Keep 2021 iMac or wait for 2022?

[mollyc]

If you return your existing computer and wait until the "someday" that the next model will be available, what will you use in the meantime? There is value in having a computer that meets your needs right now.

 

[Realityck]

Hello, I don’t know much about computers. It was an uneducated comment made because I just assumed older computer = shorter lifespan. I am just concerned and wondering if I should wait for the 2022 iMac because I want to be able to use photoshop without issues (lagging).

Computer decisions should always be based about what software you use to do your work, and does it run it at acceptable speeds.

 

[aevan]

This is what I was thinking about! I am happy with a 24” monitor vs 27” but I was concerned about hardware. I didn’t want to buy “old” tech (I know it’s not old) if I can buy new tech in just a few months.

The 24" iMac won't be "old" in a while. The 27" will be better in several regards, but also much more expensive.

If you're happy with your 24", I say keep it - it's just a beautiful, great computer. It will work great for years to come.

 

[astrorider]

Bluetooth mice are susceptible to interference which can cause lag/disconnects. Bluetooth mice also seem less responsive than wireless mice from logitech that use their own USB adapter for the wireless connection. A new iMac will likely also ship with the Magic Mouse, so you'll probably have the same lagginess. An inexpensive mouse upgrade may be all you need. Or you can try troubleshooting the bluetooth mouse you have: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201542

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Bluetooth mice are susceptible to interference which can cause lag/disconnects. Bluetooth mice also seem less responsive than wireless mice from logitech that use their own USB adapter for the wireless connection. A new iMac will likely also ship with the Magic Mouse, so you'll probably have the same lagginess. An inexpensive mouse upgrade may be all you need. Or you can try troubleshooting the bluetooth mouse you have: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201542

Problem is it shouldn’t be this way. Apple has been making these products for literally 10+yrs…

 

[k15hen]

thanks for the great post.

 

[ebesp]

Thank you, everyone, for all of your help and input. I greatly appreciate it. I have no idea what to decide, but I have less than an hour at this point to return it.

 

[ebesp]

I guess I’m the official owner of a 2021 iMac now. Too late to return ?

 

[russell_314]

I know, you are right about that. I haven’t really used this one much, probably less than an hour total. I can’t get used to the mouse, it’s so wobbly. But I was just thinking that if waiting two months results in a faster computer that ultimately lasts longer so that I don’t have to upgrade sooner down the line, that it would be worth waiting…

The mouse shouldn’t lag or be wobbly. Something is either wrong with your mouse or Mac. You can get an inexpensive USB-A to USB-C adapter or a Bluetooth mouse. Any mouse will work with a Mac. I have a Logitech G703 but get a mouse that you like.

Of course if you buy a computer a year later then that means it’ll last a year longer but that means you don’t have a computer for a year. You could wait 10 years and then your new computer will last 10 years longer. I wouldn’t even worry about that.

 

[russell_314]

I guess I’m the official owner of a 2021 iMac now. Too late to return ?

I love mine. No issues but I don’t do anything heavy with it like photo editing but I don’t see why it wouldn’t be capable of that.

 

[Zdigital2015]

Right now, I am still trying to get used to the mouse. I find it so difficult to use. It is not very responsive. It lags and the best way I can describe it is walking with rubbery legs.

Go to System Preferences—>Mouse and set the mouse tracking slider to a faster value. That should take care of it. Apple always sets the value to slower than molasses.

 

[Phil77354]

I guess I’m the official owner of a 2021 iMac now. Too late to return ?

Advice to a newcomer to MacRumors:

1. There is a direct relationship between the amount of time spent on MacRumors, and the likelihood that you will decide that you need:
a. More RAM, or
b. More stuff, or
c. A newer computer altogether

2. Associated with (1) above, caution is advised with respect to use of Activity Monitor, since it is a well known phenomenon that excessive use of Activity Monitor will lead to increased memory pressure anxiety
a. If you are unfamiliar with Activity Monitor, then disregard this point and take care to avoid all discussions involving Activity Monitor here on MacRumors

3. Most importantly, a new iMac is a great computer and will give you satisfaction and good service for many many years

Welcome to the world of Mac computers and to MacRumors!

 

[themacobserver]

Hello!

I am new to the world of Apple. I bought an iMac in late December because I am also new to photography and was told Apple is the best computer for photo editing and running photoshop. I didn’t realize at the time of purchase that a new iMac is coming soon. I was wondering if it would be best to return my current iMac and wait for the new one? I don’t want to upgrade or get a new computer again for another 7-8 years, if possible, and if the new iMac has a better system, I’d prefer that as photoshop is constantly upgrading and requiring heavier ram to run it.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Hi, I am using Capture One 21 (for RAW photo editing) on an M1 iMac 24" (8-core GPU, 16GB memory, 1TB SSD, Magic Trackpad) and I personally find the performace rather disappointing. I don't think that the issue lies with the iMac itself though, but rather with Capture One's Apple Silicon optimization. Don't get me wrong, it is not bad, but it is also not the magical leap in performance that I was expecting when switching from a 7th-gen Intel i7 Windows laptop with 64 GB memory and a dedicated nVidia Quadro GPU. I'd say that if you are just beginning with photography and work mostly with JPG files, then the iMac will serve you well. But if you need really good performance and are planning to work with large[r] RAW files, then wait for the bigger iMac [Pro]. Just keep in mind that it will also cost considerably more than your current M1 iMac 24" did. I hope this helps you decide whether to return your iMac or not.

In case you or others are wondering if I am the only one who experiences performance issues with my new iMac, please take a look at this thread: https://support.captureone.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/4404171047569-Performance-in-iMac-24-M1

 

[SalisburySam]

I guess I’m the official owner of a 2021 iMac now. Too late to return ?

Sometimes decision-by-indecision has a good result. You are now the proud owner of a powerful M1 desktop computer that would suffice for most users needs for a very long time. Pour a martini and enjoy both. And congratulations.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

I doubt that you'll still be using the 2020 iMac 8 years from now.
Within 5 years, perhaps even sooner -- you'll see something new that you want/need.
That's the way it goes...

 

[colodane]

As Fishrrman points out, 5 years is a more realistic "lifespan" for an iMac than the 7 or 8 years you were expecting.

The good news is that you have the 16 GB 24 inch model. I suggest keeping it. It will provide a great learning platform for your new ventures into Apple OS and photography.

Who knows, you may not end up enjoying either Apple or photo editing. Just be open to the new experience with what you have for a couple years and then decide what, if anything, to do next.

 

[SalisburySam]

I suppose I’m trying to make up for my lack of skills and thinking a better computer would help.

Yeah, I understand and empathize. But some other words of the wisdom of the ages I’ve seen across the Internet over the last few decades:

1- a Stradivarius will not by itself make you a better violinist/violist/cellist, though you may sound better.
2- a Bosendorfer will not by itself make you a better pianist, though you may enjoy the extra keys.
3- A Hasselblad camera by itself will not make you a better photographer, though it was the first camera on the moon.
4- A Yoshikazu knife by itself will not make you a better chef, though it will give you pride of ownership.
5- A Bugatti Chiron by itself will not make you a better driver, though it will turns heads at the local Dollar Store.

…and this list could continue but you get the point. I’m not a very good photographer despite taking several classes and thousands of photos, and I have some rudimentary editing skills. Neither a Nikon Z9, nor Photoshop, nor the latest and greatest computer nor all three will get me much beyond mediocre in photography so if my goal is to be a professional photographer, I’m only going to get the most marginal improvement by upgrading tools beyond decent consumer-grade products…and I need different goals. Fortunately, I learned this early enough to pursue other career paths.

So, get the Strad, the Bosie, the Hasselblad, the Yoshikazu, and the Chiron etc. after (1) you’ve mastered your craft and can (2) appreciate the massive but usually subtle (except for the Chiron…nothing subtle there), differences in the hands of said master, and (3) can afford it.

Or not. Get whatever you want, it’s your $.

 

[ignatius345]

Hello!

I am new to the world of Apple. I bought an iMac in late December because I am also new to photography and was told Apple is the best computer for photo editing and running photoshop. I didn’t realize at the time of purchase that a new iMac is coming soon. I was wondering if it would be best to return my current iMac and wait for the new one? I don’t want to upgrade or get a new computer again for another 7-8 years, if possible, and if the new iMac has a better system, I’d prefer that as photoshop is constantly upgrading and requiring heavier ram to run it.

Thank you for your thoughts.

If your 2021 iMac is doing the work you need, I'd just hang onto it until it doesn't anymore and then sell it. If you got 16GB of RAM I really suspect Photoshop will run smoothly for some time to come. You also don't have to update to every new version of Photoshop if it gets more demanding of resources.

 

[ignatius345]

I know, you are right about that. I haven’t really used this one much, probably less than an hour total. I can’t get used to the mouse, it’s so wobbly.

I find the Magic Mouse awkward to hold and way too heavy.

This helps make it more usable in my opinion, though I still default to another mouse if at all possible.

MagicGrips - for Magic Mouse 1 & 2

Makes Magic Mouse way more comfortable. Widens & relaxes your grip. Creates big concave surfaces to place your fingers. Great for all hand sizes, especially nice for medium & large hands. Fit's Magic Mouse 1 & 2. Ambidextrous. Solid silicone rubber + removable 3M adhesive. Bonus: XL thumb grip...

www.elevationlab.com

 

[wilberforce]

I know, you are right about that. I haven’t really used this one much, probably less than an hour total. I can’t get used to the mouse, it’s so wobbly. But I was just thinking that if waiting two months results in a faster computer that ultimately lasts longer so that I don’t have to upgrade sooner down the line, that it would be worth waiting…

The Apple mouse, IMO, is just OK.
The Apple full size trackpad, however, is the best trackpad in the world ever made by a long shot. Has far more functionality than the mouse with its gestures, it is perfect.
Some people just don't like trackpads, but just pointing this out.

 

[rosegoldoli]

i would say wait for the bigger one if you are ready for the costs..it will be way more than the 24" most likely judging by the macbook pro m1 pro and m1 pro max prices

 

[ebesp]

Yeah, I understand and empathize. But some other words of the wisdom of the ages I’ve seen across the Internet over the last few decades:

1- a Stradivarius will not by itself make you a better violinist/violist/cellist, though you may sound better.
2- a Bosendorfer will not by itself make you a better pianist, though you may enjoy the extra keys.
3- A Hasselblad camera by itself will not make you a better photographer, though it was the first camera on the moon.
4- A Yoshikazu knife by itself will not make you a better chef, though it will give you pride of ownership.
5- A Bugatti Chiron by itself will not make you a better driver, though it will turns heads at the local Dollar Store.

…and this list could continue but you get the point. I’m not a very good photographer despite taking several classes and thousands of photos, and I have some rudimentary editing skills. Neither a Nikon Z9, nor Photoshop, nor the latest and greatest computer nor all three will get me much beyond mediocre in photography so if my goal is to be a professional photographer, I’m only going to get the most marginal improvement by upgrading tools beyond decent consumer-grade products…and I need different goals. Fortunately, I learned this early enough to pursue other career paths.

So, get the Strad, the Bosie, the Hasselblad, the Yoshikazu, and the Chiron etc. after (1) you’ve mastered your craft and can (2) appreciate the massive but usually subtle (except for the Chiron…nothing subtle there), differences in the hands of said master, and (3) can afford it.

Or not. Get whatever you want, it’s your $.

Thank you, you are right

 

[ebesp]

Hi, I am using Capture One 21 (for RAW photo editing) on an M1 iMac 24" (8-core GPU, 16GB memory, 1TB SSD, Magic Trackpad) and I personally find the performace rather disappointing. I don't think that the issue lies with the iMac itself though, but rather with Capture One's Apple Silicon optimization. Don't get me wrong, it is not bad, but it is also not the magical leap in performance that I was expecting when switching from a 7th-gen Intel i7 Windows laptop with 64 GB memory and a dedicated nVidia Quadro GPU. I'd say that if you are just beginning with photography and work mostly with JPG files, then the iMac will serve you well. But if you need really good performance and are planning to work with large[r] RAW files, then wait for the bigger iMac [Pro]. Just keep in mind that it will also cost considerably more than your current M1 iMac 24" did. I hope this helps you decide whether to return your iMac or not.

In case you or others are wondering if I am the only one who experiences performance issues with my new iMac, please take a look at this thread: https://support.captureone.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/4404171047569-Performance-in-iMac-24-M1

Thank you for the information. I wonder why that is happening on Capture One. I am only slightly proficient in Lightroom and complete newbie at Photoshop, so I don't think I will move to Capture One soon.

 

[ebesp]

Advice to a newcomer to MacRumors:

1. There is a direct relationship between the amount of time spent on MacRumors, and the likelihood that you will decide that you need:
a. More RAM, or
b. More stuff, or
c. A newer computer altogether

2. Associated with (1) above, caution is advised with respect to use of Activity Monitor, since it is a well known phenomenon that excessive use of Activity Monitor will lead to increased memory pressure anxiety
a. If you are unfamiliar with Activity Monitor, then disregard this point and take care to avoid all discussions involving Activity Monitor here on MacRumors

3. Most importantly, a new iMac is a great computer and will give you satisfaction and good service for many many years

Welcome to the world of Mac computers and to MacRumors!

This made me chuckle. Thank you for the welcome! I can see how this will happen hehe I am really enjoying it so far and haven't regretted keeping it so far. Its been confusing switching from PC to this but its not too bad.

 

[ebesp]

Go to System Preferences—>Mouse and set the mouse tracking slider to a faster value. That should take care of it. Apple always sets the value to slower than molasses.

Thank you so much. I did try it, but it still didn't feel right. I ordered a Logitech mouse from a recommendation here and the difference was so much better! now I can actually USE the computer haha