Kind of need an iMac now

[derek1984]

Need a new desktop to work from home. Just getting by with an old Dell laptop from 2015 that is ridiculously slow and has issues with Zoom meetings.

The Macbook Pro is too much $$ and besides that, I do like the bigger screen to work from home anyways.

But it seems the iMac hasn't been updated in almost 2 years since launch. I can probably wait another month or two. Just getting by for now.

I just need it for work (which uses a VPN and remote desktop client anyways) and then basic stuff like surfing the web, itunes, streaming youtube tv, etc.

So is it worth waiting it out for whatever update might come this year or just get something now?

 

[Rich B22]

Need a new desktop to work from home. Just getting by with an old Dell laptop from 2015 that is ridiculously slow and has issues with Zoom meetings.

The Macbook Pro is too much $$ and besides that, I do like the bigger screen to work from home anyways.

But it seems the iMac hasn't been updated in almost 2 years since launch. I can probably wait another month or two. Just getting by for now.

I just need it for work (which uses a VPN and remote desktop client anyways) and then basic stuff like surfing the web, itunes, streaming youtube tv, etc.

So is it worth waiting it out for whatever update might come this year or just get something now?

Looks like you're having the typical self-debate we all have at times about getting the latest and greatest or getting what is sufficient now. Depending what your needs are, if you don't want to wait, you could get the new Mac Mini with the M2 chip and pair it with a quality large monitor. Then again, a new iMac with M3 may come out very soon, but if you're just doing basic stuff, even the M1 machines would work fine for you. Bonus is that the Mini/Monitor combo will probably cost less than the iMac.

 

[derek1984]

Looks like you're having the typical self-debate we all have at times about getting the latest and greatest or getting what is sufficient now. Depending what your needs are, if you don't want to wait, you could get the new Mac Mini with the M2 chip and pair it with a quality large monitor. Then again, a new iMac with M3 may come out very soon, but if you're just doing basic stuff, even the M1 machines would work fine for you. Bonus is that the Mini/Monitor combo will probably cost less than the iMac.

I get what you're saying about the Mac Mini. But I just prefer the form factor of the iMac being all in one and less clutter less wires.

 

[russell_314]

Need a new desktop to work from home. Just getting by with an old Dell laptop from 2015 that is ridiculously slow and has issues with Zoom meetings.

The Macbook Pro is too much $$ and besides that, I do like the bigger screen to work from home anyways.

But it seems the iMac hasn't been updated in almost 2 years since launch. I can probably wait another month or two. Just getting by for now.

I just need it for work (which uses a VPN and remote desktop client anyways) and then basic stuff like surfing the web, itunes, streaming youtube tv, etc.

So is it worth waiting it out for whatever update might come this year or just get something now?

Why would you wait? If an iMac came out this year it would be an M2 and maybe maybe they would offer an M2 Pro model (Complete speculation). You said you do basic stuff so M2 Pro is off the table. That means you're talking M1 vs M2. I don't think you could tell blindfolded the difference between the two. I had the M1 iMac and now have an M2 MacBook Air. I don't notice any difference in how fast it is.

The only thing that might be worth waiting is if you wanted a larger screen. There have been rumors of a 27"-30" iMac but that's just rumors and it will probably start in MacBook Pro price territory. I would go for the base iMac and call it a day. Just make sure if you're OCD buy the color matching accessories with it because they don't sell them separately. At least they didn't when I had mine. I wanted a blue trackpad later and nope too bad 🤣

Edit: The problem with the Mac mini vs 24" iMac is you can't get screen like the 24" iMac. The larger Apple display is $$$$

 

[derek1984]

Why would you wait? If an iMac came out this year it would be an M2 and maybe maybe they would offer an M2 Pro model (Complete speculation). You said you do basic stuff so M2 Pro is off the table. That means you're talking M1 vs M2. I don't think you could tell blindfolded the difference between the two. I had the M1 iMac and now have an M2 MacBook Air. I don't notice any difference in how fast it is.

The only thing that might be worth waiting is if you wanted a larger screen. There have been rumors of a 27"-30" iMac but that's just rumors and it will probably start in MacBook Pro price territory. I would go for the base iMac and call it a day. Just make sure if you're OCD buy the color matching accessories with it because they don't sell them separately. At least they didn't when I had mine. I wanted a blue trackpad later and nope too bad 🤣

Edit: The problem with the Mac mini vs 24" iMac is you can't get screen like the 24" iMac. The larger Apple display is $$$$

I'd wait because it seems like it would be the M3 chip, not M2. Also, there was a rumor that they are upgrading the stand. It seems like the M1 to M3 would be a big jump.

I plan on having this for many years. Even for what I am doing, I am set on upgrading to 16 GB.

Matching accessories.. If I buy new from the Apple store, wouldn't the keyboard and trackpad that come with the iMac match anyways?

 

[CoMoMacUser]

I was in a similar situation last year with a 2013 Dell all-in-one desktop. Finally gave up waiting for a 27" iMac and bought the entry-level Studio. If the price is a turnoff, check B&H, where I got it for $200 off, or the Apple refurb store. I paired it with a 34" Samsung M8 display.

Apple is always going to be coming out with a faster processor. But at some point, you just have to buy the best you can afford and not look back.

Good luck!

 

[russell_314]

I'd wait because it seems like it would be the M3 chip, not M2. Also, there was a rumor that they are upgrading the stand. It seems like the M1 to M3 would be a big jump.

I plan on having this for many years. Even for what I am doing, I am set on upgrading to 16 GB.

Matching accessories.. If I buy new from the Apple store, wouldn't the keyboard and trackpad that come with the iMac match anyways?

I’ve heard the rumors, but I don’t see an M3 coming out when they just released M2 MacBook Pros. I could be wrong, but we’ll see. If you think it’s worth using your computer for a little bit longer then why not but it sounds like you have a terrible experience going on. I don’t see how the difference between M1 an M3 or even M4 is going to make any difference with the tasks you’re doing but if it makes you feel better knowing you have the latest and greatest then there’s nothing wrong with that. When it comes down to it, people here can only give advice, but you’re the one spending your money.

 

[NSMacGuru]

I hear what you mean about the wire mess with the Mini. But the advantages outweigh that issue, and even the wires can be dealt with.

The $$ saving by going with the Mini + a quality monitor is a big factor. Use the cash you save to choose an upgraded Mini (more RAM, more storage) - anything but the base Mini, which limits performance with the smaller SSD (check YouTube for various explainers on this point).

You might want a monitor that you can't get on an iMac, like a curved, or ultra-wide, or... insert dream specs here.

The cable mess. I've been looking at a few Mac Mini expansion bases to provide more (and front-facing) ports, like the ones that match the colour and size of the Mini, and include an internal bay (or two) for expanded external storage... though I've been put off the Gen 1 versions of those devices because the power draw limits the SSD I/O. Maybe version 2....? And then I recently saw this, (looks like a cheap generic product sold under a couple of brand names). I had hoped that the dedicated power supply would mean it wouldn't have the SSD limiting problem, but according to the comments, there are still power issues. Darnit. There are probably other solutions out there, but at least some manufacturers are trying to meet the need.

I have a 27" 2019 model custom i7 iMac 5K, with 24gigs of RAM. This otherwise lovely machine is hamstrung by the damn internal Fusion drive. Heck, I ran Ventura off a external drive via USB3 for three months and it outperformed the internal Fusion! My lovely machine is, however, spitting up the dust cloud left by the M1 Mini we bought for our son... and the current M2 model is better still. No need to wait on the M3, just get it, get it cheaper than an iMac, and get to work / play!

 

[Fishrrman]

If you don't want an m1 24" iMac. and don't want a MacBook Pro, then you're gonna have to go for the Mini or the Studio.

There might be a new version of the iMac, perhaps launched around the World Wide Developer meeting in early June or a little later. But no way to know that, not even any decent rumors, yet.

I'd suggest an m2pro Mini.
The base model should do well enough.
It's got 16gb of RAM and a 512gb SSD.

Be aware that the m2 Minis have only TWO USBc ports on the back. That's not really "enough" for a desktop, in my opinion.
The m2pro Mini has FOUR USBc ports on the back (2 tbolt/USB, 2 USB only).

Get a 27" display, 4k. You don't have to spend big money, they've come down to reasonable prices lately.

WARNING:
DO NOT buy ANY m-series Mac UNLESS it has 16gb of RAM.
8gb is not enough any more !

 

[derek1984]

Thanks for all the replies. It's helped me with my thinking.

I have no interest getting a Mac mini and buying a monitor. I'm set on the iMac with 16gb. I guess it's just a matter if I can hold out until the M3, whenever that may be.

 

[OneSon]

I use one of the new M1 iMacs at home for similar usage to you. It's excellent - for home working I think it's perfect. I'd get one now. You probably wouldn't benefit from the M1 - M3 difference and they might also bump up the prices.

See if you can get a refurb with 16gb RAM.

 

[derek1984]

I use one of the new M1 iMacs at home for similar usage to you. It's excellent - for home working I think it's perfect. I'd get one now. You probably wouldn't benefit from the M1 - M3 difference and they might also bump up the prices.

See if you can get a refurb with 16gb RAM.

I was thinking about getting a refurb but I think I prefer the trackpad over the magic mouse. So by the time I add the trackpad, it's very close in price to just buying new (I am able to get education discount).

Matching accessories... I assume they come matching if you buy new, but what about refurb?

 

[macbetta]

Depending on what apps you use, and your workflow, 8GB of RAM might actually be fine for you. If you leave tons of tabs open in your browser and have mulitple other apps open at once then yes go for 16GB. Otherwise you should always take peoples opinions here with a grain of salt when it comes to the RAM debate. I used a base model M1 Air as a full time designer and marketing coordinator for a few months and I rarely ran into issues with it. (only minor slow downs occured with Illustrator and photoshop going at the same time while I jumped around between other standard apps) However I was using apps that are not known to be greedy with memory (besides Adobes stuff) and do not keep 10+ tabs in a browser open constantly. For sure get 16GB if you can and want to future proof more, but based on what you say you do with your computer you probably could get away with 8GB. Since you can get edu discount or a refurb, getting a 16GB model should be pretty close to normal retail price for the base model.

 

[Sumo999]

I have an M1 iMac/16GB/2TB and it takes whatever I throw at it, never even breaks a sweat, no downside: well worth it. Prepare to be amazed. Silence is golden too. Really, the only adjusting I had to do was switching peripherals over to USB-C cables.

 

[teh_hunterer]

I’ve heard the rumors, but I don’t see an M3 coming out when they just released M2 MacBook Pros.

I think Apple has done that sort of thing with Apple silicon historically, having the pro or 'x' or 'z' version of a chip not so far from the same time the next iteration comes out. Like having the A12Z come out after the A13 chip. It wouldn't surprise me if the M3 came shortly after the M2 Pro/Max.

 

[burgman]

Thanks for all the replies. It's helped me with my thinking.

I have no interest getting a Mac mini and buying a monitor. I'm set on the iMac with 16gb. I guess it's just a matter if I can hold out until the M3, whenever that may be.

Other have said, for the use case you described, what benefits would anything past an M1 offer? Many Years in tech world is about 5 for support and software updates.

 

[enc0re]

Costco has a 90-day return policy.

 

[derek1984]

Costco has a 90-day return policy.

Thanks but it's gotta be from the Apple Store. Not only can I get an education discount, but I'll need to get the Apple Card and make payments on this.

 

[derek1984]

Have they announced when the WWDC is? If Apple offers a free 90day return policy on either new or refurbished I might just buy now and if they announce something then, I can return for a new one.

 

[derek1984]

Maybe it's just a 14 day return policy. For some reason I thought it could be 90 day.

 

[JamesMay82]

What about an older second hand iMac that you can flip when new iMacs comes and in theory get most of your money back.. i Have a 2014 iMac 27 inch which is still great for me And I think I’m hoping they do another 27 inch as the current 24 feels to small for my liking

 

[derek1984]

What about an older second hand iMac that you can flip when new iMacs comes and in theory get most of your money back.. i Have a 2014 iMac 27 inch which is still great for me And I think I’m hoping they do another 27 inch as the current 24 feels to small for my liking

I like the current 24 inch. Thinking I'm just going to cave and get the iMac soon.

 

[Gudi]

So is it worth waiting it out for whatever update might come this year or just get something now?

Yes it is! Unless you get a good deal on a used M1 iMac. But I wouldn’t buy a new one at Apple’s prices.

 

[derek1984]

Yes it is! Unless you get a good deal on a used M1 iMac. But I wouldn’t buy a new one at Apple’s prices.

There's no telling when they might update the iMac. It could be in the Fall, at the earliest. I really need to get something within the next month or two. For what I would use it for, I think I'm just going to get it now.

 

[Gudi]

Also, there was a rumor that they are upgrading the stand. It seems like the M1 to M3 would be a big jump.

Maybe a new stand on the larger iMac? The height adjustable stand is a $1000 extra on the Pro Display XDR. I don’t see them putting it in the 24" iMac for free. Also the smallest storage model might suffer from the half SSD speed issue.