Buy now or wait for 2016 iMac?

[Samuelsan2001]

I can only echo my sentiments.
Lack of dGPU
Broadwell chipset, yes, its the only one with a decent iGPU, so it does make sense, but that doesn't mean I think its a good value, i.e., spending a lot of money on an older chipset.
5400 stock drive.
1TB Fusion drive only has 24GB of flash storage.

True, I could upgrade the storage to something a bit more speedier, but then I'm getting close to the price of the 5k. So in the end, I bought a 5k which use Skylake, a dGPU and the model I have has a 128GB flash storage as part of the fusion drive (2 TB)

Yes and I explained why your disappointment was pointless in most of those categories. Of course I understand disappointment isn't logical but I still feel the need to point that out.

When everyone starts providing flash storage as standard I'm sure apple will follow suit (in fact they will probably do it first) but most manufacturers don't even do that in their laptops yet let alone desktops.

The only thing I agree with you about is the 1TB fusion that should be standard at the 24GB level or a cheap upgrade with the 128GB portion instead of the 24GB.

I think you did the right thing going for the 27 inch though, I doubt it will make much difference to you performance wise but that screen is a beast. When you got a 24 inch it was the larger size available with the better internals that is now the 27 inch and you can't expect the 21 inch iMac to match it.

 

[scott911]

I'm waiting because I need apple to make storage more possible.

I can not stomach paying such a premium for SSDs drive when I see ads for Samsung EVO internal SSD drive in 1 TB capacity for $300.

I'd jump at the opportunity to by a base 5200 spinner mac, drop the drive in the garbage (literally) in a few months and be able to put increasingly better SSD options.

 

[Sirmausalot]

An SSD is very different than the NVRAM in the iMac. The NVRAM is 2.5 times faster, hence the premium. And if you want the Samsung, then get a case for it and run it externally. You can even boot from it.

Anyhow, it's kind of pointless to compare specific component costs. Ultimately, a few hundred dollars here and there is negligible over the life of the machine. You decide what your budget is and if you can afford a higher end machine like a 5K iMac or if you should be going for something else that suits your needs and budget better whether Windows, Linux desktop, all in one, or laptop and whatever manufacturer you want.

And you can actually replace the spinner with your own SSD. It's just a huge PITA and your time might be more valuable to you.

I'm waiting because I need apple to make storage more possible.

I can not stomach paying such a premium for SSDs drive when I see ads for Samsung EVO internal SSD drive in 1 TB capacity for $300.

I'd jump at the opportunity to by a base 5200 spinner mac, drop the drive in the garbage (literally) in a few months and be able to put increasingly better SSD options.

 

[maflynn]

I can not stomach paying such a premium for SSDs drive when I see ads for Samsung EVO internal SSD drive in 1 TB capacity for $300.

That's apple for you, you're paying a premium for storage from Apple as opposed to 3rd party sellers. If the iMac wasn't so sealed and hard to upgrade, this wouldn't be a major discussion because we all would have gotten the least expensive storage in the iMac and upgraded it ourselves, but alas it is, what it is.

 

[scott911]

An SSD is very different than the NVRAM in the iMac. The NVRAM is 2.5 times faster, hence the premium. And if you want the Samsung, then get a case for it and run it externally. You can even boot from it.

Anyhow, it's kind of pointless to compare specific component costs. Ultimately, a few hundred dollars here and there is negligible over the life of the machine. You decide what your budget is and if you can afford a higher end machine like a 5K iMac or if you should be going for something else that suits your needs and budget better whether Windows, Linux desktop, all in one, or laptop and whatever manufacturer you want.

And you can actually replace the spinner with your own SSD. It's just a huge PITA and your time might be more valuable to you.

thanks for the comments on the nvram - hadn't considered that. still wishing machine was more open-able though so I'be have more choice in future... I'm sure that nice screen on the 27" will far outlive the storage capacity and ram of what is initially spec'ed out at purchase.

 

[Sirmausalot]

thanks for the comments on the nvram - hadn't considered that. still wishing machine was more open-able though so I'be have more choice in future... I'm sure that nice screen on the 27" will far outlive the storage capacity and ram of what is initially spec'ed out at purchase.

RAM goes up to 64GB and storage is virtually unlimited via Thunderbolt 2. The true long-term limitations are processor and graphics, but this is an all in one, not a Windows desktop. And they come with a top of the line processor and a graphics card than can easily push around 4K video. And even though I am now working in 4K, I'll be delivering in 1080. SO these machines are great for many years to come. If you want to be able to upgrade other components, you need a different machine.

 

[AlexJoda]

Really, I just don't get 8k in a 27" screen. Even though I'm middle-aged, my eyes are pretty good. the move from 1080 to 1440 was a big improvement, IMOHO. The move form 1440 to 5k, not so much. yes, it does look a bit prettier and it's nice for editing 4k videos while having tools around the screen, but otherwise it doesn't improve most of my productivity. I feel like it's taking a pounding own my bank account and GPU cycles, for a negligible productivity bump.

And I am a multi-display freak. While I turned the 5k iMac back in, I do have 4 27" 1440 displays, a 4k display, and a 34" 3440x1440. Of the three, the 34" is by far my favorite. But I just don't see how 8k would improve my life, unless if was curved and 60" wide or something like that?

For me one of the biggest advantages of the 5K screen is the possibility to scale the resolution without getting an unsharp image. This is something that the older ones might know from analogue monitors and something that I miss very much on the digital displays. For example the 20148*1152 resolution looks very nice to my aged eyes.

In this regard an 8K screen makes sense if you increase the size of it. If you want to have the same PPI value than the 5K screen (218 PPI) you need to increase it to 40". If you want to have the PPI value of the iPad Pro (265 PPI) you have to build a 33" screen.

 

[^^BIGMac]

A better question might be "should I wait for an OS that works"... El Capitan doesn't and that kid what you're getting with the new iMac.

 

[maflynn]

A better question might be "should I wait for an OS that works"... El Capitan doesn't and that kid what you're getting with the new iMac.

I had some issues with Yosemite (nothing major), but so far I've not incurred any problems with El Cap. Its been solid and fast.

 

[shaunp]

You get used to 27 inches very quickly...

Agreed, in the big scheme of things there's not much price difference between the 21" and 27" and a 27" screen never feels like overkill. It just seems normal after a few days and everything else just looks small. Anything over 30" and you may need to start turning your head to see everything on the screen, but 27's are perfect at normal viewing distances.

 

[double329]

My take is: if you need a new computer or a replacement one now or soon. I would go for it now. iMac just recently got refresh. I wouldn't get hung-up with possible new connector usb-type-c, thunderbolt 3, etc... To be honest, I hardly use what is in my iMac now other than using USB3 occasionally. I think, the current line up of iMac are great. I picked up 27" 5k late 2015 coming from rMBP 15(still have it). So far the experience has been great.

 

[maflynn]

iMac just recently got refresh

That's the biggest reason against seeing anything soon from Apple.

Overall I'm really happy with my 2015 iMac

 

[vng01]

Buy now! We dont what Features will bring the New (maybe 2016) imac. Buy the late 2015 Model and enjoy i will buy Mine in 1 or 2 weeks and im excited as f***

 

[double329]

Overall I'm really happy with my 2015 iMac

Yeah, I am loving my 2015 iMac. I moved away from desktop for years and have been on mostly laptop, from the MBA, rMBP... and now back to desktop with iMac. Now, I hardly use my laptop. I actually carry my iMac around from place to place as laptop. It was funny enough, my daughter drew my picture to make fun of me.

 

[maflynn]

Yeah, I am loving my 2015 iMac. I moved away from desktop for years and have been on mostly laptop

That describes me perfectly. I've been using laptops for years since I do have mobility needs. I didn't get rid of my MPB as my kids use it, and I also have a SP3 which will be my go to machine when I need to go out and about.

I actually carry my iMac around from place to place as laptop.

Yikes, I'm not sure I want to do that with my 5k machine

Nice picture, your daughter definitely has talent

 

[double329]

Yikes, I'm not sure I want to do that with my 5k machine

It is more like room-to-room

 

[AJsAWiz]

Buy now! We dont what Features will bring the New (maybe 2016) imac. Buy the late 2015 Model and enjoy i will buy Mine in 1 or 2 weeks and im excited as f***

I said the same thing to myself. In fact it's on the UPS truck for delivery today.
The iMac I'm on now is the 2011, 27" iMac. It's slow, when compared to the new models. Even though nothing is wrong with it, I want a speedier computer. AND I usually refresh my iMac every 4 to 5 years so this is due.
I'm really excited to get mine too!

I suppose when it comes to buying a new computer or device, one has to ask themselves how happy they are with their current computer or device. That should guide them in their decision to purchase or not.

 

[vng01]

I said the same thing to myself. In fact it's on the UPS truck for delivery today.
The iMac I'm on now is the 2011, 27" iMac. It's slow, when compared to the new models. Even though nothing is wrong with it, I want a speedier computer. AND I usually refresh my iMac every 4 to 5 years so this is due.
I'm really excited to get mine too!

I suppose when it comes to buying a new computer or device, one has to ask themselves how happy they are with their current computer or device. That should guide them in their decision to purchase or not.

Niiiiice! What Processor did you purchased i5 or i7?

Compared to my 7 or 8 years old Windows PC the imac will be amazing in every sense

 

[AJsAWiz]

Niiiiice! What Processor did you purchased i5 or i7?

Compared to my 7 or 8 years old Windows PC the imac will be amazing in every sense

I went with the mid range model:
Apple iMac 27" with Retina 5K Display, 3.2 GHz i5, 1 TB Fusion, AMD Radeon R9 M390 2 GB

Even though my iMac is 4 years old, it is still useable albeit slow.

Hope you enjoy your new iMac (mine just arrived, Woo Hoo!) half as much as I will

 

[vng01]

I went with the mid range model:
Apple iMac 27" with Retina 5K Display, 3.2 GHz i5, 1 TB Fusion, AMD Radeon R9 M390 2 GB

Even though my iMac is 4 years old, it is still useable albeit slow.

Hope you enjoy your new iMac (mine just arrive, Woo Hoo!) half as much as I will

Amazing! Have fun With your imac

I will buy an imac With:
I5 3.3 ghz
2 TB Fusion Drive
Radeon m9 395

In 2 weeks i will buy this beast

Thank you

 

[AJsAWiz]

Amazing! Have fun With your imac

I will buy an imac With:
I5 3.3 ghz
2 TB Fusion Drive
Radeon m9 395

In 2 weeks i will buy this beast

Thank you

Wow! You got the BIG ONE! That is a beast, indeed!
Have fun with your new iMac!
I'm going downstairs to rip open my box now

Update:
Still waiting on the migration from my old Mac. I have about an hour to go.
While I'm waiting I'll entertain you with a little story.
When I was looking at the new iMacs in the Apple Store I noticed that they had the new track pad on all of the iMacs. I had to ask them for a mouse to use. Then they had to find one and pair it with the iMac I was using.
Now for the punch line . . .
Was I disappointed when I looked through the box and didn't find that new track pad?
Okay, yes I know that track pads have not been included in the past but why would they have them on all of their iMacs in the store and no mouse? Does that not give you the impression that the track pads must come with new iMacs? {holding up "laugh" sign]

 

[lkalliance]

I had some issues with Yosemite (nothing major), but so far I've not incurred any problems with El Cap. Its been solid and fast.

The bump up from Yosemite to El Capitan seems to be a tipping point for my mid-2009 Core 2 Duo iMac...it seems to be performing noticeably less well now than on Yosemite. It was bound to happen at some point, of course.

 

[briloronmacrumo]

The iMac I'm on now is the 2011, 27" iMac. It's slow, when compared to the new models.

My desktop is also a 2011 27" iMac but it's relatively fast due to booting from an SSD; machine boots in approximately 8 seconds. Might want to consider the SSD option if you're keeping it.

 

[double329]

Amazing! Have fun With your imac

I will buy an imac With:
I5 3.3 ghz
2 TB Fusion Drive
Radeon m9 395

In 2 weeks i will buy this beast

Thank you

That's the very same configuration I got. However, I did my own RAM upgrade afterward.

 

[vng01]

That's the very same configuration I got. However, I did my own RAM upgrade afterward.

Thats awesome

May I ask you for what Kind of work you are using your imac?

Photography, music production, simple web surfing?