Should I buy a 21.5-inch iMac now?

[Frederico Luna]

Hi!

I've been willing to buy a new computer to use at work in the next few weeks/months.
Currently, I use a Mac Air 2013 13'' at home and a Windows PC at work, but i'm thinking on buying a Mac for work too.

The thing is: since I have no need for portability on my work pc, my first option would be the iMac 21.5-inch. But what has been holding me to buy the iMac is the fact that the hardware hasn't been updated in almost two years.

Another option I thought was to buy a MacBook Pro 13'', that has been updated recently and is about the same price, has SSD and retina display. SSD and retina display would be awesome, but i know I wouldn't be very comfortable using a smaller screen for long periods of time.

So, what do you guys think? Should I buy the iMac now? Should I wait for an update on the hardware? Should I buy the Macbook Pro and get used to the smaller screen? Should I buy the Macbook Pro and use it with an external monitor?

 

[QCassidy352]

I want a 21" iMac too, but I am waiting. Paying full price for hardware introduced 21 months ago is not acceptable to me.

You could get a cheap external monitor to use with your MacBook Air for a few months until a new iMac is released.

MacBook Pro with external is a nice option, but it'll cost a lot more than a 21" iMac.

 

[Frederico Luna]

I want a 21" iMac too, but I am waiting. Paying full price for hardware introduced 21 months ago is not acceptable to me.

You could get a cheap external monitor to use with your MacBook Air for a few months until a new iMac is released.

MacBook Pro with external is a nice option, but it'll cost a lot more than a 21" iMac.

I don't want to have to keep carrying the MacAir from work to home and vice versa. I already have an old LCD 23-inch LG display, but I'm reluctant to adopt the "dock" solution. Having an iMac is just so more elegant

Apple should make smaller incremental upgrades more often...

 

[kazmac]

I'm waiting too. My mid 2010 iMac is still purring along. I'd like newer options for this size iMac.

OP, if you do not have to upgrade now, waiting seems like the best bet.

 

[QCassidy352]

Having an iMac is just so more elegant

Apple should make smaller incremental upgrades more often...

I agree with you, but buying a new 21" iMac now is just not smart. You're paying full price for almost 2-year-old technology.

 

[MikeArtworks]

I won't get the 21.5 inch, it's too old.

I'm getting the just release mid 2015 retina imac 27 inch, because it's new.

 

[yjchua95]

I won't get the 21.5 inch, it's too old.

I'm getting the just release mid 2015 retina imac 27 inch, because it's new.

Whatever you do, make sure you have at least a Fusion Drive inside it.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

I don't want to have to keep carrying the MacAir from work to home and vice versa. I already have an old LCD 23-inch LG display, but I'm reluctant to adopt the "dock" solution. Having an iMac is just so more elegant

Apple should make smaller incremental upgrades more often...

It's quite possible that the nest 21 inch imacs will have 4K screens and be out september/october time with possible skylake processors (desktop options should be released in august). It will probably also have an AMD dGPU option.

Apple only update their computers when they feel there is something worth putting in them that just hasn't been the case for a couple of years unfortunately...

 

[franzkfk]

Same here. I hope they introduce new wireless keyboard, trackpad and whole new body.