What Mac to buy?

[Kian32]

Hi I currently have an iMac 27 Inch - Mid 2011 - 3.1 Ghz Intel core i5

1 TB HD

128 GB SSD along side the 1 TB HD (Both inside the iMac)

Ram 26 GB

Have noticed slowly less and less products are dropping support for this iMac as for instance the new Mojave OS will not work with this iMac so I am looking at buying another mac but not sure weather to get an iMac or a Mac Mini and also what year iMac or Mac Mini to buy (2012 to 2015) I am going to exclude the 2017 Model at this current time.

What I currently use my iMac for is:

Browsing the web, Watching Videos in VLC player plus a few other things and then also the below

The below 4 is Occasionally

Encode videos using handbrake
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Microsoft Office

What are your suggestions.

Thank You

 

[vojislavsh]

I use my Mac for multimedia, light gaming , microsoft office and web browsing. I have base model iMak 5k 2017. Absolutely faboulous machine. It needs to boot up about 14-15 seconds, and I’m on fusion drive. I’ll upgrade some ram for cheap and maybe add external ssd. Thats all.

 

[casperes1996]

Hi I currently have an iMac 27-inch Mid 2011 3.1 Ghz Intel core i5 and have noticed slowly less and less things are dropping support for this iMac as for instance the new Mojave OS will not work with this iMac so I am looking at buying another mac but not sure weather to get an iMac or a Mac Mini and also what year iMac or Mac Mini to buy (2012 to 2015) I am going to exclude the 2017 Model at this current stage.

What I currently use my iMac for is:

Browsing the web plus a few other things and then also the below

The below 3 is Occasionally

Encode videos using handbrake
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator

What are your suggestions.

Thank You

I recommend waiting till Apple releases new Macs, and get the first new one you like.
The only Mac with modern hardware at the moment is the MacBook Pro. Either September or October should bring more Macs.

 

[theluggage]

What are your suggestions.

There are rumours that Apple will be launching new MacBooks, Mac Minis, iMacs, home fusion reactors, flying cars and a machine to put on duvet covers in October - but so far they are just rumours and very short on detail. However, if your current machine is still getting the job done you might prefer to wait and see for a month or two (or until the rumours slip back to March 2019). If Apple do update the iMac then its likely that at least some of them will get the new 6-core processors, which will certainly speed up Handbrake significantly, but may not be a big deal for the other stuff you do.

If you do decide to buy now:

- the current Mac Mini is badly outdated, wasn't particularly powerful when new and probably not going to be very "future proof". The "good" second hand ones are pre-2014 models and likewise could be the next to lose software support.

- the 2017 27" iMacs are good machines, and retain features like upgradeable RAM and USB-A ports that may well disappear in future models.

Conventional wisdom here is to avoid the 1TB fusion drive and either get the 2/3TB fusion (which has a bigger SSD poprtion) or, preferably, go for a 256GB or 512GB SSD-only model and use externals for bulky files like video/photos.

(there's one happy camper in this thread with a 1TB fusion but, frankly, once you've used a SSD-system-disc machine you don't want to go back ti spinning rust).

 

[Kian32]

There are rumours that Apple will be launching new MacBooks, Mac Minis, iMacs, home fusion reactors, flying cars and a machine to put on duvet covers in October - but so far they are just rumours and very short on detail. However, if your current machine is still getting the job done you might prefer to wait and see for a month or two (or until the rumours slip back to March 2019). If Apple do update the iMac then its likely that at least some of them will get the new 6-core processors, which will certainly speed up Handbrake significantly, but may not be a big deal for the other stuff you do.

If you do decide to buy now:

- the current Mac Mini is badly outdated, wasn't particularly powerful when new and probably not going to be very "future proof". The "good" second hand ones are pre-2014 models and likewise could be the next to lose software support.

- the 2017 27" iMacs are good machines, and retain features like upgradeable RAM and USB-A ports that may well disappear in future models.

Conventional wisdom here is to avoid the 1TB fusion drive and either get the 2/3TB fusion (which has a bigger SSD poprtion) or, preferably, go for a 256GB or 512GB SSD-only model and use externals for bulky files like video/photos.

(there's one happy camper in this thread with a 1TB fusion but, frankly, once you've used a SSD-system-disc machine you don't want to go back ti spinning rust).

I must admit my iMac does run very good and has:

1 TB HD

I upgraded the ram to 26 GB

I Installed a 128 GB SSD along side the 1 TB HD

A few people have suggested to keep the iMac and upgrade the processor from the current Intel core i5 to Intel core i7.

 

[theluggage]

I must admit my iMac does run very good and has:

Well, then, I'd stick with it until the new machines come out.

Unless you desperately want to run Mojave as soon as it comes out (based on past releases I'd wait until that's had a few updates before taking the plunge) software compatibility isn't going to be an issue for a year or two yet unless you are a developer.

However, I'm not sure I'd sink too much money into upgrading a 2011 iMac at this stage in it's life. The i7 will probably run Handbrake a bit faster (because of Hyperthreading) but may not have a huge impact on the other things you do - and if you do need more CPU power then you'll be wanting a hex-core iMac as soon as they come out, since that will be the biggest bump in CPU power that the iMac has seen for years (and if hex-core iMacs don't appear by next July its time to start shopping for PCs). Until then, its going to be the lack of 4k/5k display support and no USB 3 (although I guess you can add that via Thunderbolt) that will really count against the 2011 machine.

 

[alien3dx]

There are rumours that Apple will be launching new MacBooks, Mac Minis, iMacs, home fusion reactors, flying cars and a machine to put on duvet covers in October - but so far they are just rumours and very short on detail. However, if your current machine is still getting the job done you might prefer to wait and see for a month or two (or until the rumours slip back to March 2019). If Apple do update the iMac then its likely that at least some of them will get the new 6-core processors, which will certainly speed up Handbrake significantly, but may not be a big deal for the other stuff you do.

If you do decide to buy now:

- the current Mac Mini is badly outdated, wasn't particularly powerful when new and probably not going to be very "future proof". The "good" second hand ones are pre-2014 models and likewise could be the next to lose software support.

- the 2017 27" iMacs are good machines, and retain features like upgradeable RAM and USB-A ports that may well disappear in future models.

Conventional wisdom here is to avoid the 1TB fusion drive and either get the 2/3TB fusion (which has a bigger SSD poprtion) or, preferably, go for a 256GB or 512GB SSD-only model and use externals for bulky files like video/photos.

(there's one happy camper in this thread with a 1TB fusion but, frankly, once you've used a SSD-system-disc machine you don't want to go back ti spinning rust).

Spinnig rust nothing to do about slow system. Once you off icloud ,spotlight the slow is quite rare.
[doublepost=1535204316][/doublepost]

I must admit my iMac does run very good and has:

1 TB HD

I upgraded the ram to 26 GB

I Installed a 128 GB SSD along side the 1 TB HD

A few people have suggested to keep the iMac and upgrade the processor from the current Intel core i5 to Intel core i7.

If not business critical just use as it , if doing job go get upgrade.

 

[Kian32]

Well, then, I'd stick with it until the new machines come out.

Unless you desperately want to run Mojave as soon as it comes out (based on past releases I'd wait until that's had a few updates before taking the plunge) software compatibility isn't going to be an issue for a year or two yet unless you are a developer.

However, I'm not sure I'd sink too much money into upgrading a 2011 iMac at this stage in it's life. The i7 will probably run Handbrake a bit faster (because of Hyperthreading) but may not have a huge impact on the other things you do - and if you do need more CPU power then you'll be wanting a hex-core iMac as soon as they come out, since that will be the biggest bump in CPU power that the iMac has seen for years (and if hex-core iMacs don't appear by next July its time to start shopping for PCs). Until then, its going to be the lack of 4k/5k display support and no USB 3 (although I guess you can add that via Thunderbolt) that will really count against the 2011 machine.

Think I am going to hold onto my iMac for a while and Like I said in my post above this one I have already upgraded the ram and installed an SSD along side the HD into the iMac already and also forgot in March this year I paid out for Kanex Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet + USB 3.0 Adapter so that takes care of the usb 3.0 issue.

Have been offered from a person that I personally know an Intel Core i7-2600 3.4 GHz Quad-Core processor for £50 so not that much money really to throw at the iMac to upgrade the processor.

 

[Fishrrman]

If the iMac you have now is running fine (I see you have an SSD in it), you might hold out until new iMacs are released.

But I'm going to -guess- that this won't happen until 2019. It's getting later in the year now, and not a single rumor about new iMacs this year.

 

[Glockworkorange]

This is bizarre. The OP specifically asked for machines 2012-2015....and many of the responses range from buy a 2017 or wait for a new iMac.

Given your needs, I would buy a 2015 27 inch with the largest SSD you can afford (i.e. SSD only). If you cannot afford that, buy a 2014 with the largest pure SSD you can afford. If you cannot afford that, the the largest 2015 model fusion drive you can afford. Buy the RAM (if you need it) separately from Crucial, OWC, etc.

I don't think discrete graphics chips will be an issue for you, so I would take any money for graphics update and put it toward the solid state drive.

I would not recommend buying any iMac that is non-5K retina. In other words, exclude 2012 and 2013 models and ALL 21 inch models.

As Fisherrman said, you will absolutely never regret the move to 27 inches. The only people I'd recommend a 21 inch to are the people who just do not have the space for a 27 incher.

 

[Kian32]

This is bizarre. The OP specifically asked for machines 2012-2015....and many of the responses range from buy a 2017 or wait for a new iMac.

Given your needs, I would buy a 2015 27 inch with the largest SSD you can afford (i.e. SSD only). If you cannot afford that, buy a 2014 with the largest pure SSD you can afford. If you cannot afford that, the the largest 2015 model fusion drive you can afford. Buy the RAM (if you need it) separately from Crucial, OWC, etc.

I don't think discrete graphics chips will be an issue for you, so I would take any money for graphics update and put it toward the solid state drive.

I would not recommend buying any iMac that is non-5K retina. In other words, exclude 2012 and 2013 models and ALL 21 inch models.

As Fisherrman said, you will absolutely never regret the move to 27 inches. The only people I'd recommend a 21 inch to are the people who just do not have the space for a 27 incher.

Thank you for your reply, the iMac I have now is 27 inch and would not go smaller than that anyway. Will look into the models (years) you have mentioned. Thanks once again

 

[casperes1996]

Thank you for your reply, the iMac I have now is 27 inch and would not go smaller than that anyway. Will look into the models (years) you have mentioned. Thanks once again

If you think your current iMac runs well, and it's just Mojave support you want, unofficial ways of upgrading it to Mojave will likely be available

 

[Kian32]

Have to admit my iMac does run very well and it would be nice to have the newer macOS Mojave but it is not that what was making me want to upgrade to a newer mac than mine it was other things like age of the iMac and how long before other products start dropping support for the mid 2011 etc etc.

Have heard of a few people trying to run the beta Mojave on the mid 2011 but with not much success due to lack of graphics acceleration using AMD Video cards or so I have been told. mid 2012 onwards is fine but hopefully there will be somebody who might be able to come up with a workaround for the older macs.

 

[Fishrrman]

I wouldn't buy anything older than a 2017 model at this point (new or refurbished).

Actually, I would wait for the next release, which I predict will be 5-7 months in the future.

 

[Wags]

It looks like the 2018 models will have a great increase in performance within the same pricing as current models.

 

[Kian32]

I wouldn't buy anything older than a 2017 model at this point (new or refurbished).

Actually, I would wait for the next release, which I predict will be 5-7 months in the future.

I am going to hold off for now anyway on purchasing another iMac.

 

[Guy Clark]

Personally I wouldn't upgrade. That is a great machine you have there.

 

[Kian32]

Personally I wouldn't upgrade. That is a great machine you have there.

Decided to run Geekbench 4 to get my score and this is the results I got as well as a comparison against the same iMac as mine but with an Intel Core i7-2600 @ 3.4 GHz. Personally I do not think my score is bad at all in comparison.

My iMac Geekbench 4 score Intel 64bit Scan Results:

iMac (27-inch Mid 2011 - i5)

Single-Core

Intel Core i5-2400 @ 3.1 GHz (4 cores) - 3338

Multi-Core

Intel Core i5-2400 @ 3.1 GHz (4 cores) - 9698

- Comparison -

iMac (27-inch Mid 2011 - i7)

Single-Core

Intel Core i7-2600 @ 3.4 GHz (4 cores) - 3503 (165 Difference to the i5)

Multi-Core

Intel Core i7-2600 @ 3.4 GHz (4 cores) - 11040 (1342 Difference to the i5)

Have just been offered a Samsung PM851 256GB SSD (MZ-MTE256D) for £50 so think I will upgrade my SSD that I currently have installed alongside the original HD (Both installed internally) as my SSD is a SAMSUNG MZ7TD128HAFV-000L1 128GB

 

[dogslobber]

Hi I currently have an iMac 27 Inch - Mid 2011 - 3.1 Ghz Intel core i5

1 TB HD

128 GB SSD along side the 1 TB HD (Both inside the iMac)

Ram 26 GB

Have noticed slowly less and less products are dropping support for this iMac as for instance the new Mojave OS will not work with this iMac so I am looking at buying another mac but not sure weather to get an iMac or a Mac Mini and also what year iMac or Mac Mini to buy (2012 to 2015) I am going to exclude the 2017 Model at this current time.

What I currently use my iMac for is:

Browsing the web, Watching Videos in VLC player plus a few other things and then also the below

The below 4 is Occasionally

Encode videos using handbrake
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Microsoft Office

What are your suggestions.

Thank You

I have a 2011 21.5” iMac but High Sierra will be supported for the next couple of years with security patches so there’s little rush to upgrade. If your current SW works then I’d stay put.
[doublepost=1535421683][/doublepost]

Have just been offered a Samsung PM851 256GB SSD (MZ-MTE256D) for £50 so think I will upgrade my SSD that I currently have installed alongside the original HD (Both installed internally) as my SSD is a SAMSUNG MZ7TD128HAFV-000L1 128GB

An SSD will give the 2011 iMac a new lease of life.

 

[Kian32]

I have a 2011 21.5” iMac but High Sierra will be supported for the next couple of years with security patches so there’s little rush to upgrade. If your current SW works then I’d stay put.
[doublepost=1535421683][/doublepost]
An SSD will give the 2011 iMac a new lease of life.

I already have an SSD installed, this would be an upgrade from the SSD I have to the SSD mentioned in my post above.