Replace a 2013 iMac or no?

[Martinpa]

I have a 27" late 2013 iMac (3.5GHz quad-core i7, 8GB RAM + 2x8GB user-installed, 1TB fusion Drive and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M) that just came out of "repair". It basically died in March but because of COVID, I waited for the stores to reopen to get it checked out. They got it working, but the issue is the motherboard and they can't say how long it'll hold on (and it's 800$ to replace it, which at this point isn't worth it for a 7yo computer).

I'm a video editor and I do photography, and until problems with the HDD and then the motherboard, never had much issues (even with 8K raw files, I just did proxies. The only thing that caused hiccups was when I tried to stich really big panoramas in Photoshop and it would run out of RAM and HDD space). Because I had a NVIDIA GPU, to take advatange of CUDA, I was stuck at High Sierra, and the whole thing was a mess.

So now, with today's refresh, I'm tempted to upgrade. I've been working on the office's Windows PC (now in my room) and that thing isn't all that. For some reason there's input lag when working in Photoshop, and the fan runs 100% of the time. My room is always at least 3-5 degrees hotter than the rest of the place.

With the Apple Silicon/redesign coming, I'm hesitant though. I'm thinking of getting a "modestly" spec'd iMac (Standard glass, 3.8GHz 8-core i7, 8GB RAM (and buy a 2x16GB upgrade seperately, for 40GB total) Radeon Pro 5500 XT, 1TB SSD storage). With the student discount, it'd be CAD 3 675$ with the AirPod Pro.Then I'd also have the option of selling it when the redesign comes out.

Just wanted people's opinion. I'm sure it'll still be a significant performance bump over my 2013 (plus not having to work around the CUDA limitations of newer versions of macOS), and I have the option of selling it to upgrade if the Apple Silicon redesign offering is tempting enough.

I either need someone to tell me it's a good idea, or that it would be a huge mistake...

 

[lemonkid]

When you use it professionally, you can put your computer on your yearly balance. It will in that way, keep your profits lower while you still enjoy the pleasure of a new computer. I used to buy a new computer once every three years. If you sell your old one it is still giving you an amount that has to be added to your your 'profits'. But keeping a new computer on your balance as a negative 'profit' is not a bad habit and makes the chance that it breaks down lower.

And the beauty is that you pay less tax since your profits are lower. So I would buy a new one now and in three years again......

 

[firedept]

If this is used for your livelihood then I personally do not think it a good idea to repair it. You would most likely be better to invest the $800 into a new Mac. Your current iMac was and still is (if in working order) a great machine. One of my iMac's is a late 2012 with virtually the same specs as yours and it runs great. I use it for PS, IA and ID plus some video editing and it does a real good job, but if for any reason it starts to fail I will replace it.

This is only my opinion and you need to decide what's best for you.

 

[Fishrrman]

Time for something new.
And Apple just conveniently released new iMacs...!