Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Nicole1980

Suspended
Mar 19, 2010
696
1,551
Congrats! I’ll admit I’m a little jealous and wish mine was coming in next week; right now, it says Jan 28-Feb 4. It won’t be here for the first week or two of the semester, but at least it’s on the way. I don’t know what’s involved in upgrading the memory, but apparently it takes an extra three weeks to do it. I’m going to set mine up next to an ultrawide 28” monitor.
Wait, are you saying you ordered a 27-inch iMac and are paying Apple to preconfigure it with more ram?!?
 

Porterhouse

macrumors 6502
Aug 13, 2011
381
179
USA
No, I was tired when I wrote that. I’m updating the RAM myself; I meant the storage. The RAM is on the way (and will be here well before the computer itself.)
 

Sheza

macrumors 68020
Aug 14, 2010
2,091
1,807
Where did I state that I got a 512 GB RAM model?
right here buddy
A3FC1175-518D-4B75-96E5-F88EC02094F3.jpeg
 

Porterhouse

macrumors 6502
Aug 13, 2011
381
179
USA
Update, just got a message announcing delivery for tomorrow. Damn, haven't got my RAM memory yet....

Wow! Congrats on the speedy delivery; surely the RAM will be there soon. According to Apple, I’m still a minimum of 13 days out—so jealous!

It’s still at least a week from my first estimate. It’s probably too much to hope that the date shoots ahead again, right? ?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mastropiero

Mastropiero

macrumors member
May 26, 2016
70
8
Both arrived today, iMac and RAM. I just need to wait for theladiew to leave the premises and I will get down to it.

Nothing wrong with tearing apart a Mac Pro 1,1 with a 4 years old little lady handing me the tools and loosing my tiny allen wrenches inside the computer, but I'd rather be alone when drilling the wall for the mount and replace the RAM.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Porterhouse

Porterhouse

macrumors 6502
Aug 13, 2011
381
179
USA
Apple texted me yesterday to say to expect a delivery date of Monday, Jan 25, which is three days earlier than the start of the Jan 28-Feb 4 window I’ve been given.

This morning, the FedEx website says by noon on Friday, Jan 22. My iMac landed in Memphis (three whole hours away) this morning from Shanghai, but I’m guessing from earlier posts that it will need to be cleared by customs and so on. Friday would be great, though I’d love to get it earlier; RAM should be here tomorrow.
 

Porterhouse

macrumors 6502
Aug 13, 2011
381
179
USA
Apple texted me yesterday to say to expect a delivery date of Monday, Jan 25, which is three days earlier than the start of the Jan 28-Feb 4 window I’ve been given.

This morning, the FedEx website says by noon on Friday, Jan 22. My iMac landed in Memphis (three whole hours away) this morning from Shanghai, but I’m guessing from earlier posts that it will need to be cleared by customs and so on. Friday would be great, though I’d love to get it earlier; RAM should be here tomorrow.

An unexpected update--I got a text yesterday morning (Tuesday, Jan. 19) stating that my iMac would arrive by noon, and it got here just as I stepped into the shower at 10 a.m. I had someone here ready to sign for it just in case, but that wasn't necessary. Maybe it's a COVID protocol?

I added 64 gb of RAM without too much of a problem, though I did worry about putting the screen facedown, and now it's up and running. This is amazing! I was afraid I was going to regret purchasing it with all the news about the new designs, etc, coming out, but I don't think that will be a problem. This is my first iMac, and it's quite a step up from my 2017 13 MBP dual core with 8GB of RAM and 251GB of storage. I probably don't need 8 cores or several of the other jumps that I made, but this computer is going to last!

Thanks to everyone for your help!
 

Nicole1980

Suspended
Mar 19, 2010
696
1,551
An unexpected update--I got a text yesterday morning (Tuesday, Jan. 19) stating that my iMac would arrive by noon, and it got here just as I stepped into the shower at 10 a.m. I had someone here ready to sign for it just in case, but that wasn't necessary. Maybe it's a COVID protocol?

I added 64 gb of RAM without too much of a problem, though I did worry about putting the screen facedown, and now it's up and running. This is amazing! I was afraid I was going to regret purchasing it with all the news about the new designs, etc, coming out, but I don't think that will be a problem. This is my first iMac, and it's quite a step up from my 2017 13 MBP dual core with 8GB of RAM and 251GB of storage. I probably don't need 8 cores or several of the other jumps that I made, but this computer is going to last!

Thanks to everyone for your help!
I think the 2019 and 2020 iterations of the iMac are the last great intel macs. I'm going to keep mine for a very long time
 

sir grotius

macrumors member
Jul 21, 2020
58
21
Bucks County, PA
I've been extremely happy with my maxed-out 2020 iMac. I hear you thought that the new M chips seem attractive, however, I still use Bootcamp and am somewhat unclear on how the apple processors are handling or not Windows-based sw.

There are a lot of rumors circling around, but there is one that there will be an intel-based iMac Pro reference next year, IIRC, along with an ARM-based machine, but that does not make a hundred percent sense to me.
 

qs933

macrumors member
Dec 27, 2015
40
21
My original plan was to hold out for the M-chip iMac or move to an M1 Mac mini. However, went ahead with picking up a 2020 iMac 27" 8/512GB (stock config) from Costco on sale (not quite as low as their November sale, but close enough).

My Late-2015 17,1 iMac is running OK now, but given the ongoing firmware issue (see the other thread about 17,1, SSDs, and blocked updates), it just edging out of extended warranty coverage, and given that it was down for over 4 weeks for the last logic board repair (the last under the extended warranty coverage), I felt it was worth moving forward with replacement.

It feels odd buying a "new" computer and having it look exactly the same as the previous one. But I know there are improvements under the hood that will be welcome (better FaceTime camera, USB-C, Bluetooth 5, etc.) even if they aren't readily apparent. Upgradable RAM is also something that I don't expect to see on the next iMac. And having this new machine covered effectively for 5 years under a warranty (AppleCare plus 2 additional years by Citi) is reassuring.

The M1 mini was tempting, but after researching monitors, I realized how much I liked the iMac's 5K display and how simple it was since all just worked. The only other 5K display I found was the LG at $1,300. I thought about getting a 4K 27" Dell Ultrasharp, but read about why 27" 4K displays are not necessarily ideal.

I'm sure my next Mac will be an M-something, but I'm confident that my "mature" Intel-based machine will keep me satisfied for another several years.

Edited to add: I was a bit surprised that my 20,1 iMac came pre-loaded with Catalina (Costco reportedly just got these, but maybe old stock?), so getting it up and running is taking longer than I thought.
 
Last edited:

Sheza

macrumors 68020
Aug 14, 2010
2,091
1,807
Incorrect.

I did not state here that I got a 512 GB RAM model.
Would you like to elaborate, because you're being annoyingly coy. You very clearly stated that you spec'd the model 'with 512GB of RAM'. It's there in black and white.

When are you going to admit you made a mistake and meant to say 512GB SSD?
 

pshufd

macrumors G4
Oct 24, 2013
10,145
14,572
New Hampshire
Would you like to elaborate, because you're being annoyingly coy. You very clearly stated that you spec'd the model 'with 512GB of RAM'. It's there in black and white.

When are you going to admit you made a mistake and meant to say 512GB SSD?

When are you going to admit that you made a mistake in saying that I got one with 512 GB of RAM?
 

johnnyindia

macrumors member
Jun 4, 2010
97
0
Hi everyone.

I bought an M1 Macbook Air as the specs for audio production were phenomenal...unfortunately, the hardware I use (Lynx Aurora(n) Thunderbolt) is not currently compatible with Silicon, so I have to return the M1 Air for now and get an intel based system...it seems the 27" iMac is still a good investment and being that I can upgrade the RAM with aftermarket, should be fine for my audio production needs until everything is compatible with silicon. Might not be a bad idea to have a backup system anyway, or I could alwasy sell/trade in the intel iMac later in the year when the next iteration of silicon Macbook Pros come out, which would probably be even superior to the MBAir for production..

What specs are worth getting on an intel iMac for audio prouction? I'll get apple to have the minimum RAM, as I'll install aftermarket...assuming its worth upgrading the internal SSD to 1TB, or can I also install an after market SSD?

Should I go for the most powerful processor?

And lastly, is there a better suggestion for a temporary system that I can sell/trade in and not lose much $ while I wait for all my hardware and software to become silicon compatible? Open to any suggestions!
 

pshufd

macrumors G4
Oct 24, 2013
10,145
14,572
New Hampshire
Hi everyone.

I bought an M1 Macbook Air as the specs for audio production were phenomenal...unfortunately, the hardware I use (Lynx Aurora(n) Thunderbolt) is not currently compatible with Silicon, so I have to return the M1 Air for now and get an intel based system...it seems the 27" iMac is still a good investment and being that I can upgrade the RAM with aftermarket, should be fine for my audio production needs until everything is compatible with silicon. Might not be a bad idea to have a backup system anyway, or I could alwasy sell/trade in the intel iMac later in the year when the next iteration of silicon Macbook Pros come out, which would probably be even superior to the MBAir for production..

What specs are worth getting on an intel iMac for audio prouction? I'll get apple to have the minimum RAM, as I'll install aftermarket...assuming its worth upgrading the internal SSD to 1TB, or can I also install an after market SSD?

Should I go for the most powerful processor?

And lastly, is there a better suggestion for a temporary system that I can sell/trade in and not lose much $ while I wait for all my hardware and software to become silicon compatible? Open to any suggestions!

I look at the used iMac market regularly and have an iMac 27 myself and my recommendation is to go with a strong CPU as this will give you the best resale value and better upside headroom for your work. At the moment, I think that the i7-10700K represents the best value in terms of resale and the ability to get it in a reasonable time from your local store.
 

johnnyindia

macrumors member
Jun 4, 2010
97
0
I look at the used iMac market regularly and have an iMac 27 myself and my recommendation is to go with a strong CPU as this will give you the best resale value and better upside headroom for your work. At the moment, I think that the i7-10700K represents the best value in terms of resale and the ability to get it in a reasonable time from your local store.
Thank you - as far as the upgrades avail on that model, 1 TB SSD from Mac, any other upgrades worth doing? Will add aftermarket RAM.

Seems the standard processor is 3.8ghz 8 core is fine and no need for the 10 core 3.6

What about graphics card? Any difference for audio or is this mainly a concern for gaming/video/photo?
 
Last edited:

pshufd

macrumors G4
Oct 24, 2013
10,145
14,572
New Hampshire
Thank you - as far as the upgrades avail on that model, 1 TB SSD from Mac, any other upgrades worth doing? Will add aftermarket RAM.

Seems the standard processor is 3.8ghz 8 core is fine and no need for the 10 core 3.6

What about graphics card? Any difference for audio or is this mainly a concern for gaming/video/photo?

The 10 GB option may be helpful in the future but you'd have to wait three weeks for it. I do not think that the 10 core is a resale advantage. I'm not an expert in GPUs.
 

johnnyindia

macrumors member
Jun 4, 2010
97
0
Main concern with Graphics card would be related to fan noise. I want to make sure the computer is silent when I'm recording, so does an upgraded graphics card = less or more potential for fan noise?
 

wilberforce

macrumors 68030
Aug 15, 2020
2,930
3,207
SF Bay Area
Would you like to elaborate, because you're being annoyingly coy. You very clearly stated that you spec'd the model 'with 512GB of RAM'. It's there in black and white.

When are you going to admit you made a mistake and meant to say 512GB SSD?
The coyness is simply based on the fact that "spec'd" is not the same as "got."

Like the "not my dog" scene in the Pink Panther movie.

 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.