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iMac for my birthday?

U

Unforgettable

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 1, 2009
3
0
It will be my birthday in October, and I've asked my parents if they could buy me an iMac.

However, I know they're due for a refresh soon and I want to know if it's worth it.

Because I'm headed to university next year, money is tight and I don't want to be spending so much money on a system that just going to be forgotten about in a few months.

So, should I get an iMac now? Should I wait to see if the prices drop? Or should I wait a few months for the iMac line to be refreshed entirely?

Which choice do you think will save me and my parents the most money.

Please Note: This is going to be the first apple computer I own, personally. I'm super excited to finnaly make the switch, and want to make sure I get the most bang for my buck.

Thank you! :)
 
Also, the iMac prices dropped like a couple months ago, so I doubt you'll be seeing another price drop anytime soon.
 
Get it now.

List of predicted changes for iMac 2010: http://bit.ly/1KV8zR

Nothing is worth writing home about in that list. I'd buy it now because the prices aren't going to drop so why wait. I just bought an iMac 20" (entry level) and I'm loving it. You get the iLife suite for free which is great for students doing anything in the arts category. Have fun!
 
MacMini2009 said:
If you need a computer now for university, then get one now. They wont be updated until next year.
Click to expand...
Conversely, if you don't need it at all yet, don't get it yet. We never know for certain when new models will be released or slight upgrades made (a "refresh"), so there's always a risk if you buy a computer before you'll really start using it. Buying early also starts the clock ticking on your warranty.
 
To be honest none of us know when an update will happen. There are strong rumours on this and various other sites that the imac range is due a minor spec bump/price drop within next couple of months.

Personally if you don't need it now I would wait. :):)
 
londonmystery said:
To be honest none of us know when an update will happen. There are strong rumours on this and various other sites that the imac range is due a minor spec bump/price drop within next couple of months.

Personally if you don't need it now I would wait. :):)
Click to expand...
At least wait until October?
 
londonmystery said:
To be honest none of us know when an update will happen. There are strong rumours on this and various other sites that the imac range is due a minor spec bump/price drop within next couple of months.

Personally if you don't need it now I would wait. :):)
Click to expand...

I thought we all almost agreed that it was not until february/march next year?
 
Thanks for all the advice!

I think I might just wait it out. I don't absolutely need a new computer just yet. I'm just excited to make the switch!

Hopefully, it'll be refreshed by then :)
 
Why do you actually want an iMac when you go to college? Cause most people I know buy a macbook. Because it's more portable.

So why did you choose the iMac (I'm not saying you should not buy the iMac, I'm just interested in why).

also, if money is a problem you could get your birthday present with "delay" cause when you buy your mac in the summer when your on college you get student discount.
 
arjen92 said:
also, if money is a problem you could get your birthday present with "delay" cause when you buy your mac in the summer when your on college you get student discount.
Click to expand...

I don't know about anywhere else but in the UK the discount for students is all year long. Its only certain promotions that normally seem to be during the summer. :):)
 
I would wait until the new iMac comes out (hopefully in October)
OR Apple announces that it won't come out before Xmas (and buy an 'old' one).
Remember, they did it this way last year!
 
londonmystery said:
I don't know about anywhere else but in the UK the discount for students is all year long. Its only certain promotions that normally seem to be during the summer. :):)
Click to expand...

I know, but he says he will be going to college next year, which I picked up as that he isn't yet in college and therefore can't profit from the student discount yet.
 
Up to you!

i just go an iMac 20inch 2 weeks ago(8 September) and im happy im new to macs and im going to university in years.Buy an imac now don't worry about the change of looks,or small detail eg:colour and some 3d logo.;)
 
Macs do tend to age far better than their Windows Counterparts, even if you did get one now it would still be more than capable for a long time
 
Do you mean this academic year? Or do you have a year yet to go? You ought to be able to buy from the education store when you're about to go to uni, if you phone them.
 
I've just started grade 12, so I wont be going to Uni for another year.

I wan't an iMac because I need a replacement desktop for my current computer. The one I have still runs XP, has less than a gig of ram, and has been slow and crashing a lot recently. The money it would cost to fix it just isn't worth it.

Also, I'm going to be going into video production, as of right now I'm just an amateur so I don't need anything too fancy, just enough to get me through the next couple of years.
 
instaxgirl said:
I only know one person with a desktop at university. Literally everybody else has a laptop. I'm guessing there's a reason you'd prefer a desktop though?
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I can see benefits to have a desktop at a university (power, larger real estate, etc.), but I am guessing that whoever has a desktop has a laptop because I find it essential to have a laptop... err... Macbook on a college campus.
 
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