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Makaveli6103

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 31, 2009
385
0
Kansas City, MO
I am thinking about getting a 27" iMac 2.7Ghz and using my friends Apple discount. Currently using the first gen macbook pro unibody 2.4 GHz duo. My main uses for the iMac will be Lightroom and Photoshop for photography editing and Adobe after affects or Final Cut pro for editing time lapse photography videos. Should I upgrade now or wait until the new refresh being that the current iMac's ae 1/2 through their cycle. I am guessing the new iMac's will just be a faster processor and graphics card.
 
I am thinking about getting a 27" iMac 2.7Ghz and using my friends Apple discount. Currently using the first gen macbook pro unibody 2.4 GHz duo. My main uses for the iMac will be Lightroom and Photoshop for photography editing and Adobe after affects or Final Cut pro for editing time lapse photography videos. Should I upgrade now or wait until the new refresh being that the current iMac's ae 1/2 through their cycle. I am guessing the new iMac's will just be a faster processor and graphics card.

I guess it all comes down to how soon you need the computer. The next generation of iMac's probably won't show up for at least six months or more. If you can wait that long, then I would do so. The downside to all of these cool tech gadgets is that there is always something better just around the corner. It's sort of a game in timing your purchases within the time frame of a product's life cycle.
 
Surf: https://buyersguide.macrumors.com//#iMac

On average, iMacs are upgraded every 229 days. 300 days if one waits 2 month after 1st release - to ensure the new versions are stable.

Is there a specific need for new upgrade feature? re: USB 3.0 or some other "future" need?

If I wanted to buy an new iMac now, I'd wait 1-2 more months. Probably buy as a self Christmas present. ;) If wondering, I still see lots of bugs or weird behavior with Lion posts. Simple things but still.... Waiting 1-2 more months will ensure more "fixes" for Lion is available....

Hope this helps - somehow...
 
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I guess it all comes down to how soon you need the computer. The next generation of iMac's probably won't show up for at least six months or more. If you can wait that long, then I would do so. The downside to all of these cool tech gadgets is that there is always something better just around the corner. It's sort of a game in timing your purchases within the time frame of a product's life cycle.

Yea, I am editing photos from weddings and my macbook pro is really slowing down my work. I think if I upgrade now I will not be that disappointed when the new one comes out. The only thing I want is a thunderbolt hard drive dock or to esata.
 
I recently bought the 27" iMac with an i7 processor, 8GB RAM, 2GB Video Card, and the SSD option. (My configuration is close to, but not quite at the top end of the line.)

It's blazingly fast, and I do some pretty heavy work with large datasets and virtualization.

I don't think you'll be disappointed with this model at all.

Here's a simple way to look at it:

WAIT A BIT IF: To achieve what you want, you need the most expensive model, with the very highest clock speed, maximum RAM, SSD, etc. If so, then you are going to be paying a premium for the cutting edge of technology. It probably makes sense to wait an iteration so that the price on those high end options will come down. (of course there will be a new round of higher end options by then.)

BUY NOW IF: To achieve what you want, you need a model with one or two features maxed out (like fastest clock speed, or highest end video card). With this mixed configuration, then you're paying a more reasonable price for the specific things that will help you achieve your goals. Even if a new model comes out with other options -- your cost savings may only amount to $100 or $200... It would have been better to buy the computer earlier for that small difference.
 
I recently bought the 27" iMac with an i7 processor, 8GB RAM, 2GB Video Card, and the SSD option. (My configuration is close to, but not quite at the top end of the line.)

It's blazingly fast, and I do some pretty heavy work with large datasets and virtualization.

I don't think you'll be disappointed with this model at all.

Here's a simple way to look at it:

WAIT A BIT IF: To achieve what you want, you need the most expensive model, with the very highest clock speed, maximum RAM, SSD, etc. If so, then you are going to be paying a premium for the cutting edge of technology. It probably makes sense to wait an iteration so that the price on those high end options will come down. (of course there will be a new round of higher end options by then.)

BUY NOW IF: To achieve what you want, you need a model with one or two features maxed out (like fastest clock speed, or highest end video card). With this mixed configuration, then you're paying a more reasonable price for the specific things that will help you achieve your goals. Even if a new model comes out with other options -- your cost savings may only amount to $100 or $200... It would have been better to buy the computer earlier for that small difference.

Your buy it now option is what I was thinking. If I get the high end 27" what would be more beneficial for my needs, processor or graphics card?
 
I agree

I guess it all comes down to how soon you need the computer. The next generation of iMac's probably won't show up for at least six months or more. If you can wait that long, then I would do so. The downside to all of these cool tech gadgets is that there is always something better just around the corner. It's sort of a game in timing your purchases within the time frame of a product's life cycle.

I agree its somewhat risky buying electronics these days.
 
After some thought I decided to buy it. I got the 27" with 3.4 Core i7 and 2GB graphics card. I am going to add a SSD and upgrade RAM myself. With my friends apple discount it wasn't as bad as I thought. I am not sure how different the next iMac will be but this will fit my needs for a long time. Now all I need is a thunderbolt to esata adapter to come out.
 
Sorry to hijack, but I thought it's better to add on as I've got similar question than another similar thread. :)

My biggest huddle is the hdd. 500GB is simply not enough to hold all my data, and hdd swap out isn't an option. I don't like DIY stuffs. With thunderbolt drives not available external hdd will be too slow to use it as the main work drive... Any thoughts?
 
Sorry to hijack, but I thought it's better to add on as I've got similar question than another similar thread. :)

My biggest huddle is the hdd. 500GB is simply not enough to hold all my data, and hdd swap out isn't an option. I don't like DIY stuffs. With thunderbolt drives not available external hdd will be too slow to use it as the main work drive... Any thoughts?

FW800 external is fine for accessing data. Boot from the internal and use the internal for any stuff like scratch drive data for production work but general files music and movies will run just fine on FW800.

Cheers,
 
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