Need advice on upgrading from 11" MBA+24" LED Display to 27" iMac

[Kenzembo1]

Greetings,

Like the title says, I need your advice on upgrading my current setup- from a late 2010 11-inch MacBook Air (1.6GHz Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM, 128GB flash storage, NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor with 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM) with a 24-inch Apple LED Cinema Display to a late 2012 27-inch iMac (refurbished: 2.9GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 1TB Fusion Drive, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M with 512MB).

I've had this setup for almost three years (still have a few months of AppleCare left on the MacBook) and have been very content with it until recently. My girlfriend moved in earlier this year and sold her PC, so we've been using the MacBook as our sole machine. As a result, the internal memory is at capacity and we've been using an external drive (one I had originally used as a Time Capsule for backup purposes) to manage our content. It was fine at first, but it's becoming a bit cumbersome. I think it's time for a new machine.

Now, at first, I was considering picking up a newer Mac Mini (with Fusion Drive), since I already have the display, however, after visiting the Apple store, we both fell in love with the newer iMacs. I figure I can get at least $1,000 out of my current setup (~$400 for the display/~$600 for the MacBook). With the money I will save buying refurbished, it will cost ~$800 (with tax) for the iMac with the above specs, roughly the same I would be paying for a Mini with comparable specs. I love my display, but the new 27-inch display is really something to behold and I think we both prefer an all-in-one vs. dueling devices.

I understand that no one here can predict the future, but I just want something that will last us at least 5-6 years. I guess what I'm really seeking is some reassurance.

As far as our needs go, neither of us are gamers. I don't do a lot of editing, except for the occasional wedding video (maybe once a year), although she's looking into getting a Photoshop subscription when we get around to purchasing a new DSLR. Our primary uses are browsing, word processing, listening to music (via iTunes and Spotify), and watching content (Netflix & Hulu). This is important being that we don't have cable. Our computer is our primary television/multimedia entertainment vehicle in our living room, where my desk is situated. Because of this, I plan on immediately upgrading the iMac to 24GB of RAM and will probably invest in an Apple TV to stream content to the television in our bedroom.

Thanks for taking the time to read all of this. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,
Ken

 

[Sakuraba]

Our best time is now

Greetings,

Like the title says, I need your advice on upgrading my current setup- from a late 2010 11-inch MacBook Air (1.6GHz Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM, 128GB flash storage, NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor with 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM) with a 24-inch Apple LED Cinema Display to a late 2012 27-inch iMac (refurbished: 2.9GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 1TB Fusion Drive, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M with 512MB).

I've had this setup for almost three years (still have a few months of AppleCare left on the MacBook) and have been very content with it until recently. My girlfriend moved in earlier this year and sold her PC, so we've been using the MacBook as our sole machine. As a result, the internal memory is at capacity and we've been using an external drive (one I had originally used as a Time Capsule for backup purposes) to manage our content. It was fine at first, but it's becoming a bit cumbersome. I think it's time for a new machine.

Now, at first, I was considering picking up a newer Mac Mini (with Fusion Drive), since I already have the display, however, after visiting the Apple store, we both fell in love with the newer iMacs. I figure I can get at least $1,000 out of my current setup (~$400 for the display/~$600 for the MacBook). With the money I will save buying refurbished, it will cost ~$800 (with tax) for the iMac with the above specs, roughly the same I would be paying for a Mini with comparable specs. I love my display, but the new 27-inch display is really something to behold and I think we both prefer an all-in-one vs. dueling devices.

I understand that no one here can predict the future, but I just want something that will last us at least 5-6 years. I guess what I'm really seeking is some reassurance.

As far as our needs go, neither of us are gamers. I don't do a lot of editing, except for the occasional wedding video (maybe once a year), although she's looking into getting a Photoshop subscription when we get around to purchasing a new DSLR. Our primary uses are browsing, word processing, listening to music (via iTunes and Spotify), and watching content (Netflix & Hulu). This is important being that we don't have cable. Our computer is our primary television/multimedia entertainment vehicle in our living room, where my desk is situated. Because of this, I plan on immediately upgrading the iMac to 24GB of RAM and will probably invest in an Apple TV to stream content to the television in our bedroom.

Thanks for taking the time to read all of this. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,
Ken

I have had the 11-inch 2012 Macbook Air for a year as my main computer. It has worked out surprisingly well (coming from a 21.5 inch 2011 iMac that I had to sell). I took a gamble, since I had already had a 13 inch MAcbook 2007(!) for a long time - I wanted to try the smaller 11 inch. (I still have it, but dont use it much)

Anyway, since I spend alot of time with my computer I took a deep breath...And bought a 27 inch late 2012 iMac (iCore5) recently (early July). I bought it with standard RAM (8) and immediately upgraded to (non-Apple RAM) 32GB.

So far I am very pleased. I had no opportunity to choose Fusion drive or SSD because the shop where I bought my iMac did not have those options.
(The shop, however, had a promotion that gave me the opportunity to pay it off in 10 months without interest.)
So I have a 1TB 7200 rpm HDD, but it works fine and is very quiet.
I figured I can uppgrade to SSD after 3 years if I feel the need to do so. There are specialised shops that can do that.

Anyway, to make a long story short. I am very pleased so far. I dont miss the SSD on my Macbook Air. After all - Who need fighter jets to hunt rabbits?

And if you are going to wait for the "next big thing" - just around the corner. You will keep on waithing and never buy anything - NOW

I also had in mind that this computer is going to last at least 5 years.

P S Today I read that iMacs may be upgraded in late August...So maybe you should wait ;-)

Still I am happy with my machine. It does what I want and has a gorgeous screen.