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Should I Get the Upcoming 2011 iMac?

M

macuser195

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 27, 2011
3
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My late 2009 21.5 iMac has a 3.06 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor (pretty old, I know), 4 GB RAM. My primary usage is web browsing, but I may go on some flash intensive websites once in a while and may go on some instant messaging clients to communicate with my friends (AIM, Adium, Colluquy, etc.). I do some minor graphics editing with GIMP, and do some minor word processing with Office 2011 suite. Once in a while, I'd play some games (no WoW, but maybe some car racing like Asphalt), and some Windows games on Boot Camp (I have a Win7 dual boot config right now). Hm, what else? Oh yes, I'll watch some movies once in a while on VLC and do some media managing on iTunes, but nothing too intensive.
Bottom line, do you think I should get the 2011 iMac? :D
 
I don't think your machine is pretty old. I actually think it's pretty good. I use a PPC Mac Mini with 1,42 GHz and 512MB RAM. It does everything you listed except for the games - until half a year ago when Blizz dropped PPC support I ran WoW on it, as long as I steered clear from the more taxing parts of the game (Dalaran, 25man raiding) performance was ok for me.
In essence I don't see why you should upgrade.
 
macuser195 said:
My late 2009 21.5 iMac has a 3.06 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor (pretty old, I know), 4 GB RAM. My primary usage is web browsing, but I may go on some flash intensive websites once in a while and may go on some instant messaging clients to communicate with my friends (AIM, Adium, Colluquy, etc.). I do some minor graphics editing with GIMP, and do some minor word processing with Office 2011 suite. Once in a while, I'd play some games (no WoW, but maybe some car racing like Asphalt), and some Windows games on Boot Camp (I have a Win7 dual boot config right now). Hm, what else? Oh yes, I'll watch some movies once in a while on VLC and do some media managing on iTunes, but nothing too intensive.
Bottom line, do you think I should get the 2011 iMac? :D
Click to expand...

My Mac is a 1997 PowerMac 250MHz 604e proc w/ 160 MB RAM and a 4 GB Ultra-SCSI-2 Hard Drive.

I use it as my one and only Mac. I use it for Illustrator, among other things.

If you buy the new 2011 iMac, can I have your 2009 iMac? :)
 
I upgraded my Macbook pro 2.4 Core 2 Duo to 4gb of ram and now honestly I will only switch this machine in a very loooong time
 
Should I Get the Upcoming 2011 iMac?

That's up to you. I like holding on to my 2.8GHz iMac 24 and I just installed an additional 2GHz of ram.
 
Ultimately you can't ask anyone else whether or you should or shouldn't buy the iMac. I may just go grab one myself, if even all I use it for is entertainment. I have other computers for all the intensive work...

before asking the forum maybe you should have asked your mom? Kidding. ;) It's all up to you, if you wanna get it. It's also all up to me if I can whip out the cash to buy it for myself (probably won't happen unless we see some serious hardware/cosmetic upgrades).
 
I'm seriously considering upgrading to the upcoming 27" Quad-Core model from my current 24" 2.8 GHz model (2007). Mainly because my housemate has the current 27" and the display is AMAZING. So huge... you can fit an incredible amount of information on it. :eek:

I also use my Mac for Windows gaming and my 2007-model is getting a little weak for modern games. I hope the next gen has a new graphics chip family, although the current ATi one is very good. Even the current gen would be a massive improvement.

I'm just trying to justify the purchase with my student budget... I'd have to sell my existing iMac, an electric guitar (one of many that's going unused) and perhaps some other stuff. :rolleyes: It's damn expensive, but it's worth it. Got to be the best desktop computer for all-round use and looks, of course.
 
Based on your usage pattern: No.

You do not need a new machine to do these tasks. The only issue is gaming, which you don't seem particularly worried about. If you are aching for cutting edge games, I'd suggest getting an Xbox 360 or PS3 for much less than a new iMac.
 
macuser195 said:
My late 2009 21.5 iMac has a 3.06 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor (pretty old, I know), 4 GB RAM. My primary usage is web browsing, but I may go on some flash intensive websites once in a while and may go on some instant messaging clients to communicate with my friends (AIM, Adium, Colluquy, etc.). I do some minor graphics editing with GIMP, and do some minor word processing with Office 2011 suite. Once in a while, I'd play some games (no WoW, but maybe some car racing like Asphalt), and some Windows games on Boot Camp (I have a Win7 dual boot config right now). Hm, what else? Oh yes, I'll watch some movies once in a while on VLC and do some media managing on iTunes, but nothing too intensive.
Bottom line, do you think I should get the 2011 iMac? :D
Click to expand...

No. I personally would wait until the next model or whenever there is a new hardware design. The things you do now on your iMac could be done on a 2008 iMac with no noticeable lag.

I do envy you. I am in the predicament of purchasing an iMac now and must make the purchase knowing the current design is up for a refresh in maybe the next hardware cycle. Unfortunately it wasn't until a few months ago when I decided to jump on the Apple bandwagon. You on the other hand got to enjoy this design right when it came out 2 years ago and it is still a great computer today for your uses.
 
for your useage i think you should keep your current imac, there is nothing wrong with it. you will still have the current imac design even after the new imacs are released (next week?)

you should wait for the new imacs and possibly buy one then, unless at that point you still feel what your current specs are will suit your needs then
 
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