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iMac, is time to buy?

L

luke23

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 2, 2006
74
3
Hi,

aside of the Buyer's guide saying about iMac. I want to know if it is good momento to get one. I have an PowerBook G4 15" running Tiger and I want to move to Leopard and in september have Snow Leopard. I haven't heard any rumors of iMac being redesigned but; what do you guys think?

Let's say I buy the iMac; I have doubt concerning the OS X. In september if I updagred to Snow Leopard; will I get the full DVD? If I only get an updgrade disc. Could I stilll use it to repair the disk etc...?

Thank you!
 
Right now the iMac is mid cycle, and you probably won't seen an update until January. That said the current iMac's are great machines and I wouldn't hesitate to get one. If you buy a computer between now and Snow Leopards release Apple will sell you SL for $10 and it will be the full retail version, not an upgrade disc (Apple doesn't do that). But you have to order the disc within 90 days of buying the computer.
 
While the guide says mid-cycle, it is based on historic averages. Lately the iMac updates have been 10-11 months apart. They might update in January, but there is no guarantee, so remember that.

At this point though, I personally would wait. The next processors are supposed to be "Arrandale" and they should offer a nice upgrade over the current ones. Hopefully the screens will also get LED backlighting.

I know waiting sucks (I waited almost a year for my al iMac), but I think you should wait.
 
It's the WORST time in the last 3 years to buy an iMac as far as I'm concerned.

Why? Because mobile i7 CPUs ("Clarkson" I think) are coming....think about Grand Central Dispatch.....I think we will se Quad-Core i7 powered iMac in january 2010...it's a giant leap.....if you think about it, my Merom 2,0ghz cpu of 2006 has got 64bit and dual core and it's not that different from today's Penryn cpus...ok, less power, but I still got the "feats" (dual core and 64bit)...

But if you buy an iMac today, you risk to miss a HUGE FEATs (quad core, usb3, bluray?)....that's why I think this is the worst time in the last 3 years to buy an iMac....if you can wait, wait....
 
gianly1985 said:
It's the WORST time in the last 3 years to buy an iMac as far as I'm concerned.

Why? Because mobile i7 CPUs ("Clarkson" I think) are coming....think about Grand Central Dispatch.....I think we will se Quad-Core i7 powered iMac in january 2010...it's a giant leap.....if you think about it, my Merom 2,0ghz cpu of 2006 has got 64bit and dual core and it's not that different from today's Penryn cpus...ok, less power, but I still got the "feats" (dual core and 64bit)...

But if you buy an iMac today, you risk to loose a BIG FEAT (quad core)....that's why I think this is the worst time in the last 3 years to buy an iMac....if you can wait, wait....
Click to expand...

No quad-core before 2011. Apple will likely use Arrandales which are faster (?) and a lot cheaper than mobile Nehalems. We don't know when the update will be. Arrandales will be available early '10 but when? Update can be on early Jan or late March, nobody knows
 
If you need an iMac now get it. If you can wait, wait. It is really up to you, but I would not count on any major updates. Their won't be quad-core iMacs or Blu-Ray anytime soon. You might seen USB3 next year, but I wouldn't count on it, and FW800 will probably be faster (just like FW400 is faster than USB2 despite the 'numbers').
Your using a fairly old computer, and it wouldn't be a bad time to upgrade unless your need the absolute fastest computer made. Their might be a redesign in January, but it won't be anything major (slightly faster CPU's and maybe an SD slot in the keyboard?).
 
Hellhammer said:
No quad-core before 2011. Apple will likely use Arrandales which are faster (?) and a lot cheaper than mobile Nehalems. We don't know when the update will be. Arrandales will be available early '10 but when? Update can be on early Jan or late March, nobody knows
Click to expand...

Are you 100% sure? Why not CLARKSFIELD mobile i5 quad core processors? Will they be THAT expensive? :(

http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarksfield

They are expected for the second half of 2009...good timing for a january iMac refresh....
 
gianly1985 said:
Are you 100% sure? Why not CLARKSFIELD mobile i5 quad core processors? Will they be THAT expensive? :(

http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarksfield

They are expected for the second half of 2009...good timing for a january iMac refresh....
Click to expand...

Low-end Clarksfield (1.6GHz) costs 364$ and will be available on Q3 '09. It's possible that Apple will use Clarksfields in MBPs, if they get an update before 2010. Arrandales are coming in 2010 as I said and they'll be in same price range as current Penryns are (200-600$). Apple should use high-end Clarksfield in iMac to get same performance as Arrandales and high-end Clarksfield costs over 1000$ which is way too expensive.

Arrandales are faster and better than Clarksfields, IMO
 
gianly1985 said:
I see...my dreams of a quad-core iMac next year are fading away....
Click to expand...

Arrandales are faster than any mobile quad-core. Arrandales are made by using 32nm process which will make them a lot faster than any mobile processor before. Clock speed and number of cores aren't everything!
 
Hellhammer said:
Arrandales are faster than any mobile quad-core. Arrandales are made by using 32nm process which will make them a lot faster than any mobile processor before. Clock speed and number of cores aren't everything!
Click to expand...

Clock speed ---> OK

Number of Cores ----> don't know....if the software is optimized (---> Grand Central Dispatch) I think that to double the cores is a great advantage.....maybe for "brute power" in non optimized stuff you are right, but for everyday multitasking activity...I don't know....I hope you are right and those Arrendales will be great cpus for macs.....
 
Thank you all!!

I am quite consufed with the processor type names, etc. :confused: I mean; nowdays... the iMac are built with two processors with two cores each with 64bits? Am I right? So; what is the next step in this matter? Aside; some of you talk about mobile processor? Is Apple thinking in installing those kinds of chips in iMacs?? :eek::eek::confused::confused:

I really don't need the best machine ever; but I want a long life computer. When I bought the PowerBook in a few months there were the MPB in the markets and that was quite a hit to me... :( I don't want the same thing happen again.

And I don't need it right now either; in fact; I could live without a computer? Or, could I? :D But I have been with the PB for a while and there are some apps; that may not crucial; but I can not upgrade because of the OS (Money; 1Password or CandyBar for instance).

The whole so fast progress in the hardware sucks! :p :p
 
luke23 said:
Thank you all!!

I am quite consufed with the processor type names, etc. :confused: I mean; nowdays... the iMac are built with two processors with two cores each with 64bits? Am I right? So; what is the next step in this matter? Aside; some of you talk about mobile processor? Is Apple thinking in installing those kinds of chips in iMacs?? :eek::eek::confused::confused:

I really don't need the best machine ever; but I want a long life computer. When I bought the PowerBook in a few months there were the MPB in the markets and that was quite a hit to me... :( I don't want the same thing happen again.

And I don't need it right now either; in fact; I could live without a computer? Or, could I? :D But I have been with the PB for a while and there are some apps; that may not crucial; but I can not upgrade because of the OS (Money; 1Password or CandyBar for instance).

The whole so fast progress in the hardware sucks! :p :p
Click to expand...

iMacs have one processor with two processor cores intergraded to single circuit die. All Core 2 Duo processors are 64-bit. Apple will likely use Arrandales in next update, because they're manufactured using 32m method instead of 45nm which will provide a lot more power for lower power consumption and clock speed.

Buy now if you don't need ultimatehighendsuperdyperiMacwithbestCPUandGPUever.
 
I highly doubt the iMac is getting a cosmetic redesign anytime soon. Sure over the years it may become thinner, but thats pretty much it. I'd say this basic design is staying until at least 2013. However Apple may update graphics, processors, and maybe a higher res screen (resulting in higher ppi :)).
 
Hellhammer said:
iMacs have one processor with two processor cores intergraded to single circuit die. All Core 2 Duo processors are 64-bit. Apple will likely use Arrandales in next update, because they're manufactured using 32m method instead of 45nm which will provide a lot more power for lower power consumption and clock speed.

Buy now if you don't need ultimatehighendsuperdyperiMacwithbestCPUandGPUever.
Click to expand...
Uhm; now again the clock speed thing. How much this upgrade can be? I mean; there is real difference now when you jum from 2,9 to 3,1 GHz?? Lower compsumption is OK for environment and laptops ;) but is a real goodie in the iMac? Which are the other goodies in using 32nm?????

I know is difficult to tell; but I would resume my concerns of buying like that: "I would like to a buy an iMac that could gently run the next OS to SL".
Maserati7200 said:
I highly doubt the iMac is getting a cosmetic redesign anytime soon. Sure over the years it may become thinner, but thats pretty much it. I'd say this basic design is staying until at least 2013. However Apple may update graphics, processors, and maybe a higher res screen (resulting in higher ppi ).
Click to expand...
I really would consider to wait if a new screen update would be quite fairly to happen close in time... :rolleyes:
 
luke23 said:
Uhm; now again the clock speed thing. How much this upgrade can be? I mean; there is real difference now when you jum from 2,9 to 3,1 GHz?? Lower compsumption is OK for environment and laptops ;) but is a real goodie in the iMac? Which are the other goodies in using 32nm?????

I know is difficult to tell; but I would resume my concerns of buying like that: "I would like to a buy an iMac that could gently run the next OS to SL".

I really would consider to wait if a new screen update would be quite fairly to happen close in time... :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Clock speeds will be little less than current Penryns are at the beginning, I guess. Benefit from 32nm is that it'll provide more speed for lower clock speed so 2GHz 32nm can be faster than 2.8GHz 45nm. Also because 32nm uses less power, it can work on higher clock speeds without overheating.

@Maserati7200: Find me a higher resolution 24" screen... Simply, it doesn't exist and everything would be so small
 
luke23 said:
Thank you all!!

When I bought the PowerBook in a few months there were the MPB in the markets and that was quite a hit to me... :( I don't want the same thing happen again.

The whole so fast progress in the hardware sucks! :p :p
Click to expand...

That transition that u are talking about between PowerBook and MacBook Pro was a really big one since Apple changed over to Intel from the PPC.
 
any pc you buy now will get a free upgrade to windows 7 when it comes out in october.

that way you won't have to worry about the next imac version coming out the day after you buy an imac

just saying (currently running win 7 rc perfectly on "value" hardware),
-Tyler
 
^ there's a limit to just how much resolution you need on a screen at a certain size. Could it go bigger? Yes, but I'm not that pleased with how 1080p content looks on my 24". It honestly looks better on my HDTV than it does my computer screen.
 
Hellhammer said:
Arrandales are faster than any mobile quad-core. Arrandales are made by using 32nm process which will make them a lot faster than any mobile processor before. Clock speed and number of cores aren't everything!
Click to expand...

Just what I'm waiting for myself, that and an LED backlit panel upgrade.

If you can hold off, I say - wait for the 2010 iMac. ;)
 
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