Returned iMac 5K, Considering buying MP 5,1

[richinaus]

I don't feel disrespected by your statement, nor am I trying to start a fight. I didn't say I can't afford the computers, I said it doesn't seem practical to have to buy a new computer every 4 years. For a laptop, I get it, any manufacturer is going to be the same, almost impossible to upgrade. But I don't need the portability, hence the reason I bought an iMac. With that said, if I need a portable, I'm buying a MBP. For a desktop, though, even an all-in-one, why should I have to replace it every 3-5 years? You hit the nail on the head, Windows PCs are way cheaper and easier to upgrade. These PCs have the same hardware, sometimes better than Apple's. How can everyone else do it cheaper and why shouldn't we hope Apple would be able to do the same? If Apple still made a superior product, it would be worth the cost. Their laptops probably are the best still, if you want to run Mac OS, but the desktops are not. Unfortunately, the desktop computers today are no better than their counterparts. The problem is that in recent years, Apple has gone the route of function follows form. For those who accept that, keep buying Apple computers. I have been using Apple PCs for almost 30 years. The fact is, Apple has veered from its founding principles. Your statement that maybe I shouldn't be an Apple customer if I can't afford a $3500 computer every 4 years is kind of saddening. I don't think Apple feels that way, but if they do, then I wouldn't want to be an Apple customer anyway.

Great answer!

Yes it is sad that I said that, but is reality really, as the prices seem to go up but the speeds don't.
Also sad is the desktop situation [which is causing me a lot of issues in my business], although I agree to a level on that the mac laptops are the best, but looking at Dell XPS 15 pricing and specs makes me wonder how long I stick with Apple. I can and do upgrade every year so the sealed aspect is not an issue and treat my computers as if I am hiring them for a year.

 

[pierat]

Great answer!

Yes it is sad that I said that, but is reality really, as the prices seem to go up but the speeds don't.
Also sad is the desktop situation [which is causing me a lot of issues in my business], although I agree to a level on that the mac laptops are the best, but looking at Dell XPS 15 pricing and specs makes me wonder how long I stick with Apple. I can and do upgrade every year so the sealed aspect is not an issue and treat my computers as if I am hiring them for a year.

I had a thought yesterday about treating Macs like a leased car. I posted on the Hackintish forum that I thought maybe if I just keep it for two years, sell it while it has good value and upgrade every chance possible, maybe I could get better bang for my buck. You've gone a step further and upgrade every year? Do you have a corporate lease? Or do you just buy and sell? Do you do it that way to stay current or because it saves money? I am very curious about how this is working out for you. Please, do tell!

My problem is that I really don't demand a lot from my computer every day. Sometimes I do a lot of photo work for a week straight, but then go for a month or so without touching lightroom. For this reason, I have started to buy refurbs that are a little older to save money. The problem with saving money at the beginning is that the computer is worth even less after a few years than if I bought a brand new one to start. So I end up keeping a graveyard of worthless Mac instead of selling them for a couple hundred bucks. Maybe that's why I feel the sting so badly.

 

[richinaus]

I had a thought yesterday about treating Macs like a leased car. I posted on the Hackintish forum that I thought maybe if I just keep it for two years, sell it while it has good value and upgrade every chance possible, maybe I could get better bang for my buck. You've gone a step further and upgrade every year? Do you have a corporate lease? Or do you just buy and sell? Do you do it that way to stay current or because it saves money? I am very curious about how this is working out for you. Please, do tell!

My problem is that I really don't demand a lot from my computer every day. Sometimes I do a lot of photo work for a week straight, but then go for a month or so without touching lightroom. For this reason, I have started to buy refurbs that are a little older to save money. The problem with saving money at the beginning is that the computer is worth even less after a few years than if I bought a brand new one to start. So I end up keeping a graveyard of worthless Mac instead of selling them for a couple hundred bucks. Maybe that's why I feel the sting so badly.

I just buy and sell, much easier than a lease. I will note these are used for business so I get more than my money out of them, and in reality the cost of the hardware is less than the software.

However I have always done the same with personal computers also. Over the last few years the annual upgrade has moved to 2 years due to the lacklustre changes in hardware. The policy though is one out one in, so never increasing tech, and having any old tech hanging around. You could say I live a minimalist consumer life.

It just seems to make a lot of sense and I have never had an issue selling a mac. I always look after them, and sell them at a reasonable price so usually sold within 2 days of advertising.

For example I expect to sell my 2014 MBP for around $2000 [aus $] soon. I bought it for $3200, so it has cost me $1200 for over 2 years use, or $11.5 a week [2 coffees]. It has easily out earned me 2 coffees a week, and when looked at like this makes a computer seem really cheap. To be honest I wouldn't be complaining if my computers cost me $50 a week as they make me money. Rent for the office is a lot more for example. It all depends how you look at it.

 

[Daniel Reed]

I was spiking my 4.0ghz cpu in the iMac up to around 75% with just some simple photoshop testing.

You get the "make-my-brain-hurt" award for the day!

 

[pierat]

For example I expect to sell my 2014 MBP for around $2000 [aus $] soon. I bought it for $3200, so it has cost me $1200 for over 2 years use, or $11.5 a week [2 coffees]. It has easily out earned me 2 coffees a week, and when looked at like this makes a computer seem really cheap. To be honest I wouldn't be complaining if my computers cost me $50 a week as they make me money. Rent for the office is a lot more for example. It all depends how you look at it.

That makes a lot of sense and puts the real cost into better perspective. I just haven't had the chance to do it like that because I tend to buy late after release then run them into the ground. So you're buying the new models soon after they are released, right? Isn't selling them after a new model comes out when you take the biggest ht on the sale price? I guess if it keeps your machines up to date, it's worth it. I would be tempted to do so with the iMac, except if I buy it now and sell in even a year, it will be 3 years old already. When you factor in the hit I'd take, plus the likely higher cost of the new iMac, I think that actual cost would be much higher than a few cups of coffee. But like you have found, it keeps you productive and up to date, so probably worth it.

You get the "make-my-brain-hurt" award for the day!

Okay???? Care to elaborate? I said the 4.0ghz CPU was spiking to 75% and was wondering how that same usage would run on a 2.9ghz. Sorry, I don't see what the big deal is. But you dropped the hook, so I'll bite.

 

[nigelbb]

I don't think that it was mentioned but if you buy the iMac with AppleCare you will have three years of warranty from Apple versus none with the 5,1. A good tactic for peace of mind & maximising value is to buy new with AppleCare then sell a couple of months before the AppleCare expires & buy new again with AppleCare. Selling with a couple of months of AppleCare ensures a quick sale & a good price.

 

[pierat]

You guys pretty much talked me out of the Mac 5,1. I thought it would be something that would last longer, but it seems like it might be more trouble than anything. So last night, I decided to put together a shopping cart with everything to build a hackintosh to see exact cost on that. After several hours of working, I came up with a total of about $1250, not including a monitor. $1750 after including a decent 4k monitor. That's only about $1100 difference not including all the labor to put it together. So, I am decided that the iMac is the best value after all and I am going to order another one. This was a good discussion with a happy ending for Mac fans.

 

[AidenShaw]

You guys pretty much talked me out of the Mac 5,1. I thought it would be something that would last longer, but it seems like it might be more trouble than anything. So last night, I decided to put together a shopping cart with everything to build a hackintosh to see exact cost on that. After several hours of working, I came up with a total of about $1250, not including a monitor. $1750 after including a decent 4k monitor. That's only about $1100 difference not including all the labor to put it together. So, I am decided that the iMac is the best value after all and I am going to order another one. This was a good discussion with a happy ending for Mac fans.

Glad that you enjoyed the massage....

 

[pierat]

Yeah, well, sometimes we need other people to help.... it's not gonna rub itself.