Want a 27 inch IMac: Should I wait

[timacn]

Looking to buy a 27 inch Imac to replace my 21 inch 2011 Imac.
I've read that not all Imacs will receive significant upgrades. Not sure about the truth of that last statement.

Anyway: I want something with an i7, a 2TB Fusion Drive, and 16-32 GB of Ram.
Will it do me any good to wait for the Imac update supposedly coming soon, or,
considering what I want, should I just get something now? Does anybody have reliable information
as to what the Imac update will entail?

Thanks for your advice and any other info you can give to me regarding any rumored Imac updates.

 

[agustinbg]

There is a thread like 3 rows below yours asking for almost the same thing:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/should-i-wait-to-buy-a-new-imac.1993437/

The iMac update will come in a few days (probably on October 27th). Wait.

If for some strange reason it doesn't come, then buy the current gen; 15 days won't make any difference.

 

[timacn]

There is a thread like 3 rows below yours asking for almost the same thing:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/should-i-wait-to-buy-a-new-imac.1993437/

The iMac update will come in a few days (probably on October 27th). Wait.

If for some strange reason it doesn't come, then buy the current gen; 15 days won't make any difference.

Thanks. Didn't see that thread. It answers all my questions.

 

[Lankyman]

Looking to buy a 27 inch Imac to replace my 21 inch 2011 Imac.
I've read that not all Imacs will receive significant upgrades. Not sure about the truth of that last statement.

Anyway: I want something with an i7, a 2TB Fusion Drive, and 16-32 GB of Ram.
Will it do me any good to wait for the Imac update supposedly coming soon, or,
considering what I want, should I just get something now? Does anybody have reliable information
as to what the Imac update will entail?

Thanks for your advice and any other info you can give to me regarding any rumored Imac updates.

You could have simply updated your 2011 iMac with SSD and more RAM - result, super fast reliable iMac, outlay, minimal. That would have resulted in your present iMac having years of serviceable life left.

 

[agustinbg]

You could have simply updated your 2011 iMac with SSD and more RAM - result, super fast reliable iMac, outlay, minimal. That would have resulted in your present iMac having years of serviceable life left.

It all depends on why he wants to replace his iMac. If it's purely performance, your advice is rock solid.

In my case, I really love the 5K display; and that only reason was enough for me to decide to buy a new iMac.

 

[cynics]

It all depends on why he wants to replace his iMac. If it's purely performance, your advice is rock solid.

In my case, I really love the 5K display; and that only reason was enough for me to decide to buy a new iMac.

Also USB 3.0 and wifi AC are nice to have in 2016. I guess there maybe ways to add that stuff on (?) but there is a lot more to a computer then storage speed.

 

[bwoodruff]

I've been holding off on upgrading my 2012 rMBP to a new 27" iMac because I play games and want the new video card that is likely coming.

That said the MBP is starting to act up. Getting kernel panics here and there, Bluetooth randomly stops working, etc.

New Macs are likely to be launched on the 27th, from what I hear, if at all. The 14 day return policy should allow me to return one I buy today and then buy a new model if that happens, but it would be cutting it really close.

I do normally work with their business team. Is there any difference in the return policy for business customers?

 

[maflynn]

Also USB 3.0 and wifi AC are nice to have in 2016. I guess there maybe ways to add that stuff on (?) but there is a lot more to a computer then storage speed.

USB 3.0 is definitely a nice addition, and once that I really like. less so, but still beneficial is wifi AC

 

[Lankyman]

Also USB 3.0 and wifi AC are nice to have in 2016. I guess there maybe ways to add that stuff on (?) but there is a lot more to a computer then storage speed.

Not sure why anyone would change their desktop computer simply in order to have USB 3.0 and why would you be using WiFi with a desktop when you have a static machine and ethernet? Even the screen isn't worth changing for. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the standard Apple IPS screen for most users. Even for photography is still not an essential.

It amazes me how quickly people talk themselves into so called must have features.

 

[bwoodruff]

I ended up ordering. If they do have an announcement I can order another and return.

 

[cynics]

Not sure why anyone would change their desktop computer simply in order to have USB 3.0 and why would you be using WiFi with a desktop when you have a static machine and ethernet? Even the screen isn't worth changing for. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the standard Apple IPS screen for most users. Even for photography is still not an essential.

It amazes me how quickly people talk themselves into so called must have features.

I was just mentioning other shortcomings of the 2011 iMac compared to todays standards.

However those things that amaze you are requirements for some. Myself for example I need USB 3 for a RAID enclosure, Wifi AC for a link aggregated NAS also in RAID 0 and I would prefer the screen over an SSD since most of the heavy lifting I do isn't on internal storage.

Running ethernet to my office would cost nearly as much as a new Mac due to repairing the walls faux finish. But even if it was just painted dry wall wifi AC is still a better and cleaner solution.

 

[59Burst]

If there is no iMac refresh I plan to stick with my 2013 mbp. Even if the 2015 models are discounted and you go with the top of the line it's still outdated hardware.

 

[maflynn]

If there is no iMac refresh I plan to stick with my 2013 mbp. Even if the 2015 models are discounted and you go with the top of the line it's still outdated hardware.

I expect there will be a refresh, though it may be less expansive then the MBP. The 27" iMac is already on Skylake, so going to the next generation is not possible, but the 21" iMac has more room to be improved given its meager specifications.

Overall, seeing USB-C/TB3, a better dGPU, is what most folks are expecting for the next release.

 

[Lankyman]

I was just mentioning other shortcomings of the 2011 iMac compared to todays standards.

However those things that amaze you are requirements for some. Myself for example I need USB 3 for a RAID enclosure, Wifi AC for a link aggregated NAS also in RAID 0 and I would prefer the screen over an SSD since most of the heavy lifting I do isn't on internal storage.

Running ethernet to my office would cost nearly as much as a new Mac due to repairing the walls faux finish. But even if it was just painted dry wall wifi AC is still a better and cleaner solution.

Surely for external storage an Ethernet connected NAS is the way to go - that's certainly what I use. Again Ethernet, you simply have an additional phone point installed. This is a pretty cheap option, around £40 GBP. One small hole through the outside wall with a telephone point covering the inside, virtually no mess. WiFi is never a better solution.

 

[Zellio]

Looking to buy a 27 inch Imac to replace my 21 inch 2011 Imac.
I've read that not all Imacs will receive significant upgrades. Not sure about the truth of that last statement.

Anyway: I want something with an i7, a 2TB Fusion Drive, and 16-32 GB of Ram.
Will it do me any good to wait for the Imac update supposedly coming soon, or,
considering what I want, should I just get something now? Does anybody have reliable information
as to what the Imac update will entail?

Thanks for your advice and any other info you can give to me regarding any rumored Imac updates.

Apple ALWAYS prices their pcs the same price and never gives discounts (Well MAYBE 10% if you are lucky). If they are about to update or rumored to, it's best to wait.

Its the reason why this site has a buyers guide...

 

[tubeexperience]

If you can wait, the wait.

I also would get the base model and upgrade (memory and storage) afterword.

For example, you can get a 1TB Samsung 850 EVO for the same price as a 2TB Fusion Drive.

 

[cynics]

Surely for external storage an Ethernet connected NAS is the way to go - that's certainly what I use. Again Ethernet, you simply have an additional phone point installed. This is a pretty cheap option, around £40 GBP. One small hole through the outside wall with a telephone point covering the inside, virtually no mess. WiFi is never a better solution.

Why and how do you keep applying your life and experience to everyone else?

I live in a building, running wires outside is not an option. Please don't tell me to get the window washer to drill a hole through the glass. Wifi is a better option because it's the only option short of a wire laid out across the hardwood.

OP has/had an old 2011 21" iMac, why are you so insistent it's a better option to keep that thing? Nearly every aspect short of portability will be better.

 

[gian8989]

I

I was just mentioning other shortcomings of the 2011 iMac compared to todays standards.

However those things that amaze you are requirements for some. Myself for example I need USB 3 for a RAID enclosure, Wifi AC for a link aggregated NAS also in RAID 0 and I would prefer the screen over an SSD since most of the heavy lifting I do isn't on internal storage.

Running ethernet to my office would cost nearly as much as a new Mac due to repairing the walls faux finish. But even if it was just painted dry wall wifi AC is still a better and cleaner solution.

I just read this post and don't know if I understand what you were saying. If you need a connection inside the same apartment have you tried with powerline that can use current to transfer data? I use them in my house because wifi can't reach my room. There are also powerlines that have wifi and Ethernet together.

 

[merkinmuffley]

No reason to wait, buy now. No one here knows if or when anything new will appear. If you want to replace your old IMac, do it now.

 

[gian8989]

No reason to wait, buy now. No one here knows if or when anything new will appear. If you want to replace your old IMac, do it now.

Please remove the "if". They already made a joke of them self with the MAC Pro, I don't think the would dare to discontinue also the 5k. The problem is more what they want to do with the CPU: stay with skylake or wait kabylake. If they haven't update yet because they are waiting for kabylake than I don't think is a bad choice (I mean 2-3 month delay, not 1 year).

 

[MistrSynistr]

Not sure why anyone would change their desktop computer simply in order to have USB 3.0 and why would you be using WiFi with a desktop when you have a static machine and ethernet? Even the screen isn't worth changing for. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the standard Apple IPS screen for most users. Even for photography is still not an essential.

It amazes me how quickly people talk themselves into so called must have features.

I'm a photographer and a graphic designer, and I went from a 2013 to a 2015 iMac and the upgrade is substantial.

The hidden gem of the 5k is not photos, it's actually text/InDesign.

 

[tubeexperience]

.

 

[cynics]

I

I just read this post and don't know if I understand what you were saying. If you need a connection inside the same apartment have you tried with powerline that can use current to transfer data? I use them in my house because wifi can't reach my room. There are also powerlines that have wifi and Ethernet together.

Can you link me to more information on what you are talking about.

 

[gian8989]

Can you link me to more information on what you are talking about.

http://www.netgear.com/home/products/networking/powerline/

This is how they work:
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/8-things-powerline-adapters-need-know-first/

 

[Lankyman]

Why and how do you keep applying your life and experience to everyone else?

I live in a building, running wires outside is not an option. Please don't tell me to get the window washer to drill a hole through the glass. Wifi is a better option because it's the only option short of a wire laid out across the hardwood.

OP has/had an old 2011 21" iMac, why are you so insistent it's a better option to keep that thing? Nearly every aspect short of portability will be better.

Well just like you I offer an opinion. Why is it not better to utilise to the full an existing device that's still more than capable? Why is society today so blasé when it comes to discarding perfectly good products? I too live in a building not a tent and I can run wires all around the outside of my property should I wish. Simply because you can't is your misfortune. I have exactly the same mid-2011 iMac which has been brought bang up to date with only a modest outlay. Please define all these fantastic enhancements that would be so much better had I changed it for something new?

It is in fact the lack of product innovation over the last few years to the Mac lineup which makes updating your current hardware such an attractive proportion for the financially savvy amongst us.
[doublepost=1476879897][/doublepost]

I

I just read this post and don't know if I understand what you were saying. If you need a connection inside the same apartment have you tried with powerline that can use current to transfer data? I use them in my house because wifi can't reach my room. There are also powerlines that have wifi and Ethernet together.

Absolutely correct and a great solution.