to long, that there will be no similar replacement, ;-) as - for me - Its the perfect machine, so that with development its easier to destroy than doing it better.

The only thing I regret is that I was to cheap and just got a 1 TB HD.
The Cpu is second but with the Data storage I should have Invested in an SSD AND the biggest HD.

So im considering to sell it and buy the 2012 modell, ........ But ......
Will it be as perfect as the machine I have ?
(no death pixel, yellow tint or anything else .....)

You cant go wrong at the moment choosing an iMac.

What I dislike in the comming future is the direction the OS might go, integrating all that stuff from facebook, twitter, google, ... Spy software thing...

Apologize for my english as I am writing from Europe.

 

[I8P'CS]

Makes me wonder who is the folks buying it, if everybody would handle it that way?

I understand the situation, being of the same generation, i guess.

My problem is kind of different.
I have bought an iMac mid 2011 (27 is a MUST !!) and I worry so much if I keep that machine to long, that there will be no similar replacement, ;-) as - for me - Its the perfect machine, so that with development its easier to destroy than doing it better.

The only thing I regret is that I was to cheap and just got a 1 TB HD.
The Cpu is second but with the Data storage I should have Invested in an SSD AND the biggest HD.

So im considering to sell it and buy the 2012 modell, ........ But ......
Will it be as perfect as the machine I have ?
(no death pixel, yellow tint or anything else .....)

You cant go wrong at the moment choosing an iMac.

What I dislike in the comming future is the direction the OS might go, integrating all that stuff from facebook, twitter, google, ... Spy software thing...

Apologize for my english as I am writing from Europe.

A lot of money to waste for a small increase, better off waiting for Haswell at least. Thats just my thoughts. Your current machine is still a beast.

 

[xumax]

A lot of money to waste for a small increase, better off waiting for Haswell at least. Thats just my thoughts. Your current machine is still a beast.

Thanks for the hint.
Its just, too less intern storage place and i hate to have more harddrives extern, as the one doing time machine is enough.

Do you think Hashwell will be in an equal aweful design like the Current Imacs.
I know you are no fortune teller, but what you guess ...

 

[Richdmoore]

One of the biggest advantages of the new iMac is the thunderbolt port allows an external boot drive to be just as speedy as an internal one. Since all hard discs will eventually die, you can simply plug in another one to the back of the iMac, and not even worry about the broken internal drive.

I would still advise waiting for the 2012 models (I own a 21.5 2011 model) as it may come with USB 3, which the current model lacks.

Right now USB 2 only isn't an issue, but I think USB 3 will pretty much displace USB 2 in the next couple of years for most external equipment. Those of us who have the 2011 models will either have to hope for an thunderbolt to USB 3 adaptor, or be limited to thunderbolt accessories for those things that require a fast connection (FW 800 is an option as well, but is not very widespread even today.)

Best of luck!

 

[xumax]

Ok, iwill do so thnx!!

Good luck to the OP, basically there is no bad choice.
I own an mac mini too, for the kids, but the iMac 27 is the grace !

 

[Ccrew]

Apple uses industry standard hard drives in all their Macs, there is nothing special about them at all.

Industry standard drives, but some use Apple specific firmware. Current gen iMacs and the drive being tied to the fan control is a prime example.