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Will the redesigned iMac be more expensive?

baryon

baryon

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Oct 3, 2009
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I'm guessing Apple will continue its recent trend of doubling the price of everything new it releases, making me consider buying the current iMac 2019 rather than wait for the redesigned version. The thing is, even if the redesigned version is better, I don't think I will be able to afford it if the price is any higher than it is now.

Is there any chance the next iMac's price will remain the same, or is that just not something we expect Apple to do?

The reason I'm asking is because what I'd really need is a new MacBook Pro, not an iMac, but given the issues with the current model it would not be wise to buy the MBP. So either I can wait for the next MacBook Pro in hopes that it will not have issues, or just buy an iMac now, especially if the next iMac will be more expensive (then I have no choice).
 
mikehalloran said:
Yea, right. That statement is false so let's ignore it.

If you need a new computer, buy one. If you don't then wait.

I'm done here.
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How is it false? The MacBook Pro and the Mac Pro both cost twice as much as they did a few years ago. If the iMac follows that trend I will not be able to afford it, simple math, so there's no point in waiting for it. How does that not make sense?

"Need" is not a binary term. It depends. I can get work done on a 6 year old computer, if I have to. If the current iMac is the last of its kind, price wise, then I "need" to buy it now. If the next one in maybe 6 months to 1 year will be a lot better without costing more, I can wait. After all, I'm spending a ton of money on something I will depend on for 5-6-7 years from now, it's a huge investment that will define literally every day of my life for that many years, it's not something to just take lightly.

There are many things you may "need" right now but that doesn't mean you should buy it immediately without thinking, as humans we have the ability to delay gratification and plan for the future, which is what I'm trying to do now. That said, no one needs a computer. You can live off of bread and water, that's all you need.
 
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If you can wait wait. If it’s released and it’s to expensive the 2019 will be far cheaper. Especially when it hits the refurb store
 
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Agreed with @mountain_feeling that it will almost assuredly be more expensive. I'll hazard a guess that on the low end of the models the price increase will be $200 and something like a $400 bump on the higher end versions. So right now the base 3.0ghz 27 inch iMac is $1799, I think the next generation 'base' model will go to $1999, and while the current (pre-customized) top end 3.7ghz model which is now at $2299, I think the next generation top end model will go to $2699.

At the same time, just writing that makes me second guess myself, since those prices, though only moderately higher, may scare away a LOT of the every day consumers that normally would buy an iMac. But Apple has the metrics, so they have a better idea than any of use how much of a price hike the market can tolerate, and (perhaps more importantly) how many sales they're willing to sacrifice by raising that price.

IMPORTANT addendum: If they do raise prices as I suspect, there's a decent chance they'll exercise the strategy they've taken with the new MacBook Air, and other recent updates: They'll keep one of the old models around at their current price to capture the consumers who are turned off by the new pricier models.
 
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BigBoy2018 said:
Agreed with @mountain_feeling that it will almost assuredly be more expensive. I'll hazard a guess that on the low end of the models the price increase will be $200 and something like a $400 bump on the higher end versions. So right now the base 3.0ghz 27 inch iMac is $1799, I think the next generation 'base' model will go to $1999, and while the current (pre-customized) top end 3.7ghz model which is now at $2299, I think the next generation top end model will go to $2699.

At the same time, just writing that makes me second guess myself, since those prices, though only moderately higher, may scare away a LOT of the every day consumers that normally would buy an iMac. But Apple has the metrics, so they have a better idea than any of use how much of a price hike the market can tolerate, and (perhaps more importantly) how many sales they're willing to sacrifice by raising that price.

IMPORTANT addendum: If they do raise prices as I suspect, there's a decent chance they'll exercise the strategy they've taken with the new MacBook Air, and other recent updates: They'll keep one of the old models around at their current price to capture the consumers who are turned off by the new pricier models.
Click to expand...
Yeah i see that trend.By da way 2017 imac allready reduce but not much.For people like me i prefer laptop compare to imac but for sake purpose on long term i only will be used ipad for travel and imac real work.It was hassle but no choice.
 
baryon said:
How is it false? The MacBook Pro and the Mac Pro both cost twice as much as they did a few years ago. If the iMac follows that trend I will not be able to afford it, simple math, so there's no point in waiting for it. How does that not make sense?

"Need" is not a binary term. It depends. I can get work done on a 6 year old computer, if I have to. If the current iMac is the last of its kind, price wise, then I "need" to buy it now. If the next one in maybe 6 months to 1 year will be a lot better without costing more, I can wait. After all, I'm spending a ton of money on something I will depend on for 5-6-7 years from now, it's a huge investment that will define literally every day of my life for that many years, it's not something to just take lightly.

There are many things you may "need" right now but that doesn't mean you should buy it immediately without thinking, as humans we have the ability to delay gratification and plan for the future, which is what I'm trying to do now. That said, no one needs a computer. You can live off of bread and water, that's all you need.
Click to expand...

It's false because it isn't true. Most people would read "everything new it releases" in comparison to the last release, not as compared to whatever point in the past you have to go to in order to get your doubling. And even then your're far off. A top of the line iMac in 2009 was $1900 per everymac.com. That's $2250 adjusted for inflation. The current top is an i9 iMac, at $2500-2700. And quite better, even aside from processor tech mainly because of the switch to the higher zoot retina screen.

iMacs have been around quite a while, and are a great, stable value. I rather doubt they're going away any time soon, Apple having committed to a prosumerish Pro model. And btw, the best iMac hits the specs right below the low-end iMacPro model. Given the display, etc I'd say the current iMacs are the best buy in hardware with an Apple logo you can get.
 
I suspect a new iMac will be priced in the same ballpark as current ones. As @robgendreau said well, iMacs are probably the best value in Apple's computer lineup, and it seems unlikely Apple would want to do anything that would detract from sales.

I can see Apple tweaking price points, but not increasing them significantly.
 
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