Hi,
I’m a photographer and always used Apple for everything... Since my first iMac after almost 10 years gave up, I’m looking for something new... Well, after looking prices, to buy a new iMac or Mac Pro, the price to far away what I want to spent... So I wanna ask if someone can help me, because I don’t know how many ram or ghz is the best for my needs, if quad core or 8 core, i5 or i7, etc... I searched for explanation in the internet and I get more confused than before...
Thanks
For your 1,000 euro budget you'd probably be a good match for a used 21.5" iMac for what you want to do. If you intention is to buy something now and use it for 3-5 years ( something approaching the length of your last Mac ) then some of these other options have problems.
If you had time until November I'd say wait for a new Mac Mini. but it sounds like you have have a short time ( 'gave up' sounds like not working)
and modest budget constraints. Right now that is a bigger problem than it should be.
1. The Mac Pro 2010-2012 models are about as old as your 2011 iMac. Old is an issue.
Apple Vintage and Obsolete List The Mac Pro 2009 has been on it for more than several months (and hasn't been getting OS upgrades. Yes there is a way to tap dance around that but it is indicative on the end of scope as far as Apple is concerned). The 2010 is now on the Vintage List ( yes it is getting work-arounds for macOS 14 , but that is more so because the next Mac Pro is grossly late. Once, it arrives it is extremely likley Apple is going to put the 2010 in the same "no go" box as they have the 2009 in now. )
1,000 into something that Apple is going to de-support in a year or so. If the plan is to be on the this same system for 3+ years at some point you'll be cut off with one of those options.
You'll find the 2009 and 2010 going "Mac Mini" cheap on used markets. However, that is partially because they are on the Vintage and Obsolete list. The sellers are higher than the buyers because many folks are getting off. The key question should be why should you get on if most folks are leaving. ( Folks who already own Mac Pro 2009-2012 models is a slightly different issue. They probably are not looking to spend another 3+ years on the system. Most of them are circling the airport until next Mac Pro or some other exit over he next couple of years. The mindset often in couch in that context. )
You have a CPU with no AVX and creeping up on 10 years of no instruction set updates. That isn't a great foundation for another 5-10 years of use.
2. Even at reduced prices the MP 2013 would hit your budget. Perhaps can hit the lotto with someone dumping one. But a 1K would be so far off the norm prices that The Vintage/Obsolete clock isn't running on the MP 2013 because it hasn't been superseded yet, but as soon as Apple can start that clock it is probably going onto that list as fast as they can.
3. On the 27" model many folks try to "max out" the GPU and run into problems. 21.5 GPUs are more modest in heat. It isn't quite the same "over stufing" situation. The 21.5 models are also more affordable ( given the budget is an issue).
A 2015 iMac 21.5" Retina may have sunk down to the 1K euro range by now (at most larger used Mac places with warranties they won't but may find someone reputable on a web exchange ) . You'd be looking for the larger RAM option (since RAM access is hard) . If you have any Thunderbolt 2 peripherals those would match up without an adapter ( saving money). You also get USB 3 ports ( so don't have to buy a USB 3 card. )
A 2015 iMac is likely 4-5 years away from hitting the vintage/obsolete list. That gives you a reasonable service lifetime window.
4. The problem with older 27" no retina is that backslides all the way back to 2013 which is another jumping out of fry pan and into fire option. The clock has been running on it too long for it to be a long term forward solution.
There may be some 27" Retina 2014 range that have dropped to 1K but that is shooting a needle for a unicorn ( in terms of non abused model and edge of lifetime. ). The late 2015 had three options: the M380 is probably better than the M395. ( In short, don't chase max GPU stats. )
5. If your iMac 2011 was doing "OK" in the last two years in performance ( then probably not trying to do 4-8K video work and ultra-super big picture work in Photoshop. ), then the latest, greatest high power GPU isn't particular necessary. And with the budget not really practical in the Mac space.
The 21.5" 2015 doesn't have a Max RAM capacity bigger than the 2011 models. If can get something under 1K and have money for an SSD that is probably the best performance bump. ( Get a UASP USB 3.0 enclosure and put a good SSD in it. Or a Thunderbolt+SSD if budget fits that).
P.S. There is an entry level 21.5" with an MBA processor in it over the last several years. A used one of those is probably definitely under the 1K budget but, that specific one is not appropriate (no matter how cheap). There are quad core models. One of those with 16GB ram. Is what I pointing to.
