iMac vs iMac Pro

[dhaymil]

Going back and forth between the two - I use some 32-bit apps (3D rendering) that I run under Wine that keep me on High Sierra (though I will probably switch to Parallels when needed) as well as all the Adobe Creative Suite apps (PS, LR, AE, etc) plus Cinema 4D and a few other graphics/animation programs. So a real mix of software that has very different processing power needs. Trying to decide if stepping up to an iMac Pro would be worth it and/or needed. I don't make much money from my work but I am retired and have funds available to get the right system for the work I do, which would require 32 - 64 GB RAM, 10 cores (maybe?), and no more than 2 TB internal storage, since I have external NAS RAIDS available for backup and two OWC Thunderbays for online storage. I doubt there is a simple answer here, but curious what people's thoughts might be. Thanks for any info.

 

[Phil77354]

A regular iMac spec'd as you state could easily be a $4000 machine, but cannot be ordered with more than 8 cores, and would be at or close to maximum capacity for RAM. My impression is that the iMac might barely satisfy your needs but you would be at the limits of what is available for that computer (as presently offered).

A similarly spec'd iMac Pro would probably be $2000 more but would give you options for much more powerful processors, more powerful graphics, etc. You could buy it with the minimum RAM (32 GB) and upgrade the RAM yourself for much less cost, to however much you might want.

Why not also consider a Mac Pro? The iMac Pro pricing would be similar to the entry-level Pro, which you could order with the least expensive processor, still 8 cores, and have tremendous flexibility for upgrades over time. Ultimately you could have a much more powerful machine, much less subject to obsolescence over as many years as you are likely to be using it. You would have the cost of monitors, but depending on what you are doing, lots of choices are available.

 

[0128672]

The Apple Refurb Store sometimes has iMac Pros and Mac Pros (and iMacs of course) in higher than base configs for decent savings. The refurbs are like new and come with a one year guaranty and ability to buy Applecare. For fun take a look at the current Mac Pro refurb stock (https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/mac/mac-pro) that starts at $12,659 (!!). If refurbs interest you, check back there often, and if you see a config you'd like, grab it.

 

[Phil77354]

The Apple Refurb Store sometimes has iMac Pros and Mac Pros (and iMacs of course) in higher than base configs for decent savings. The refurbs are like new and come with a one year guaranty and ability to buy Applecare. For fun take a look at the current Mac Pro refurb stock (https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/mac/mac-pro) that starts at $12,659 (!!). If refurbs interest you, check back there often, and if you see a config you'd like, grab it.

That is a great suggestion. No iMac's there at the present time, but as you say, keep checking.

 

[dhaymil]

Thanks for the replies - much appreciated. Considered a Pro, but several comments around here seemed to imply that a high end iMac Pro was a better a value. I'll look at the refurbs and see if there's anything of interest there, and a guy I bought a 2010 MacPro a few years back (still going strong) also sells reconditioned Pros... (ibuildmacs). Thanks again for the advice. In the meantime, my 2014 iMac keeps overheating and occasionally shuts itself off, so I've got to deal with that at the moment ;-)