Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Need advice getting a new desktop

H

Hitman1717

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 5, 2009
157
7
Sorry if I sound like a novice, but I need some advice. I’ve had the same Mac desktop since 2006 and need a new one. I’d like to get all the bells and whistles so that it will last me awhile.

I’ve read that some of you are waiting for fall 2020, but I’m sure whatever is the best right now is good enough for me. Would I really be missing out on anything by not waiting six months?

What specs would you all suggest I get?

Thank you.
 
It would be helpful to know what Mac desktop you've been using, and what kinds of activities you use it for.
 
Namara said:
It would be helpful to know what Mac desktop you've been using, and what kinds of activities you use it for.
Click to expand...

I’m a teacher, so I would want to add Microsoft Word to do work on there and on the Internet. Will need to be able to teach from home as well, so I need a video camera.

I’d like to edit family videos, maybe a little gaming? I’d also have to somehow get all my iTunes music off of the old Mac...which is a terrifying idea to think about.
 
You would probably be fine with the base 21.5" iMac and sounds like you're eligible for the educational discount. Apple has said this week they will continue to support Intel Macs for another 4 years, so if you bought an Intel Mac today, you'd have to accept that after those 4 years you won't receive system updates, and some of the software may no longer be supported. There's still lots of unknowns.

It sounds if you've been using a 14-year old Mac, you're comfortable with not needing the latest operating system version once your Mac is old enough.

If you wait until the new ARM iMac is announced (and then becomes available to order at a later date), you'd be trying out a first generation of a new type of Mac. The general wisdom is to wait until a second generation of new Macs before plopping down your hard-earned cash.

Many members here are in the same boat. They would like to purchase a new Mac soon, but recognize that it's not an easy decision because of the new announcements. Based on everything you've described, I don't believe you will be missing out on anything if you buy a new (or refurb from Apple) iMac soon.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Agile55 and DotCom2
Hmm. So buying an Intel Mac doesn’t sound good for the long-term. I couldn’t get a computer that can’t be updated after four years. When will the new ARM macs be available?
 
Hitman1717 said:
Hmm. So buying an Intel Mac doesn’t sound good for the long-term. I couldn’t get a computer that can’t be updated after four years. When will the new ARM macs be available?
Click to expand...
We don't know yet when they will be available. There's some speculation but nothing firm is known yet.
 
Thanks you for your responses. I guess I do have to wait. I’m usually fine not having the newest tech, but I can’t buy tech that will be obsolete in just three or four years.
 
Namara said:
Apple has said this week they will continue to support Intel Macs for another 4 years, so if you bought an Intel Mac today, you'd have to accept that after those 4 years you won't receive system updates, and some of the software may no longer be supported. There's still lots of unknowns.
Click to expand...

This is what I find concerning about getting a new iMac. It is a lot of money to spend and then have to get a new one in 4 or so years. I am in the place were I am going to need to get something soon because I won't be able to work from home once 10.13 become unsupported. Getting the 1st gen ARM is just not appealing to me.
 
Loyola said:
This is what I find concerning about getting a new iMac. It is a lot of money to spend and then have to get a new one in 4 or so years. I am in the place were I am going to need to get something soon because I won't be able to work from home once 10.13 become unsupported. Getting the 1st gen ARM is just not appealing to me.
Click to expand...

I’m with you. But I wouldn’t know a PC that compares to how my Mac has run, and I’ve always hated Windows.
 
Hitman1717 said:
I’m with you. But I wouldn’t know a PC that compares to how my Mac has run, and I’ve always hated Windows.
Click to expand...

I despise Windows. Right now I can boot in Windows 10 as well but have had so many issues. I upgraded from Windows 7 which ran well in comparison. I am going to try to get Windows 10 to work and hopefully that will buy me some time before I need to get a new iMac.
 
Me too. Hate Windows. And all my music is on iTunes. I know even less about the newest PCs than I do about the new Macs. But I also don't want to spend 2K on a Mac that cannot be updated after four years.
 
I have been considering an iMac 27 for the last year or so and having started looking into it seriously this last week I couldn't help but notice the delayed delivery times which after searching google led me to here. I was all set for ordering a 3.0 with 16GB and an SSD Drive. Like a lot of people I'm not much more clear on what the possible reasons for the longer delivery times are, weather it be a delayed supply of parts or indeed a new/refreshed iMac on the horizon. What I am wondering tonight is if Apple do plan a refreshed model and I go ahead and place my order tomorrow would I receive a spec bumped machine or just the current/old spec
 
Hitman1717 said:
Me too. Hate Windows. And all my music is on iTunes. I know even less about the newest PCs than I do about the new Macs. But I also don't want to spend 2K on a Mac that cannot be updated after four years.
Click to expand...

Perhaps you could do all the things you want to do on an iPad?
 
Besides the current iMac being obsolete soon, what will the ARM iMac be able to do that the current one cannot?
 
OP wrote:
" I couldn’t get a computer that can’t be updated after four years."

Then... don't buy a Mac.
Apple's business model seems to more and more aimed at selling Macs that are "non-upgradeable" in any way.

The new MacBook Pros are simply not upgradeable at all.
The RAM and the drives are soldered in place.

If you want an iMac, get the 27" model that is sold now.
It still has a door on the back by which you can upgrade the RAM.
The 21" model doesn't have this (requires complete disassembly to access RAM).

And -- no matter which Mac you buy -- here's the best advice you're going to get in this thread:
GET ONE WITH AN INTERNAL SSD (even if it's not quite "as large" as you want).
This will keep the Mac running "the fastest for the longest".
 
  • Like
Reactions: servenvolley, OddyOh, ian87w and 5 others
Hitman1717 said:
Besides the current iMac being obsolete soon, what will the ARM iMac be able to do that the current one cannot?
Click to expand...

We don't know anything about ARM Macs, except for one thing - they will be able to use iPad and iPhone apps natively. We expect them to be faster. Other than that, it's a guessing game. If I were you, I would wait especially since you seem the type to keep your machines for a long time, so buying something that will likely be supported for longer makes more sense.
 
Fishrrman said:
OP wrote:
" I couldn’t get a computer that can’t be updated after four years."

Then... don't buy a Mac.
Apple's business model seems to more and more aimed at selling Macs that are "non-upgradeable" in any way.

The new MacBook Pros are simply not upgradeable at all.
The RAM and the drives are soldered in place.

If you want an iMac, get the 27" model that is sold now.
It still has a door on the back by which you can upgrade the RAM.
The 21" model doesn't have this (requires complete disassembly to access RAM).

And -- no matter which Mac you buy -- here's the best advice you're going to get in this thread:
GET ONE WITH AN INTERNAL SSD (even if it's not quite "as large" as you want).
This will keep the Mac running "the fastest for the longest".
Click to expand...

This is what I’m not sure about. Macs do last. Mine is from 2006. But one of the posters here said in four years, the operating system of the current Macs won’t be able to be updated.
 
Hitman1717 said:
This is what I’m not sure about. Macs do last. Mine is from 2006. But one of the posters here said in four years, the operating system of the current Macs won’t be able to be updated.
Click to expand...
That was me who said that based on last week's announcement from Apple. But at some point you weren't able to update the OS on your 2006 iMac, and Apple deemed it obsolete. Yet you're still able to use it. Why would lack of OS support after 4 years keep you from continuing to use a new Mac?

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support

Learn about your options for getting service and parts for Apple devices that are past their warranty period.
support.apple.com support.apple.com
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: cdcastillo and Hey Jude
The only recent example we have to go on is what happened in the PowerPC - Intel transition. The last PowerPCs came out in 2005 and the last PPC OS was Leopard in 2009 (with support ending in 2011).
 
Namara said:
That was me who said that based on last week's announcement from Apple. But at some point you weren't able to update the OS on your 2006 iMac, and Apple deemed it obsolete. Yet you're still able to use it. Why would lack of OS support after 4 years keep you from continuing to use a new Mac?

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support

Learn about your options for getting service and parts for Apple devices that are past their warranty period.
support.apple.com support.apple.com
Click to expand...

You’re right. Thank you.

Knowing what I use it for, do you think I would be ok after those four years doing what I need to do for the next 10 years or so?
 
Last edited:
Hitman1717 said:
You’re right. Thank you.

Knowing what I use it for, do you think I would be ok after those four years doing what I need to do for the next 10 years or so?
Click to expand...
Yes, based on what we know at this point, and as long as the software apps you want to use also continue to work with whatever the latest OS version you'll update to in 4 years. If you accept that we're all speculating based on Apple's past experience, I think you would do fine based on your own 14-year experience with your 2006 iMac. And if we're really lucky, the Macrumors forums for vintage and obsolete Macs will still be alive and kicking in another 14 years.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Aquarium2now
Namara said:
Yes, based on what we know at this point, and as long as the software apps you want to use also continue to work with whatever the latest OS version you'll update to in 4 years. If you accept that we're all speculating based on Apple's past experience, I think you would do fine based on your own 14-year experience with your 2006 iMac. And if we're really lucky, the Macrumors forums for vintage and obsolete Macs will still be alive and kicking in another 14 years.
Click to expand...

i think I agree with you and will start looking on the website. I guess that would lead me to ask advice for graphics and a processor. I’d probably want to spend more there considering I keep them so long.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back