I’m seriously considering buying a new iMac next week. However, I’ve heard rumors that new iMacs may be released in January with a more powerful chip. What does everyone think? Should I buy the middle of the road iMac for $1499 next week or should I hold out and wait until after Christmas and see what’s released after the New Year? Please advise.
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iMac Buying Question
- Thread starter Mac2004
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If it's not urgent, you should wait for the 2022 iMac which should be before WWDC 2022. That's before June 7, 2022. Around March or April, I guess.
Any new iMac is likely going to be a high end replacement for the 27". Not an upgrade to the 24". I can't imagine the 24" getting updated before the Macbook Air and low end Pro.
I have looked at the 24” iMac they have in Apple stores right now and they seem to be very nice and snappy. I’m not sure I want to wait til June. I thought something would be released the first part of January. I may just buy the current one then. Blue or silver.
I, too, would love to buy an new iMac, but I’m going to wait. Fortunately my current upgraded 2011 iMac still performs beautifully (I feel guilty about considering replacing it!) so I’m not desperate for a new machine. I want to see what the new big iMac will be like as well as the later upgraded M2 iMac 24in. Indeed I am actually more interested in a newer 24in. because I like its size better—physically it is only marginally bigger in height and width over my current 21.5, but has a significantly bigger display. The new big iMac will be distinctly larger for the space I have available. We’ll see.
If I really needed a new machine I’d go for it now. But being able to wait means my next computer will be even better than what is currently available.
If I really needed a new machine I’d go for it now. But being able to wait means my next computer will be even better than what is currently available.
There will always be a 'better' device coming. If you wait for that, you'll never buy anything. Buyer's remorse of buying a device and then discovering a new model next week (because we all the want the newest, shiniest model - even if we have no idea how that will make our lives better) is always out there.
That said, the current crop of iMacs and MacBooks are running the first generation of M processors, so if anything is going to go wrong with this new system, this is the era it most likely will. But if you've not seen any reports that have frightened you off - and there's been no reports of mass failures / spontaneous combustion that I've seen - then why not get it, especially if you luck into some sort of a sale?
Speaking of which, always check out your country's Apple Store website 'Refurbished and Clearance' for discounted models - Refurb'd units here (could be returns via buyer remorse / wrong model / open box or minor work needed) are individually checked out (so arguably better than factory floor new), cleaned and repaired, if needed. Comes with full Apple warranty and AppleCare+ availability. Stock changes all the time.
Sidebar: While I appreciate there is this contingent that always seek to 'super-size' everything (see America's love of pickup trucks, Hummers and SUVs when really, most everyone probably just needs a two door), I really am sorry people are flogging for even larger screen size on iMac (I daresay it suggests our eyesight is getting worse - looking at screens all day) and would have liked to see a 21" maintained with a M processor. Something that doesn't necessarily take over space in a home office.
That said, the current crop of iMacs and MacBooks are running the first generation of M processors, so if anything is going to go wrong with this new system, this is the era it most likely will. But if you've not seen any reports that have frightened you off - and there's been no reports of mass failures / spontaneous combustion that I've seen - then why not get it, especially if you luck into some sort of a sale?
Speaking of which, always check out your country's Apple Store website 'Refurbished and Clearance' for discounted models - Refurb'd units here (could be returns via buyer remorse / wrong model / open box or minor work needed) are individually checked out (so arguably better than factory floor new), cleaned and repaired, if needed. Comes with full Apple warranty and AppleCare+ availability. Stock changes all the time.
Sidebar: While I appreciate there is this contingent that always seek to 'super-size' everything (see America's love of pickup trucks, Hummers and SUVs when really, most everyone probably just needs a two door), I really am sorry people are flogging for even larger screen size on iMac (I daresay it suggests our eyesight is getting worse - looking at screens all day) and would have liked to see a 21" maintained with a M processor. Something that doesn't necessarily take over space in a home office.
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I’d look at my use cases. The M1 is so quick and snappy that unless you are doing something very specific such as rendering videos or complex musical arrangements it will handle everything you throw at it with aplomb.
If it does what you need, why wait? A larger iMac Pro is undoubtedly going to cost more as well.
If it does what you need, why wait? A larger iMac Pro is undoubtedly going to cost more as well.
This is what I’m thinking. I would be happy with a 24in. display as it would be a good step up from my 21.5. I have already priced an M1 iMac I could get (green, 16GB RAM and 512 or 1TB SSD), but I find myself waiting mostly to see if we will get an M2 iMac eventually and what it will be like.
I’m sure there will be an M2 iMac eventually, but how long are you willing to wait? It’ll probably be about 20% faster in CPU and about 50% faster in GPU, but I think first half of 2023 is about the right timing. That’s a year and a quarter, maybe a year and a half during which you could be using an M1 iMac, and if it is fast enough already and you don’t notice the speed difference, what would be the point.
I doubt whether Mini-LED screens will make it to the iMacs so quickly, which is the only thing I’d be willing to hold out for.
Two years ago I upgraded my 2011 21.5 to its current state: i7 2600S, 500GB Samsung Evo 860 SSD and 32GB RAM. It was like getting a brand new computer. It runs like a dream. The only downside is that it’s stuck at High Sierra, and I’m not willing to jump through hoops to get it to run anything newer because the computer as is does everything I want.
So, as I said upthread, I’m not desperate for a new machine. That being the case I can wait for the next upgrade for the 24in. iMac.
Another reason to wait, because I can, is I have another big expense looming in the Spring. I want to upgrade the alloy wheels on my car from my current 17in. to 18in. Consequently that means larger wheels will necessitate new tires to fit them. I’ve costed the wheels and tires I want and it will be near the same as buying a new iMac spec’d the way I want it. Being able to wait means I can spread the cost of both over the space of about a year or so.
Actually I have been waiting over a year for new wheels already. I had planned/hoped to upgrade my wheels last Spring, but Covid-19 in general and uncertainties at work had cautioned me to postpone the purchase. Now things look to be stabilizing particularly with high vaccination rates here in Ontario (Canada).