Help deciding on iMac

[RMCF10]

Hello everyone,

Lately I've realized it's time to get a new desktop computer. I've been doing all my work on my 2013 Macbook Pro. It's becoming cumbersome working with the smaller screen and the computer itself is also running out of storage (easy fix I know but I figured if I'm going to shell out $100 for a new hard drive I might as well put it towards a new desktop which I need anyway). This has made me look into getting a "workstation" computer, more specifically an iMac.

Now my question is this. I've seen the 5k screens in person and they're phenomenal, I'm also a big fan of the 27" screen size, so that is the mac I'm leaning towards. However for my needs (school work, coding, internet surfing/video streaming...etc), is the $1700 price tag overkill? Also I've been reading that there possibly might be a refresh at WWDC this year, is it worth waiting for an upgrade?

Thanks for reading!

 

[Taz Mangus]

If you can wait then I suggest you wait to see what the next refresh looks like in a few months.

 

[RMCF10]

If you can wait then I suggest you wait to see what the next refresh looks like in a few months.

Any ideas of what we might see in the next refresh? Is it only going to be geared towards more pro users and any chance of a price drop?

 

[sboychuck]

If you need or want a 27-inch right now, look at the refurb's on the Apple site. The inventory changes frequently. To avoid problems with storage, look for a 2 or 3GB Fusion drive. If you are ok with an external enclose, then look at a pure SSD around 500GB. The 395 video card should be fine and if you can get a good deal on an i7, get it. Do not worry about RAM as you can buy it aftermarket and I stall easy.

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

Price drop with improved features? I really doubt it and so do you!!

 

[colinsky]

Any ideas of what we might see in the next refresh? Is it only going to be geared towards more pro users and any chance of a price drop?

Most guesses say the next iMac will have Thunderbolt 3 connectors and a more powerful video card. The chance of a price drop is calculated to be about 0.05%.

 

[RMCF10]

Price drop with improved features? I really doubt it and so do you!!

Haha good point, I meant if Apple is only refreshing models that appeal to Pro users does that mean the more entry level models are getting a price drop? Certainly there won't be a price increase thought, right?

Most guesses say the next iMac will have Thunderbolt 3 connectors and a more powerful video card. The chance of a price drop is calculated to be about 0.05%.

Think those are updates worth waiting for?

 

[danielwsmithee]

I'd buy a 27" monitor now for use with your MacBook Pro then use it as a second display once the new iMacs are released...

 

[RMCF10]

I'd buy a 27" monitor now for use with your MacBook Pro then use it as a second display once the new iMacs are released...

I would have to also buy a new hard drive as my MBP barely has any space left, don't even have enough to download a few programs I'll need for school starting in a month or two. A HDD + a 27" monitor, I figured why buy those when I get just put that money towards an iMac.

 

[Fishrrman]

My standard warning to any new iMac shopper:

DO NOT buy an iMac that has only a platter-based hard drive in it. If you do, you are going to be VERY UNHAPPY with the performance.

DO NOT buy an iMac with a "1tb fusion drive". The flash portion of this drive is only 24gb -- TOO SMALL.

DO buy an iMac that has either a "2tb fusion" or a straight SSD in it. Either of these will be quick and snappy, and remain that way over long-term usage.

You have been duly warned!

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

And even better bearing in mind the fisho's recommendations, if the pennies run to it, consider a pure 1TB Flash Storage PCI-e drive. They are blisteringly fast!

 

[Taz Mangus]

And even better bearing in mind the fisho's recommendations, if the pennies run to it, consider a pure 1TB Flash Storage PCI-e drive. They are blisteringly fast!

I suspect 2TB Flash will be an option on the iMac refresh. The Flash should be twice as fast as what is in the 2015 iMac, the same as what is used in the new MacBook Pro. Unfortunately, quite pricey for 2TB Flash.