Updated Skylake 27" iMac this fall?

[duckwellboots]

I've done the iMac rotation couple times in the last six years and about every single time you going to take about $1000-$1500 hit if not more depending upon what specs.

The main reason for this is that they continue to sell refurbished ones that get more and more discounted and the new ones come out at essentially the same price points every time despite being much better machines all the time

All that said a Mac at least actually has some reasonably good and high resale value which we really can't say for most other types of computers.

The imacs are definitely great machines but I personally do not like having the internals tied to the display as I would really prefer a different upgrade cycle for those two components.

Great, thanks for sharing the firsthand experience.

Seeing as how I'm not especially 'tech-hungry', in that I've stuck with my MBP for the last 5 years without really looking up from it to see what else was going on with the product lines, I'm thinking I'd be okay to just purchase one now and get years of use from it.

When you talk about the potential for a 'refresh' in 6 months, for example, what sort of upgrades would you expect?

Thanks again for helping to clear all this up for me.

 

[Brandon Ess]

I just made a spreadsheet of the various configurations vs price. I think I'd go mid-range, 3.3 GHz i5 with 512 GB flash. Keep the M395 graphics. With student discount and tax that's $2614.

I'd love to go maxed out with the i7 and better GPU, but that's over the $3K point. Considering that this is my first Mac since a brief 3 month stint with a Macbook Air, I don't want to dive in too deep. 90% of my computer needs are web browsing and writing reports for school, so the maxed out machine is overkill. I do run quite a bit of VMs for educational purposes, but it dawned on me that since I'm replacing a custom-build PC (4790K i7, 16 GB) with a Mac, I can keep the PC for VM use instead of running them on the Mac.

Everyone's needs are different. The benefits of TB3, USB-C, DDR4, aren't that necessary for me. For others, it's a matter of utmost importance. As tech people, we tend to *want* the best of the best, but often what we want is far more than what we actually need. I'd love to pull the trigger on a maxed out system, but you don't need an i7 for web browsing

 

[OurDarkness]

It's not as black-and-white as you're making it seem… Some upgrades truly are worth waiting for in terms of forward compatibility and machine longevity.

No, it isn't. But what will people say when in a next update we see USB-C and TB3 but Apple changes something (let's say the design) that makes one wonder if it's best to ... wait? So my previous post implies that people should take a good look at what their needs are and what is available now alongside with a bit of machine-longevity. We will never see the perfect machine from Apple, they will always give something "less" or "not now" so that we keep craving for more. Economics 101.

 

[Melodeath]

Are there any benefits to the Magic Mouse, or is it best to get the Trackpad included (for $50 extra) so we have Force Touch, and then use a regular mouse if you don't love trackpads?

 

[duckwellboots]

I don't see what would be gained from Apple upgrading these again until next fall. TB3 and USB C are such minor upgrades and these 27 Retina iMacs have the very, very latest and fastest desktop chips and fasted SSD options. A Skylake refresh will happen late next year and if Apple sticks to it's now fairly regular cycle, new iPhones in September and new iMacs next October with everything ticking upward: clock speed, graphics, perhaps ports, memory speed and screens. There is always the chance of a redesign as well. But again, next year. Grab it now. These are fantastic machines. Apple knocked it out of the park with the retina last year (despite the naysayers, you can't get a PC with this build quality, ergonomics, and quality screen for anything close to the amount of money, especially in an all in one). Griping about what is included on the low end is silly. Just configure what you want, compromise where you must, and buy a machine that will be fantastic for years to come.

Thanks, Sir.

With that perspective in mind and given that I can only really splurge in bumping up one of the specs, do you have an opinion on which one would be most worthwhile? I've been reading about how simple it apparently is to upgrade the RAM, so I've been leaning more toward going for a storage upgrade, to the 512GB SSD. I'd really rather just have one designated storage space, rather than the combined of a fusion system.

 

[Sirmausalot]

Are there any benefits to the Magic Mouse, or is it best to get the Trackpad included (for $50 extra) so we have Force Touch, and then use a regular mouse if you don't love trackpads?

Get which you prefer -- a mouse or a trackpad.

 

[Cape Dave]

I think I'm going with a 2TB fusion drive, it comes with a 128gb Solid State Drive to store most Apps and the O.S and the rest is a spinning drive for files. Would going to an all Solid State Drive show that big of an improvement to warrant another 200 bucks? I will be mostly working in the Adobe Creative Suite.

SSD better by far. Spinner is a dinosaur. This is 2015.

 

[turbineseaplane]

No, it isn't. But what will people say when in a next update we see USB-C and TB3 but Apple changes something (let's say the design) that makes one wonder if it's best to ... wait? So my previous post implies that people should take a good look at what their needs are and what is available now alongside with a bit of machine-longevity. We will never see the perfect machine from Apple, they will always give something "less" or "not now" so that we keep craving for more. Economics 101.

All that stuff is fine. My entire point is just that TB3 and USB-C are pretty big things worth waiting for if you're able to… If you need a machine now, as I said earlier, these are great machines -no question

 

[wtxwt]

To complete the joke, is the fact that Apple was first company to release USB-C in the first place. Apple made it look like they were ahead of the game when it came I/o. This update to Skylake pretty much shows the opposite.

You guys really make me hesitate even though I have been waiting for so long. I put some thoughts based on the discussion and came up with the following imagined conversation.

Tim: Our customers are anticipating Skylake in our Mac. Can you make it to the 5K models?
Jony: Sure. What about Thunderbolt 3, USB-C, and DDR4?
Tim: Well. Our customers asked for only Skylake. Let's leave the ports and ram as they are then.

Btw, perhaps they want to delay the upgrade the ports and ram until they introduce a new factor, hopefully some time next year. Then they can claim that their Mac is a big leap forward, with X times performance bump in this and that. If they give us everything now and later on introduce new form factor without significant spec changes, I am not sure if they have much to claim in their announcement.

 

[Sirmausalot]

I think going for the 512SSD is the way to go! It will make the Mac scream. The i7 is most important for people working with video and although I'd encourage the upgrade to the 395x for anyone, unless you are doing a lot of graphics work or gaming, you'll be fine with the base.

Thanks, Sir.

With that perspective in mind and given that I can only really splurge in bumping up one of the specs, do you have an opinion on which one would be most worthwhile? I've been reading about how simple it apparently is to upgrade the RAM, so I've been leaning more toward going for a storage upgrade, to the 512GB SSD. I'd really rather just have one designated storage space, rather than the combined of a fusion system.

 

[duckwellboots]

I just made a spreadsheet of the various configurations vs price. I think I'd go mid-range, 3.3 GHz i5 with 512 GB flash. Keep the M395 graphics. With student discount and tax that's $2614.

I'd love to go maxed out with the i7 and better GPU, but that's over the $3K point. Considering that this is my first Mac since a brief 3 month stint with a Macbook Air, I don't want to dive in too deep. 90% of my computer needs are web browsing and writing reports for school, so the maxed out machine is overkill. I do run quite a bit of VMs for educational purposes, but it dawned on me that since I'm replacing a custom-build PC (4790K i7, 16 GB) with a Mac, I can keep the PC for VM use instead of running them on the Mac.

Everyone's needs are different. The benefits of TB3, USB-C, DDR4, aren't that necessary for me. For others, it's a matter of utmost importance. As tech people, we tend to *want* the best of the best, but often what we want is far more than what we actually need. I'd love to pull the trigger on a maxed out system, but you don't need an i7 for web browsing

Sounds like we're considering a similar configuration, Brandon. Like you, my workflow would consist mostly of coursework, so I don't think I can really justify the top-end model, as shiny as it is.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Btw, perhaps they want to delay the upgrade the ports and ram until they introduce a new factor

I really hope the next form factor update include a VESA mount option on standard models.
It's a huge drawback to have to pick "mount or no-mount" at purchase with no ability to change that later at all.

 

[jordanz]

I don't see what would be gained from Apple upgrading these again until next fall. TB3 and USB C are such minor upgrades and these 27 Retina iMacs have the very, very latest and fastest desktop chips and fasted SSD options. A Skylake refresh will happen late next year and if Apple sticks to it's now fairly regular cycle, new iPhones in September and new iMacs next October with everything ticking upward: clock speed, graphics, perhaps ports, memory speed and screens. There is always the chance of a redesign as well. But again, next year. Grab it now. These are fantastic machines. Apple knocked it out of the park with the retina last year (despite the naysayers, you can't get a PC with this build quality, ergonomics, and quality screen for anything close to the amount of money, especially in an all in one). Griping about what is included on the low end is silly. Just configure what you want, compromise where you must, and buy a machine that will be fantastic for years to come.

They're probably not in a rush to give us Target Display on the iMacs tbh, but with TB3 and the extra tech Skylake brings, Apple could launch 5K Cinema Displays finally. There's def motive for them to get on board. You also never know with Apple: I remember buying the iPad 3 when it was launched only to see the iPad 4 come out like 5-6 months later. No doubt these will be great machines though, you def make a lot of sense there. I'll be buying because I need a new computer and I'm sick of being in a perpetual state of waiting, but it's a bitter pill to swallow - especially considering I'll be dropping an extra $1500 on a ThunderBolt RAID setup that I'll be forced to run on TB2 for the next 5 years, even though TB3 is so closeby (and realistically could've given us today)

 

[Melodeath]

Get which you prefer -- a mouse or a trackpad.

I definitely prefer a mouse, but I will have no "Force Touch" input device if I get the Magic Mouse. What is Force Touch used for on an iMac? I also already have a USB wired mouse I can use

 

[ddjohns1]

The 1800Mbps SSD throughput spec sounds promising. Anyone know if they are using eNVM Flash ala Samsung 951 type, and did they open 4 PCIe lanes to the SSD--- the prior 27inch model used only 2 lanes.

 

[Sirmausalot]

DDR4 RAM is significantly more expensive and I'm not sure what the real world benefit is for most people. I think we will see these things -- next year. So not worth holding off on a purchase for what, target display mode? Or TB3 peripherals that don't exist yet? Or if they do, are sky high expensive? And USB C, really? Really, you need that?

They improved where it will affect the most people and be the most important: screen (25% better color gamut), processor (about 10% performance improvement, plus much cooler), graphics (well, I wish it were more, but that's always been the downside of the All-In-One). If you need desktop level graphics, you have to get a desktop computer.

And the input -- keyboard and mouse/trackpad improved. The next iMac is likely in October of 2016. Let that sink in. And there will certainly be some technology (USB D?, TB 3.1?) that isn't include that some will say you have to have. Nope, this is the machine to get.

You guys really make me hesitate even though I have been waiting for so long. I put some thoughts based on the discussion and came up with the following imagined conversation.

Tim: Our customers are anticipating Skylake in our Mac. Can you make it to the 5K models?
Jony: Sure. What about Thunderbolt 3, USB-C, and DDR4?
Tim: Well. Our customers asked for only Skylake. Let's leave the ports and ram as they are then.

Btw, perhaps they want to delay the upgrade the ports and ram until they introduce a new factor, hopefully some time next year. Then they can claim that their Mac is a big leap forward, with X times performance bump in this and that. If they give us everything now and later on introduce new form factor without significant spec changes, I am not sure if they have much to claim in their announcement.

 

[wtxwt]

For customers with frequent upgrade cycles or in need of a new Mac TB2 and USB3 may be acceptable to them. However, I need a Mac that can last for years and imagine few years later when most accessories adapt the USB-C and I am still sticking at the old techs I will regret my decision.

 

[MacVault]

So what's the thermal prognosis of the new 5K 27" 4.0 i7 with the M395X gpu? Anyone know yet?

 

[turbineseaplane]

So not worth holding off on a purchase for what, target display mode? Or TB3 peripherals that don't exist yet? Or if they do, are sky high expensive? And USB C, really? Really, you need that?

For someone who wants to keep the machine for a LONG time though...

Target Display mode would allow for a long life as an external display and TB3 will likely enable things like real external GPU upgrades....

...and USB-C?

It would be VERY Apple like to go "all USB-C ports" immediately at some point not too far off and leave everyone using adapters. They *love* to do the "here's the new thing - deal with it" routine and the MacBook has shown us they may do just that w/ USB-C

 

[turbineseaplane]

Again - There's no "right or wrong" here - It's all just deciding what type of buyer you are (upgrade every year or 2..or 4 or 6 years, etc) and how urgently you need a new machine....and if you see the benefit of near term updates that are likely for the iMac line (or not).

iMacs have always been superb machines if you need one right now.

 

[wtxwt]

DDR4 RAM is significantly more expensive and I'm not sure what the real world benefit is for most people. I think we will see these things -- next year. So not worth holding off on a purchase for what, target display mode? Or TB3 peripherals that don't exist yet? Or if they do, are sky high expensive? And USB C, really? Really, you need that?

They improved where it will affect the most people and be the most important: screen (25% better color gamut), processor (about 10% performance improvement, plus much cooler), graphics (well, I wish it were more, but that's always been the downside of the All-In-One). If you need desktop level graphics, you have to get a desktop computer.

And the input -- keyboard and mouse/trackpad improved. The next iMac is likely in October of 2016. Let that sink in. And there will certainly be some technology (USB D?, TB 3.1?) that isn't include that some will say you have to have. Nope, this is the machine to get.

I am not familiar with Skylake but it seems to me that people anticipate Skylake to enjoy the speed bump associated with Thunderbolt , USB-C (which will become a standard later on), and DDR4. If they upgrade only the processor but not the ports and ram, I am not sure if I should get it. Please correct me if I misunderstand anything.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I am not familiar with Skylake but it seems to me that people anticipate Skylake to enjoy the speed bump associated with Thunderbolt , USB-C (which will become a standard later on), and DDR4. If they upgrade only the processor but not the ports and ram, I am not sure if I should get it. Please correct me if I misunderstand anything.

True - They did more of a "SkyPuddle" update and are holding out on giving us the full "lake"

 

[Inksworth]

Strangely, I don't feel pushed to return the MBP I bought for this. It feels a little half-assed (and knowing that the m390x is a rebrand...) I'm just not as on board with it. I don't want a fusion drive even if the upgrade to 2TB is nice. I just don't see any of the benefits of Skylake here. It feels so... well, drop in. Like they don't really care. I'm glad about the screen enhancements though. Looking forward to those when I do finally pick one up.

I'll stick with the laptop, I think. I can wait for DDR4 and new ports. (The craigslist Thunderbolt Display is doing very nicely to help the laptop feel desktop-like anyway.)

 

[techedude]

The tech specs for the new 27in 5K say that it can support 2 4K monitors thru Thunderbolt 2 or 1 5K display with dual cables. Not really sure if people are reading that. What's with the Target display mode that everyone wants?

 

[scottish]

Like others I'm hesitant at lack of TB 3 and USB C (and maybe DDR4). In reality they are things I will likely be able to live without because I might never use them but it's an expensive purchase I intend to use for the next five years and I want to future proof. I except a redesign this time next year with those features.

Think I'm going to get this thing ordered, now just need to choose the spec.