Imac 21.5" 2017 configuration dilemma

[Thesjokoprins]

Hi all,

I am in between two options and can't make a decission to order an imac 21.5"

Option 1:

Retina 4K-display

• 3,4-GHz quad-core Intel Core i5-processor
• Turbo Boost tot 3,8 GHz
• 16 GB RAM
• 256GB storage
• Radeon Pro 560 met 4 GB

Option 2:
Retina 4K-display

• 3,4-GHz quad-core Intel Core i5-processor
• Turbo Boost tot 3,8 GHz
• 8 GB RAM
• 512GB Storage
• Radeon Pro 560 met 4 GB

So the question is what will be the best option? Bigger ssd or more ram?

Rick

 

[fokmik]

More Ram

 

[Thesjokoprins]

It will be my first Imac. Will 256gb ssd enough for average daily use. Probably i have to store my photoos externally, but that will be the same with 512gb.

 

[Jimmdean]

I also say RAM. You can always use external storage in the future (or now even).

 

[007 Junior]

You can't extend the RAM afterwards, but you can store files in different locations like iCloud or on a external drive. So I would suggest upgrading the RAM if I were you.

 

[JayMysterio]

Hi all,

I am in between two options and can't make a decission to order an imac 21.5"

Option 1:

Retina 4K-display

• 3,4-GHz quad-core Intel Core i5-processor
• Turbo Boost tot 3,8 GHz
• 16 GB RAM
• 256GB storage
• Radeon Pro 560 met 4 GB

Option 2:
Retina 4K-display

• 3,4-GHz quad-core Intel Core i5-processor
• Turbo Boost tot 3,8 GHz
• 8 GB RAM
• 512GB Storage
• Radeon Pro 560 met 4 GB

So the question is what will be the best option? Bigger ssd or more ram?

Rick

If I might ask, why not go to the base 27" model? You can always add more ram later unlike 21.5, and get four times the HD space.

 

[007 Junior]

If I might ask, why not go to the base 27" model? You can always add more ram later unlike 21.5, and get four times the HD space.

That's what I'm considering at the moment. For me it's going to be eithter the 21.5" top-of-the-line model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD or the 27" base model with 8 GB RAM and the 512 GB SSD. Any reasons to choice the 27" base model over the 21.5" top-of-the-line? Besides the fact that the memory on the 27" iMac is user-upgradeable?

 

[JayMysterio]

That's what I'm considering at the moment. For me it's going to be eithter the 21.5" top-of-the-line model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD or the 27" base model with 8 GB RAM and the 512 GB SSD. Any reasons to choice the 27" base model over the 21.5" top-of-the-line? Besides the fact that the memory on the 27" iMac is user-upgradeable?

It's always about the memory. Being locked into a set amount of memory should be considered criminal on a desktop. Also who doesn't like more screen real estate?

 

[007 Junior]

It's always about the memory. Being locked into a set amount of memory should be considered criminal on a desktop. Also who doesn't like more screen real estate?

I just don't understand why the memory is not user-upgradeable on the 21.5" model. Yes, I do like more screen estate, but do I really need it? About the RAM: I've doubled the RAM of my current mid 2010 about 3 years ago and it was a needy upgrade at that time in order to speed things up a little. Question remains: doubling it up while ordering or go basic with the 27" and upgrade later?

 

[ElectronGuru]

Any reasons to choice the 27" base model over the 21.5" top-of-the-line? Besides the fact that the memory on the 27" iMac is user-upgradeable?

Screen space is like processor speed, one is lost time from less ghz, the other is lost time scrolling. The only reasons to go smaller are budget and desk space.

 

[JayMysterio]

I just don't understand why the memory is not user-upgradeable on the 21.5" model. Yes, I do like more screen estate, but do I really need it? About the RAM: I've doubled the RAM of my current mid 2010 about 3 years ago and it was a needy upgrade at that time in order to speed things up a little. Question remains: doubling it up while ordering or go basic with the 27" and upgrade later?

Upgrade later at your leisure if you aren't doing any serious work right out the box. It's cheaper if you do it as Apple's markup seems to be around 25 - 30% over what you can get later.

 

[Thesjokoprins]

You can't extend the RAM afterwards, but you can store files in different locations like iCloud or on a external drive. So I would suggest upgrading the RAM if I were you.

Ok, but it IS possible to upgrade RAM by your Apple dealer right? So with that in mind SSD is not upgradable in the Imac but offcourse you can upgrade your storage externally...hmm...
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If I might ask, why not go to the base 27" model? You can always add more ram later unlike 21.5, and get four times the HD space.

It is a desk space thing.. it will be setup in my living room...