Buying an iMac, should I wait for news or just go ahead?

[pd4mac]

Hey everybody,

Ok, you experts should know better. I want to buy a new iMac 27" to use it for work, but I don't want to be desappointed if a new model launches soon after I buy it. Do you know any rumors about new iMac models comming out soon? should I wait for it or just go ahead and buy one? Thanks.

 

[eawmp1]

As the iMac was updated in July, doubt you will see update on the October 20 announcement. As always if you need it now, buy it now...there will always be an updated version in the future.

OBTW, for future reference, click the Buyer's Guide tab above for release cycle info.

 

[Spike88]

If it were me....

I'd wait until AFTER Oct 20th. Especially since its only 5 days away. After Oct 20 will probably only be app changes (like iLife upgrade) or maybe OS upgrade (like 10.7) but odds are, H/W will probably be the same as today. Simply wait a few more days and if your base selection is the same, one might order a refurbished machine. Thus, getting a financial discount as well...

.

 

[dazed]

Not long to wait till the announcement, so unless you need it right now then there is no harm in waiting.

 

[robertbrian23]

me too i'll wait until October 20th. let's see after that.. iMac or MBP

 

[0007776]

After Oct 20 will probably only be app changes (like iLife upgrade) or maybe OS upgrade (like 10.7)

10.7 will be previewed not released, at most there will be a beta for developers, but probably not even that yet.

But for the OP's question does the current model do everything you need? if it does and you need a new computer now then just go ahead and get it. if you are waiting for updates, you will always be waiting.

 

[Weaselboy]

I don't think you will see iMac hardware changes at this event, but maybe iLife and iWork updates. I would wait for that alone.

 

[ias2010]

there will always be newer versions, get what is best right now and try to future proof it at the price you are willing to pay.

 

[Amnesiac1]

But when will new hardware be implemented?

I mean, will the iMac hardware be updated by April 2011? Or even earlier? By the end of 2010? If the OP of this thread buys an iMac after October 20th, then how long until his machine is 'out of date', so to speak?

 

[eawmp1]

But when will new hardware be implemented?

I mean, will the iMac hardware be updated by April 2011? Or even earlier? By the end of 2010? If the OP of this thread buys an iMac after October 20th, then how long until his machine is 'out of date', so to speak?

When it no longer does for the OP what it needs it to do. It's not milk.

Previous generations of computers are not rendered obsolete when an upgrade is released. My iMac G4 still does email, web, and Office well. Of course next to my 2009 Mac Pro, it is a bit pokey...but not out of date.

 

[Amnesiac1]

When it no longer does for the OP what it needs it to do. It's not milk.

Previous generations of computers are not rendered obsolete when an upgrade is released. My iMac G4 still does email, web, and Office well. Of course next to my 2009 Mac Pro, it is a bit pokey...but not out of date.

Yeah, I realize that an iMac is not comparable to a carton of milk. Bad choice of words, which were too precipitately chosen on my part. Allow me to rephrase: when will his computer no longer feature the latest and most advanced iMac hardware?

 

[eawmp1]

Yeah, I realize that an iMac is not comparable to a carton of milk. Bad choice of words, which were too precipitately chosen on my part. Allow me to rephrase: when will his computer no longer feature the latest and most advanced iMac hardware?

Duh...as soon as the iMac is next updated. The rest of my previous post stands.

 

[Weaselboy]

But when will new hardware be implemented?

I mean, will the iMac hardware be updated by April 2011? Or even earlier? By the end of 2010? If the OP of this thread buys an iMac after October 20th, then how long until his machine is 'out of date', so to speak?

Based only on previous update timelines, I would say spring 2011 you will see an iMac hardware bump.

 

[gelinasbrian]

Just buy it, you will not be disappointed.

 

[old-wiz]

But when will new hardware be implemented?

I mean, will the iMac hardware be updated by April 2011? Or even earlier? By the end of 2010? If the OP of this thread buys an iMac after October 20th, then how long until his machine is 'out of date', so to speak?

Most likely will not be updated until Q1 2011. No one but no one on these forums really knows the answer. Only a few people inside Apple actually know the answer and they are definitely not going to break confidence and tell people on a public forum,

Any computer you buy today is out of date anyway. There is always something newer coming.

 

[NicoleRichie]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Mobile/8B117 Safari/6531.22.7)

Wait. What's five days?

 

[C. Alan]

Dealing with the march of technology is always an issue with buying computers. When I buy one, I tend to take the plunge, and try not to pay attention to the advances for six months. That said, I would at least wait until after 20 October.

 

[robo456]

Wait until the 20th...

If you buy it after the meeting and they end up "announcing" a date for iLife '11, you'll be eligible for the free upgrade offer. From what I was reading on Apple's site, if you buy anything before an "annoucement", you will not qualify.

Even if they don't announce it, it's only 3 days for peace of mind.

--rob

 

[Icaras]

Wait until the 20th...

If you buy it after the meeting and they end up "announcing" a date for iLife '11, you'll be eligible for the free upgrade offer. From what I was reading on Apple's site, if you buy anything before an "annoucement", you will not qualify.

Even if they don't announce it, it's only 3 days for peace of mind.

--rob

They offered a 30 day grace period update for anyone who bought a mac prior to the Macworld announcement of iLife 10. I remember because my friend purchased an iMac in that time frame and was sent a courtesy email from Apple about getting the free update. All he had to do was pay $9.95 S&H.

That was of course, in January 2009. They may have very well changed their policy. And if that's the case, I too, would suggest the OP to wait until after the Oct 20th announcement. There is no way in hell Apple will be announcing new iMac hardware, but I would wait for iLife 11 and iWork 11.

 

[derrylwc]

Just do it.

I'm in the same boat... getting cold feet about purchasing the Quad-Core 27" because it seems that Apple *might* be releasing a revolutionary touch-screen iMac in the early part of 2011...

But you know what? I'm going to buy it anyways, because if they do indeed release a touch-screen iMac, and I somehow decide that I need one, I can still sell my recently-purchased 27" for a decent price and make the switch.

Yes, I might take some loss on the resale price - but the additional revenue that I hope to garner (in my mobile development practice) in the meantime will more than offset that possibility.

GO FOR IT!!!

 

[kingsal]

The iMacs will be updated in the June/July 2011 timeframe, most likely to coincide with the release of OS X 10.7. We'll see what Apple reveals, and if we can get any hints about touch functionality coming to Mac OS X... I have a feeling that full touch functionality won't occur until Max OS 11.

Do yourself a favor and wait until Wednesday so you get the newest version of iLife out-of-the-box.

 

[Phillie14586]

I am not going to have the money to get my new iMac until about January. A good bet would be hardware update coming in Feb.

 

[Livett]

I was in the same boat (sort of).

Ended up ordering the 21.5 512mb iMac, and threw in an iPad for good measure earlier on.

Never owned anything Apple in my life so am somewhat scared for when it arrives! Lots to learn all over again!

I have a feelin i'll be on this forum a lot when it arrives!

 

[tjcad]

I'm in the same boat... getting cold feet about purchasing the Quad-Core 27" because it seems that Apple *might* be releasing a revolutionary touch-screen iMac in the early part of 2011...

Well think of it as like this... You should really be careful about 1st get stuff. If ever a "touch-screen" iMac comes out then its best to wait for rev b, let them work the bugs out.

 

[Icaras]

I'm in the same boat... getting cold feet about purchasing the Quad-Core 27" because it seems that Apple *might* be releasing a revolutionary touch-screen iMac in the early part of 2011...

Besides patents, what on earth is telling you there *might* be a new iMac touch screen in early 2011?

Firstly, Apple does not believe a touch screen interface is compatible with OS X. Watch the recent All Things Digital interview and listen to Job's thoughts on iOS.

And secondly, this Wednesday will mostly likely just reveal 10.7 Lion. Launch date will most likely be sometime in 2011, then factor in the shelf life of Lion before we even start talking about OSXI and any remote possibility of touch screen interactivity on Macs.

Touch screen Macs? Not in YEARS.