16" or 27" iMac?

[theMarble]

So my current 2015 15" MBP (2.2 i7, 16GB DDR3, Iris Pro 5200 1GB, 250GB) is really starting to infuriate me because of how slow it is these days plus the constant kernel panics from a faulty GPU. I wanted to get a 5,1 for the expandibility however I realised that I don't want to put thousands into a 10 year old computer. My current tasks are; 4K60 editing in FCPX and Premiere, Heavy use of After Effects and C4D, a bit of Logic Pro and Xcode / Visual Studio.

I want a system that can stay with me for at least 5 years as I've only had my 2015 for 3 years. I'm not sure whether I want the iMac's screen or not as I prefer to use my own screen but the iMac screen seems nice. I do like having the portability of a MacBook Pro but it is quite a bit more expensive than the iMac once you spec it out with 64GB of RAM and the 5600M.

I've decided that I need 64GB of RAM as my work uses ~12GB minium, 14-15GB usually and I know that 32GB won't be enough. Apple's RAM tax is ginormous but I can just suck it up if it comes down to it (MBP).

 

[casperes1996]

I mean really it comes down to "Do you move around enough that you want a laptop or is a desktop OK". The iMac is great. It has the problems of an AIO in that you can't easily upgrade it, aside from the RAM, but the same limitation applies to the laptop which can't even have the RAM upgraded.

The iMac's screen is absolutely fantastic btw

And performance wise, the iMac is a screamer which can be specced way higher ultimately than the laptop, and cooling is better than I expected on the 2020's based on my experience with the 2014 first 5K iMac

The 16" is amazing for a laptop, but it's a laptop which means that the price and performance ratio is way different to the desktop iMac, so if the portability isn't that big a concern, go iMac. If you want the ability to easily move it around, take the laptop

 

[theMarble]

I mean really it comes down to "Do you move around enough that you want a laptop or is a desktop OK". The iMac is great. It has the problems of an AIO in that you can't easily upgrade it, aside from the RAM, but the same limitation applies to the laptop which can't even have the RAM upgraded.

The iMac's screen is absolutely fantastic btw

And performance wise, the iMac is a screamer which can be specced way higher ultimately than the laptop, and cooling is better than I expected on the 2020's based on my experience with the 2014 first 5K iMac

The 16" is amazing for a laptop, but it's a laptop which means that the price and performance ratio is way different to the desktop iMac, so if the portability isn't that big a concern, go iMac. If you want the ability to easily move it around, take the laptop

I think I'm going to get the 16" as the 5600M performs as good as the 5700XT in the iMac for my work and I like being able to move around the house with my compyter if I need to use a TV or similar device.

 

[mikeyinokc]

Get the laptop you want/need....Then watch for a used 27" Thunderbolt Monitor. I did that about 6 months ago, and now have the portability of the MBP, and the 27" screen when at the desk.