Need simple advice on which iMac to buy.

[OCalcutta]

I just joined and have read through many (not all) posts that probably answers my question. I'm sure it's been asked and answered but there is one question I had in particular. And that's about the video card.

Ready to switch to a Mac, I've decided on the iMac (cheapest 21.5), and obviously would like to spend as less as possible for my needs. Email, internet, youtube, maybe a movie now and then and very minor Photoshop work.

I don't need much of disk space. 500gb is plenty. Don't care for much for blazing processor speed. Won't be playing games. OK, just bridge online (yeah, I'm old). The question I'd like to ask is if the video card on the cheapest iMac good enough for my needs or shoud I step up to the higher priced 21.5 iMac? How would it affect movies, etc?

Thank you!

 

[spinnerlys]

For your needs, even the Mac Mini or any older iMac is more than fine. The current iMac will do as you wish splendidly.

The GPU currently does not really affect movies, unless they are H264 encoded, and the GPU in the current low-21.5" model is more than sufficient for that.

I have an older MacBook with a far less capable GPU and it works like a charm with the tasks I throw at it, except highly advanced GPU intensive tasks like gaming Modern Warfare 6 or something like that.

 

[Commenter]

I just joined and have read through many (not all) posts that probably answers my question. I'm sure it's been asked and answered but there is one question I had in particular. And that's about the video card.

Ready to switch to a Mac, I've decided on the iMac (cheapest 21.5), and obviously would like to spend as less as possible for my needs. Email, internet, youtube, maybe a movie now and then and very minor Photoshop work.

I don't need much of disk space. 500gb is plenty. Don't care for much for blazing processor speed. Won't be playing games. OK, just bridge online (yeah, I'm old). The question I'd like to ask is if the video card on the cheapest iMac good enough for my needs or shoud I step up to the higher priced 22.5 iMac? How would it affect movies, etc?

Thank you!

Welcome to the Mac. It's certainly good enough for the uses you propose. I'm using a 2007 MacBook with Intel GMA950 integrated graphics (way, way worse than the ones in the base iMac, and in a way slower machine overall) and do all that and plenty more without a problem. When I get an iMac in a couple of months, I'll be getting the base model.

 

[OCalcutta]

Perfect! Thank you so much. Decision made!

 

[JPG54]

Perfect! Thank you so much. Decision made!

Welcome to the family! I think you will be more than pleased wth your decsion.

 

[DoFoT9]

congrats on the decision OCalcutta! you will not be disappointed at all! the GPU is MORE then capable on that machine.

if you have any questions or inquires feel free to fire away post some pics

 

[OCalcutta]

Thank you!

Just one last question: I've been reading elsewhere that many are waiting for the new generation of the iMac before buying. Will it be wise to wait? Or it really wouldn't matter for my needs? I'm just itching to bury my 3 1/2 year old Dell running Vista. (I know, I know...but better late...)

 

[spinnerlys]

Thank you!

Just one last question: I've been reading elsewhere that many are waiting for the new generation of the iMac before buying. Will it be wise to wait? Or it really wouldn't matter for my needs? I'm just itching to bury my 3 1/2 year old Dell running Vista. (I know, I know...but better late...)

https://buyersguide.macrumors.com//#iMac

The update will not really matter for your needs, but if you can wait til the middle of August, you might get an updated iMac.

 

[vixducis]

Actually, everbody's expecting the most changes in low-end imacs, so it'll be probably better to wait if you can. Although the wait can be endless...

 

[GCardoso]

I´m almost in the same situation, i think i will get the low-end imac but i´m between the casual and the hardcore gamer so i wanted to now how long am i going able to play recent games (since the GPU is not upgradeable).

One more thing: any rumor for when the GPU will be upgradeable?

thanks in advance.

 

[zedsdead]

I wouldn't go for the low end imac because the graphic card is so outdated, even the mini has a better card currently. I would go for the upper 21.5.

 

[DoFoT9]

buy it now.

 

[GCardoso]

I wouldn't go for the low end imac because the graphic card is so outdated, even the mini has a better card currently. I would go for the upper 21.5.

Yes i now but sadly my money tree was hit by a lightning last night


[EDIT]: i will wait untill next refresh

 

[Commenter]

Thank you!

Just one last question: I've been reading elsewhere that many are waiting for the new generation of the iMac before buying. Will it be wise to wait? Or it really wouldn't matter for my needs? I'm just itching to bury my 3 1/2 year old Dell running Vista. (I know, I know...but better late...)

For what it's worth, I'm waiting for the refresh (though I have a perfectly-functional MacBook to tide me over, and I'm not just waiting because of the refresh—I really wasn't planning on buying yet anyway).

You might wanna check out https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/952993/ for the latest speculation on what the next iMac might bring.

I´m almost in the same situation, i think i will get the low-end imac but i´m between the casual and the hardcore gamer so i wanted to now how long am i going able to play recent games (since the GPU is not upgradeable).

One more thing: any rumor for when the GPU will be upgradeable?

I don't think ever (that means not in the foreseeable future, and possibly really ever). I wouldn't generally advise people to wait for a product we don't know when's comin' or what it'll be, but you really might wanna wait for the refresh—upgraded graphics on the base model are almost certain, and even if it's nothing more than what's on the mini it'll probably make a significant difference to gaming. Nobody knows when the refresh will be though; could be a long time—might wanna check out the above link too.

Actually, everbody's expecting the most changes in low-end imacs, so it'll be probably better to wait if you can.

Could you elaborate on that?