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My requirements - go for current iMac or wait? Advice please
- Thread starter interbear
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Well, I laughed
I will buy an iMac that meets my needs at the right price. It might be the current one, it might be the new one.
And wouldn't Apple win whichever one I buy?
I don't think the average Tom, Dick or Jane has any idea that an update is due. Dick and Jane want an all-in-one, so they buy a current iMac and are blissfully ignorant of the encroaching update. Tom is more savvy, so he sees that the iMac is using older stuff and buys a Windows AIO, having no idea there will be an update soon. He doesn't care either, because he doesn't sit around waiting for updates like the majority of us on MR. So while some of us are suffering, the majority of people will just buy, some of which will buy an alternative. Outside of the Mac community, there's not much suffering going on, so Apple isn't too inclined to care, except for the marginal sales they're losing, which is probably pretty much nothing in their terms.
I think you are absolutely correct. 90% of people would be none the wiser and delighted with any iMac. I'd be the same myself if I didn't web research every significant purchase
I think you are absolutely correct. 90% of people would be none the wiser and delighted with any iMac. I'd be the same myself if I didn't web research every significant purchase
If Apple cared this little they would have released the current chassis with only a new gpu and cpu to shut us up. The only reason I think it's delayed now is because apple take pride in their products and have experienced some hurdles along the way. So if my assumption is correct then it's not all about money, just as much attention to detail. We shall see.
BUT, it doesn't make me any less inpatient
If Apple cared this little they would have released the current chassis with only a new gpu and cpu to shut us up. The only reason I think it's delayed now is because apple take pride in their products and have experienced some hurdles along the way. So if my assumption is correct then it's not all about money, just as much attention to detail. We shall see.
BUT, it doesn't make me any less inpatient
Do you work for apple? I almost puked from the vertigo I suffered when my eyes rolled too hard. If they cared, they could have released a CPU/GPU spec bump with little-to-no new engineering and using a 7970M... and THEN released whatever they're cooking up when it's ready. They've done this before. It's worked before. No one complains and people continue buying their products with reasonable certainty that they're getting current tech (mobile products aside, like their failure to make LTE work for years after the competition).
Right now they're just starving us to make us ravenous for whatever they put out, which will likely be the same thing with internals/ports updated and a "Look guy, less glare!" screen, which we're supposed to fawn over or something and pay some extra coin for.
The bottom line is that this kind of time/tech gap shouldn't have happened and someone dropped the ball. It's a mistake, not a Care Bear love cuddle to customers. Apple is not a religion. It's ok to like their products, but be realistic enough to call a spade a spade.
The current iMac was introduced in May 2011. 15 months ago.
Now, I know the world of computing moves along at a rapid pace, but really, it's not that long is it?
I'd say a refresh cycle of less than that would annoy the hell out of people who just spent their hard earned on the "latest model" only to find it replaced within a year. An 18 month refresh cycle seems perfectly reasonable to me for a desktop computer.
Mac Rumors Buyer's guide is pure bull!!! I'm getting really tired of waiting and frankly, tired of looking at the MBA's tiny 11" pie hole. Refresh is long over due and Apple failing to ensure timely updates and efficiency in the manufacturing process speaks to their lack of care for their Mac consumer base.
Yes, but its the idiots like us that stay with apple and remind them thats its ok to treat the desktop community like crap.
I would not be surprised if Apple had planned to release the iMac earlier this year (perhaps at WWDC), but if Apple has gone to a new process for attaching the LCD to the frame, I can believe that they might be having production issues - especially on the larger display.
And what's worse? Waiting 2-3 months for the announcement, or having Apple announce the new iMacs and then note "the 21-inch should be shipping in 6-8 weeks and the 27" in 8-12, so get your orders in now!".
Then again, Apple has yet to update the Mac Mini with USB3 and there should be no production or design issues holding that back.
Since I do not see the iMac going Retina (even as a BTO option), the next most logical time for them to announce it - along with a USB Mac Mini and a 13" rMBP - would be at the iPad Mini launch event next month or perhaps the week before.
Sandy Bridge really doesn't bring much to the iMac except USB3. Power draw is irrelevant since the iMac runs on AC. And as the iMac has a discrete GPU, the HD4000 is superfluous. Yes, a lower TDP would help with cooling, but my 3.4GHz i7 runs quiet even with all four cores and eight threads at 100% load and driving an ATD.
So if you have to have an iMac now, I recommend ordering a 2011 refurbished unit and enjoy a 15-20% savings over a new model. That is what I did earlier this year and I am not seeing a compelling reason for myself to upgrade to a Sandy Bridge iMac.
Of course, if you can wait, you might as well and see what it brings, then weigh the price of a new model against a refurbish 2011 with similar specifications.
And what's worse? Waiting 2-3 months for the announcement, or having Apple announce the new iMacs and then note "the 21-inch should be shipping in 6-8 weeks and the 27" in 8-12, so get your orders in now!".
Then again, Apple has yet to update the Mac Mini with USB3 and there should be no production or design issues holding that back.
Since I do not see the iMac going Retina (even as a BTO option), the next most logical time for them to announce it - along with a USB Mac Mini and a 13" rMBP - would be at the iPad Mini launch event next month or perhaps the week before.
Sandy Bridge really doesn't bring much to the iMac except USB3. Power draw is irrelevant since the iMac runs on AC. And as the iMac has a discrete GPU, the HD4000 is superfluous. Yes, a lower TDP would help with cooling, but my 3.4GHz i7 runs quiet even with all four cores and eight threads at 100% load and driving an ATD.
So if you have to have an iMac now, I recommend ordering a 2011 refurbished unit and enjoy a 15-20% savings over a new model. That is what I did earlier this year and I am not seeing a compelling reason for myself to upgrade to a Sandy Bridge iMac.
Of course, if you can wait, you might as well and see what it brings, then weigh the price of a new model against a refurbish 2011 with similar specifications.
tech gap is nothing to speak about. the top of the line 2011 has 2 t-bolts ports not port in the world is faster. usb 3 is cheaper. tech gap none price gap yes. the top of the line 2011 has an i7 2600s cpu the best cpu now would be an i7 3770s 10 percent maybe 12 % difference. very few people need that difference tech gap not much price gap yes. the top of the line 2011 has a 6970m gpu this is the only real tech gap as the7970m gpu is 25% faster. My problem is not that the 2011 machine is out of date slow yadda yadda yadda my problem is it is over priced.
How many users need the speed boost that an i7 3770s gives over a it 2600s very few and how many people need the speed of the hd7970m a few more.
Apple could have just said we will cut the price (pigs can fly can't they") Skip over the ivy and be first with haswell. Intell has given them plenty of first deals. Instead Apple will come out with a oct/nov 2012 with a i7 3770s and a second tier video card with usb3 and a matte screen option.
Big deal as I sit with a my diy pc housing an i7 3770s a hd7970 gpu 256gb msata usb 3 and a 46 inch led screen as I type this rant. So what if it is windows 7. I push my remote and go to my mac mini which has both windows and ml. My total cost for 2 computers and a 46inch tv less then the top of the line 2011 imac.
I agree with this fo the most part. A few things:
The 7970M is more like double the performance of the 6970M with a 3DMark Vantage score of 21000+ vs 11000+ for the 6970M.
The most recent games would give even the 7970M a hard time if Apple does come up with a Retina display. For those who don't want two machines, 1 for gaming and 1 for working, then the 7XXX GPU would have been most welcome back in April/May. I think the two machine route is now the only way to go for gaming with a Mac.
I do wish Apple would have at least discounted their iMacs/minis by $100-$200 this summer.
Thanks, some good points and sensible advice too.
I am increasingly thinking that the likely 15-20% saving is of greater value to me than the incremental improvements that a refreshed model may deliver. I've also seen regular mention of optical drive being removed and RAM being hard wired into the new model, both of which would be negatives in my view. The current iMac looks great and is slim enough as far as I am concerned. All speculation I know.
I shall keep a very close eye out for refurb and decent 2nd hand offerings I think.
No reason for Apple to do so, when you can save significantly more than that via a refurbished unit.
I saved $600 on a top-spec 2011 27" by choosing a refurbished model over a new model.
Oh, no question. Once they hit the refurb store, there is not much point of buying the model new. I would have expected the refurbs to have dropped in price as well though. I know that Apple is not in the habit of changing prices even when their tech is no longer current, however.
Exactly. Unless your losing money as a professional due to hardware that underperforms, or you're a student without a PC and it's hurting grades, you might as well wait if there is any possibility of buyer's remorse.
OK folks. Thanks for all of your advice on this thread.
After much consideration I decided that patience is over rated compared to keeping money in my pocket. So I've picked up a year old current model - a well specced 21.5 inch 2.7Ghz quad core i5 with 12GB RAM and a 1TB drive. Also has about 2 years AppleCare remaining.
I think this will more than meet my requirements for a few years at a good price point. There will be no buyers remorse here, I plan to enjoy my first iMac, whatever the new version brings, especially as this route saves me some money vs buying a brand new one.
Thanks again - some very helpful advice on here.
After much consideration I decided that patience is over rated compared to keeping money in my pocket. So I've picked up a year old current model - a well specced 21.5 inch 2.7Ghz quad core i5 with 12GB RAM and a 1TB drive. Also has about 2 years AppleCare remaining.
I think this will more than meet my requirements for a few years at a good price point. There will be no buyers remorse here, I plan to enjoy my first iMac, whatever the new version brings, especially as this route saves me some money vs buying a brand new one.
Thanks again - some very helpful advice on here.
You're downplaying the role of USB 3 way too much. Unless they drop the price of entry with Thunderbolt VERY soon, which is unlikely because of the way they made the cables, it's going to go the way of HD-DVD and Laserdisc.
Sure the tech is superior, but only marginally superior to the alternative, and cannot compete with the alternative's ubiquity and price.
It's not like Apple doesnt get that. USB3 is standard on new machines. Fine. But saying there's no tech gap?? buying a 4 figure machine in late 2012 without usb 3 is plain foolish.
Sure the tech is superior, but only marginally superior to the alternative, and cannot compete with the alternative's ubiquity and price.
It's not like Apple doesnt get that. USB3 is standard on new machines. Fine. But saying there's no tech gap?? buying a 4 figure machine in late 2012 without usb 3 is plain foolish.
Sure you will. If you buy the 2011 iMac, your wallet will be lighter by the amount you paid at full ticket versus the value of a Sandy Bridge desktop these days, which is considerably less. If you buy an updated iMac, you will have paid par value (by Apple standards) for your tech, just like Mac notebook users have been doing since June.
BTW the Mac Mini non-update should be a telling factor and I don't see people recognizing that for what it is. The Mini is just a non-retina MBP in a desktop case. It could have been updated in June, the tech was done. The fact that Apple hasn't done so can only have been deliberate, and not tech-limited. This adds more fuel to the fire of an Apple desktop revamp of some sort in 2013 and possibly no 2012 iMac.
If I'm not going to see any performance difference then, all things considered, I'm better off buying an iMac today.