Addicted to always wanting MORE. Explain why I should keep my 2019 iMac.

[kildraik]

So, it’s a yearly cycle. I did the math on some things, and as it turns out, I’m addicted to always needing something different for the sake of always having the latest and/or greatest, regardless of whether or not I actually NEED something, which in most cases I DON’T.

So, I’m sitting in front of my unopened 2019 27” iMac. i9/8GB/512GB/Vega, with an unopened packet of 64GB OWC RAM.

I’ve had them in my apartment for a week.

“Do I open them?”

“What is being released this June? Will I want the Mac Pro?”

“I still have 7 days to return this iMac...”

“What if Apple redesigns the iMac next year?”

“Why should I even care? This is a beast and will last me three years.”

“Three years until it’s out of warranty... Can I stare at this computer that long? Those bezels...”

“I still have 7 days left to return my iMac...”

It all started when I was 18. I worked all year to save up for my first iPhone (new 3GS), then flipped it for highest resell on the next launch, then the next, and the next, and... I’ve wasted many many many $1000’s on electronics that should theoretically serve their purposes for multiples of years longer than I, “thought I should keep them,” all for the sake of having that next new thing.

When I ordered it, I kept thinking, “Man, this thing will scream. It isn’t a new chassis, so things are likely perfected. The price is right for such amazing components. I can shave $550 off the price by going with OWC ram. It has a sick 5k display built in.” Then, the voices started.

“No true-tone.” (Why the hell do I care?)

“No T2 chip.” (So? This isn’t a mobile device. I’m not monitoring missile silos.)

“Bezels.” (Jesus, it’s a gorgeous machine.)

“It’s not space grey.” (Lol, the height of vanity, of form vs. function.)

Maybe it’s because I grew up dirt poor, and I feel like I have to prove to myself that my marginal success means living to maximums, to always show that I have the, “best,” or the, “latest.” Is this what consumerism means? To keep us down, always in payments for $1500 phones, and to always desire the new, even if that upgrade is marginal, at BEST?

Talk me down from the cliff. I’d like to hear stories. I’d like to connect with people who have something intelligent to say regarding this. I’d like a little peace of mind. How did you break the cycle?

Thanks for the input.

 

[vir2l2k]

sounds familiar. I‘ll wait for mac pro, get 2 ultra high end gpus to get 6k gaming going. imac design is not made for performance. the gpu performance has always been lagging behind 2 years. I also want something upgradeabe and not buy an imac every 3-4
years. imac pro is bad because it has zero upgradeability. u would be a fool to buy one.

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

Talk you down? Jump. Your bucks help create jobs and keep the economy growing. To say nothing of we poor shareholders!

PS. I will buy it cheap.

 

[user_xyz]

So, it’s a yearly cycle. I did the math on some things, and as it turns out, I’m addicted to always needing something different for the sake of always having the latest and/or greatest, regardless of whether or not I actually NEED something, which in most cases I DON’T.

So, I’m sitting in front of my unopened 2019 27” iMac. i9/8GB/512GB/Vega, with an unopened packet of 64GB OWC RAM.

I’ve had them in my apartment for a week.

“Do I open them?”

“What is being released this June? Will I want the Mac Pro?”

“I still have 7 days to return this iMac...”

“What if Apple redesigns the iMac next year?”

“Why should I even care? This is a beast and will last me three years.”

“Three years until it’s out of warranty... Can I stare at this computer that long? Those bezels...”

“I still have 7 days left to return my iMac...”

It all started when I was 18. I worked all year to save up for my first iPhone (new 3GS), then flipped it for highest resell on the next launch, then the next, and the next, and... I’ve wasted many many many $1000’s on electronics that should theoretically serve their purposes for multiples of years longer than I, “thought I should keep them,” all for the sake of having that next new thing.

When I ordered it, I kept thinking, “Man, this thing will scream. It isn’t a new chassis, so things are likely perfected. The price is right for such amazing components. I can shave $550 off the price by going with OWC ram. It has a sick 5k display built in.” Then, the voices started.

“No true-tone.” (Why the hell do I care?)

“No T2 chip.” (So? This isn’t a mobile device. I’m not monitoring missile silos.)

“Bezels.” (Jesus, it’s a gorgeous machine.)

“It’s not space grey.” (Lol, the height of vanity, of form vs. function.)

Maybe it’s because I grew up dirt poor, and I feel like I have to prove to myself that my marginal success means living to maximums, to always show that I have the, “best,” or the, “latest.” Is this what consumerism means? To keep us down, always in payments for $1500 phones, and to always desire the new, even if that upgrade is marginal, at BEST?

Talk me down from the cliff. I’d like to hear stories. I’d like to connect with people who have something intelligent to say regarding this. I’d like a little peace of mind. How did you break the cycle?

Thanks for the input.

"A Fool and his money are soon Parted" --Don't be that Guy!!

 

[adamk77]

 

 

[Analog Kid]

Explain why I should keep my 2019 iMac.

Because it's April 2019.

 

[Colonel Blimp]

Is this what consumerism means? To keep us down, always in payments for $1500 phones, and to always desire the new, even if that upgrade is marginal, at BEST?

Yes.

How did you break the cycle?

I don’t honestly know that I have broken the cycle, but then my upgrade cycle is currently running four to five years. (Bought a high-end iMac in 2015 that was surely more than I needed, and again this year, but a suitable iMac Pro is above my touch.)

I venture to suggest some things that, in my experience, help keep things in perspective:

• Meditation
• Communing with nature (e.g. backpacking or tent camping — recreational vehicles do not count!)
• Reading good books (on paper!)
• Visiting prisoners or the homeless
• Spending time face to face with your friends, with your phones left in your pockets (LAN parties do not count!)
• Or just noticing that however epic your new computer may be, someone else will always have something far better

 

[throAU]

Go outside, go to a bar and get a girlfriend/boyfriend.

You'll find plenty of (other, more fun) stuff to throw disposable income at.

 

[sunapple]

Apple broke my cycle with the 2016 MacBook Pros. Now my 2015 model is forever the greatest

BTW I can’t add much other than the common phrase: buy when you need it. As you haven’t opened the box I doubt you really need it or want it. Not even sure what you’re upgrading from.

 

[gazwas]

My best advise to break the cycle is to disconnect from forums like this and use your time more constructively. Forums are pretty poisonous environments when you regularly visit them, only fuelling envy and the needless want for more and new. At the time when you know you need a new computer as your current one is limiting you - then go back to the forums for help and advise.

I'm still using my 2012 iMac which now needs replacing so I'm back on the forums to see whats going on at Apple. It's the only time I participate in forums when I'm actively looking for needed new tech.

 

[HuskerHarley]

Wish my addiction was New Computers...I/We purchase at least one new vehicle a year!

 

[SkiHound2]

My best advise to break the cycle is to disconnect from forums like this and use your time more constructively. Forums are pretty poisonous environments when you regularly visit them, only fuelling envy and the needless want for more and new. At the time when you know you need a new computer as your current one is limiting you - then go back to the forums for help and advise.

I'm still using my 2012 iMac which now needs replacing so I'm back on the forums to see whats going on at Apple. It's the only time I participate in forums when I'm actively looking for needed new tech.

I doo think forums like this stimulate this kind of mentality. Other people are buying the newest devices with the latest and greatest technology and to keep up I need too do the same. And then there is all the discussion of "this technology is awful and I'd never buy it" even though it works perfectly well for most users. For every person who reads these forums there are thousands of folks who are perfectly satisfied with older iMacs with fusion drives. I do photography and I see the same thing on those forums. Probably much worse.

 

[Bohemien]

Great thread, good to see others experience the same (luxury) problems. For me, it's not so much having to have the latest and greatest, but I find myself in constant "research for the next best thing". Meaning e.g. I'll spend a couple of weeks researching the next digital camera to buy, and then after getting it I'll find the next thing to waste time and energy on (e.g. the next gaming console, guitar, computer, etc. etc.) instead of just enjoying my new camera to the max. I agree with @SkiHound2 that photography forums are a gathering place for people suffering from what they call GAS (gear acquisition syndrome).

I haven't solved the problem completely, but there are two strategies I could share (in addition to the excellent advice that has already been offered here):

1. Postpone the purchase. Once you've decided on a product, let's say your new Mac, force yourself to postpone actually buying it 4-8 weeks into the future. In the meantime, at least in my case, your GAS will kick in and you will start seeing other shiny, interesting new products you could buy. If you're lucky, once the agreed date comes, you'll have realized you don't really need that new Mac anyway...
2. Set up a "gadget account". Find a monthly/yearly sum you're willing to allocate to getting gadgets. Transfer that amount from your salary account to the "gadget account" monthly and never spend more on new stuff than what you have in there.

These work sometimes for me, but not always. Marketing psychology is a b**ch... Anyway, good luck, hang in there!

 

[adamk77]

 

 

[drewaz]

I agree with the 'get a life' sentiments some of the previous posters mentioned. Do things that make you feel good about yourself as a person. Volunteer doing something to help people less fortunate than you are .... you will quickly stop worrying about your technology and learn to be thankful for what you have.

 

[propower]

I also believe in keeping a separate gear fund account. If there are $$ in there - I am free to spend them. When going for something new I always look for what I can sell to help fund the purchase. Its never a zero sum game but selling to make room for new things always feels right to me. WRT buying a new computer every year - if the $$ are there go right ahead (though every year is a bit Manic . Wait two LOL!

You can have a life too - just spend less time agonizing over these decisions (advice i need to take myself). Final note - For hobbies, interests, fun etc. purchases - the word "credit" is not in my dictionary! You either have the cash to buy it or you can't afford it.

 

[sracer]

So, it’s a yearly cycle. I did the math on some things, and as it turns out, I’m addicted to always needing something different for the sake of always having the latest and/or greatest, regardless of whether or not I actually NEED something, which in most cases I DON’T.

So, I’m sitting in front of my unopened 2019 27” iMac. i9/8GB/512GB/Vega, with an unopened packet of 64GB OWC RAM.

I’ve had them in my apartment for a week.

“Do I open them?”

“What is being released this June? Will I want the Mac Pro?”

“I still have 7 days to return this iMac...”

“What if Apple redesigns the iMac next year?”

“Why should I even care? This is a beast and will last me three years.”

“Three years until it’s out of warranty... Can I stare at this computer that long? Those bezels...”

“I still have 7 days left to return my iMac...”

It all started when I was 18. I worked all year to save up for my first iPhone (new 3GS), then flipped it for highest resell on the next launch, then the next, and the next, and... I’ve wasted many many many $1000’s on electronics that should theoretically serve their purposes for multiples of years longer than I, “thought I should keep them,” all for the sake of having that next new thing.

When I ordered it, I kept thinking, “Man, this thing will scream. It isn’t a new chassis, so things are likely perfected. The price is right for such amazing components. I can shave $550 off the price by going with OWC ram. It has a sick 5k display built in.” Then, the voices started.

“No true-tone.” (Why the hell do I care?)

“No T2 chip.” (So? This isn’t a mobile device. I’m not monitoring missile silos.)

“Bezels.” (Jesus, it’s a gorgeous machine.)

“It’s not space grey.” (Lol, the height of vanity, of form vs. function.)

Maybe it’s because I grew up dirt poor, and I feel like I have to prove to myself that my marginal success means living to maximums, to always show that I have the, “best,” or the, “latest.” Is this what consumerism means? To keep us down, always in payments for $1500 phones, and to always desire the new, even if that upgrade is marginal, at BEST?

Talk me down from the cliff. I’d like to hear stories. I’d like to connect with people who have something intelligent to say regarding this. I’d like a little peace of mind. How did you break the cycle?

Thanks for the input.

I too grew up with humble beginnings... having to "make do" with what we had available and could afford. But as an adult, I discovered that it doesn't take any intelligence to plunk down a stack of cash to buy what the crowd claimed was the "top shelf" items.

That "make do" attitude of my youth turned into thinking unconventionally about my needs and wants and being creative to get far more for my money and time than what I'd get if I followed the mainstream conventional wisdom.

I was once challenged by a friend on my unconventional approach to things... he wanted to disprove my theory by showing how his iPad Pro 9.7 was far more functional than an Amazon Fire HD 10. Long story short, he was stunned with the results... I posted a few examples on my Fire HD 10 thread here on MR.

In the tech-space, companies and YouTube reviewers (they're partners) are always engaging in hyperbole to make mountains out of the mundane. They have convinced consumers that smaller bezels on tablets is worth spending double than a device with normal bezels. Devices with normal bezels suddenly become "chunky" when the next gen device has smaller bezels.

Don't succumb to the fear, uncertainty, and doubt that companies like Apple (and their faithful customers) peddle in. "AppleCare is a must-have!" Yes, there are some, because of their personal track record with electronics can make use of AppleCare, but there are far more people who buy it simply because they've been convinced they'll have "peace of mind".

They've been convinced that there is such a thing as "future-proofing" as a way of convincing people to buy devices with larger capacities or faster processors.

The list of examples is endless.

Look at your tech gadgets as a challenge... "how far can I go with the basic level?" Be committed to push the envelope. Have a light touch on these things and don't have your personal identity and self-worth based on the products you own.

I have way more gadgets than anyone should be allowed to have (even after frequently giving them away to family and friends), and I spend far less than most do on far fewer things.

 

[997440]

SNIP To keep us down, always in payments for $1500 phones, and to always desire the new, even if that upgrade is marginal, at BEST? SNIP

It'd be difficult to do, or not do, anything if I was to have the mindset that someone's keeping me down. Mentally accepting that this notion should play a role in a buying decision (before and after) would certainly make me an attractive target for being irrationally sold (on) something, and make me a miserable SOB.

 

[Zandros]

Maybe it’s because I grew up dirt poor, and I feel like I have to prove to myself that my marginal success means living to maximums, to always show that I have the, “best,” or the, “latest.” Is this what consumerism means? To keep us down, always in payments for $1500 phones, and to always desire the new, even if that upgrade is marginal, at BEST?

Talk me down from the cliff. I’d like to hear stories. I’d like to connect with people who have something intelligent to say regarding this. I’d like a little peace of mind. How did you break the cycle?

Look, if you want your (future?) children to have the experience of not growing up dirt poor, stop spending that money and start investing it. Seeing your wealth grow at a steady pace brings a certain sense of satisfaction as well.

This is a very expensive machine, and if you don't know you need the performance, return it and get a downspecced one. It'll do fine. No one will know the difference or care.

 

[Ph.D.]

You say you always feel the need to upgrade, but you may be feeling an even stronger motivation to avoid buyer's remorse. For you, I think the two are strongly intertwined. The sense of remorse over having a newly-obsolete device (something you cannot avoid) strongly drives you to upgrade to the latest (something that Apple is good at tempting you with).

To break the circle, I suggest assigning yourself a different target, namely charting a rising bank balance. Sleep in the street, so to speak, and buy absolutely nothing until you reach your target. Make the target a bit of a challenge but still reasonably easy to reach in a relatively short time so the goal feels doable. Then make a higher target. Repeat that a few times until you have enough that you can buy a new gadget without investing so much emotion into it.

 

[Freida]

You want help? You want honesty? Fine, here is my angle.

I think you have issues that you are not dealing with. You waste money on stuff and yet you confessed that you grew up poor. Instead of using those resources for better cause you buy more and more things you don't need and you know you don't need them. How about going to your local school and offer to sponsor IT department with some amount or donate a computer/ipad. You talk about vanity in terms of colour but you should talk about vanity that is with you about "latest and greatest".
You grew up poor (me too so I can relate) and yet you have no respect for money. You are blowing it out the window just to compensate for something that is missing in your life to feel superficially content for the brief moment when you get it but a moment later you lust something better. You are the perfect customer for the system but you are not very balanced person. You need to learn and understand the real value of things in life. If you grew up poor you should actually have that sense within you but perhaps you forgot or perhaps you are now going the other way.
I would call your actions selfish and vain and its surprising that you seem to criticise people far things you do yourself in another form. Why don't you do something useful with the resources that you don't need and plan to throw out the window on things you don't need? Why don't you sponsor science project for kids at school, organise and finance a school trip so the pupils that can't afford things will go further in life because YOU contributed and helped them? Why don't you just do something useful for once instead of thinking about the bling you have sitting at home?

My advice? Return the machine and only buy something when you actually need it and stick with it until it doesn't provide the service you initially purchased it for. Meanwhile, the money use safe use for something useful - I mean anything really. I grew up poor, worked hard and made myself a good career with good income and balance. Can I afford latest and greatest? Sure, I can. Am I going to? No, because I'm not an idiot. I know where I came from and I will also give the same values to my kids (when I eventually have them as I'm similar age as you).

Its your choice - but seeing that you asked for help and you seemed to ask for personal help then this is my opinion. I hope you take it the right way and realise the good thing I'm only pointing at. In the end, its your money, your life and your decision. I'm just here to tell you - be a better person! I'm sure you can do it.

So, it’s a yearly cycle. I did the math on some things, and as it turns out, I’m addicted to always needing something different for the sake of always having the latest and/or greatest, regardless of whether or not I actually NEED something, which in most cases I DON’T.

So, I’m sitting in front of my unopened 2019 27” iMac. i9/8GB/512GB/Vega, with an unopened packet of 64GB OWC RAM.

I’ve had them in my apartment for a week.

“Do I open them?”

“What is being released this June? Will I want the Mac Pro?”

“I still have 7 days to return this iMac...”

“What if Apple redesigns the iMac next year?”

“Why should I even care? This is a beast and will last me three years.”

“Three years until it’s out of warranty... Can I stare at this computer that long? Those bezels...”

“I still have 7 days left to return my iMac...”

It all started when I was 18. I worked all year to save up for my first iPhone (new 3GS), then flipped it for highest resell on the next launch, then the next, and the next, and... I’ve wasted many many many $1000’s on electronics that should theoretically serve their purposes for multiples of years longer than I, “thought I should keep them,” all for the sake of having that next new thing.

When I ordered it, I kept thinking, “Man, this thing will scream. It isn’t a new chassis, so things are likely perfected. The price is right for such amazing components. I can shave $550 off the price by going with OWC ram. It has a sick 5k display built in.” Then, the voices started.

“No true-tone.” (Why the hell do I care?)

“No T2 chip.” (So? This isn’t a mobile device. I’m not monitoring missile silos.)

“Bezels.” (Jesus, it’s a gorgeous machine.)

“It’s not space grey.” (Lol, the height of vanity, of form vs. function.)

Maybe it’s because I grew up dirt poor, and I feel like I have to prove to myself that my marginal success means living to maximums, to always show that I have the, “best,” or the, “latest.” Is this what consumerism means? To keep us down, always in payments for $1500 phones, and to always desire the new, even if that upgrade is marginal, at BEST?

Talk me down from the cliff. I’d like to hear stories. I’d like to connect with people who have something intelligent to say regarding this. I’d like a little peace of mind. How did you break the cycle?

Thanks for the input.

 

[IngerMan]

Talk me down from the cliff. I’d like to hear stories. I’d like to connect with people who have something intelligent to say regarding this. I’d like a little peace of mind. How did you break the cycle?

Thanks for the input.

You have to agree, you did ask for it, "Input." Im sure you love all the self righteous opinions about yourself personally, as if they know you from a few paragraphs.

I am only curious did you open the box? Also more curious what is this i9 model going to possible replace. I think that is the real question on value for the upgrade. Upgrading what??????

 

[Sir Ruben]

Hi OP,

Here’s my opinion, don’t take offence because you literally put yourself out there and asked for input:

As I read through your post I almost facepalmed myself. You are the ‘perfect’ Apple customer. Seeing as you have not opened the Mac you clearly don’t even actually need it or it’s spec, in addition you definitely don’t need the extra ram you bought. You are buying things for the initial buzz that it gives you. You come across as naive.

Second guessing your purchase tells me that a) you know you are wasting money (something that someone from a poor background shouldn't want to do unless you are trying to prove something to someone/yourself?) and b) you are searching for that nirvana via constantly looking for the next material object to justify further spending.

From previous experience of people with similar behaviour it may be the case that something is lacking in your life. Lack of a person to love, or an unfulfilling relationship. Sometimes it’s family, job, boredom, lack of social interaction, bad with finances, there could be lots of reasons.

It sounds like you need some real substance in your life and maybe a bit of a life reset to get yourself back on track. Deliberating over a piece of tech you don’t need is so incredibly unimportant regardless of how much disposable income you may or may not have.

 

[throAU]

I agree with the 'get a life' sentiments some of the previous posters mentioned. Do things that make you feel good about yourself as a person. Volunteer doing something to help people less fortunate than you are .... you will quickly stop worrying about your technology and learn to be thankful for what you have.

Didn't intend to mean it as a derogatory "get a life", but i was there (same sort of scenario as the OP) several years ago.

I eventually decided "i'm not getting any younger" and put myself out there and have a beautiful girlfriend who means the world to me.

Throwing money at hardware these days is just money that isn't going towards holidays, gifts, etc.

Incremental hardware upgrades from year to year will not significantly improve your quality of life. Widening your circle of friends, etc. probably will.

 

[tomscott1988]

Suppose the question is what do you use it for? Its its way overkill? then why?

I used to be the same, instead im into buying when things are at a great point in their depreciation saving me money and allows me to buy more tech. I run a successful business and I could go buy an iMac pro, the difference is I would rather take my GF traveling and make memories with that £3k saving. Plus the iMac pro is way overkill for 95% of people and if your into top trumps looks exactly the same to almost everyone but the fact its grey...

I bought a 10 month old 2017 27" iMac in feb with apple care and the trackpad for £1150 saving £1000 and they were still being sold. I already had a 580 8gb from my mac pro, I got an X5 for a boot drive and for under £1500 ive got a machine that works so well for what I do, looks great and will drive my business for £2000 less than if I had bought the top of the range.

At the end of the day i will keep it a year move it on, sell it for similar money and buy the next variant. Probably from someone like you desperate to buy the next wanting to sell.

In all honesty the specs of the 2019 imac look great but that extra power only comes to fruition when your pegging the CPU. Im a power user and have always had high end gear as I run a photography and videography business.

I bought the base 2017 iMac because the K series processors throttled and really in real life they were very similar to the standard non K variants within seconds not minutes of rendering times. The one up from the base line was roughly 5% difference and in real life there was no benefit.

It depends on your reality check and specs are there to make you spend more money when in reality most Apple products are so well optimised that you get great performance out of most of them and spec is just a number.

The thing with iMacs is its not exactly like they look any different, anything from 2012-2019 you would have to look at the ports or check the spec to see any visual difference.

On space grey, I dont see why people lust after it. It wears really poorly especially with the ports on the iMac being so difficult to navigate it they will be scratched up in no time. Silver looks great in my eyes and looks more premium.