New Macs ? Buyer's Guide

[kingfish-spl]

Apple doesn't seem to care about updating their Macs on a regular basis, and the wait between new upgrades seems to get longer and longer.

I would like to get a new mac mini for my big screen TV at work, for example, but its been almost two years since the last release. iMacs are dated too.

When I read in the forum about updates to their new macs readers often find the results very disappointing.

What gives? Are desktops an afterthought these days.

The apple software is not as superior to windows as it used to be.

I may buy a PC, ... I no longer feel Apple has any meaningful advantages anymore.

My two cents, and worth every penny.

 

[tubeexperience]

Yes, Apple doesn't care about the PC anymore.

Here's what Tim Cook said:

“I think if you’re looking at a PC, why would you buy a PC anymore? No really, why would you buy one?”

“Yes, the iPad Pro is a replacement for a notebook or a desktop for many, many people. They will start using it and conclude they no longer need to use anything else, other than their phones.”

 

[CWallace]

Apple doesn't seem to care about updating their Macs on a regular basis, and the wait between new upgrades seems to get longer and longer.

This is mainly because Intel can't release new CPUs to schedule so Apple has to either extend or skip upgrade cycles as they wait. Intel only recently released the mobile Skylake CPU that the 21" iMac and Mac Mini need, for example. Now that the part is available, the 21" iMac will assuredly get it.

 

[kingfish-spl]

thank you both for helping me gain a better perspective ...

 

[tubeexperience]

This is mainly because Intel can't release new CPUs to schedule so Apple has to either extend or skip upgrade cycles as they wait. Intel only recently released the mobile Skylake CPU that the 21" iMac and Mac Mini need, for example. Now that the part is available, the 21" iMac will assuredly get it.

That's not true.

The 21.5" iMac uses desktop class processors with 65W TDP.

Also, what's stopping Apple from using Broadwell in the Mac Mini? Nothing, except that Apple didn't care.

It's hard to blame Intel.

 

[richpjr]

Intel's delays certainly haven't helped the release cycle for both desktops and laptops, but it really does seem like Apple has shifted their focus to phones, watches and even cars at the expense of them.

 

[CWallace]

Also, what's stopping Apple from using Broadwell in the Mac Mini? Nothing, except that Apple didn't care.

Or the Mac Mini didn't sell when it's processor was the latest model due to lack of demand for the model in general. Which would mean Apple has plenty of old units lying around and no incentive to upgrade because it is the form factor holding it back, not the components inside.

 

[tubeexperience]

Or the Mac Mini didn't sell when it's processor was the latest model due to lack of demand for the model in general. Which would mean Apple has plenty of old units lying around and no incentive to upgrade because it is the form factor holding it back, not the components inside.

The current Mac Mini don't sell well due to the lack of quad-core and upgradable memory.

That's why the 2012 Mac Mini is still popular and selling used for very high prices.

Again, whose fault is that? Certainly not Intel.

 

[cynics]

Apple doesn't seem to care about updating their Macs on a regular basis, and the wait between new upgrades seems to get longer and longer.

I would like to get a new mac mini for my big screen TV at work, for example, but its been almost two years since the last release. iMacs are dated too.

When I read in the forum about updates to their new macs readers often find the results very disappointing.

What gives? Are desktops an afterthought these days.

The apple software is not as superior to windows as it used to be.

I may buy a PC, ... I no longer feel Apple has any meaningful advantages anymore.

My two cents, and worth every penny.

iMacs have been getting yearly updates for a while now. I wouldn't expect too much more from a single company unless they are just throwing things at the wall to see what sticks.

The iMac is especially good at getting a lot of modern tech that (and this is important) designed for its intended use. And what I mean by that for example is a GTX 1080 in an iMac just doesn't make sense, it would never see its full potential but cost a fortune to produce. However the 6700K does make sense and Apple made it work albeit not exactly a mighty feat. PCIe storage is another example of modern tech where the competition is still typically using SATA based SSD. I had wifi AC on my 2013 iMac before most other all-in-one computers had that option. 5k was practically unheard of. etc etc.

Currently you'll find very few (if any) all-in-one computers that are as well designed and as well equipped.

The Mac Mini? Well I think Apple is trying to kill it off or something. I haven't given it much thought. Doesn't seem too terrible if you bought it strictly for a media center and you wanted to stay in Apples eco-system. Personally I just leave my iMac on 24/7 for a media center connected via an AppleTV.

 

[maflynn]

Yes, Apple doesn't care about the PC anymore.

Apple makes billions (yes with a "B") from their Mac line, I find it hard to justify a position that they a company doesn't care about a sector that is generating a lot of money.

I think the delay is a combination of Intel's inability to ship CPUs and in some cases fast GPUs with those CPUs and apple's incorrect assumptions/decisions.

The explanation I kept hearing on why the The 21" iMac is on Broadwell, is because back in the fall of 2015, Skylake didn't have a good iGPU to drive a 4k display.

I do think there's some hubris mixed into the poor CPU planning, in that Apple assumed because of the fruit logo, people would still be buying them, even though not much has been updated. Just take the 15" MBP, its still on Haswell, that's not Intel's fault and AFAIK, the MBP is extremely important to Apple I can only attribute that decision to hubris and over confidence

 

[t0mat0]

iMac is the most likely to see first Kaby Lake update if the 6700K CPU Skylake release is anything to go by.

Heck the new CINEMA /TB3 display might come out with iMac first before Mac Pro