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Which year IMac should I purchase?
- Thread starter oldhifi
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Now I am just going to tell you what I have heard. These are just my opinions.
And full disclosure, I own a 5K 27" iMac, late 2015.
If you can, I would go for the 2015 iMac's. From what I have found these seems to very stable, and not suffer from many of the problems previous generations have suffered from.
I have read about several 2014 models suffering from bad display burn-ins (ghosting), in the same style the 15" MacBook Pro Retina from 2012 did.
I have also seen a lot of problems with previous models suffering from weird discolorations, when you look from less than optimal angels (Pre retina iMacs).
For the 27" iMacs from 2017 I have already heard a lot of problems with cooling the internal components, causing performance throttling (The iMac slows down, to be able to cool the components). With the much stronger graphics systems in the 21,5" 4K iMacs from 2017, I suspect they also could suffer from this problem. Something I have read once the 2015 models suffer from.
I have only read about performance throttling on the 27" 2014 iMac, not on the 21,5" iMac 2014.
Whatever you do, get one with pure SSD, they are more expensive yes, but a lot faster. And less likely to break down, from worn out hard drives (fusion or pure classic HDD)
Depending on what you do, memory is a little fluent to advise on. I have a 2013 MacBook Air with only 4 GB ram, which works just fine for everyday tasks. But my main iMac have 16 GB ram, and I wouldn't go lower, but I also do 4K video editing, screencasts and gaming.
To future proof I would consider going for the 16 GB, since the 21,5" can't be upgraded later. And go no lower than 8 GB.
And full disclosure, I own a 5K 27" iMac, late 2015.
If you can, I would go for the 2015 iMac's. From what I have found these seems to very stable, and not suffer from many of the problems previous generations have suffered from.
I have read about several 2014 models suffering from bad display burn-ins (ghosting), in the same style the 15" MacBook Pro Retina from 2012 did.
I have also seen a lot of problems with previous models suffering from weird discolorations, when you look from less than optimal angels (Pre retina iMacs).
For the 27" iMacs from 2017 I have already heard a lot of problems with cooling the internal components, causing performance throttling (The iMac slows down, to be able to cool the components). With the much stronger graphics systems in the 21,5" 4K iMacs from 2017, I suspect they also could suffer from this problem. Something I have read once the 2015 models suffer from.
I have only read about performance throttling on the 27" 2014 iMac, not on the 21,5" iMac 2014.
Whatever you do, get one with pure SSD, they are more expensive yes, but a lot faster. And less likely to break down, from worn out hard drives (fusion or pure classic HDD)
Depending on what you do, memory is a little fluent to advise on. I have a 2013 MacBook Air with only 4 GB ram, which works just fine for everyday tasks. But my main iMac have 16 GB ram, and I wouldn't go lower, but I also do 4K video editing, screencasts and gaming.
To future proof I would consider going for the 16 GB, since the 21,5" can't be upgraded later. And go no lower than 8 GB.
Also suggest a 27" model. Do not buy a 21.5" iMac with either the standard 5400rpm notebook style drive, or a Fusion Drive. Upgrading the hard drive yourself will void the warranty and memory on the 21.5" model is not user upgradeable if you believe Apple.
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Agree with others about the 5k 27" model.
If you get the 27", there is one thought you that will NEVER have:
"I wish I'd bought the 21" model instead..."
Do not get any iMac with a platter-based hard drive inside -- UNLESS you are will to add an external USB3 SSD to become the boot drive. Otherwise, you WILL find it to be "too slow".
It's possible to find 27" 5k 2015-design iMacs either as Apple-refurbished or "new old stock" if you keep your eyes open (open a search engine and enter "ebay.com electronics valley store").
Prices can be quite reasonable.
I would avoid the 1tb fusion drive if possible -- the SSD portion is a measly 24gb. If you have to buy this configuration, buy it, but it may begin to slow down after a while (this is correctable by booting from an external USB3 SSD).
Look for either the 2tb fusion model or get a "straight SSD" if the opportunity arises...
If you get the 27", there is one thought you that will NEVER have:
"I wish I'd bought the 21" model instead..."
Do not get any iMac with a platter-based hard drive inside -- UNLESS you are will to add an external USB3 SSD to become the boot drive. Otherwise, you WILL find it to be "too slow".
It's possible to find 27" 5k 2015-design iMacs either as Apple-refurbished or "new old stock" if you keep your eyes open (open a search engine and enter "ebay.com electronics valley store").
Prices can be quite reasonable.
I would avoid the 1tb fusion drive if possible -- the SSD portion is a measly 24gb. If you have to buy this configuration, buy it, but it may begin to slow down after a while (this is correctable by booting from an external USB3 SSD).
Look for either the 2tb fusion model or get a "straight SSD" if the opportunity arises...
I have just invested in a Late 2015 21.5" Retina 4k iMac. The Display is gorgeous and the integrated Intel Iris Pro 6200 Graphics are impressive. BUT and its a big one at that. The stock 1TB Hard Drive is 5400rpm why Apple did not supply it with a 7200rpm Hard Drive is beyond me. I shall be upgrading to a 1TB Seagate SSHD (Solid State Hybrid Drive) which is the equivalent to a Fusion Drive. Otherwise I thoroughly recommend the 2015 4k Retina model just be sure to go with the Fusion Drive option.
Now you have a choice of going for the 2015 4k Retina iMac or the more recent 2017 release. Here there are considerations to be made. The 2015 model has Thunderbolt 2 whereas the 2017 model has Thunderbolt 3/USB-C so if you looking to hook up an eGPU then the 2017 is the only option as macOS High Sierra only supports eGPU on Thunderbolt 3.
But the most important thing is steer well clear of the 5400rpm Hard Drive option on both the 2015 and 2017 models as it impacts on the overall experience.
[doublepost=1522947775][/doublepost]
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+Retina+4K+Display+Hard+Drive+Replacement/64107
Now you have a choice of going for the 2015 4k Retina iMac or the more recent 2017 release. Here there are considerations to be made. The 2015 model has Thunderbolt 2 whereas the 2017 model has Thunderbolt 3/USB-C so if you looking to hook up an eGPU then the 2017 is the only option as macOS High Sierra only supports eGPU on Thunderbolt 3.
But the most important thing is steer well clear of the 5400rpm Hard Drive option on both the 2015 and 2017 models as it impacts on the overall experience.
[doublepost=1522947775][/doublepost]
iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display Hard Drive Replacement
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+Retina+4K+Display+Hard+Drive+Replacement/64107
1)If you plan to use both windows and MacOS and you are not going to use the windows partition to game or doing any heavy task, if I were you I would just use a virtual machine (Parallel or VmWare).
2) i would suggest you to wait (if you can) till june/july for a new model so you can decide between the new one and refurbished 2017.
3) a base 27' model cost little more that a 21' with decent specs (you need to order with more ram if you don't want to open it in the future) and let you upgrade the ram easily
4) DON'T buy an iMac without SSD (or at the very least put an external one). The OS is not made to run well on a standard hdd.
2) i would suggest you to wait (if you can) till june/july for a new model so you can decide between the new one and refurbished 2017.
3) a base 27' model cost little more that a 21' with decent specs (you need to order with more ram if you don't want to open it in the future) and let you upgrade the ram easily
4) DON'T buy an iMac without SSD (or at the very least put an external one). The OS is not made to run well on a standard hdd.
Guy Clark wrote above:
"I shall be upgrading to a 1TB Seagate SSHD (Solid State Hybrid Drive) which is the equivalent to a Fusion Drive."
No, no, NO!
Don't do this!
Get an external USB3 SSD instead (NOT a hybrid drive, a REAL SSD).
Set it up to become your "external booter".
Leave the internal drive alone.
DO NOT pry open a new iMac -- that ends the warranty!
It's "easy as pie" to set up an external boot drive with the Mac.
The Mac DOESN'T CARE from which drive it boots -- all it wants is a good copy of the OS, and it's happy.
If you take my advice above, you, too, will be happy.
If you insist on the hybrid drive, I think you'll be glum, since the performance increase (over the stock platter-based HDD) will be minimal at best.
"I shall be upgrading to a 1TB Seagate SSHD (Solid State Hybrid Drive) which is the equivalent to a Fusion Drive."
No, no, NO!
Don't do this!
Get an external USB3 SSD instead (NOT a hybrid drive, a REAL SSD).
Set it up to become your "external booter".
Leave the internal drive alone.
DO NOT pry open a new iMac -- that ends the warranty!
It's "easy as pie" to set up an external boot drive with the Mac.
The Mac DOESN'T CARE from which drive it boots -- all it wants is a good copy of the OS, and it's happy.
If you take my advice above, you, too, will be happy.
If you insist on the hybrid drive, I think you'll be glum, since the performance increase (over the stock platter-based HDD) will be minimal at best.
"Anyone know any good Ebay sellers?"
Bring up a search engine.
Into it, enter "ebay.com electronics valley store"
That will take you there.
NO financial connection to this seller.
Just a happy customer -- bought my 2015 MBPro from them, good price, no problems.
Bring up a search engine.
Into it, enter "ebay.com electronics valley store"
That will take you there.
NO financial connection to this seller.
Just a happy customer -- bought my 2015 MBPro from them, good price, no problems.
I found this one on Ebay, seems like a good deal, what do you think?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-27-i...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-27-i...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649
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