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

Questions about iMac 21.5

darrinS

darrinS

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Oct 21, 2011
1,169
1,033
So Cal
I currently have a mid 2012 15” MacBook Pro i7 with 16gb of ram. I want to replace it and am looking at the iMac, since I never work on the computer away from my desk. Anyone with experience with the current $1500 iMac 21.5 with an i5 and 8gb of ram? I do use lightly Photoshop, Lightroom, Final Cut Pro, Premier Pro and Xcode. I usually only have one of these open at a time. I’m really just a casual user and a photo and video hobbyist.

What do you think? Should I just get another MacBook Pro or will I be fine with the highest end base model of the iMac? Thanks for any comments.
 
First of all: yes, given your light workload that iMac is going to be plenty fast and will keep you happy for many years.
That said I do have two suggestions though:
  1. Instead of buying new consider Apple Refurbished. Those machines are practically new (in fact, very often they are actually brand-new) and you get more bang for the buck. For example, $1,529 will get you the 21.5" top model with 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. Alternatively, if you're on a budget you can get the exact model you picked for $1,269, which will save you $230.
  2. Alternatively, you can get a Refurbished 27" base model for $1,529 as well. The 27" model has two benefits over the 21.5" model: a much larger screen and user-upgradeable RAM thanks to a maintenance flap on the back. This means that another $60 will buy you another 8GB should it become necessary one day. The 21.5" iMac is not user-upgradeable at all.
 
  • Like
Reactions: colodane and darrinS
Thank you both for your comments. I was leaning towards the 21.5 because of my desk. It’s only 20” deep and pretty much against the wall, so I maybe have 21”. I’m now wondering if this is enough room for either. Would the 27” be too big? Thanks again for your help. I probably should go to the Apple Store and measure this out.
 
21.5" is the display size, not the depth of the computer. The stand depth is only 6.9 inches (17.5 cm) for 21.5" and 8 inches (20.3 cm) on the 27" per https://www.apple.com/imac/specs/). That would leave you 13"+ / 12"+ (respectively) on your desk.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: jerwin
darrinS said:
I currently have a mid 2012 15” MacBook Pro i7 with 16gb of ram. I want to replace it and am looking at the iMac, since I never work on the computer away from my desk. Anyone with experience with the current $1500 iMac 21.5 with an i5 and 8gb of ram? I do use lightly Photoshop, Lightroom, Final Cut Pro, Premier Pro and Xcode. I usually only have one of these open at a time. I’m really just a casual user and a photo and video hobbyist.

What do you think? Should I just get another MacBook Pro or will I be fine with the highest end base model of the iMac? Thanks for any comments.
Click to expand...

I'm using the base 21" 2017 . I used external ssd western digital.If you want less hassle just buy the higher model.
I have try to edit using final cut pro/imovie/da vinci resolv for some for tutorial without any issue at all . I'm using quicktime screen capture then edit with the previous software i mention. I do prefer to edit using da vinci resolve seem the interface can be like adobe premiere.

Currently software i used .
1.Visual Studio Code,Xcode, Android Studio,Da Vinci Resolve,Phpstorm
 
Guy Clark said:
The mid 2012 15" i7 MacBook Pro is a more than capable machine. I suggest an alternative approach and hook up a quality external display. I thoroughly recommend the LG 23MP68VQ 23" IPS Full HD Display
https://www.lg.com/uk/monitors/lg-23MP68VQ-P

Hook it up to the MacBook Pro through the Thunderbolt 2 port using a Thunderbolt 2 to DVI adapter
https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/MB570Z/B/mini-displayport-to-dvi-adapter?afid=p238|sL4w7cF5j-dc_mtid_187079nc38483_pcrid_104154899041_&cid=aos-uk-kwgo-pla-btb--slid-----product-MB570Z/B-UK
Click to expand...
maybe the poster scare about this thread https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...o-with-retina-display-to-end-of-2018.2128119/
 
The MacBook Pro is still running fine but its 6 years old and the 256gb hard drive is almost full. I have an external HD and move as much as I can over and I also enabled iCloud Drive. I make a couple of simple apps and really just want to upgrade the computer now before I have a problem so I can make sure I can copy all of my info over. I’m torn because I have always had a laptop and haven’t had a desktop computer for the past 10-15 years. But, I haven’t used the laptop away from my desk for years. If money wasn’t an issue, I would buy the new 15” MacBook Pro and a nice monitor. I’m just worried if I buy an iMac, I’ll miss having a laptop. But the iMac is more sensible.
 
Get the 27".
There is one comment you will probably NEVER hear from someone who owns the 27" model:
"I wish I had bought the 21" instead...."

Why is "depth of the desk" important?
How much "deeper" is a 27" iMac, vis-a-vis a 21" iMac?
 
  • Like
Reactions: darrinS
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