Return 2 day old iMac?

[candyman]

I just bought the 27" 3.8 i5 two days ago.

This update does just seem like a small spec bump, but is it worth to return the "new" iMac for the newest 3.7 model with the 6-core i5 and different ram (2666MHz vs 2400MHz)? Even purchased 3rd party ram for the new machine so I am running 40GB. Would have to return those as well.

Other option would be to wait until next week to return my machine (currently working remotely and must have a working machine), upgrade to the 8-core i9, and wait the two weeks to receive it.

 

[mdnz]

Swap it, it's probably the biggest spec bump Intel processors have seen in the past 10 years.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I don't see the point in returning, just so you can lay clam to having the latest iMac. There is nothing wrong with the 2017 iMac, and it will serve you well for years.

 

[scrodd]

I would return it if you can return the ram. It's a significant spec upgrade. For most people maybe its not a huge deal but if you are doing the type of work on it where you can use 40gigs of ram then I'm guessing you would benefit from the new chips more than most. However, it might be worth waiting a couple of days. Depending on where you bought it, they may now to start to discount the 2017 models in order to clear the way for the new ones. If you have the option for a partial refund, it might make keeping the 2017 model a much more attractive proposition.

 

[candyman]

I don't see the point in returning, just so you can lay clam to having the latest iMac. There is nothing wrong with the 2017 iMac, and it will serve you well for years.

I'll add too that I am a Graphic Designer and use Adobe Creative Cloud (primarily PS and AI), and many of my working files are in the 1-2GB size range each.

I don't know how much improvement would be seen from the different processors with additional cores as well as upgraded ram and graphics card?

It's not really about having the newest, but the most capable machine for my job that will give me the longest lasting technology before needing to upgrade again.
[doublepost=1553031072][/doublepost]

I would return it if you can return the ram. It's a significant spec upgrade. For most people maybe its not a huge deal but if you are doing the type of work on it where you can use 40gigs of ram then I'm guessing you would benefit from the new chips more than most. However, it might be worth waiting a couple of days. Depending on where you bought it, they may now to start to discount the 2017 models in order to clear the way for the new ones. If you have the option for a partial refund, it might make keeping the 2017 model a much more attractive proposition.

Oh, I just purchased it new from an Apple Store 2 days ago so I can return it without any question. Same with the ram, as I just received it from Amazon yesterday.

I am a Graphic Designer and so do like to stock up my machines with extra ram as most of my working files are in the 1-2GB range each. The only added expense I would face is if I special order the 8-core model and have to pay the difference, and whatever cost difference there may be in the newer ram.

 

[AlexJoda]

I don't see the point in returning, just so you can lay clam to having the latest iMac. There is nothing wrong with the 2017 iMac, and it will serve you well for years.

That would be fine if the 2017 iMac is significantly cheaper than the new ones....(but they are not, maybe only on special occasions)

 

[Darajavahus]

Obviously

 

[AlexJoda]

I'll add too that I am a Graphic Designer and use Adobe Creative Cloud (primarily PS and AI), and many of my working files are in the 1-2GB size range each.

I don't know how much improvement would be seen from the different processors with additional cores as well as upgraded ram and graphics card?

It's not really about having the newest, but the most capable machine for my job that will give me the longest lasting technology before needing to upgrade again.
[doublepost=1553031072][/doublepost]

Oh, I just purchased it new from an Apple Store 2 days ago so I can return it without any question. Same with the ram, as I just received it from Amazon yesterday.

I am a Graphic Designer and so do like to stock up my machines with extra ram as most of my working files are in the 1-2GB range each. The only added expense I would face is if I special order the 8-core model and have to pay the difference, and whatever cost difference there may be in the newer ram.

Do it, even if it’s only for future proofing...

 

[StellarVixen]

Return it. Immediately. That what you have now is 2 year old machine.

 

[henry72]

Definitely return it if you can. Good luck

 

[candyman]

Thanks everyone. I haven't replaced a machine for 6 years now (iMac just died and needed immediate replacement) and haven't been staying in the loop of things with Apple desktops, so this random update caught me by surprise.

Do you feel the 8-core i9 is worth the $400 upgrade over the 6-core i5? I'll be adding 32GB of ram to the new machine as well to get it to 40GB. If it's overkill, I'll happily save the extra $400.

 

[8CoreWhore]

YES !!

 

[MimicBunion972]

Return & get the new one, no brainer. Lucky you that you are in the return window.

 

[idark77]

Another option should be return it and buy other!

Still HDD in 2019... SSD is only an option... Can't believe it...

 

[Freida]

I don't see the point in returning, just so you can lay clam to having the latest iMac. There is nothing wrong with the 2017 iMac, and it will serve you well for years.

you are kidding, right? The CPU alone is a big jump.
Jesus, how can you even say this? 2017 technology vs 2019 technology - he even has 2 more cores.

Please OP, return it and get the machine that will last you longer than the 2017 you just got.

 

[AlexJoda]

Thanks everyone. I haven't replaced a machine for 6 years now (iMac just died and needed immediate replacement) and haven't been staying in the loop of things with Apple desktops, so this random update caught me by surprise.

Do you feel the 8-core i9 is worth the $400 upgrade over the 6-core i5? I'll be adding 32GB of ram to the new machine as well to get it to 40GB. If it's overkill, I'll happily save the extra $400.

it depends what you do with this machine. If you don't do heavy video editing, rendering, gaming or other CPU/GPU intensive stuff the 6-core should be fine. Enough RAM and a large enough NVME (no spinner on any means!) is more important in my opinion....

 

[MimicBunion972]

Another option should be return it and buy other!

Still HDD in 2019... SSD is only an option... Can't believe it...

Yeah, even the top of the line model comes with HDD and 8GB ram... you could build a high performing hackintosh with that kind of money.

 

[Freida]

Thanks everyone. I haven't replaced a machine for 6 years now (iMac just died and needed immediate replacement) and haven't been staying in the loop of things with Apple desktops, so this random update caught me by surprise.

Do you feel the 8-core i9 is worth the $400 upgrade over the 6-core i5? I'll be adding 32GB of ram to the new machine as well to get it to 40GB. If it's overkill, I'll happily save the extra $400.

8 core is definitely worth it but the question really remains how well the internals do with the temperature. In all honesty, if you can wait a week or so to find out then that would be helpful. If the thermals suck then 8core would not really help and you might be better of with 6 core but its yet to be seen (a week i guess)

p.s.: of course thats in case that your workflow utilises more cores

 

[candyman]

Return & get the new one, no brainer. Lucky you that you are in the return window.

Yes, fortunate I am well within the window as I will be making the switch out for sure this weekend.
[doublepost=1553110305][/doublepost]

Another option should be return it and buy other!

Still HDD in 2019... SSD is only an option... Can't believe it...

Agreed. Very frustrating that they still milking the upgrade. Especially on the top line model. Should at least come with the 512GB SD as the base option.
[doublepost=1553110409][/doublepost]

you are kidding, right? The CPU alone is a big jump.
Jesus, how can you even say this? 2017 technology vs 2019 technology - he even has 2 more cores.

Please OP, return it and get the machine that will last you longer than the 2017 you just got.

Yep, that will be happening this weekend. Makes more sense to get my moneys worth for a more current CPU vs a two-year old model.
[doublepost=1553110602][/doublepost]

it depends what you do with this machine. If you don't do heavy video editing, rendering, gaming or other CPU/GPU intensive stuff the 6-core should be fine. Enough RAM and a large enough NVME (no spinner on any means!) is more important in my opinion....

The most intensive stuff I do is with large Photoshop files (large format print items like vehicle wrap designs, billboards, wall graphics, etc.) where files are usually about 1-2GB each in size.

I also will be bumping this machine up to 40GB ram (adding 32GB), so if those extra 2 cores and i9 aren't really going to be noticeable to me, I'll save the money.
[doublepost=1553110823][/doublepost]

8 core is definitely worth it but the question really remains how well the internals do with the temperature. In all honesty, if you can wait a week or so to find out then that would be helpful. If the thermals suck then 8core would not really help and you might be better of with 6 core but its yet to be seen (a week i guess)

p.s.: of course thats in case that your workflow utilises more cores

I can stand to hold out about 3 more days as I'll be making the return this weekend. My workflow is mainly Photoshop and Illustrator with large format print files that range 1-2GB each on average.

 

[mcnallym]

Yes. Irrespective of wether the performance difference is worth it you will get extra lifetime on the newer machine as apple support a machine so long after stop being sold.

So would expect a longer lifespan of support for os with a 2019 iMac then a 2017 iMac that stopped being sold in 2019.

Worth it just for that.

 

[xgman]

The higher spec'd ones are no small update.

 

[3rdDivCptn]

I was very close to buying an iMac two weeks ago. Wanted to hold off to see if there would be a spec bump soon due to the fact that I was paying that money on older specs as if it were brand new (Even though the refresh doesnt have ALL new stuff its still a bump). Id say return it. From the tests Ive seen the 9th gen i9 runs cooler than the 8th gen i7. The RAM speed is also increased as well (along with the graphics options). The 9th gen i5 doesn't have hyper-threading but neither does the 9th gen i7.

If you are planning on getting the new i5 version you could always compare tests of the old i5 vs the new one and see that as well. Just keep in mind the graphics and RAM speed increase as well.

 

[sandylp]

Exchange it!

 

[mikehalloran]

it depends what you do with this machine. If you don't do heavy video editing, rendering, gaming or other CPU/GPU intensive stuff the 6-core should be fine. Enough RAM and a large enough NVME (no spinner on any means!) is more important in my opinion....

It depends. 1–2GB graphics files probably won't be much different.

If you were doing music or video production, large graphics files, Photoshop etc., then I would recommend trading in.

Yes. Irrespective of wether the performance difference is worth it you will get extra lifetime on the newer machine as apple support a machine so long after stop being sold.

So would expect a longer lifespan of support for os with a 2019 iMac then a 2017 iMac that stopped being sold in 2019.

Worth it just for that.

Nonsense. There's nothing in the new machine that will cause it to have a longer life cycle than the old one. No T2 chip or other components that distinguish it from its older siblings. Newer CPU, that's all. It will be a few days newer otherwise.

I'm not saying don't trade it in. Yea... we all want the latest and greatest but I see no technically compelling reason for the OP to do so.

None.

 

[AlexJoda]

It depends. 1–2GB graphics files probably won't be much different.

If you were doing music or video production, large graphics files, Photoshop etc., then I would recommend trading in.


Nonsense. There's nothing in the new machine that will cause it to have a longer life cycle than the old one. No T2 chip or other components that distinguish it from its older siblings. Newer CPU, that's all. It will be a few days newer otherwise.

I'm not saying don't trade it in. Yea... we all want the latest and greatest but I see no technically compelling reason for the OP to do so.

None.

But there is a commercial reason. You pay too much if you pay the same money for a 2 year old computer than a computer with the most recent components....