Is it really worth the wait?

[elephantinc]

Back on topic:
I'd say you are being quite selfish, it probably is worth waiting (not as if it costs anything to wait and you have a computer that works in the mean time). Your dad is the one paying, he should be the one to decide, not you or a random person on the internet (e.g. me)
If you wait, you can probably get the same spec machine for a bit cheaper (£100/$100ish) and it will most likely have a better GPU.

 

[Nishi100]

Why don't we stop fighting like compete immature children? And get back on topic:

Yes, it is a good idea to wait as the iMac could be updated anytime from now to September (only a few months) ; however, it will only get an updated GPU and dual core "i" series for the 21.5 inch.

If you can wait : in / around May 2010 the iMac will get Sandy bridge - SB may have USB 3.0 integrated; therefore, apple will be "forced" to use it.

The 2011 iMac may have intergrated blu-ray and TV tuner and others:esata, expeesscard slot etc*

* unlikely

 

[hcho3]

We expect new update on imac by no later than October. If you think you can wait until then, wait. If not, then well... get it now. I don't think there will be huge update on specs, but there might be some significant price drop like 200-300 dollars.

 

[Nishi100]

hcho3 We expect new update on imac by no later than October. If you think you can wait until then, wait. If not, then well... get it now. I don't think there will be huge update on specs, but there might be some significant price drop like 200-300 dollars.

A price drop? No, the new iMac's will get the Dual core "i" series, for the 21.5 inch, and an updated GPU. Do you expect the price to go down? Well it won't; look at the Mac Mini - just and updated GPU and a slight redesign with HDMI and an increase of $100.

I would expect the 27 inch to stay the same - as they will only get a new GPU; however, the 21.5 may go up a bit, due to the better graphics and new GPU.

The next dramatic increase in price for the 27 inch will be when Sandy Bridge gets put in the iMac.

The 21.5 may stick with the i3/i5/i7 in the update after next, because of heat, but we don't know the full specs of Sandy Bridge.

 

[dexthageek]

More RAM slots would be nice.

The key problem with iMacs that their RAM maximum outdates them quickly.

16 Gb seems quite good for now. But only if you invest a lot into the 4Gb modules that are quite expensive.

Which puts the iMac at a 2-year renewal cycle.

Too short for such an expensive computer.

Just don't buy your RAM from apple.

You can get 16GB from OWC for less then Apple charges for 8GB.

 

[TMRaven]

The clarkdales that hover in the 3ghz mark are actually cheaper than the current core2duos in the iMacs. The clarkdale variants that hover in the 3.6ghz range are more expensive than the lynnfields that are in the high end iMacs.

I think apple upped the price of the mini because of its new unibody aluminum enclosure to be honest. They updated the baseline macbook pro in the same manner, but didn't change its price.

With that said, I think we'll see the same price points for all of the computers.

 

[dexthageek]

thanks so much guys : ) tomorrow, will post specs of the computer i bought : )
expect the words i7 2.88 or 16gb ram : )

Don't pay apple for your ram. You can get it ALOT cheaper ordering it yourself.

 

[Hellhammer]

Why should it be impossible to have an iMac with more than four slots. The Mac Pro has it. What's so bad about the idea to give the iMac more workstation power?

iMac ≠ Mac Pro

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

P55 CANNOT HAVE MORE THAN TWO CHANNELS!!!!
i5 and i7 8xx mainboards can only have 4 slots at MAXIMUM!!! The memory controller in the i5 and i7 are DUAL CHANNEL ONLY: means 4 Slots at maximum. X58 has tripple channel, but there are no i7 920 in macs and they run way to hot for that (and expensive together with x58 mainboard)

P55 does support more than four RAM slots but doesn't support more than 16GB of RAM

 

[acrahm]

A price drop? No, the new iMac's will get the Dual core "i" series, for the 21.5 inch, and an updated GPU. Do you expect the price to go down? Well it won't; look at the Mac Mini - just and updated GPU and a slight redesign with HDMI and an increase of $100.

I would expect the 27 inch to stay the same - as they will only get a new GPU; however, the 21.5 may go up a bit, due to the better graphics and new GPU.

The next dramatic increase in price for the 27 inch will be when Sandy Bridge gets put in the iMac.

The 21.5 may stick with the i3/i5/i7 in the update after next, because of heat, but we don't know the full specs of Sandy Bridge.

so if i am deciding between an refurbed i5 27' now or an updated 21' with similar specs, the better deal would be the 27'?

the display isnt a huge deal to me, but if an updated 21' with similar specs is gonna cost $1500, then i might as well just buy the refurbed 27' for $1700...

 

[Nishi100]

so if i am deciding between an refurbed i5 27' now or an updated 21' with similar specs, the better deal would be the 27'?

the display isnt a huge deal to me, but if an updated 21' with similar specs is gonna cost $1500, then i might as well just buy the refurbed 27' for $1700...

The "September" update of the 21.5 will be dual core i5's / i7's; the 27 inch has quad core, think of it like this.

September 21.5 inch : 2.8 dual core i5
2.8 + 2.8 = 5.6

This generation 27 inch : 2.8 quad core
2.8 + 2.8 + 2.8 + 2.8 = 11.2

Obviously only a few apps can use all four cores; however, when you are running a non-multithreaded app then turbo boost can use three cores, instead of just the extra one in the 21.5.

If gaming is big for you: wait for the September and buy a quad with good graphics (more expensive)

OR

Buy this refurb 27 inch which can handle games quite well.

A few facts:

Quad core is new and Dual cores (including the "new" dual "i" series)
27 inch for an extra $300
The issues may have been fixed for the September update
Gaming is a big deal to me - maybe not be for you - if it is wait for the September update.


It's up to you but go for the quad and 27 inch

the display isnt a huge deal to me, but if an updated 21' with similar specs is gonna cost $1500, then i might as well just buy the refurbed 27' for $1700...

*Quote above* not only a 27 inch for $1700 - A quad core

 

[iamthedudeman]

thanks so much guys : ) tomorrow, will post specs of the computer i bought : )
expect the words i7 2.88 or 16gb ram : )

You mean your dad bought.

 

[iamthedudeman]

Hi everyone,
my dad is currently waiting to buy our new 27" imac. He told me that he will buy the mac (all in one) when there is a refresh. Is there going to be something THAT signifigant going to be updated in the next "refresh" or is my Dad just wasting time to get the mac. I was just curious what might be added new, and is the wait worth it? The buyers guide says "updates soon". Thanks a lot

The best times to buy a imac are at the beginning of a refresh and at the end. At the beginning speaks for itself but at the end the refurbs become plentiful such as a 27 C2D for $1450 which is a great deal or a i5 27 for 1699 which is also a great deal. You have to remember the monitor costs between $900 to $1000 by itself so a 27 C2D you are getting the computer part for about $450 and on the i5 for $700.

Not a bad deal.

 

[acrahm]

The "September" update of the 21.5 will be dual core i5's / i7's; the 27 inch has quad core, think of it like this.

September 21.5 inch : 2.8 dual core i5
2.8 + 2.8 = 5.6

This generation 27 inch : 2.8 quad core
2.8 + 2.8 + 2.8 + 2.8 = 11.2

Obviously only a few apps can use all four cores; however, when you are running a non-multithreaded app then turbo boost can use three cores, instead of just the extra one in the 21.5.

If gaming is big for you: wait for the September and buy a quad with good graphics (more expensive)

OR

Buy this refurb 27 inch which can handle games quite well.

A few facts:

Quad core is new and Dual cores (including the "new" dual "i" series)
27 inch for an extra $300
The issues may have been fixed for the September update
Gaming is a big deal to me - maybe not be for you - if it is wait for the September update.


It's up to you but go for the quad and 27 inch




*Quote above* not only a 27 inch for $1700 - A quad core

thanks for some great advice!!

i am not big into gaming, its going to be used for photo editing an video making...

 

[Nishi100]

thanks for some great advice!!

i am not big into gaming, its going to be used for photo editing an video making...

An updated graphics card won't increase photo or video rendering that much; it's more of a test of the CPU.

For example a quad core i7 with a ATI 4850 will render faster than a dual core i7 with an ATI 5870.

A good example of this is Sandy Bridge which can render a game on full setings at the same rate as a high end GPU.

 

[HvyMtlPlyr]

Just a thought here. I just bought a 27" i5 from the Apple store (first Mac and lovin it) and got a discount on the price, 8GB iPod touch with 100% rebate, wireless photo printer with 100% rebate and 33% off AppleCare. Ended up giving the iPod to my daughter, but you can always sell on eBay. At the end of the day that would add up to a nice discount on a new iMac.

 

[Hexero]

If you need it now, buy it now! If you can wait, then wait.

 

[SayWord]

Honestly the only real thing holding me back are these threads/posts of bad monitors. I get that it's not every imac that is like that, but it's still a possibility. I sort of really want that free itouch too...but I'm not sure if I should just wait a little longer to see if there's a better update.

Would you say that even if there was a minor update (i.e a better GPU) that would be better than purchasing the i7 now with a free itouch? Or would you say waiting would be better?

I have no problem waiting...but honestly the only thing that's sparking my interest intensively is the itouch.