Will you buy another iMac in the future or won't you?

[Sensamic]

I love my iMac but I think a classic computer + separate monitor combo is a better way to go.

Reasons?

Imagine your display has flaws or breaks but the computer underneath has zero issues. It would suck to take the whole iMac to repair. Maybe it even costs more to repair because it's an all in one computer.

With the classic combo all you would need is to send the display to repair or buy a new one (which are not that expensive).

I think a Mac Mini or laptop + monitor will be my next choice.

Also, this way you can also upgrade more often and easily. All you would need to do is buy a new Mac Mini, which is cheaper than the iMacs.

What is your opinion? Will you buy an iMac again or change to a different setup?

 

[driftless]

The Mac Mini vs iMac discussion is a lot like the MBA vs MBP. Some folks just need more power and those that don't just don't understand it. For me, the Mac Mini is just not an option. That said, it might be your best option. Viva la choice.

 

[redheeler]

The main reason I got this iMac is because of the display. Maybe someday when the Mac mini can drive a 5K display and such displays are readily available I'll consider one.

Of course the lack of a dGPU and Quad-core CPU will always be a bit of a disappointment to me.

 

[plastictoy]

Computers really can last a long long time if nothing bad happens initially. I think out of all the things I've bought, only one machine has actually broken and that was because the hinge snapped. A monitor from a decade ago is still on, laptops from years ago (batteries withstanding) look fine.

My simple reason for the iMac is space. The iMac takes as much space as any monitor of that size I can buy. One cord, nothing else needed. The Mac Mini has to be cabled to power and display and if you ever want to use those ports without an extender or hub, then it has to be relatively within arm's length. Could buy stands and accessories for it but that adds onto a price difference and a hassle.

By the time you utilize every last drop of power in the current Mac Mini, most display technology would have changed. So that's not much of an incentive to me but I can see how that is a good reason to not waste. But then again, if the Mac Mini is to be replaced, you'll probably need a spare monitor or buy a new one. Evens out in the end depending on each person.

Things might break, things might need to be fixed, I can't tell the future. But in the present, physical space matters and I live with that everyday.

 

[tillsbury]

The computer overall dictates what I buy, not what form it comes in. I was set for a nMP, but jumped on the rimac the day it came out because of the specs. Its form factor isn't relevant to me, although I'm getting to like it.

 

[Natzoo]

I wouldn't get a new mac except for the 5k. That one seems updated in graphics.

 

[roadkill401]

It is not an easy question. I bought a mac mini and found it to be just too under performing for my needs or desires. I wanted to get a display that would be what I needed.

The iMac 5K was a funny beast in that to get a 5k monitor it would cost the same if not more than buying the whole iMac. Given that then you have a monitor that you can hook up to many computers down the road. But I also felt that over time a monitor does fail to work as well as when new. Colour and calibration fails so don't fool yourself into thinking they will last forever and work just as good.

I did consider a laptop but then you have that keyboard attached to the monitor and it just isn't the same. I wanted a big monitor infront of me and a secondary one off to the side, not the other way around. Can't do that with a laptop.

I never saw the point of the MacPro. it's a great workstaton but i don't have a need for what it offers so i can't justify the cost.

Guess I'll just have to stick with the iMac.

 

[colodane]

A very interesting and timely question!

I love my 2011 iMac. And, if you had asked the question 6 months or a year ago, I would have without hesitation said I would be buying another iMac in 2015 or 2016.

Now, I'm not so sure.

I do not like the trend of less and less ability for the owner to do upgrades. Can't even upgrade the RAM easily on the latest 21 inch models. Everything seems oriented towards styling and thinness rather than flexibility and functionality. The latest Mac Mini announcement - which was actually a step backwards - has me very worried about the future of the iMac.

I even started looking at the Mac Pro, but it is overkill in terms of power with dual GPUs, etc. Even with the Pro, however, there is less customization that can be done by the owner than there used to be.

What I would really like to see is a concept like the Mac Mini but in a larger enclosure with more user upgradeability. Would like for it to have the same performance as the most powerful iMac, but with a more utilitarian packaging scheme.

When you think about it, Apple really has a very meager and limited selection of displays. Sure, the 27 inch retina looks nice. But I can't get an iMac in a 21 inch without sacrificing performance or ability to install my own RAM.

Ideally, I would like to use one of the newer 24 inch ASUS or Dell displays. But Apple doesn't make any reasonable computer to drive one with. Mini is too limited. IMacs and MacBooks are burdened with the cost of their built-in displays. Pro is over priced.

Do I expect Apple to come up with a suitable product? No.

 

[inhalexhale1]

I love my iMac but I think a classic computer + separate monitor combo is a better way to go.

Reasons?

Imagine your display has flaws or breaks but the computer underneath has zero issues. It would suck to take the whole iMac to repair. Maybe it even costs more to repair because it's an all in one computer.

With the classic combo all you would need is to send the display to repair or buy a new one (which are not that expensive).

I think a Mac Mini or laptop + monitor will be my next choice.

Also, this way you can also upgrade more often and easily. All you would need to do is buy a new Mac Mini, which is cheaper than the iMacs.

What is your opinion? Will you buy an iMac again or change to a different setup?

I've enjoyed my iMac, so I would buy another one. I'm not really a fan of AMD GPU's overall, and I was also disappointed Apple didn't give us the next x80m GTX series from NVIDIA. I don't see any reason to upgrade my 2012 iMac at the moment, so I will probably keep it for the length of Apple Care and then upgrade to the newest maxed 27" again.

Not a fan of the Mac Mini. I'd go Mac Pro before that, but IMO it's a waste of money for me. I'm not doing audio/video/etc. work that needs more power than a maxed iMac can bring. OR needs specialized hardware like the Firepro's. Probably the only other option I would do is MBP with an ultrasharp monitor, but I don't like Apple's current pricing on the 15" MBP. I think for $2500 they could squeeze a better GPU in there, and maybe 1TB. Or maybe bring the fusion drive to the MBP line with 1TB standard, and then drop the price.

 

[mojolicious]

I bought a 2011 mini when my (lovely, lovely) 2006 24" iMac finally died, because a) I was resentful that the (lovely, lovely) screen was rendered useless by a irreparable GPU failure, and b) I refuse to use a non-matt screen.

I'd be prepared to reconsider an all-in-one if there was a matt option, but there isn't. In the current line-up that leaves me with the mini and the Pro. The 2014 version of the former is anaemic in base form and horribly expensive if kitted out; the latter is way beyond my needs and my wallet.

It basically boils down to my next desktop Mac being a 2012 mini or nothing.

But if you're happy with the glazing, the iMac range offers far greater bangs per buck than the mini.

 

[bushman4]

As mentioned, Its about performance. screen resolution and bells and whistles that determine what type or brand of computer I buy.

If the iMac has what I want then i'll buy it if not i'll buy something else.

 

[Blue Fox]

I love iMacs! The Retina iMac is an absolute STEAL for the display alone. I'm debating selling every computer I own for a riMac.

 

[Chippy99]

Price is obviously a factor for many. Providing the price differential at the time is not too enormous (and providing I am not feeling too impoverished at the time!) then Mac Pro + 4k (or higher) monitor, is definitely my preferred option.

The AIO concept is nice, but for me at least the reality is it's not a "single box" solution in any case. I have a fairly large APC UPS under the desk, a subwoofer on the other side under the desk, a scanner, 2 external hard drives and a wired router. Oh, and a Blu-Ray burner, and a 10 port hub. And two printers.

How many boxes is that? One more won't make much difference and the extra expandability and flexibility of a Mac Pro vs iMac is enormous.

The iMac is a kindof appealing concept, but it's not that practical in reality for me.

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

My experiences have been grim, so it depends on what Apple introduces to the line.

 

[fathergll]

I love my iMac but I think a classic computer + separate monitor combo is a better way to go.

Reasons?

Imagine your display has flaws or breaks but the computer underneath has zero issues. It would suck to take the whole iMac to repair. Maybe it even costs more to repair because it's an all in one computer.

With the classic combo all you would need is to send the display to repair or buy a new one (which are not that expensive).

I think a Mac Mini or laptop + monitor will be my next choice.

Also, this way you can also upgrade more often and easily. All you would need to do is buy a new Mac Mini, which is cheaper than the iMacs.

What is your opinion? Will you buy an iMac again or change to a different setup?

The Mac Mini is under powered for many people and there isn't a real equivalent to the iMac for a desktop Apple computer(mid tier). In other words some people are forced to the iMac if they want OSX.

With that said more and more computers will be moving towards an all in one design.

 

[e93to]

I have a 21.5 inch late-2012 iMac (still running Mountain Lion). While I was initially disappointed to see that DVD drive and audio-in are gone (I had to spend extra $200 to get external USB options), I am very satisfied with the experience so far.

Display is very clear and bright. Although it is not ultra high-pixel like Retina, it gives nice depths and dimensions to images on the screen. I am also amazed by how quiet it is. Near-silence operation of the machine is my favorite aspect of the iMac. Lastly, iMac just looks good on my desk. It's sad to see that Apple removed features like audio-in to achieve such thinness, but it looks beautiful.

So, yes. My next desktop will be a new iMac. But I plan to use my current iMac for several years.

 

[mr.steevo]

I did consider a laptop but then you have that keyboard attached to the monitor and it just isn't the same. I wanted a big monitor infront of me and a secondary one off to the side, not the other way around. Can't do that with a laptop.

Bluetooth keyboard?

 

[Icaras]

I couldn't disagree more OP. After four years of using an iMac, I could never go back to traditional desktop tower + monitor.

Good riddance to that cable spaghetti monster. And oh how I love how my iMac also generates less heat, energy, and noise than a PC. It's such a silent beast of a machine really. iMac reselling will also net you larger returns than any tower desktop PC and monitor. I'm rocking my 2012 iMac and the GPU still kicks butt with many modern games. I really couldn't be happier.

But actually I can be happier. My next future Mac will definitely be the retina iMac, but I'll wait till Apple redesigns the aesthetics before buying one. I'm already set to bypass a Fusion drive next time and just go all out with a 1TB SSD.

 

[jji7skyline]

I'm going for a custom built hackintosh for my next computer. I'll probably mod my PowerMac G5 for the case.

 

[joe-h2o]

If Apple puts a 980M into the next 27" iMac and offers it *without* the retina screen then I will buy it, otherwise my desktop will be sourced from elsewhere when my Late 2012 iMac is due for replacement.

 

[driftless]

I couldn't disagree more OP. After four years of using an iMac, I could never go back to traditional desktop tower + monitor.

Good riddance to that cable spaghetti monster. And oh how I love how my iMac also generates less heat, energy, and noise than a PC. It's such a silent beast of a machine really. iMac reselling will also net you larger returns than any tower desktop PC and monitor. I'm rocking my 2012 iMac and the GPU still kicks butt with many modern games. I really couldn't be happier.

But actually I can be happier. My next future Mac will definitely be the retina iMac, but I'll wait till Apple redesigns the aesthetics before buying one. I'm already set to bypass a Fusion drive next time and just go all out with a 1TB SSD.

+ 1 PC's look very dated to me. 5K/Retina is the inevitable future.

I have the 1TB and no more spinning disks for me. I am glad to see that LaCie has a 1TB external with TB2. I can't wait until the external SSD come down in price.

 

[cynics]

I misinterpreted the question. My only option at this time is an iMac so I was thinking Apple computers and OSX in general. Which with Yosemite I feel that gap is closing between it and Windows. I still have plenty of time and soul searching to do but leaving the entire Apple ecosystem isn't out of the question.

Hardware has always been lackluster for me (I enjoy building a computer) and now the software is following suit IMO.

As far as what you meant. I kind of agree. There is a lot of convenience with the imac though and the Mac Mini is lacking for what I need. The Mac Pro is nice but that's beyond the price point that I would just build a windows box. I used to feel backed into a corner with the iMac but now even that doesn't seem like a preferable place.

 

[senseless]

I didn't consider another iMac until the Retina came out and I had to have it. The price is more than fair for what you get. I think this will be the way all 27" iMacs go in the near future.

 

[seroposi]

Upgraded from my mid 2011 21.5" to Retina iMac and will buy another imac as and when the time arises.

 

[Thrifty1]

I have been thinking about this lately as well.

I have a late 2013 iMac with the high end processor, graphics card, and 4TB Fusion drive. I also have a 2nd 27" monitor. I use it daily for stock / options trading and have a lot of charts running on both screens. I would not mind having some more processing / graphics power that the Mac Pro would offer.

My biggest reason I'm considering moving away from the iMac and getting a Mac Pro is I can no longer upgrade the iMac. My son has a 2009 iMac and I've had to replace the hard drive in the past and last year we replaced the DVD drive with an SSD drive. It was not too difficult to remove the glass and LCD to access the internals. The new iMacs are much more difficult to take apart for some "do-it-yourself" upgrades / repairs.

Another concern I have is Apple's infatuation with making everything so thin. I love how thin my MacBook Air is. But my iMac sits on my desk and I don't look at it from the side. I don't really care about my desktop computer being so thin at the expense of me being able to do some basic repairs. Does this thin design put more strain on the internal components from heat? I had a late 2012 iMac prior to the late 2013 iMac. But the motherboard failed after 14 months and was going to cost $800 to repair. I expressed my disappointment with a 14-month old computer failing and I was fortunate that Apple took care of a 30+ year customer (they gave me the late 2013 iMac as a free replacement). I wonder if the thin design will result in higher failure rates of components.

I am leaning towards a Mac Pro when I am ready to upgrade the iMac in a couple years. I'm not sure how easy it is to upgrade anything on the Mac Pro, but I feel like the design may be better for longevity.