Should I buy an iMac desktop?

[zOne31]

Hello everyone!

I posted this on Reddit but felt like I would get more responses in this forum. Basically, I am looking to upgrade from my 2012 13" MBA but I am undecided as to whether I should get another laptop or if I should finally jump onto the iMac scene. I have also been debating about whether I should build a PC, but with the current RAM prices and the recent jump in GPU prices due to mining, it's not really a good time to do so. Also, I would rather use macOS than Windows.

My current uses are light gaming (Diablo 3, Starcraft (may get the Remastered edition), indie Steam games, and web browsing. Nothing really pro related but may want to venture into that realm in the future.

1) Get top end 21in iMac or low end 27in iMac. I'd still use my MBA for traveling, if necessary, until it dies but have a powerhouse at home.
2) Get a refurbished 2016 13in tMBP or nontouchbar or a new 2017 13in MBP.
3) Keep my MBA until iMac is redesigned but get a monitor and keyboard.

The selling point for me to upgrade is to move away from the bad display on my MBA. The iMacs are super nice but I'm not sure if I want to invest that much money. I've never really spent more than 1.3k on a computer. I am now considering an iMac and not just laptops because I recently upgraded from a 5S to to 6S Plus so having that larger screen is helpful and I can basically remove the need of having a laptop with me.

The iMac would be the most expensive computer purchase I would get so I want to make sure that this is the right choice for me. I'm hoping to have it last at least 5 years, and seeing how well my MBA has held up (except for the poor display), I think that is quite possible.

Any thoughts are much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Jimmdean]

Personally I've never been a fan of laptops. They've always been a little clunky and you have to make sacrifices for portability - even the most expensive tend to pale next to desktops half their price.

Then the iPad came along. Especially at this point the iPad is so powerful that if you can effectively make the switch to one for your mobile computing needs - you'll get a lot of value back to invest in a better home computer (which you can actually game on). Adding in a plus-size iPhone works along those lines too. Obviously not all people can do that - in fairness some needs just can't be met on IOS, but alternatively a lot of people are just resistant to change.

I recommend the low end 27". It will meet your gaming needs a little better - unless you just don't have the space. The 27" is daunting and needs a little space to breathe.