Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Which to buy? Late 2013 or Late 2015 iMac?

dictoresno

dictoresno

macrumors 601
Original poster
Apr 30, 2012
4,524
661
NJ
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
I think (not 100% sure) that you can upgrade the RAM on the 2013. The 2015 is soldered, I think, and you're stuck at 8 Gb. CPU and graphics performance are pretty close. I wouldn't argue against going for the 2013.
 
im not to worried about the 8GB RAM, I was more worried about the 5400 1TB spinner but my current iMac has a 2 TB 5400 and its actually not too bad. I figured for $999 I really couldn't go wrong, it would be a decent upgrade from my mid-2007.

both the 2013 and 2015 seem almost exactly the same in specs, I can't see myself paying more for the newer one.
 
I cant advise but if that 4 year $79.99 covers all major components inc logic board and with amazons 'no quibble' return, I would be swayed towards the 2013 with warranty.
Assuming low say $50 'excess' or in US 'deductable' and reading the warranties small print.
 
what about the 2015 1.6Ghz? I'm a little leery of that clock speed but my buddy just picked one up and said its actually not bad. seems like a downgrade for me though
 
The 1.6Ghz i5-5250U turbo boosts to 2.7 Ghz so it's probably not the dog it sounds like from the base clock. It would probably be OK for email, web, office stuff. I don't know that I'd want to get into anything heavy with that CPU though, no fancy photo editing or book sized document work. For me it would have to be quite the price break to be considered.

I'm pretty sure you will want to go SSD sooner rather than later but that would apply to any of the models.
 
I only use it for surfing the web, emails, some Microsoft office stuff and maintaining my 100GB music/movie iTunes library.

im also entertaining the idea of the Mac mini, the middle spec one, which would allow me to get a nice 27 inch monitor as well. but I don't feel like dealing with non built in speakers. hmmmmm tough choices.
 
dictoresno said:
I only use it for surfing the web, emails, some Microsoft office stuff and maintaining my 100GB music/movie iTunes library.

im also entertaining the idea of the Mac mini, the middle spec one, which would allow me to get a nice 27 inch monitor as well. but I don't feel like dealing with non built in speakers. hmmmmm tough choices.
Click to expand...

not a rMBP 13" 2015 new 256GB with a 4k monitor $299? - best of both worlds.
My rMBP 13" 2015 with 4K monitor is like an iMac - seriously.
 
Anybody with the 1.6 GHz late 2015 iMac 21 1/2 inch have any feedback on its speed vs the 2.8? Money difference may be a game changer for me I don't want to make a mistake with the 1.6 if it's not going to do what I needed to do
 
I'm torn between two options.

First Option:

Buy a current mid-tier 2014-current Mac mini for $679 and a nice 27 inch monitor to match for $172

Total is $851 and saves me money for some bluetooth speakers for the Mac mini.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1086736-REG/apple_mgen2ll_a_mac_mini_2_6_ghz.html
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1186335-REG/hp_m4b77aa_aba_27sv_27_ips_led.html


Second Option:

Get the middle of the road entry level late 2015 iMac, only a 21.5 inch, similar specs as the mini but faster clock speed and quad core for $1199.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1190350-REG/apple_mk442ll_a_21_5_imac_late_2015.html

Over budget by $200, but do the small spec increases make it worth it? I would prefer to not have to go over budget if I can avoid it.

Im leaning towards the Mac mini now, especially because I can mate it with a 27 inch monitor. Also, I'm not overly concerned with upgrading either ones HDD to an SSD, but I'm aware of the difficulty on these models and can do it myself should I need to.

Any suggestions based off specs? Anyone with the mini care to chime in? Ive never used one.
 
The Mini might be easier to drop an SSD into when the time comes. Given what you've said you use the machine for, that is a very nice looking option at a good price. I think it's very possible you'll value the 27 inch monitor over any CPU performance gains. You might want to uprate your monitor choice slightly, 1920x1080 is perhaps a bit coarse at 27 inches, but the good news is that you CAN change out the monitor (BenQ 32 inch anyone?) if and when you feel the need and have the cash.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dictoresno
I got a late 2013 27" iMac with the 1 tb spinner. Super simple to attach an external ssd as boot drive, get over 400mb speeds. Also upgraded my ram to 32 gb. It's been a really good machine.
 
kschendel said:
I don't necessarily dispute this, but why? Can you elaborate on your reasoning for preferring the 2015 in this specific instance?
Click to expand...

It seems the main difference will really just be the newer processor, and have less wear and tear on it. I'd say the only BAD thing about 2015 iMacs is they messed with the 1TB Fusion drive configuration to include a 24gb SSD instead of 128 like previously, resulting in slower speed. But if it has a 5400 RPM in it anyway, that doesn't matter (upgrade that btw.)

RAM on 27 inch models is upgradable but not on the 21.5 inch.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back