Should I buy now or wait for the iMac update?

[AlexGraphicD]

I just came across this thread here.
Eh, what the heck? Is this a common thing among computers in general? If the top of the line Mac is getting hot just by playing 4K video I might as well skip the current line and wait for the next update...

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/£2300-5k-i7-m395x-getting-hot-just-by-playing-4k-video.1933565/

 

[Icaras]

I wish Apple did a redesign in 2016 and made the bezels around the screen thinner. In the 27" they don't bother me so much but on the 21" they look too thick in my eyes...

A redesign this year is exactly what I'm betting on and why I am holding out for this next model in particular. If not this year, then most definitely next year.

I believe this is already the longest time Apple has stuck with the same design for the iMac.

 

[richpjr]

A redesign this year is exactly what I'm betting on and why I am holding out for this next model in particular. If not this year, then most definitely next year.

I believe this is already the longest time Apple has stuck with the same design for the iMac.

I sure hope something comes out this year. I need to upgrade my iMac and there is no chance I am waiting until next year.

 

[maflynn]

I believe this is already the longest time Apple has stuck with the same design for the iMac.

Perhaps, but they stuck with a design on other models for longer, so I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see any major changes to the look of the iMac.

 

[AlexGraphicD]

I don't see any realistic ways that they could redesign the iMac beyond its current form. The only change I can see is make the bezel thinner but who knows...

 

[richpjr]

I don't see any realistic ways that they could redesign the iMac beyond its current form. The only change I can see is make the bezel thinner but who knows...

Knowing Apple and their obsession with thinness, that is probably the direction they will go. I can see the advantage on something you carry around, but for a desktop there is no reason to obsess about it at the expense of poor cooling like some of the recent iMacs experience.

 

[Appleaker]

A redesign this year is exactly what I'm betting on and why I am holding out for this next model in particular. If not this year, then most definitely next year.

I believe this is already the longest time Apple has stuck with the same design for the iMac.

No the 2012, thinner model was a redesign. In terms of the front panel, you're right it has looked the same for the longest time compared to other iMacs.

 

[briloronmacrumo]

It wouldn't shock me if Apple doesn't update it come October because the MacBook Pro, Mac Pro, and Mac Mini haven't been updated in awhile either.

Indeed. People are hoping for a Fall update; there are no guarantees. Mac Pro users have been hoping for an update for a couple of years now ( machine released December 2013 with no updates since ), so expecting an annual product update isn't a given, although iMacs undoubtedly tend to be updated more frequently than Mac Pros.

The consensus on a Fall iMac update is: USB-C, T3 and hopefully more storage options. Is that enough to justify a wait? Depends on your situation and usage. A major iMac design update seems doubtful, although personally I'd appreciate more function over form in a desktop machine.

 

[AlexGraphicD]

How early does Apple usually announce an update on IMac's?

 

[Icaras]

No the 2012, thinner model was a redesign. In terms of the front panel, you're right it has looked the same for the longest time compared to other iMacs.

What? I know that it was redesigned in 2012. And it's been four years since then; the longest time an iMac has ever held it's design. So it's long due for one any time now.
[doublepost=1469035838][/doublepost]

I don't see any realistic ways that they could redesign the iMac beyond its current form. The only change I can see is make the bezel thinner but who knows...

That would certainly count as a redesign. When the iMac went from curved bottom black bezels to straight right angles, and changed the back surface to all aluminum in 2009, that counted as a redesign.

[doublepost=1469037162][/doublepost]

Perhaps, but they stuck with a design on other models for longer, so I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see any major changes to the look of the iMac.

Yes, you're right but only for the Mac mini and Mac Pro models, both of which sell less volume than the iMac.

 

[Appleaker]

What? I know that it was redesigned in 2012. And it's been four years since then; the longest time an iMac has ever held it's design. So it's long due for one any time now.
[doublepost=1469035838][/doublepost]

That would certainly count as a redesign. When the iMac went from curved bottom black bezels to straight right angles, and changed the back surface to all aluminum in 2009, that counted as a redesign.

[doublepost=1469037162][/doublepost]

Yes, you're right but only for the Mac mini and Mac Pro models, both of which sell less volume than the iMac.

I know how their upgrade cycle works for iMac and you're wrong in saying it is the longest time it has been without a redesign. As I am sure I've said before, we are due for a redesign since we see one every 4 - 5 years. We can agree to disagree on the rest.

 

[Icaras]

I know how their upgrade cycle works for iMac and you're wrong in saying it is the longest time it has been without a redesign. As I am sure I've said before, we are due for a redesign since we see one every 4 - 5 years. We can agree to disagree on the rest.

I'm not wrong. We see a redesign every 2-3 years (this current version now approaching four years however; a record and a first for the iMac). See my picture above to see all the redesigns in history.

And I still don't understand your initial reply when you pointed out the 2012 was a redesign. I know it was a redesign. What were you trying to say?

 

[Appleaker]

I'm not wrong. We see a redesign every 2-3 years (this current version now approaching four years however; a record and a first for the iMac). See my picture above to see all the redesigns in history.

And I still don't understand your initial reply when you pointed out the 2012 was a redesign. I know it was a redesign. What were you trying to say?

I am referring to actual redesigns rather than tweaked designs.
The longest time was actually the original iMac as it was 5 - 6 years before the sunflower redesign.
That is why I pointed out 2012 was a redesign - because you said it was the longest time Apple has stuck with the same design, I thought you may have been referring to the front appearance and style as that has lasted 7 years.

 

[Icaras]

I am referring to actual redesigns rather than tweaked designs.
The longest time was actually the original iMac as it was 5 - 6 years before the sunflower redesign.
That is why I pointed out 2012 was a redesign - because you said it was the longest time Apple has stuck with the same design, I thought you may have been referring to the front appearance and style as that has lasted 7 years.

Got it. Yea, you're looking at the overall form factor as the major redesigns and I understand that now. And then there is a period of years of refinement and thinning out afterwards. Similar to their iOS devices, but at a much faster pace.

 

[Appleaker]

Got it. Yea, you're looking at the overall form factor as the major redesigns and I understand that now. There is a period of refinement and thinning out that goes on for a few iterations after a major redesign. Actually, I think kind of similar to their iOS devices, but at a much faster pace.

Yeah it's basically the S cycle, except instead of a tweaked design this time we got a 5K display. that signified the middle of its cycle or at least 2/3 if the redesign is in 2017.

 

[Icaras]

Yeah it's basically the S cycle, except instead of a tweaked design this time we got a 5K display. that signified the middle of its cycle or at least 2/3 if the redesign is in 2017.

Well however you want to look at it, the fact remains that this is the longest time the iMac has gone without absolutely zero physical design tweaks, which is why I'm looking forward to the next time that happens. My biggest hope is for a substantial reduction in the bezels. They look severely outdated in 2016 in my opinion.

 

[Appleaker]

Well however you want to look at it, the fact remains that this is the longest time the iMac has gone without absolutely zero physical design tweaks, which is why I'm looking forward to the next time that happens. My biggest hope is for a substantial reduction in the bezels. They look severely outdated in 2016 in my opinion.

Yeah I think the bezels as well as the chin will change/be reduced. I think they need reducing but somewhat thick bezels help me to get immersed in what I am doing. The 21.5" is the worst and the bezels on the redesigned models should be relative to the overall size so the 21.5" front looks like a shrunken 27" front.

 

[mmomega]

I just seriously doubt that the next model is going to be that much of an upgrade over the current model and price for performance, if you want the high end model, you can save a few hundred by purchasing a high end i7 refurb now vs the next model.

7700K vs 6700K, not very much of an upgrade over the current i7
DDR4 2133, which is what I'm guessing will go in the next iMac, is not much quicker than DDR3 2133 which works in the current iMac.
The SSD isn't going to change.
We will probably get Thunderbolt3, USB-C but I envision that change going as well as Thunderbolt 1 or 2... not many people actually use it, it's more of a niche market.

But like everything else, until Apple announces it, we guess.

My opinion, like it is to anyone that asks me is, do you want a computer now or some other time. Do you need one or do you want one. Because is their answer is ever some other time or want then I ask, why even buy one at all? You're doing pretty well with that extra $3,000 in your bank account.

If it's a need and a now answer, then why are you waiting? Go get it.

 

[cynics]

Apple is pretty good (not perfect) about not making people say "I wish I wouldn't have bought last years model" across their entire product line. Upgrades are incremental and if you are on the previous year you aren't typically missing out on much.

I have a late 2013 iMac and the following year the iMac got the 5k screen, TB2 and some other little things. For whatever reason it didnt bother me what so ever. It just felt incremental to me although it offered things I'd like to have had.

However I'm typically an early adopter because I don't like the idea of buying a new product when the next gen is just around the corner. So for me personally, I'd wait and as a matter of fact I am. If Apple releases a new iMac this year I plan on buying it (assuming they don't do something really stupid). Plus maybe an Apple Watch (2)...

 

[Appleaker]

I just seriously doubt that the next model is going to be that much of an upgrade over the current model and price for performance, if you want the high end model, you can save a few hundred by purchasing a high end i7 refurb now vs the next model.

7700K vs 6700K, not very much of an upgrade over the current i7
DDR4 2133, which is what I'm guessing will go in the next iMac, is not much quicker than DDR3 2133 which works in the current iMac.
The SSD isn't going to change.
We will probably get Thunderbolt3, USB-C but I envision that change going as well as Thunderbolt 1 or 2... not many people actually use it, it's more of a niche market.

But like everything else, until Apple announces it, we guess.

My opinion, like it is to anyone that asks me is, do you want a computer now or some other time. Do you need one or do you want one. Because is their answer is ever some other time or want then I ask, why even buy one at all? You're doing pretty well with that extra $3,000 in your bank account.

If it's a need and a now answer, then why are you waiting? Go get it.

CPU won't be updated, and you missed the major GPU upgrade to 400-series cards. Also possible redesign this gen or next year.

 

[NMSUballa]

Well however you want to look at it, the fact remains that this is the longest time the iMac has gone without absolutely zero physical design tweaks, which is why I'm looking forward to the next time that happens. My biggest hope is for a substantial reduction in the bezels. They look severely outdated in 2016 in my opinion.

All I want is for the power button to be in the front. It's annoying having to fiddle around the back to find it.

 

[Appleaker]

All I want is for the power button to be in the front. It's annoying having to fiddle around the back to find it.

It's not hard to find and having it at the front would be ugly. It's also not a commonly used function so it doesn't have to be easy to reach. I should have been added to the keyboard when they did the Magic Keyboard refresh.

 

[NMSUballa]

It's not hard to find and having it at the front would be ugly. It's also not a commonly used function so it doesn't have to be easy to reach. I should have been added to the keyboard when they did the Magic Keyboard refresh.

I would gladly give up form for function and not have to feel around for the button on the back. I wouldn't mind it on keyboard. As long as it's somewhere I can see. Dell monitors have the button on the lower right hand side and it fits in nicely with the design. At least I don't find them ugly.

 

[AlexGraphicD]

How about if the Apple logo on the front was a touch on/off button? Or is this concept lame and impractical?

 

[poematik13]

But a lot of people say that the current gpu line is just a rebrand of the old one and it is rather undewhelming for a 5k iMac with noticeable lag...

Those people don't own iMacs, they just complain and parrot what they read on the Verge.