New Penryn processor coming soon, buy iMac now or wait?

[jeznav]

Hello everyone,
I'm planning to buy the new iMac sometime by the end of this year. I've been anticipating for quite a while now. I know that apple always has something new even if the product hasn't ended its life cycle. Now its going to be my first time to buy an Apple product and I don't want to purchase anything that might be replaced with a better hardware after a few weeks of buying it. So, after hearing about the new processor, should I wait for Apple to include it?

Thanks.

 

[I'mAMac]

Well apple just released the new imac with c2d and c2e. I would buy now if your going to get one. Or wait until Leopard comes out and then it will be included in the comp. How much would you spend?

 

[roland.g]

You won't see Penryn iMacs before January's MacWorld SF. And I for one would expect that it they won't get updated till February to mid-March, late January at the earliest. I think the MBPs will be the first to get them. Remember, AFAIK the Penryns slated for late 2007 release are not mobile versions. Also, like anything else I doubt there will be that significant a performance boost over the Santa Rosa Merom packages we have now. Penryn drop-ins for SR chipsets will represent the last revision to the SR chipset line which in many ways is a simple step up from the Yonah and Merom Napa lines. Sure you could wait, but I don't think it is worth it. Unless you are getting a Mac Pro which is due for some sort of revision, now is the best time to get any Mac. And that holds true through the holidays. The next significant change will be the introduction of 17", 20", and 24" LED panels, and of course Blu-Ray, followed by Penryn.

 

[~Shard~]

If you can wait until MWSF, might as well do it in case there's an update, but otherwise, the iMacs just got updated this week so I'd say just go ahead and buy one. Regardless of what is coming down the pipe, the new iMac is a great machine and will no doubt suit your needs just fine. There will always be something better coming in the future, so if you start playing the waiting game, that's all you'll end up doing - waiting. Buy the machine that you need when you need it and you'll have no regrets.

 

[mavherzog]

Now its going to be my first time to buy an Apple product and I don't want to purchase anything that might be replaced with a better hardware after a few weeks of buying it..

Then your only safe bet is buying a new iMac right NOW.

 

[AceWilfong]

Got my 24 a couple of months ago. People were asking: "Should I wait for the next model?" Now everybody wants a matte screen and better video. All in all, I'm happy with my old "classic".

 

[jeznav]

If you can wait until MWSF, might as well do it in case there's an update, but otherwise, the iMacs just got updated this week so I'd say just go ahead and buy one. Regardless of what is coming down the pipe, the new iMac is a great machine and will no doubt suit your needs just fine. There will always be something better coming in the future, so if you start playing the waiting game, that's all you'll end up doing - waiting. Buy the machine that you need when you need it and you'll have no regrets.

Well, I'm mostly using it for HD video editing and 3d animation. I need something that has performance in processing power. I could get a Mac Pro but the iMac is more affordable and its simple and compact. I'm still running on a Duron 700 and way overdue for a new one. Though it still doesn't have what I wanted like built-in blu-ray drive, I'd have to shell out for an external one. As for the current processor, I know its capable but it doesnt have the features like SSE4 thats already included in the penryn processor. So the question is which weighs more " more features + waiting time" vs. "less features + buy now"?

Also I have until mid-November to decide and I am very patient when it comes to buying.

 

[Umbongo]

Based on when the last two iMacs were released and when their processors were realesed (months before) realisitically you are looking to March at the earliest. Waiting 6 months so you can use SSE4 features seems ludicrous. Buy as soon as you can and get use out of the power.

 

[rainydays]

Got my 24 a couple of months ago. People were asking: "Should I wait for the next model?" Now everybody wants a matte screen and better video. All in all, I'm happy with my old "classic".

I'm very glad that I waited actually. I don't mind the glossy screen (even though I work with graphics a lot), and the GPU will be just fine for me.
The new design was worth the wait for me since I never liked the white one, and a slight speed bump, mb-style keyboard and lower price is a great bonus.
The old model is still great though if you can stand the white border around the screen.

I wouldn't wait around for Penryn though. I'll take the current one, then upgrade to a newer model later on when it makes sense. I don't think they'll release a new one for at least 6 months. They have a lot of catching up to do in other areas.

 

[dejo]

http://upc.*************/uploads/forums/buynoworwaitflowchart.gif

* Credit iBlue for the graphic

 

[RRK]

http://upc.*************/uploads/forums/buynoworwaitflowchart.gif

* Credit iBlue for the graphic

This image should be added to the smilies so its easier to post.

 

[SBeardsl]

Also I have until mid-November to decide and I am very patient when it comes to buying.

The latest iMacs should be able to do what you describe well enough. However, if you are really interested in seeing all your options wait till the next MacPro update and then decide. The MacPro is also overdue for an update, it will probably be similar to the iMac upgrade minus the graphical change, i.e. incremental improvements to the processors (more quad options?), RAM, HDs, especially the graphic card options in the same (great) MacPro box. It will still cost more but it should restore some of the value it has lost over the last year since its last baseline update. Then decide to go for the lower price (probably better performance per $ value) or the higher price, top of the line performance of the Mac Pro.

 

[Alloye]

http://upc.*************/uploads/forums/buynoworwaitflowchart.gif

* Credit iBlue for the graphic

This should be auto-posted to every "should I wait" thread.

 

[~Shard~]

This should be auto-posted to every "should I wait" thread.

...And then the thread should be automatically closed.

 

[Cormier6083]

Look at it this way.... if you always wait for an update, you'll never buy one. Go ahead... this should cover you until OS 11....

 

[~Shard~]

Look at it this way.... if you always wait for an update, you'll never buy one. Go ahead... this should cover you until OS 11....

Yeah, OS 11, when full multi-touch technology is available, just like in this demo.

 

[roland.g]

I'm very glad that I waited actually. I don't mind the glossy screen (even though I work with graphics a lot), and the GPU will be just fine for me.
The new design was worth the wait for me since I never liked the white one, and a slight speed bump, mb-style keyboard and lower price is a great bonus.
The old model is still great though if you can stand the white border around the screen.

I wouldn't wait around for Penryn though. I'll take the current one, then upgrade to a newer model later on when it makes sense. I don't think they'll release a new one for at least 6 months. They have a lot of catching up to do in other areas.

For me it was the perfect decision. I waited just the right amount of time, and now am getting the machine I want. 2.8ghz 24" with 750 GB HDD and 1GB RAM, BT MM. ~ $2,420. 4GB RAM from OWC $230. ~$2,650 total!!

 

[jeznav]

Ok, the majority of the posts insists that its better to buy one now. I thank everyone from finalizing my decision.

 

[Sped]

The thing is Penryn should run much cooler because of the 45nm process, right? Which should, in turn, give Apple more thermal budget for the GPU.

My other issue is external connectivity. Why hasn't Apple dumped FW800 in favor of eSATA? FW has run its course and now needs to die.

 

[aliquis-]

Hello everyone,
I'm planning to buy the new iMac sometime by the end of this year. I've been anticipating for quite a while now. I know that apple always has something new even if the product hasn't ended its life cycle. Now its going to be my first time to buy an Apple product and I don't want to purchase anything that might be replaced with a better hardware after a few weeks of buying it. So, after hearing about the new processor, should I wait for Apple to include it?

Thanks.

Penryn will come in the iMac the next time it updates, you can be sure of that, but the next time it updates you will get whatever the next generation of "Core" is called, and the time after that? Guess what? You will get the next version!

I think Intel have said that every second version will be a processor improvement/update and every second version will just be a shrinkage of the old one. And I think they would come with a half year appart. So good luck ever getting a computer if you don't want any future versions to have any sort of updates over it.

The imac is a few days old, it won't get updated for another half year +, if any time this is a good time to buy.

 

[theheyes]

If you can wait, wait for Penryn. I am. I dont see the problem.

Penryn isnt just a shrink, it has some nice new features. Especially for video.

 

[~Shard~]

If you can wait, wait for Penryn. I am. I dont see the problem.

Penryn isnt just a shrink, it has some nice new features. Especially for video.

Just keep in mind that after Penryn there will be something else coming in 6-12 months, then something else after that, ad infinitum. If you're waiting for Penryn yourself, you've decided that's what you want and it fits with whatever timing works best for you in your purchasing cycle, that's cool - however realize that 6 months from now when you post in a thread indicating that you're buying a Penryn system, don't be surprised when someone replies with your exact above quote: "If you can, wait for <insert new technology here>. I am. I don't see the problem. "

 

[shawmanus]

Just keep in mind that after Penryn there will be something else coming in 6-12 months, then something else after that, ad infinitum. If you're waiting for Penryn yourself, you've decided that's what you want and it fits with whatever timing works best for you in your purchasing cycle, that's cool - however realize that 6 months from now when you post in a thread indicating that you're buying a Penryn system, don't be surprised when someone replies with your exact above quote: "If you can, wait for <insert new technology here>. I am. I don't see the problem. "

Would Mac OS or any app use SSE4. Then performance gain with penryn should be significant. Plus 6mB l2 cache should help as well.

Apple may wait for Montevina platform(Santa rosa replacement) before updating Macbook pro/iMac. That platform should hopefully increase FSB to 1066MHZ as well.

Nehalem should release late next year or beginning of 2009, but laptop versions should not have imc. Maybe not even quick path.

If apple is releasing leopard in next 2 months, it may be worth waiting for it save $150.

 

[GoCubsGo]

http://upc.*************/uploads/forums/buynoworwaitflowchart.gif

* Credit iBlue for the graphic

LMFAO! Awesome! A first for MacRumors...a flow chart on how to decide to buy/wait/post.
iBlue just earned mass respect from me.

 

[giganten]

Don't buy any computer, just wait they will only release better machines.

I would say go and buy it if you want and need a new machine now.

hehe nice iBlue