Why I didn't wait for the update...
I ordered a 27" with the following configuration:
3.4GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
4GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
1TB Serial ATA Drive + 256GB Solid State Drive
AMD Radeon HD 6970M 2GB GDDR5
Oh, and the numerical keyboard (needed for data entry!)
I'll upgrade to 16GB RAM later.
This will be my home computer and my first Mac. Now onto why I didn't wait for the update.
1.) I need a new computer. My current PC is in its death throes (I have to turn it off every night because sometimes it starts making this loud noise, like an ongoing computer fart, that will keep me awake otherwise). Whenever I bring home work, the most demanding of which involves CS5 and/or ImagePro, it is painfully slow and often crashes. The PC was great for websurfing and the like, but clearly can't handle what I bring home from work and is so slow in dealing with photographs that I've just been storing all my hobby shots on my DSLR and decided to wait until I get my new iMac to start sorting and manipulating them.
2.) What I plan on using this new computer for can easily be handled by the above configuration. I will continue to do work on it (spreadsheets, Photoshop and image analysis) as well as personal hobby stuff: image work and recording via Superior Drummer and some DAW that I've yet settled on. I wanted to make sure the next computer I bought would be capable a few years down the road should any great new software come about for music.
3.) I have no use for USB 3.0 that I'm currently aware of. The Firewire should be more than plenty, and if any interfaces for recording come about with Thunderbold technology, well hey, I'll have two of those ports!
4.) I really need a new computer and didn't want to wait 2-6 months after the next upgrade to see if there were any initial problems with the next generation. I can't say I'm very knowledgable about computers compared to most of the people posting on here from what I've seen, but if they're anything like cars, I know I don't want to be taking a risk on a new model when MACS COST AS MUCH AS THEY DO! (I am not saying they're not worth it, I don't know yet but I'm hoping they are or I wouldn't be spending so much of my hard earned money, but the point remains.)
5.) Related to 3 and 4: I know what I'm getting with this computer; what the next generation offers I don't. I've read all the speculations (and silly arguing) on this forum and decided what Apple currently offers is more than enough for me. I know many people have said one would have to be "mad" to buy an iMac now, but I bought one anyhow.
I have no loyalty to any particular product when it comes to technology with the possible exception of Roland
. But computers to me are just tools for getting the things I want to do done. I'm tired of working at home at a fraction of the pace I do at my work computer (another PC but much faster). I want to be able to record, edit my photos, and see if video editing brings me as much joy as the first two hobbies do. So, I pulled the trigger.
I'd like to thank the MacRumors forum, all the contributors and posters. I've been visiting and reading for the past 4 months or so and it has helped me make this decision.
Can't wait to work with that big beautiful 27" display
