Does it make sense to buy an iMac or wait for refresh

[Icaras]

They are going to update sooner than later because it's not as secure as the rest of the Mac line. It's the only one without the T2 chip, besides the Mac Pro which will be replaced soon. I'm guessing after the Mac Pro is released a few months later there should be a new iMac with a T2 chip a slimmer bezel and no more fusion drive, or not.

I’m waiting for a redesigned iMac myself with T2. If we do assume the new Mac Pro and new Apple display gets announced and released later this year, the question is will Apple release the redesigned iMac later this year as well? I’m dreading waiting until 2020.

 

[Benz63amg]

I’m waiting for a redesigned iMac myself with T2. If we do assume the new Mac Pro and new Apple display gets announced and released later this year, the question is will Apple release the redesigned iMac later this year as well? I’m dreading waiting until 2020.

I highly doubt you’ll see a new iMac later this year, Apple wouldn’t have released the new 2019 iMac refresh if that was the case.

 

[neutrino23]

I highly doubt you’ll see a new iMac later this year, Apple wouldn’t have released the new 2019 iMac refresh if that was the case.

I was thinking along the same lines, then I wondered, maybe the reason the upgrade is so meager is that a larger design change is coming soon. By meager I mean Apple changed very little. The ports are the same, Bluetooth not modern, display is the same. No knock on what was done, the i9 sounds awesome. If this has to last a while why not upgrade the ports and add a T2 chip like they did in the new Mac mini? I’m not making a claim either way, just wondering.

 

[Benz63amg]

I was thinking along the same lines, then I wondered, maybe the reason the upgrade is so meager is that a larger design change is coming soon. By meager I mean Apple changed very little. The ports are the same, Bluetooth not modern, display is the same. No knock on what was done, the i9 sounds awesome. If this has to last a while why not upgrade the ports and add a T2 chip like they did in the new Mac mini? I’m not making a claim either way, just wondering.

So you’re saying Apple waited 2 years to release a 2019 refresh of the iMac (previous one was in 2017) just to have a “Redesigned” iMac come out in the same year? That makes no sense. I can understand if the rumored "redesigned" iMac comes out next year but it makes zero logical sense that Apple will release ANOTHER iMac (Non Pro iMac) this year. They might announce something in the upcoming world conference but I doubt that either because if they announce a new iMac at the upcoming conference it’ll affect the sales of the 2019 iMac that was just released negatively in a very drastic way. Look on Apple’s website, the word “New” for the 2019 iMac is all over the place. What makes anyone believe a “Newer” iMac is going to come out later this year does not make much sense to me whatsoever.

Perhaps a new version of the iMac Pro might get released in 2019 but not of the standard iMac in my opinion.

The iMac Pro casts a shadow on the standard iMac as well which is why I also believe that any drastic design change will need to come to the iMac Pro first which will then be implemented into the standard iMac at a future refresh cycle.

 

[neutrino23]

So you’re saying Apple waited 2 years to release a 2019 refresh of the iMac (previous one was in 2017) just to have a “Redesigned” iMac come out in the same year? That makes no sense. I can understand if the rumored "redesigned" iMac comes out next year but it makes zero logical sense that Apple will release ANOTHER iMac (Non Pro iMac) this year. They might announce something in the upcoming world conference but I doubt that either because if they announce a new iMac at the upcoming conference it’ll affect the sales of the 2019 iMac that was just released negatively in a very drastic way. Look on apple website, the word “New” for the 2019 iMac is all over the place. What makes anyone believe a “Newer” iMac is going to come out later this year does not make much sense to me whatsoever.

Perhaps a new version of the iMac Pro might get released in 2019 but not of the standard iMac in my opinion.

The iMac Pro casts a shadow on the standard iMac as well which is why I also believe that any drastic design change will need to come to the iMac Pro first which will then be implemented into the standard iMac a future refresh cycle.

All good points. But why after two years the new iMac only has two TB ports, no 10GB Ethernet like the Mac mini got, only BT 4.2 and not 5.0 like the Mac mini got, no improved thermal design, and no T2 chip? It could be this design will last another two years. It just seems odd that they didn’t add more of these features if this design is intended to last a long time. On the other hand, as this was just released I can’t see them releasing an update sooner than six months or so.

Here is another thought. Suppose a new iMac is released at WWDC and it is awesome; new case, new thermal design, 6k video, all SSD, T2 chip, better speakers, etc. it could be positioned as a super iMac at a super price and the current iMac could exist as a less expensive alternative for schools, offices and others on a budget.

 

[Benz63amg]

All good points. But why after two years the new iMac only has two TB ports, no 10GB Ethernet like the Mac mini got, only BT 4.2 and not 5.0 like the Mac mini got, no improved thermal design, and no T2 chip? It could be this design will last another two years. It just seems odd that they didn’t add more of these features if this design is intended to last a long time. On the other hand, as this was just released I can’t see them releasing an update sooner than six months or so.

Here is another thought. Suppose a new iMac is released at WWDC and it is awesome; new case, new thermal design, 6k video, all SSD, T2 chip, better speakers, etc. it could be positioned as a super iMac at a super price and the current iMac could exist as a less expensive alternative for schools, offices and others on a budget.

That’s possible I guess but I still doubt it as the current 2019 27 inch iMac is not a “budget”’computer by any means, it’s an expensive machine. But to follow up on your assumption, so you're suggesting a new redesigned 6K iMac that will be priced somewhere in between the $1799 price point that the entry 27 inch 5K iMac starts at and the $4999 starting price of the iMac Pro?

The price gap between the standard iMac and the iMac Pro is quite drastic so your assumption does make some sense but if they were to introduce a 6k iMac at a LOWER price point to that of the iMac Pro then it would imply that the iMac Pro will also need to be refreshed and exhibit this new 6k display technology to merit the massive $4999 price tag.

 

[Icaras]

Here is another thought. Suppose a new iMac is released at WWDC and it is awesome; new case, new thermal design, 6k video, all SSD, T2 chip, better speakers, etc. it could be positioned as a super iMac at a super price and the current iMac could exist as a less expensive alternative for schools, offices and others on a budget.

How about if the new redesigned "super" iMac that you just mentioned, gets dubbed "iMac Air" and would come in at 24". Current iMac would be stripped down to just the 21.5" as the entry model for schools, offices, etc, as you also mentioned. And the 27" and 31.5" iMacs would be left to the iMac Pro line because that seems to be the tier where Apple wants to offer two choices of size. It would be perfectly matched to Apple's increasingly growing 3 choice product lineups.

 

[mrvo]

People just forgot to check the prices of the 2 recent "MiniLED" monitors from Asus and Acer. Check them out and think how much the standalone 6K monitor will be and then see it trickle down to iMac.

We're talking "MiniLED" local dimming for the coming years, not "MicroLED" ~ OLED performance.

If you want to wait, just wait til WWDC, then make up your mind.

 

[mikehalloran]

That’s possible I guess but I still doubt it as the current 2019 27 inch iMac is not “affordable” by any means(I bought the top tier model at the Apple store and it cost me $2299 plus tax), it’s an expensive machine. But to follow up on your assumption, so you're suggesting a new redesigned 6K iMac that will be priced somewhere in between the $1799 price point that the entry 27 inch 5K iMac starts at and the $4999 starting price of the iMac Pro?

The price gap between the standard iMac and the iMac Pro is quite drastic so your assumption does make some sense but if they were to introduce a 6k iMac at a LOWER price point to that of the iMac Pro then it would imply that the iMac Pro will also need to be refreshed and exhibit this new 6k display technology to merit the massive $4999 price tag.

You are your unwillingness to afford one with a blanket assumption that it is somehow too expensive. Nonsense terms like massive make posts ridiculous.

Who are you to say that a pro or hobbyist doesn't need the best computer he/she can afford? You aren't any of those people.

 

[Benz63amg]

You are your unwillingness to afford one with a blanket assumption that it is somehow too expensive. Nonsense terms like massive make posts ridiculous.

Who are you to say that a pro or hobbyist doesn't need the best computer he/she can afford? You aren't any of those people.

Whoa there.. it’s not my assumption it was Icaras’ post whom I was replying to and he’s the one that introduced the idea of a “redesigned” upcoming iMac several posts above

 

[mikehalloran]

My iMac Pro cost me $200 less than the Mac Plus system that I purchased for my business in 1986. This is not adjusted for inflation— I'm talking 200 actual dollars less than than the currency I spent in 1986 (I can still itemize every component).

You can't tell me that a $5,000 or $7,500 iMac that does what I need is expensive. You are not I and don't have my needs.

Let's be real; 90% of buyers don't really "need" a new iMac.

and neither are you.

Someone wants to edit the video they took on their iPhone and share it on FaceBook. Depending on many factors, it can take hours less on a new iMac than the fastest 2010 — having a 2010, I know this one firsthand.

I happen to make my living on mine and I absolutely needed a new machine—so I bought one.

I'm the first to admit that my wife does not need to upgrade her 2011 but, if she thinks she does, I will get her whatever she wants (a 2019 i5 with 1T onboard should be fine). It's not that she, too, makes her living with hers. Really, whatever she wants.

I have a couple of LG 27" 4K side monitors. I don't understand at all what 6K can possible bring to the table for the non AV pro. Not positive I see much difference between those and the 5K in the middle.
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Whoa there.. it’s not my assumption it was Icaras’ post whom I was replying to and he’s the one that introduced the idea of a “redesigned” upcoming iMac

If I misunderstood, I apologize.

 

[_Skyfire_]

and neither are you.

Is this phrase actually supposed to mean something?