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My requirements - go for current iMac or wait? Advice please

interbear

interbear

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 5, 2012
242
182
UK
Hi Mac experts, some advice appreciated please.

I have what I'd describe as fairly simple computing requirements. Currently have a Vaio CW laptop running Windows 7. But my household is now dominated by iDevices so I intend to invest in an iMac to complete the Apple loop. Main uses will be :-

- iTunes based Media - music, videos etc
- Large hard drive to store all of this media - 1 or 2 TB ideally. Alternative would be to go for smaller internal drive and a RAID 1 dual external.
- Ripping of my CD and DVD collection into iTunes format
- Streaming to an Apple TV 3
- AirPlay mirroring to Apple TV (so needs to support latest OSX)
- Usual word processing, presentations type programs
- Web
- Family photos (storage and viewing, not editing)
- Family videos (simple short videos taken on iPhone, perhaps a bit of simple iMovie editing)

No gaming requirements. I prefer iMac due to simplicity and lack of clutter so have discounted the Mac Mini on this basis.

I'm aware that a new model is imminent but have a feeling that the current model would likely be sufficient for my requirements. I also love the design and integrated optical drive is preferred (this may disappear in the new model). So, I'm considering picking up a refurb or 2nd hand one and saving some cash to put towards a large external hard drive for storage / time machine back up.

What do Mac experts think? Go for this or should I wait for the new version for USB3, faster processor etc. I can see value in USB3 for connecting a hard drive but not sure my needs really warrant the faster processor? I'm a Mac newbie by the way.

Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks.
 
interbear said:
What do Mac experts think? Go for this or should I wait for the new version for USB3, faster processor etc. I can see value in USB3 for connecting a hard drive but not sure my needs really warrant the faster processor? I'm a Mac newbie by the way.
Click to expand...

Although it hasn't really taken over as standard just yet, I really do think USB3 is going to become essential within a year or 2's time in order to connect new devices of any kind. Even if it doesn't, it does seem like the feature you would regret not waiting for over anything else because you would not be able to add it at a later date, unlike an optical drive. You can pick up an external for pretty cheap nowadays, and you'd only have to do that if apple do drop the optical drive in the new ones.

In my opinion, if you can wait, then wait. If your in a position where you actually need a new mac, then go for it.
 
Zedsdead185 said:
Although it hasn't really taken over as standard just yet, I really do think USB3 is going to become essential within a year or 2's time in order to connect new devices of any kind. Even if it doesn't, it does seem like the feature you would regret not waiting for over anything else because you would not be able to add it at a later date, unlike an optical drive. You can pick up an external for pretty cheap nowadays, and you'd only have to do that if apple do drop the optical drive in the new ones.

In my opinion, if you can wait, then wait. If your in a position where you actually need a new mac, then go for it.
Click to expand...

Yep that's a fair point. The current iMac comes with Thunderbolt but everywhere I look any Thunderbolt drive looks very, very expensive. I'd imagine USB 3 based drives would be cheaper options.

I think I'll wait and see what the refresh offers. If it doesn't do anything for me, I can still pick up a refurb or 2nd hand current model, probably for an even better price than now.

Patience is required ;-)
 
Well, from the sound of it, the present iMac is more than capable of meeting your requirements. I'm pretty much doing all of that and more on my mid 2007 with a Firewire external drive.

But, if you're not in a desperate hurry, I would also advice waiting 6 weeks or so to see what happens. USB 3 could be useful.

And you might consider two external drives, one for extra storage and the other for backup. Alternatively start off with one external for backup and then get another drive when your internal one starts getting full.
 
I do all that you want to do above, apart from mirroring on a 2009 24" iMac.

Maxed out at 8GB RAM with a SSD drive in the optical bay and 2TB drive in the normal drive bay..

Your requirements look pretty simple so I'd say any newish mac would do the jobs you require.
 
I'd wait till November if you're not in hurry. You can see what new iMacs bring, if they keep ODD, go for it, if not you'll still be able to buy previous generation (2011 model) for lower price.

If you buy 2011 model, I'd go for refurb only. Also I don't think USB3 will make a difference for you, sure it's a cool feature (must for some) to have but unless you'll be copying gigabytes of data daily, I don't see the benefit. 1080P movies play smoothly from USB2 devices.

Don't forget to pickup external drive for Time Machine backups, it's a great feature of OS X that almost every Mac user utilizes. I'd go with Seagate Expansion 3TB, great design for low price.
 
It depends how URGENT your purchase is - is the machine critical for your business etc?

Sure, the current iMacs will be fine for your needs which you've listed. If you can wait, you might find the new ones appealing. If you don't find them appealing, the prices of the 'old' iMacs will drop - so your at a win there too.

Its been over 500 days since the iMacs were refreshed, i'd personally hold out (again that is if its not harming my financial status by not having a machine to work on) to see what they do and if you don't like the new ones (which will be hard to believe :D ) then you can buy a previous gen refurb at an even lower cost.
 
the question is, how much can u resist?

i did ask this question (wait or buy?) when it was january.

i said i'd wait till...
on february...nothing
on june...nothing
on july.....nothing
on september....nothing
on october........................????

im going to wait now till end.
 
Those of us who are waiting presumably are doing so because we believe at some level that Apple will release an updated iMac in the next month or two. But if that time passes without an announcement, the decision gets harder - the longer the wait, the less of a value the current iMac becomes.

I ask myself if I'd buy a 2011 iMac if I knew for certain that it was the last iMac that Apple would ever sell. In that event, even if it did everything I needed (which it probably would), I'd hesitate, unless it was offered at a huge discount.
 
I would recommend you to wait. But that is only because the imac is "nearly here", or at least that what we all think, but no one knows for sure. In any case if you really want the imac, you should just buy it, because you will not see a difference between both, I would recommend you to opt for an SSD and get the current one and if you really want usb3 then you can always get the thunderbolt hub belkin is going to release, and that should solve the problem of usb3 for many 2011 imac owners and thunderbolt users in general.
 
I would wait as hopefully a refresh is right around the corner, however many have been saying this for months now. However, the longer the wait the more the possibility that it will be a redesign. But if you need it now, get it. Trying to keep up with technology is very expensive. The current imac is a fantastic machine.
 
Thanks for all the replies folks, I appreciate the advice.

I don't have an urgent need so waiting a bit longer is no issue. I should probably do that and examine my options then. That seems to be e consensus.

As i do think the current model would meet my requirements, I'd be happy to save money and pickup a refurb 2011 model if the refresh is of limited real value to me personally. Might get a good deal then.

Although I do have my eye on what looks like a very good 2nd hand option - 2.7Ghz i5, 12MB RAM, 1 TB disk and AppleCare up to mid 2014. I'm quite tempted by that spec so will need to apply some willpower!

That Belkin thunderbolt adaptor looks interesting too....
 
interbear said:
Thanks for all the replies folks, I appreciate the advice.

I don't have an urgent need so waiting a bit longer is no issue. I should probably do that and examine my options then. That seems to be e consensus.
Click to expand...

Good choice, pal ... I'm waiting since September 2011 (and I'm not even the one who's waited longer !), for the first time since last year, I feel that we may get the chance to have a new 2012 Imac before October ends ...
 
davidgnomo said:
Good choice, pal ... I'm waiting since September 2011 (and I'm not even the one who's waited longer !), for the first time since last year, I feel that we may get the chance to have a new 2012 Imac before October ends ...
Click to expand...

I think your are correct but other dates have been and gone.

If a great price for a well specced 2011 model pops up, I may jump, as it would be fine for my requirements. If not, I'm fine to wait until the end of the year. I've not been on this wait for as long as many, yourself included!
 
What you want to do with a computer would be satisfied fully during the working lifetime of an iMac bought today. In other words, I cannot see how your needs would exceed what the current models can do well for as long as they'd last before needing replacement anyway.

That said, many will tell you to wait now as there is possibility of new ones in October.

There problem there for you is the risk, although personally I think it is slight, that they might drop the optical drive in the new ones. Even if they did though, it would be inexpensive to purchase an external drive from Apple to satisfy that need.

If the need isn't pressing, it is only a few weeks to see what does or does not develop in October so I'd also say wait and see. If November comes with no new models, just buy one then either way. The benefit is, for the same money you'd get the latest tech and possibly pickup USB 3 which for your purposes might be helpful.

If this was even last month or months before I'd probably have told you to just go ahead and buy one. Why wait? But with a possible refresh being speculated on so much for October and no real pressing need to buy now from what I can tell, it can only benefit you to see if anything new comes out this month. It's only a few weeks to wait either way.

In any case, I will tell you this: you are in for a treat. The iMac with OS X is a real joy to use.
 
Though the current models will meet your requirements, you are most likely to get more for your money by waiting for the new model introduction. Then, you will have the option of buying the 2011 model at a reduced price or getting in early on the newest version.
 
iHailCarlo said:
The current macs will more than handle what you want!
Click to expand...

No question about that.

My strategy is :-

Happy to wait for the new version as my need is not urgent. See what it offers and at what price point (I am assuming the same as current pricing £999 or £1,249 for the two 21.5 inch models). In the meantime, if I can grab a bargain on the current model - whether a good 2nd hand option or a refurb at better than usual prices - I might take up that option, save some cash and apply it to other requirements ie. external drive storage that I also need. Confident in the knowledge that if I did this it would meet my requirements for the next few years at a decent price point.
 
Reports are Apple and retailers have restocked the 2011 model, which could be a sign that a refresh is not coming soon.

I went refurb a year ago and saved 20% thanks to receiving a unit with twice the RAM and VRAM as advertised. I considered replacing this year, but will now wait for the Haswell units in 2013 since I do not need USB3 at the moment.
 
CWallace said:
Reports are Apple and retailers have restocked the 2011 model, which could be a sign that a refresh is not coming soon.

I went refurb a year ago and saved 20% thanks to receiving a unit with twice the RAM and VRAM as advertised. I considered replacing this year, but will now wait for the Haswell units in 2013 since I do not need USB3 at the moment.
Click to expand...

source please ??
 
CWallace said:
Reports are Apple and retailers have restocked the 2011 model, which could be a sign that a refresh is not coming soon.

I went refurb a year ago and saved 20% thanks to receiving a unit with twice the RAM and VRAM as advertised. I considered replacing this year, but will now wait for the Haswell units in 2013 since I do not need USB3 at the moment.
Click to expand...

Interesting.

If that is the case, Apple should come out and say so and put everyone out of their misery! Surely they want people buying iMac in the run up to Xmas? If the current situation persists, no-one will.
 
interbear said:
Interesting.

If that is the case, Apple should come out and say so and put everyone out of their misery! Surely they want people buying iMac in the run up to Xmas? If the current situation persists, no-one will.
Click to expand...

amazon still doesnt have stock people spreading a rumor without a source and without being true go check on amazon by yourself, check amazon, mac mall, best buy, b&h and youll see they have either 0 or almost nothing left on stock apple store still getting some but no relllers. Whoever is spreading this rumor please stop.
 
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