Which new iMac to chose? A 2015 model or a 2014 with dedicated graphics card?

[vikaplume]

So I went to see the used iMac, but it just doesn't look as nice as I was told (scratches in the screen), so I have decided to just bite the bullet get a new iMac.

I want this iMac for word processing, powerpoint, excel, web browsing (google docs), email and Skype (which I use extensively as I teach online), praat (sound viewing/editing tool), and a few games (mostly the sims, civilization and simcity - which i would prefer to run at at least medium settings).

I want a 21.5" and I don't need/want retina (I'm pretty farsighted, I honestly can't see the difference). Since I play a few games, I was thinking a dedicated graphics card might be better? But maybe not?

So the options are:

last year's model with a 2.9 ghz processor, 8gb ram, 1 tb hard drive and a NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M graphics card
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product...583&path=4127ef0be36f82c301c26565f639a03cen02

Or this year's model, which I would probably configure to have a fusion drive (is it worth it with only 24gb of SSD? maybe a 2tb fusion drive then? or I could leave it as is, in which case it is actually cheaper than last year's model with education pricing):
http://www.apple.com/ca_edu_93120/shop/buy-mac/imac?product=MK442LL/A&step=config

Which is better? Thanks again for all of your help!

 

[Samuelsan2001]

if you aren;t bothered about the screen and want the best gaming experience for the longest time then the dGPU is your best bet, however I wouldn't buy any computer without some sort of SSD these days. Fusion drive or SSD on a 2014 with dGPU would be your best bet.

 

[MadDane]

As Samuelsan2001 said, the 2014 model will be your best bet. A workaround for the SSD could be either to open up the iMac and exchange the HDD for a SSD or use an external SSD, preferably through Thunderbolt (although USB3 with UASP would also work). But with the needs that you describe, I would go with the 2014 model and figure out a way to get a SSD.

 

[AlexisV]

Sorry to sound rude, but I'm shortsighted when I don't have my glasses on. Why does being longsighted affect you?

 

[maflynn]

I want a 21.5" and I don't need/want retina (I'm pretty farsighted, I honestly can't see the difference). Since I play a few games, I was thinking a dedicated graphics card might be better? But maybe not?

Given what you wrote, go for the 2014 model, since it has a dGPU and a better Fusion drive.

 

[MadDane]

The 2014 model does not have a Fusion Drive. So the one OP is looking at comes with a standard 5400rpm HDD and no SSD.