Buy or wait... advice please

[lishaoalox]

According to the updates for the 2018 MBPs, I'd suggest you wait.
Surely, no one could assure there will be a refresh for iMacs this year, but it's worthy to wait for if you don't have an immediate need.
The 8-gen CPUs are much more powerful than the current models. Even if you don't need that much power, you could get a better resale price once you want to change your Mac.
Rumors have it that there might be some releases from this Augst to October, is only 2 months or so.
If you could wait, should wait a little bit more.

 

[fathergll]

...and we'll also get some unexpected news, go on a long journey, find something we thought was lost and then, as long as a couple of those hand-wavy things actually happen, the human tendaency for confirmation bias will ensure that we we'll conveniently forget about the tall dark handsome stranger that was also meant to be part of the deal.

You do you realize this website called macrumors.com. It's like going on a website called weatherpredictions.com and then preaching that you should just stick your head out the window if you want to know it's raining.

 

[Fishrrman]

If you "need it now", BUY one now.
The 2017 iMacs are dandy machines.

But if you don't "absolutely, positively have-to-have it right now, TODAY" -- might be better to hold off until late in the year or early next year. The next version of the iMac should be a "nice jump upwards".

 

[enc0re]

All I will say is there will be an update this year at a separate Mac event and it will be a significant update worth waiting for.

How do you know that for a fact?

 

[mreg376]

How do you know that for a fact?

He doesn't. He just likes to sound like he does.

 

[fokmik]

For God sake WAIT, it's already August

 

[theluggage]

You do you realize this website called macrumors.com.

Rumors are fine. Discussing rumors is fun. Its the people taking those rumors, interpreting them in the most positive fashion possible and then regurgitating the results as if they were hard facts that need to be reminded that they are still just rumors until hard evidence comes along.

Even if Apple has something in the pipeline, their plans could be delayed or changed.

And, yes, the best way to know it is raining is to look out of the window - even the best, scientific weather forecasts will only give you a probability of rain.

 

[Kurri]

I am painfully waiting. I only have an ipad pro right now since my desktop finally died. I just hope with the announcement the computer comes out quickly after

 

[fathergll]

Rumors are fine. Discussing rumors is fun. Its the people taking those rumors, interpreting them in the most positive fashion possible and then regurgitating the results as if they were hard facts that need to be reminded that they are still just rumors until hard evidence comes along.

Even if Apple has something in the pipeline, their plans could be delayed or changed.

No one is forcing anyone to do anything here. This website itself has it's own recommendations guide with words "DON'T BUY" on multiple products. What advice is given here is no different than the actual website that you registered on. Why is this websites buyers guide any different than what advice is being given in this thread?

https://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#iMac

And, yes, the best way to know it is raining is to look out of the window - even the best, scientific weather forecasts will only give you a probability of rain.

Then here's what you should do. Go march down to your regional National Weather Service location and start protesting "Nobody here knows when it's going to rain or how much rain there is going to be." You'll be a national hero!

 

[theluggage]

Why is this websites buyers guide any different than what advice is being given in this thread?

You know, maybe that would be better - but rather more wordy - if they said things like "Updates Rumoured Soon" rather than "Don't Buy" (it doesn't look too good when the whole page is lit up in red, as it often is). If that's the level of advice you want then its considerably better than asking the Magic 8-Ball and there's no need to read on.

However, click on that banner and you'll be given clear and honest justification for that advice, what rumors its based on, comments on the reliability of the sources etc. Hint: nowhere on that page does it state as a bald fact that "there will be an update this year at a separate Mac event".

As for your metaphor: I'm not going to whine if the 30-second TV weather forecast just slaps a "rain" symbol on the chart - but if I go and read the longer forecast then I expect some indication of the level of certainty.

 

[fathergll]

if they said things like "Updates Rumoured Soon" rather than "Don't Buy" (it doesn't look too good when the whole page is lit up in red, as it often is). If that's the level of advice you want then its considerably better than asking the Magic 8-Ball and there's no need to read on.

Well again it is called macrumors.com. "Don't buy" is based on rumors and past history but I would email the mods if you feel this needs to be changed.

Hint: nowhere on that page does it state as a bald fact that "there will be an update this year at a separate Mac event".

"Don't Buy Updates Soon"

That's what it says. Interpret that as you will.

 

[DQ11]

Well again it is called macrumors.com. "Don't buy" is based on rumors and past history but I would email the mods if you feel this needs to be changed.




"Don't Buy Updates Soon"

That's what it says. Interpret that as you will.

Says Update in 2019 next to Mac Pro.

Next to Macbook & imac it says " Update Soon"

This is as close to confirmation as we have got that there will be a imac update in 2018, because if it was planned for 2019 like the imac pro, it would be listed as such.

Still confirms nothing but a good little bit of info.

 

[294307]

It would be nice if we could say Apple updates all their Macs at least once a year, but over the past five years or more it has become an unfortunate case of "sometimes they do, sometimes they don't".

Based on Apple's past record, they may update the iMac line in October or November this year, but I wouldn't put it past them if they decide not to update the iMac until 2019. Make a decision whether you want to wait until then or buy now.

 

[Lammers]

Says Update in 2019 next to Mac Pro.

Next to Macbook & imac it says " Update Soon"

This is as close to confirmation as we have got that there will be a imac update in 2018, because if it was planned for 2019 like the imac pro, it would be listed as such.

Still confirms nothing but a good little bit of info.

No, that’s not how it works.

It says “Update in 2019” for the Mac Pro because Apple have made that clear. There is no information from Apple on what happens to the MacBook or iMac and when. So the “Update Soon” comment for those is speculation based on historic trends, supply chain leaks, etc. But don’t treat it as “confirmation” because it isn’t.

 

[294307]

Says Update in 2019 next to Mac Pro.

Next to Macbook & imac it says " Update Soon"

This is as close to confirmation as we have got that there will be a imac update in 2018, because if it was planned for 2019 like the imac pro, it would be listed as such.

Still confirms nothing but a good little bit of info.

No, that’s not how it works.

It says “Update in 2019” for the Mac Pro because Apple have made that clear. There is no information from Apple on what happens to the MacBook or iMac and when. So the “Update Soon” comment for those is speculation based on historic trends, supply chain leaks, etc. But don’t treat it as “confirmation” because it isn’t.

And the "modular" Mac Pro is the only upcoming Mac that Apple have pre-announced. And they did that only because of the mounting criticism they were getting from professional customers.

 

[mreg376]

This may be macrumors.com, but there aren't any rumors about a new iMac. Rumors have some basis on fact, such as a leak from a supplier or Apple along the way. There have been none. All there has been thus far is guessing and hoping and people like "Appleaker" trying to sound like they know something no one else does.

 

[Lammers]

This may be macrumors.com, but there aren't any rumors about a new iMac. Rumors have some basis on fact, such as a leak from a supplier or Apple along the way. There have been none. All there has been thus far is guessing and hoping and people like "Appleaker" trying to sound like they know something no one else does.

That isn’t true either. The Ming-Chi Kuo research (which is based on supply chain leaks) indicates that the iMac is getting a CPU upgrade and display performance upgrade (whatever that means) this year.

 

[Fishrrman]

Kurri wrote:
"I am painfully waiting. I only have an ipad pro right now since my desktop finally died."

Yours is one of those cases that I would advise to NOT wait.
You DO "need something now".

The 2017 iMacs are very nice, just set one up for a friend a couple of months' back. I pushed him into getting a 256gb SSD instead of a 1tb fusion drive. The internal SSD is VERY speedy, and the display is beautiful.

Remember:
"If you need now, BUY now".

 

[Kurri]

Kurri wrote:
"I am painfully waiting. I only have an ipad pro right now since my desktop finally died."

Yours is one of those cases that I would advise to NOT wait.
You DO "need something now".

I agree. I think my plan is to wait until September. If nothing is announced, I will probably just go ahead and get the current iMac. Do we have a feeling when the Apple Announcements are in September? If I remember, it is usually beginning?

 

[cwanja]

Remember:
"If you need now, BUY now".

This is essentially the advice I have been giving people now as more and more of these threads pop up.

I agree. I think my plan is to wait until September. If nothing is announced, I will probably just go ahead and get the current iMac. Do we have a feeling when the Apple Announcements are in September? If I remember, it is usually beginning?

iDevice’s are typically September. iPhone. iPad. AirPods. Apple Watch. Those all are routinely September updates. Macs are harder to predict. I would not expect an update on September given the full slate mentioned above. Howver, that does not mean that they will not update them silently (i.e. recent MacBook Pro) at the same time the Apple store is down for updating the iDevices. But I still think that is highly unlikely.

My prediction is if you have not seen them by end of August, your next best shot is October. If you hold till September, can you hold till October?

 

[Sartoria]

I agree. I think my plan is to wait until September. If nothing is announced, I will probably just go ahead and get the current iMac. Do we have a feeling when the Apple Announcements are in September? If I remember, it is usually beginning?

Yep, I am in totally the same position as you. Been using my iPad Pro as my main computing device for the past 6 months now whilst saving up money for a new iMac. Now that I finally have the required finances though, I’m not sure whether to wait or just splurge on a 2017 iMac.

I think I’ll wait till October, but it’s going to be tough to hold out.

 

[jaybar]

I agree with Fishrrman. I just received my 2017 iMac with SSD and find it a huge improvement over my 2013 iMac which had HDD. I find these wait or buy threads rather pointless after a while. If you need a new machine then buy one.

Let’s say Apple releases a new iMac in October and then updated again May (unlikely but possible). I can just hear the outrage from people who purchased in the fall.

Worse yet, let’s say your current iMac has a decent trade in value, but during your waiting period, it either dies or loses significant trade in value. Where are you then? There is no perfect timing. Get what you need, enjoy it and move on.

 

[Guy Clark]

hey people! My wife’s 2011 MacBook Pro is starting to crap out. Her battery is constantly needing to be charged. He charger just got replaced because of exposed wires and now the cursor seems to be moving/clicking on its own. Any advice on how to fix the moving cursor issue? I was hoping to be able to wait for the iMac update but sadly this cursor issue just popped up today and now we’re thinking of buying a new computer. Budget is about $1500 max and she’s a photographer so she would prefer an iMac vs another MacBook Pro. I was even hoping for the Mac mini refresh but who knows when that will happen. This sucks but in life, you just gotta roll with the punches. So, what do you people think? Try and solve the cursor issue or just bite the bullet and get a new iMac.

The best option here is to wait until the updated models are released then purchase a last generation model and you will make a significant saving.

 

[oldtime]

The best option here is to wait until the updated models are released then purchase a last generation model and you will make a significant saving.

I'd usually agree with this, but the next iMac has a rumored significant display upgrade as well as a bump to 6 core processors. This would not be a time I go for a previous generation machine to save $300 or so.

 

[MandiMac]

I'd usually agree with this, but the next iMac has a rumored significant display upgrade as well as a bump to 6 core processors. This would not be a time I go for a previous generation machine to save $300 or so.

Right. And even though someone "might not need that power" or something, it's future-proofing again. Think about how long people were/are using their iPad 2 and translate that to an iMac with 6 cores. These things (especially with SSD) will live a long life