Any PC switchers who bought the 5k iMac

[DontGetTheCheese]

I'm close to the same place as the OP. I started switching first via the iPhone, then the iPad, then a Macbook and now I'm close to finishing it off. I like the synergy throughout Mac devices. I like their encryption stance, or at least what appears to be it. I like the, for the most part, no-brainer aspect of it. Although as an IT guy and long time Windows user it irritates me when I can't find things because they aren't where I'm used to them being. Still, I'd like to complete the circle. But the final step is tough.

Basically, what I would get is a 27" iMac, with 395X GPU, which would run roughly $2.5K with discounts that I have available. The thing is, you can build a PC, and get a functional monitor for ballpark 40% less than this and get better performance, especially on the video card. You won't have 5K but it's not like we're running these in 5K for the most part either. It's sort of like the iMac just isn't quite enough in the guts, and too much in the pretty (5K), and it makes it a hard buy.

Good luck with the decision.

 

[makrom]

You made me reconsider. I'll need a laptop at some point in the next year, making the iMac a total luxury at this point. I'll probably go for the baseline 13" rMBP. Thats saves me more than 2000 bucks.

I have the 2015 13" rMBP, basic model except for the 256 GB upgrade (expensive but non optional if you ask me).
Great device all around. Screen, tackpad, keyboard, battery life, connectivity, cooling, even the speakers are great.
And surprisingly the iGPU is capable of handling most non demanding games quite well (obviously not on max details/resolution).

 

[maflynn]

To finish this thread up, first my thanks to all that contributed to the thread. I've been contemplating a replacement for my MBP (wanting a desktop solution as well) for about a year. I was expecting to pull the trigger on this, some time in 2016. I have had some changes in my circumstances that I can get one sooner then later - yay.

So with the back story of why I'm doing it, all set, I've opted for the iMac as opposed to a Dell XPS 8900/27" monitor.

Here's my reasoning with the Dell, I can buy the computer alone for around 800 dollars, the 4k 27" monitor will drive the price up to about 1,100. If I opt for the 5k 27" monitor, that price approaches the 3,000 price range. With the Dell, I get a fairly upgradeable system, but it only runs windows.

With the iMac I get a sealed computer that isn't very upgradeable but I do have the ability to run both OS X and Windows.

Using my twisted logic, I find that with the iMac I have more options of what I want to run and more flexibility then I do with the Dell. If was strictly comparing apples to apples, then the 5k iMac would be cheaper then the 5k Dell, and even downgrading to the 4k monitor, and being cheaper I think I'm getting a better computer with the iMac.

Finally, its a peace of mind thing, I just know if I opted for the dell, I'd be kicking myself afterwards, I'm very happy with Windows, I think its a great OS, stable, and fast. I use my SP3 as my mobile machine, so it gets lots of use, but in the end, for my main machine, I think I'd regret it. I use Continuity, and the Message app fairly regularly so I'd miss the functionality of OS X too much

The model, I'm going with is the 5k 27" iMac, as I've been fairly critical of the 4k model because imo Apple has cut corners and I'm unhappy with what it offers. The specific model is the 2TB Fusion Drive, M395 model because I get a better GPU with the M395 for not much more then M390 + 2TB Fusion drive. I'm hoping to put the order in this weekend.

 

[jazzer15]

To finish this thread up, first my thanks to all that contributed to the thread. I've been contemplating a replacement for my MBP (wanting a desktop solution as well) for about a year. I was expecting to pull the trigger on this, some time in 2016. I have had some changes in my circumstances that I can get one sooner then later - yay.

So with the back story of why I'm doing it, all set, I've opted for the iMac as opposed to a Dell XPS 8900/27" monitor.

Here's my reasoning with the Dell, I can buy the computer alone for around 800 dollars, the 4k 27" monitor will drive the price up to about 1,100. If I opt for the 5k 27" monitor, that price approaches the 3,000 price range. With the Dell, I get a fairly upgradeable system, but it only runs windows.

With the iMac I get a sealed computer that isn't very upgradeable but I do have the ability to run both OS X and Windows.

Using my twisted logic, I find that with the iMac I have more options of what I want to run and more flexibility then I do with the Dell. If was strictly comparing apples to apples, then the 5k iMac would be cheaper then the 5k Dell, and even downgrading to the 4k monitor, and being cheaper I think I'm getting a better computer with the iMac.

Finally, its a peace of mind thing, I just know if I opted for the dell, I'd be kicking myself afterwards, I'm very happy with Windows, I think its a great OS, stable, and fast. I use my SP3 as my mobile machine, so it gets lots of use, but in the end, for my main machine, I think I'd regret it. I use Continuity, and the Message app fairly regularly so I'd miss the functionality of OS X too much

The model, I'm going with is the 5k 27" iMac, as I've been fairly critical of the 4k model because imo Apple has cut corners and I'm unhappy with what it offers. The specific model is the 2TB Fusion Drive, M395 model because I get a better GPU with the M395 for not much more then M390 + 2TB Fusion drive. I'm hoping to put the order in this weekend.

Congrats on your decision. I'm still on the sidelines here. Interested to hear your opinions when purchased and received.

 

[maflynn]

Congrats on your decision. I'm still on the sidelines here. Interested to hear your opinions when purchased and received.

Thanks,

For me as I agonized over this, that it made too much sense to buy it then not to buy it. Both computers would serve me well, but the Dell would be even more expensive if I opted for the 5k display but even with the 4k display and less money. I think the Dell would handle my needs/wants less then the iMac as noted above.

I've yet to pull the trigger, I'm not sure when that will be, today, this weekend, etc etc.

 

[MadDane]

Sounds like a good choice. You have probably already considered this, but there might be a few hundred dollars to save by utilizing one of the Black Friday deals. The same goes for buying from a seller from a different state. Good luck with your machine

 

[whodatrr]

I may have just gone the other way?

Mac guy since the mid 90s, with an iMac for the last 6 or so years. Prior to that, I had Power Macs or Mac Pros, along with a PC desktop. And a few MacBooks and such.

But last night, I ordered my first PC workstation in 6 or so years. My kids are now getting old enough to game, and I just felt like I wanted something that I could upgrade again. The rip and replace disposable mentality is starting to wear on me. Yes, I'll still keep my retina MacBook, but I'm going to see if I can live with a PC as a workstation.

Hardware aside, Apple's recent iCloud push is another reason. The Apple ecosystem used to be great for my big family, when I could maintain central iPhoto/iTunes, etc. libraries locally. But now Apple is trying to push us into their overpriced iCloud for that. And I don't want to pay or to have all our stuff in the cloud.

Anyhow, I just got a great Black Friday deal on an Alienware last night.

Alienware Area 51 R2
6 core 5th gen i7 CPU
NVIDIA GTX 970 4GB
16GB DDR 4 2133 RAM
256 SDD + 4TB
27" 4K Dell display
And a ton of empty slots and bays
2yr onsite warranty

All for ~ $1,800 including tax and shipping.

It's bug, sort of tacky looking (some people like that flashing LED look), but it will live under my desk, so I don't care. I do care about the 6 drive bays, many open slots, support for up to three GPUs, etc.


The iMac is actually a fairly powerful system, even for the money. I might have stuck with the iMac, were it not for the push to iCloud. But I also want to do things that the iMac can't, like gaming and four displays. The nMP is also limiting, and doesn't provide a lot of value for the money. So I'm now going to see if I can't implement a more open local ecosystem, at home.

 

[makrom]

But last night, I ordered my first PC workstation in 6 or so years. My kids are now getting old enough to game, and I just felt like I wanted something that I could upgrade again. The rip and replace disposable mentality is starting to wear on me.

I don't like the lack of upgradeability either, but the most feasible equivalent in the Mac world is buying a new model and selling the old one. Since Macs traditionally score good prices in the 2nd hand market, this alternative isn't as expensive as it might sound.
Obviously you still lose a lot of flexibility. This gets mitigated to some degree by the fact that Macs are usually available with quite decent configurations (at a price that is), but at least when it comes to somewhat ambitious gaming, you are definitely lost (withstanding MacPros, but that would just be plain unreasonable).

 

[DontGetTheCheese]

It's bug, sort of tacky looking (some people like that flashing LED look), but it will live under my desk, so I don't care. I do care about the 6 drive bays, many open slots, support for up to three GPUs, etc.

And if something dies in it in a couple of years you can pull it and replace it. Heck, if you just get far enough behind the curve you can do that. My PC desktop acted up (power supply) a year ago so I replaced the motherboard, processor, GPU (the most expensive piece), power and cooling system for around $800. The video card (GTX760) is still equivalent, if not better than the m395x, and the monitor, while not as good as the 5K iMac, is plenty good enough. The only thing you lose is the integration between your devices but even there you can get most of the way through it.

The one thing I really like about Apple is that everything is secured/encrypted by default. Windows 10 is pretty wide-open, Microsoft wants to track you, so you have to spend some time locking it down and turning off junk.

 

[ucfgrad93]

Sounds like a good decision. Enjoy your new iMac.

 

[UOThief]

Congrats, that's the best configuration (obviously) and I have no doubt you're going to enjoy the hell out of that machine.

I got the same specs as you except switched out the 1TB SSD for the 3TB Fusion. I'm lazy and have horrible file management skills so I prefer to have everything on one big happy hybrid drive

Yeah, hopefully this was a good purchase decision.

Thanks. Like I said, this will be my first Mac.

+32GB ram, the total came out to be... very expensive.

Ugh.

Depending on my experience, this may be last (or first of many)?

 

[makrom]

Yeah, hopefully this was a good purchase decision.

Thanks. Like I said, this will be my first Mac.

+32GB ram, the total came out to be... very expensive.

Ugh.

Depending on my experience, this may be last (or first of many)?

You ordered extra RAM from Apple? This is painfully expensive and can easily be upgraded by yourself for a small fraction of the price. You can even buy the same RAM that Apple uses.

 

[UOThief]

You ordered extra RAM from Apple? This is painfully expensive and can easily be upgraded by yourself for a small fraction of the price. You can even buy the same RAM that Apple uses.

No, I bought it separate, from a different website. I went with OWC... which I hear is also slightly more expensive than other brands (although significantly less expensive than from Apple). 32GB (8x4) is listed as $262 on the OWC. On Apple's website is $600?