Help me choose a new iMac for GarageBand and iMovie

[torbjornhb]

Hi 🙂
I'm helping my neighbor finding a new iMac for editing videos in iMovie and some music in GarageBand.
Today, he has a 2019 model iMac running on an Intel 3,6 GHz processor with 8 GB RAM. It's stuttering and lags pretty much all the time.

Without being too certain, I think even the oldest M1 MacBook Air would run smoother than the Intel machine, but I'm not sure. Anyway, he wants a new iMac. But I would love to get some advice what model (specs) I should look for.

Thanks for all help 🙂

 

[gilby101]

Intel 3,6 GHz processor with 8 GB RAM. It's stuttering and lags pretty much all the time.

Trying to work what he has. 2019 3.6GHz can be weakest 21.5" or the most powerful 27". An M1 would not be much of an advance on the 3.6GHz 8 core CPU, but would be on the 3.6GHz 4 core CPU. Either way, the stuttering will be due to a) lack of RAM, and b) Fusion disk (if it has one). So for a new iMac make sure he gets at least 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD. Bigger SSD if he is working on many videos - completed videos can be off loaded to an external SSD.

So I would start by specifying RAM and internal SSD size - in both cases enough to last many years (e.g. enough for a step up to higher resolution video). Then look at CPU (M3 or wait for M4) and ports - the lower price only have 2 USB/Thunderbolt ports and optional Ethernet, the higher price have 4 ports plus Ethernet.

I assume he is aware of the new screen size - bigger or smaller depending on what he has now.

 

[torbjornhb]

Trying to work what he has. 2019 3.6GHz can be weakest 21.5" or the most powerful 27". An M1 would not be much of an advance on the 3.6GHz 8 core CPU, but would be on the 3.6GHz 4 core CPU. Either way, the stuttering will be due to a) lack of RAM, and b) Fusion disk (if it has one). So for a new iMac make sure he gets at least 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD. Bigger SSD if he is working on many videos - completed videos can be off loaded to an external SSD.

So I would start by specifying RAM and internal SSD size - in both cases enough to last many years (e.g. enough for a step up to higher resolution video). Then look at CPU (M3 or wait for M4) and ports - the lower price only have 2 USB/Thunderbolt ports and optional Ethernet, the higher price have 4 ports plus Ethernet.

I assume he is aware of the new screen size - bigger or smaller depending on what he has now.

Thanks a lot. Yes, I know I should have written what processor it was, but I actually don't know. I believe it was the cheapest option at that time.

I have landed on the iMac with 8 core CPU, 10 core GPU, 16GB RAM and 512GB. Sounds good?

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I'm helping my neighbor finding a new iMac for editing videos in iMovie and some music in GarageBand.
Today, he has a 2019 model iMac running on an Intel 3,6 GHz processor with 8 GB RAM. It's stuttering and lags pretty much all the time."

I'd suggest that you tell your friend to wait until Apple's end-of-October new Mac releases. Less than a month away.

Looks like there may be an m4 iMac, as well as m4 and m4pro Minis.

I'd suggest your friend take a look at the upcoming m4pro Mini instead of iMac.
M4pro will be considerably more powerful for video editing.

Base RAM configuration may be 18gb, but he might consider bumping that up to 24 (if offered).

Get at least a 1tb SSD inside.

And... a good 4k display to go with it.

 

[torbjornhb]

OP wrote:
"I'm helping my neighbor finding a new iMac for editing videos in iMovie and some music in GarageBand.
Today, he has a 2019 model iMac running on an Intel 3,6 GHz processor with 8 GB RAM. It's stuttering and lags pretty much all the time."

I'd suggest that you tell your friend to wait until Apple's end-of-October new Mac releases. Less than a month away.

Looks like there may be an m4 iMac, as well as m4 and m4pro Minis.

I'd suggest your friend take a look at the upcoming m4pro Mini instead of iMac.
M4pro will be considerably more powerful for video editing.

Base RAM configuration may be 18gb, but he might consider bumping that up to 24 (if offered).

Get at least a 1tb SSD inside.

And... a good 4k display to go with it.

Og that's a great tip!
Thanks a lot!

32GB and 1TB is overkill deluxe for his usage, but the M4 processor would be nice.

 

[wonderings]

All the neighbour could need is a boost of RAM. If it is a 27" iMac it is an easy upgrade you can do yourself with zero tools. You could bump him up to 32 gigs of RAM which will make a big difference when doing video and music.

 

[torbjornhb]

All the neighbour could need is a boost of RAM. If it is a 27" iMac it is an easy upgrade you can do yourself with zero tools. You could bump him up to 32 gigs of RAM which will make a big difference when doing video and music.

Isn´t it just as difficult to install RAM on a Mac as it is to bring the dinosaurs back?

 

[PaulD-UK]

If it’s a 21.5” model, yes, it has to be completely disassembled to add RAM.
If it’s a 27” iMac, it’s easy as there is an access hatch on the back.
You have not said what size it is.

 

[torbjornhb]

If it’s a 21.5” model, yes, it has to be completely disassembled to add RAM.
If it’s a 27” iMac, it’s easy as there is an access hatch on the back.
You have not said what size it is.

Ah, 21"...
I think we are talking new machine 🙂.

 

[gilby101]

I believe it was the cheapest option at that time.

Ah, 21"...

So low powered CPU and Fusion Drive as well as 8GB.

Yes, time for new machine.

I have landed on the iMac with 8 core CPU, 10 core GPU, 16GB RAM and 512GB. Sounds good?

Sounds good to me.

But, you could wait a few weeks and see what the next iMac has to offer.

 

[torbjornhb]

So low powered CPU and Fusion Drive as well as 8GB.

Yes, time for new machine.

Sounds good to me.

But, you could wait a few weeks and see what the next iMac has to offer.

That's what we're doing 🙂
Thinking iMac, m4, 16GB RAM, 512GB.

 

[Stella_Fudge]

That's what we're doing 🙂
Thinking iMac, m4, 16GB RAM, 512GB.

16g/512g is pretty much the peak spot to be in with consumer tier Apple Silicon. If you want to wait for M4 feel free but if you need a machine now, the current iterations will handle the load just fine as well. Reapistically the jump is unlikely to be huge from current to M4, 16gigs unified memory will make far greater difference now and later.

Also don't forget to order the 4-port model since it includes the Gigabit ethernet power adapter, TouchID equipped keyboard, beefed up cooling (as if the iMac needed it but hey why not), and twice the ports. Oh, and get a Magic Trackpad instead of Magic Mouse, or alternatively sell the included Magic Mouse and get something from Logitech/literally any other brand. Either of those will be far better for productivity overall by virtue of either having proper non-**** gesture support (Trackpad) or having a mouse that wont actively give you carpal tunnel (Logitech mouse).

 

[ForkHandles]

As far as iMovies go. I can build and render on a 2016 champagne coloured 12” MacBook. Even in 4K !

There is something wrong with the 2019 iMac that it stutters and it’s not the design.

I suggest it needs a proper clean! Back up everything as you would for a new machine. Reinstall everything, including the OS, and see if it improves.

For their use case the iMac will last until 2029 without a severe need for a replacement.

 

[torbjornhb]

As far as iMovies go. I can build and render on a 2016 champagne coloured 12” MacBook. Even in 4K !

There is something wrong with the 2019 iMac that it stutters and it’s not the design.

I suggest it needs a proper clean! Back up everything as you would for a new machine. Reinstall everything, including the OS, and see if it improves.

For their use case the iMac will last until 2029 without a severe need for a replacement.

Thanks a lot. That was totally new... I think he has already made up his mind though. Selling the old computer cheap, and buying the new one.

 

[ForkHandles]

Thanks a lot. That was totally new... I think he has already made up his mind though. Selling the old computer cheap, and buying the new one.

Sometimes we look at what we have and devalue it out of hand, we’re just not brave enough to say, “I want something shiny and new! Take my money”

Good for them.

 

[Ben J.]

As far as iMovies go. I can build and render on a 2016 champagne coloured 12” MacBook. Even in 4K !

There is something wrong with the 2019 iMac that it stutters and it’s not the design.

I suggest it needs a proper clean! Back up everything as you would for a new machine. Reinstall everything, including the OS, and see if it improves.

For their use case the iMac will last until 2029 without a severe need for a replacement.

My thoughts exactly. Backup and completely erase and install. A so-called 'clean install', where you on first boot up get the "Hello" screen like it was newly bought. Then you'll have to spend some time moving files back from the backup, restoring settings and preferences, installing apps and so on. This procedure will almost certainly result in a much more snappy mac.

Those new M4 macs coming will be expensive. I'd much rather spend my money on a used M1 or M2 which will be plenty powerful and supported for years to come, with 16GB ram, maybe in the form of a mac mini, and get two 27" or 32" screens and have money left over for some extra stuff; a nice mouse/trackpad/keyboard w/TouchID, maybe a microphone, speakers etc.