Updated Skylake 27" iMac this fall?

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[jdoll021]

Well...whatever you you use for...try to get it in high spec as you afford because these days apple is prevent consumers from being able to upgrade.

Oh yes, I'd be doing that for sure. I probably won't go max spec on the RAM since that is still upgradeable, but everything else I'll max out on (or nearly so).

 

[turbineseaplane]

Not according to HP ($1999)...

http://www8.hp.com/us/en/mpc/monitors/product-detail.html?oid=7130944

Umm...try any other retailer. Absolutely no reason to buy from HP.

C'mon man. You know better

 

[jdoll021]

Umm...try any other retailer. Absolutely no reason to buy from HP. Same warranty from all the legitimate retailers.

Cmon man. You know better

Well, by that rationale, there is no reason to buy direct from Apple either. Many legitimate retailers also mark down Macs as well. Maybe not as much as HP, but they do get marked down. I was simply doing an apples to apples comparison (no pun intended)...comparing the direct from Apple cost to the direct from HP cost.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Well, by that rationale, there is no reason to buy direct from Apple either. Many legitimate retailers also mark down Macs as well. Maybe not as much as HP, but they do get marked down. I was simply doing an apples to apples comparison (no pun intended)...comparing the direct from Apple cost to the direct from HP cost.

It's impossible to go fully Apples to Apples on monitor (no options, same product everywhere) to an iMac unless the iMac is a stock model.

A ton of the configs of iMacs that people actually buy are not even close to the stock ones and the BTO's are only from Apple.

Really the only point I was making is simply that the HP monitor is brilliant and can be legitimately had for $1100 with a warranty. That's the value that should be used if worried about cost comparison, etc.

 

[jdoll021]

Do the monitors not normally have additional TB ports?

Well, they might have additional TB ports, but I don't know if that means you can run two TB cables from the computer to the display to run it as an external display. Something tells me that wouldn't fit Apple's style either. There might also be computer/device communication issues. I admittedly don't know for sure one way or the other.

 

[jdoll021]

It's impossible to go fully Apples to Apples on monitor (no options, same product everywhere) to an iMac unless the iMac is a stock model.

A ton of the configs of iMacs that people actually buy are not even close to the stock ones and the BTO's are only from Apple.

Really the only point I was making is simply that the HP monitor is brilliant and can be legitimately had for $1100 with a warranty. That's the value that should be used if worried about cost comparison, etc.

Haha! I actually owe you an apology. I totally got the context wrong and didn't realize that was just a monitor! For some reason, I thought it was an AiO PC! In that case, you're right, it is not possible to go fully apples to apples on a monitor vs iMac.

This might actually be a good option for me should I decide not to wait for a 5k cinema display (or I may just cheap out and get a 4k).

 

[MacVault]

Is the latest iMac 27" a good value for the price compared to what the same price can buy on, say, newegg.com for a Windows build?

 

[Sirmausalot]

Haha! I actually owe you an apology. I totally got the context wrong and didn't realize that was just a monitor! For some reason, I thought it was an AiO PC! In that case, you're right, it is not possible to go fully apples to apples on a monitor vs iMac.

This might actually be a good option for me should I decide not to wait for a 5k cinema display (or I may just cheap out and get a 4k).

Btw, do you really, really even have room on your desk for side by side 5k monitors for over 52 inches of space? Anyhow, should there be a 5k Cinema Display, I would imagine it would have at least two ports. But it will be very, very expensive.

 

[Sirmausalot]

Is the latest iMac 27" a good value for the price compared to what the same price can buy on, say, newegg.com for a Windows build?

It is a fantastic buy for what it is. But you may not need or want wha it has to offer. 5k screen, super fast flash storage, elegant all in one, Skylake 4.0. But it depends on what you want to do and what programs you want to run. It's fantastic for a graphics professional, but not a professional gamer. And it's a waste of money (arguably) for word processing and web surfing.

 

[jdoll021]

Btw, do you really, really even have room on your desk for side by side 5k monitors for over 52 inches of space? Anyhow, should there be a 5k Cinema Display, I would imagine it would have at least two ports. But it will be very, very expensive.

I'll have to clear off some stuff and reorganize a bit, but I actually do have room. I have a built in desk in my home office that runs along the entire length of one of the walls.

I thought I remember reading on MacRumors that TB3 would negate the need for two parallel ports? I figured that's why Apple hadn't updated the cinema display yet.

 

[Brandon Ess]

Is the latest iMac 27" a good value for the price compared to what the same price can buy on, say, newegg.com for a Windows build?

It is a fantastic buy for what it is. But you may not need or want wha it has to offer. 5k screen, super fast flash storage, elegant all in one, Skylake 4.0. But it depends on what you want to do and what programs you want to run. It's fantastic for a graphics professional, but not a professional gamer. And it's a waste of money (arguably) for word processing and web surfing.

I'd say that even for web browsing and word processing, if you can afford it, it's not necessarily a waste of money. I, for one, will be glad to be away from Windows, especially my current Windows 8.1 machine constantly hounding me to upgrade to Windows 10. Do not want Windows 10.

Also, if you have other Apple devices, it's nice to be able to have a consistent environment across all of your devices that integrate well together.

Value is a relative term. Depends on your budget. To some, even a $800 Windows PC is expensive. To others, a $2500 iMac is a sound investment.

 

[Clidsy]

Hi All,

I'm thinking of going for the new iMac (to replace my mid-2007!!! - has served me well) and wondered if I could get your advice on whether to go for the default 2TB fusion in the 3.3 or choose the 512GB Flash and then buy myself an external drive for files I don't access much (USB - the Thunderbolt drives are a little pricey)? I'm a Design professional and play the odd game. Thanks for any advice in advance.

 

[grifter730]

Had to wait overnight to pull the trigger, but I finally did it:

• 4.0GHz quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 4.2GHz
• 32GB 1867MHz DDR3 SDRAM - four 8GB
• 512GB Flash Storage
• AMD Radeon R9 M395X with 4GB video memory

Some people recommended to buy the RAM through a 3rd party, but honestly, I just can't be bothered. Ship it to me ready to go, and I'll pay the extra money. It won't even be delivered until October 27th though 🙁

Still, thanks to everyone on this thread!

 

[grifter730]

Hi All,

I'm thinking of going for the new iMac (to replace my mid-2007!!! - has served me well) and wondered if I could get your advice on whether to go for the default 2TB fusion in the 3.3 or choose the 512GB Flash and then buy myself an external drive for files I don't access much (USB - the Thunderbolt drives are a little pricey)? I'm a Design professional and play the odd game. Thanks for any advice in advance.

You're like me, I'm a design professional and I'm upgrading for a mid-2007 model too. I went with the 512GB Flash because I'm so sick and tired of waiting for crap to load. From what everyone's told me, SSD is one of those things that once you've tried it, you won't go back to anything else. I haaaaaate having to load Photoshop, and I'm hoping 32GB RAM with the SSD will make me not cry whenever I have to open it. That said, I've moved to Sketch anyway.

 

[Tanax]

I'm very curious what people who order the i7 use it for 🙂
Also why they get 512 GB SSD 🙂

 

[Melodeath]

Is the latest iMac 27" a good value for the price compared to what the same price can buy on, say, newegg.com for a Windows build?

It seems to be a decent price if you're planning on buying a 5k monitor. If you're getting a lesser-resolution monitor, then the 27" costs a good bit more than a comparable PC build, I believe. For example, you could build a great gaming PC or Audio PC for a little over $1,000, including a good 1440p monitor

 

[tokyodan]

It seems to be a decent price if you're planning on buying a 5k monitor. If you're getting a lesser-resolution monitor, then the 27" costs a good bit more than a comparable PC build, I believe. For example, you could build a great gaming PC or Audio PC for a little over $1,000, including a good 1440p monitor

Why is it that so many people here are crazy about 5K? Is there really a reason or is it just a case of just having to have the highest spec even if it is overkill or meaningless?

I got a 1440p 27" iMac and it is already so crisp and clear. I can't even see individual pixels. The colors are great. I've seen the Retina iMac and it doesn't hit me as any better than my non-Retina iMac.

 

[bankshot]

I'm wanting to know this same information about using Apple Pay in-store for BTO iMac to get the Discover Card 10% cashback. Getting this bonus cashback requires that we use the iPhone's NFC chip to purchase in-store (so not through Apple Store app's Apple Pay), and not valid on gift cards.

Anybody know? I tried calling the store and talked to an employee but she seemed to be confused with what I was asking (which could very well have been my fault for not wording my question correctly).

As others have said, it's overwhelmingly likely that BTO is not available when paying in store. I'm pretty sure they will simply direct you to use any display Mac to place a BTO order online if you ask about it in store. And of course this does not qualify for the 10% bonus.

I'm already planning to use my wife's EDU discount along with Discover 5% cash back bonus on Apple online (doubled to 10% at the end of my 12th month). That gets me within $50 of the in-store Apple Pay deal (if it were possible) for the near-maxed-out configuration I want.

 

[Clidsy]

You're like me, I'm a design professional and I'm upgrading for a mid-2007 model too. I went with the 512GB Flash because I'm so sick and tired of waiting for crap to load. From what everyone's told me, SSD is one of those things that once you've tried it, you won't go back to anything else. I haaaaaate having to load Photoshop, and I'm hoping 32GB RAM with the SSD will make me not cry whenever I have to open it. That said, I've moved to Sketch anyway.

Cheers!

 

[Melodeath]

Why is it that so many people here are crazy about 5K? Is there really a reason or is it just a case of just having to have the highest spec even if it is overkill or meaningless?

I got a 1440p 27" iMac and it is already so crisp and clear. I can't even see individual pixels. The colors are great. I've seen the Retina iMac and it doesn't hit me as any better than my non-Retina iMac.

I suspect it's useful for people who edit 4k video, but I am not such a person. I work with audio, not video/photos/graphics, so my screen resolution is not that important; mostly CPU power I care about, as well as software/peripheral compatibility

 

[vetruvian]

Why is it that so many people here are crazy about 5K? Is there really a reason or is it just a case of just having to have the highest spec even if it is overkill or meaningless?

I got a 1440p 27" iMac and it is already so crisp and clear. I can't even see individual pixels. The colors are great. I've seen the Retina iMac and it doesn't hit me as any better than my non-Retina iMac.

So I currently have a 15" 2015 retina MBP and a 27" cinema display at home. After spending the day working on my MBP, I can notice a huge difference when I get home and hookup to the cinema display. Its night and day. I absolutely don't need a retina display, but I definitely want it!

 

[Clidsy]

Another one folks - what's the difference between the M390 & M395x? Worth the extra wedge?

Is it better to go for the faster processor 4ghx & M390 or 3.3ghz & M395x? Just £50 in it in the UK.

Thanks

 

[vetruvian]

Another one folks - what's the difference between the M390 & M395x? Worth the extra wedge?

Is it better to go for the faster processor 4ghx & M390 or 3.3ghz & M395x? Just £50 in it in the UK.

Thanks

Really depends on what you plan on doing with it. I'd probably recommend the GPU upgrade to 395X if you have the money. In the 2014 version, some people complained of screen lag with the 290x. However, people who purchased the 295X complained of thermal issues and throttling. I am hoping they figured out the thermal issues in this iteration. We'll have to wait a couple weeks to find out.

On the processor, most people don't really need the i7. If you need an i7, you will know why you need an i7. But then again, if you have the budget, go for it. You may get slightly better performance on normal use and it will add a bit of value when you go to resell it down the road.

 

[Nospig]

Actually, I didn't say I "need" USB-C or TB3. I don't. I'm saying that those were the main draw of Skylake, and since I keep my computers for a LONG TIME, the included ports are a factor in terms of a long-term investment.

Same for me. For my use the current processors are more than powerful enough to last for many years. I wanted future proofing on the ports, really I wanted USB 3.1 type A and C as where I live finding Thunderbolt accessories is very difficult.