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2019 vs 2020 imac recommendation

I

ivanjay205

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 9, 2014
23
2
Hi everyone, I am new to the mac world and while working remote daily I had a spur of the moment decision that working on my surface book laptop screen every day didnt cut it. I went to Best Buy and bought a 27 imac and LOVE IT. However, I didnt do my research and now I am a lot more familiar with the systems. I learned I have the 2019 model with a 1 TB fusion drive. I did get an open box so it was 1650.

Now knowing it is not ssd and not 10th gen intel I am still within my Best Buy return policy. I wont be to hold out for m1 but should I return this to get 2020 model for about 200 more or just let it be? Is it that big of a difference?
I also bought an extra 32 gig ram from owc and I know I can move that to the other machine.
But this thing is fully configured... is it worth the hassle of full reinstalls etc
 
The 1tb fusion drive is one of Apple's "weaker" drive configurations.

IF you are within the return period,
and
IF you don't mind spending the money...

...I'd suggest you return it and order one with an SSD inside.
 
"Hassle" of full reinstalls could be avoided with Carbon Copy Cloner or data migration.

If you're not doing a ton of processor or GPU intensive work, the 2019 and 2020 models are pretty similar for performance IF you're comparing SSD vs SSD. The SSD makes a big difference in the 2019 model, but there is expandability opportunity to use NVMe as a boot drive via TB3.

The lack of T2 in 2019 model is seen as a benefit for many users.
 
I am using it predominantly for normal work tasks.... Outlook, word, excel, email, etc. Web based SaaS software. I also run parallels for access to QuickBooks and a few windows based apps I use.

PDF annotating to review things etc.

Only thing I do that ever pushes it is one game I play, Cities Skylines. That is about the extent of higher end pushing it.

But from what I am reading the 8th vs 10th gen chips are a big deal plus the fusion drive vs ssd so for longevity sounds like I might get a few more years out of it if I bite the bullet now. Performance wise at hte moment I really dont have any issues.
 
I tried a 2019 with an SSD and a 2020 with an SSD and the 2020 model is better. A fusion drive only makes it slower. If it was me (and it was), I would return it and get a 2020.
 
Thanks all, I think I will probably go that route.

Is there an easy way to transfer everything so basically my new mac will be just like the old one without lots of configuration? Does Time Machine do that? Sorry for the basic question, again new to the mac world but enjoying it.

I saw Migration assistant but I want to return the old one in the same trip as the pick up of the new unit so I will not have both in my house at the same time. It would be amazing if apps and settings transfer (my wife and I each have an account etc.). Another one for the kids, etc.
 
So one more question for everyone.... I bought the first mac open box at Best Buy for about $1,500. The new one is 2k. I could get this one open box as well for 1840. So forget about the hassle but is it worth another 300-400 to switch to the new model?
 
I would be surprised if you could get an open box 2020 as they've only been on the market since August (I think). There are a few good Youtube videos comparing the 2019 and 2020, but to me the difference was noticeable.
 
Personally I would go with the 2020 model for the following reasons over the 2019:
  1. T2 co-processor which improves encryption, certain codecs, image and audio processor
  2. 1080p webcam
  3. 3-mic "studio" array
  4. Latest generation Intel and AMD CPU and GPU
  5. All Flash based storage
  6. True Tone display
 
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Thanks again! I do spend A LOT of work time on Teams Video conferences and people comment on the graininess of the image so I am assuming the webcam and microphone will be a big deal for business purposes.

I also do think the SSD will help start time of apps etc.

Best Buy had an Open Box Certified Unit for 1900 so I went that route. Few hundred more but saved 100 from the new unit. I also am wrapping up a time machine backup to my NAS in the house so hoping that allows for a fairly easy install but I am assuming the new machine will have Catalina on it so not sure how that will work with Time Machine
 
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ivanjay205 said:
Thanks again! I do spend A LOT of work time on Teams Video conferences and people comment on the graininess of the image so I am assuming the webcam and microphone will be a big deal for business purposes.

I also do think the SSD will help start time of apps etc.

Best Buy had an Open Box Certified Unit for 1900 so I went that route. Few hundred more but saved 100 from the new unit. I also am wrapping up a time machine backup to my NAS in the house so hoping that allows for a fairly easy install but I am assuming the new machine will have Catalina on it so not sure how that will work with Time Machine
Click to expand...

Yeah will most likely have Catalina, but then you can upgrade to Big Sur then run Migration Assistant after
 
CheesePuff said:
Yeah will most likely have Catalina, but then you can upgrade to Big Sur then run Migration Assistant after
Click to expand...
So I get this right.... Do I need to configure my user first, update, and than load Time Machine? I have never done this before but I assumed that when it asked me if I want to restore from Time Machine I could pick that option to just restore my user information.

Will it create my other user accounts that are on my current mac?
 
ivanjay205 said:
So I get this right.... Do I need to configure my user first, update, and than load Time Machine? I have never done this before but I assumed that when it asked me if I want to restore from Time Machine I could pick that option to just restore my user information.

Will it create my other user accounts that are on my current mac?
Click to expand...

I believe you will have to setup as a new user without any migration or importing, upgrade macOS, then open Migration Assistant
 
CheesePuff said:
I believe you will have to setup as a new user without any migration or importing, upgrade macOS, then open Migration Assistant
Click to expand...
Thanks and I can use Migration Assistant if I do not have the old mac? or I need to use Time Machine?

I am going to return the old mac at the same time as getting the new mac so I will not have them both at my house.
 
So just to close the loop on this for everyone I did receive the new Mac yesterday and decided to get it loaded up by clean install just to ensure it was as smooth as can be.

I can tell you I am glad I made the switch to the 2020 version. Not that the 2019 mac was slow but there was a hesitation to everything it did. You could feel that if you opened excel, for example, you had to wait just a second. There is a noticeable snappiness to the new unit which I am sure is a combination of the processor and the SSD.

Very happy I made the switch as there is a difference.

Only drawback which is well documented is when I loaded my 32 gb of RAM into the machine to get a total of 40 the speed reduced down to 2133. So I pulled the Apple sticks figuring better to have 32 at full speed vs 40 at lower speed for my purposes. I would imagine 32 gb will suit me just fine for a long time to come.
 
SSD vs HDD makes all the difference here, especially for launching applications. Good luck with your new machine.
 
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ivanjay205 said:
So just to close the loop on this for everyone I did receive the new Mac yesterday and decided to get it loaded up by clean install just to ensure it was as smooth as can be.

I can tell you I am glad I made the switch to the 2020 version. Not that the 2019 mac was slow but there was a hesitation to everything it did. You could feel that if you opened excel, for example, you had to wait just a second. There is a noticeable snappiness to the new unit which I am sure is a combination of the processor and the SSD.

Very happy I made the switch as there is a difference.

Only drawback which is well documented is when I loaded my 32 gb of RAM into the machine to get a total of 40 the speed reduced down to 2133. So I pulled the Apple sticks figuring better to have 32 at full speed vs 40 at lower speed for my purposes. I would imagine 32 gb will suit me just fine for a long time to come.
Click to expand...
Well done. Did you upgrade to Big Sur? Having done so (hesitantly) I really like. It feels the system, especially Safari feel more stable.
 
dizmonk said:
Well done. Did you upgrade to Big Sur? Having done so (hesitantly) I really like. It feels the system, especially Safari feel more stable.
Click to expand...
Yes and I really like it. I have an ipad for about a year before getting a mac so it feels way more natural to me. I am a long time chrome user so that is the next debate. If I switch to safari. But my work computer is a pc.

other big debate is I have google one for storage, photos, cloud docs etc. debating in apple one so i go full in plus apple tv
 
bsbeamer said:
The lack of T2 in 2019 model is seen as a benefit for many users.
Click to expand...
Although you have to take apart most of the machine to do it (professional install recommended), the SSD in the 2019 model is replaceable. The HDD (if you got a model with a HDD in it) is much easier to replace.

Whereas in the 2020 the storage is soldered on so if the SSD fails you'll need to get a new machine.
 
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