Replacing a mid 2011 21.5" iMac with late 2015 27" iMac, should I?

[turnipfarmer]

Hey Everyone

I'm thinking about replacing my mid 2011 21.5" with a late 2015 27" iMac. Specs below

Mac 5K Retina 27-inch Core i7 4.0GHz M395X (Late 2015)
8GB RAM
256GB HD
Includes magic keyboard and mouse
Price - £1299

The dilemma that I am in, is it worth buying a 2017 or even 2019 spec machine? I know these would be substantially more money but is it worth paying the extra for them compared to this late 2015 version? From my research this late 2015 model is pretty well specced even by today's standards.

Also if I go for the 2015 model, am I likely to get around 5 or so years out of it before support stops for it compared to the 8-10 years of the 2017-2019, what are you thoughts on this?

 

[inscrewtable]

The best option for you going by my considerable experience is to buy a s/h mac that is still under a year of warranty. In Australia it's two years. Not sure about the UK. But if you only get one year, then make sure it's got at least 3 months warranty left. That will be your best and cheapest solution in the long term.

If money is tight you will not be unhappy with a 2015 iMac. i'm still happy with my 2013 rMBP

 

[Roxy.music]

Hey Everyone

I'm thinking about replacing my mid 2011 21.5" with a late 2015 27" iMac. Specs below

Mac 5K Retina 27-inch Core i7 4.0GHz M395X (Late 2015)
8GB RAM
256GB HD
Includes magic keyboard and mouse
Price - £1299

The dilemma that I am in, is it worth buying a 2017 or even 2019 spec machine? I know these would be substantially more money but is it worth paying the extra for them compared to this late 2015 version? From my research this late 2015 model is pretty well specced even by today's standards.

Also if I go for the 2015 model, am I likely to get around 5 or so years out of it before support stops for it compared to the 8-10 years of the 2017-2019, what are you thoughts on this?

That has good specs it is the top one from 2015 plus you have the 256ssd and the 4gb graphics card. Of course, you can put up to 64gb of ram in there. I just wish mine was coming with an SSD rather than the Fusion drive. But I will be using an external 1 TB 2nvme sad,
[automerge]1590972223[/automerge]

 

[mpConroe]

With 2017 and 2019 you get 2 ports of Thunderbolt 3. In 2015 you only get TB2. That was the biggest upgrade since last change of the design - new ports on iMac in 2017. 2019 vs 2017 is not a huge difference, but 2017 is better than 2015 in every way IMHO.

 

[Roxy.music]

With 2017 and 2019 you get 2 ports of Thunderbolt 3. In 2015 you only get TB2. That was the biggest upgrade since last change of the design - new ports on iMac in 2017. 2019 vs 2017 is not a huge difference, but 2017 is better than 2015 in every way IMHO.

The Thunderbolt 3 ports clinch it. But Are they that much better than the 2015 ones?

 

[mpConroe]

The Thunderbolt 3 ports clinch it. But Are they that much better than the 2015 ones?

I think so. You also get better, brighter screen, faster processors (Kaby Lake). I am not sure about speakers, but they might be better too. For TB3 alone I would buy 2017 or 2019.
In 2019 again, better screen and faster processors.