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To BTO or not to BTO...

C

cjhorist

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 13, 2011
48
0
Hey guys, quick question (which will require a little bit of speculation) about my next iMac purchase.

Currently waiting with the rest of us for the refresh, and right now I'm debating what exactly I will choose when it comes out. Previously, before I read about the impending refresh, I was planning on getting the high end 27" with BTO to get the i7 chip.

However, speculation has it that the i7 chip will be the standard in this model come refresh, so my question is this: What processor difference will be enough to justify the extra ~$200 that will be charged for it. Previously I felt it was a no-brainer when going from i5 to i7, but not so sure any more.

My usage isn't as heavy as it used to be, with little video editting, and mostly gaming (WoW, SC2) beyond regular usage.

Thanks! :)

-cjh
 
We won't know until the official specs are released. We won't even know how much any BTO options will cost.

I just know that i'll get whatever CPU or GPU BTO options there may be. My video encoding tasks will max out the CPU and I game so it's an easy decision for me.
 
I think the high-end 27" iMac will be enough for you. I don't think you need to spend extra to upgrade the processor beyond what the high-end iMac will come with as standard. The Sandy Bridge processors are so fast as they are.

It will very likely come with 4GB of RAM, so save some money on getting the stock 27" iMac and get some extra RAM after-market and fit it yourself. Will cost very little to bump it up to 8GB.
 
kfury77 said:
I think the high-end 27" iMac will be enough for you. I don't think you need to spend extra to upgrade the processor beyond what the high-end iMac will come with as standard. The Sandy Bridge processors are so fast as they are.

It will very likely come with 4GB of RAM, so save some money on getting the stock 27" iMac and get some extra RAM after-market and fit it yourself. Will cost very little to bump it up to 8GB.
Click to expand...

This is what I am leaning towards at the moment -- I appreciate the input. Plus, I'll have the unit 1-2 business days earlier without the shipping delay ;)

Oh, and already have 2x4gb ram waiting :)

-cjh
 
I'm really hoping it will ship with 8GB standard. thats the main thing I'm hoping for but i still dont expect that to happen either. If not, I will just buy my own RAM and upgrade at a later time.
 
scoobydiesel said:
I'm really hoping it will ship with 8GB standard. thats the main thing I'm hoping for but i still dont expect that to happen either. If not, I will just buy my own RAM and upgrade at a later time.
Click to expand...

Yeah RAM is a non-issue. The only BTO of interest, to me, is SSD.
 
I considered the same too, and I decided to wait for 2011 models and NOT BTO.

1. i7 according to me will be deffo in the standard
2. RAM is user upgradable for better price than Apple offers
3. Small SSD according to me might be included in the standard for performance boost, but even if not I would only consider this option (but not for 600+ USD)

Other then that there is nothing else to BTO (unless you need some wild graphic card, but IMO apple does not offer upgrade of those on iMacs)
 
I dont see why i7 wouldnt be standard now. But More and more i think about it i do hope that they include some sort of SSD as a standard deal.
 
I know prior to the purchase, that Apple is the most expensive, yet for the most part you get high quality.

I always order BTO since that way Apple is building it just the way I want it.

Although I could easily ad the SSD & Ram myself, since I'm already overpaying, money is a moot point.

Besides its a nice convenience.
 
scoobydiesel said:
I dont see why i7 wouldnt be standard now. But More and more i think about it i do hope that they include some sort of SSD as a standard deal.
Click to expand...

128gb SSD (to be used as a boot drive) + 500gb 7200rpm HDD would be a nice standard deal . Of course if the price isn't to crazy.
 
bushman4 said:
128gb SSD (to be used as a boot drive) + 500gb 7200rpm HDD would be a nice standard deal . Of course if the price isn't to crazy.
Click to expand...

It would be a nice standard deal to distinguish the iMacs from MacBook Pros. Now the combination MacbookPro + Display is very tempting. I hope they want to distinguish the iMacs a bit more.
 
When ever I order a Mac I like to pick built to order options that can not be upgraded afterwards such as the CPU. RAM and Hard Drives can be installed afterwords and most of the time for less than they would be originally. When I ordered my Mac Book Pro I maxed out the CPU as well as the Hard Drive, only because the price to max out the HDD was much cheaper than an after market drive at that time. The RAM I waited about a year until I got 8GB at a good price, easy upgrade. In the case of the iMac and the SSD I don't know weather or not the iMac without the SSD will come with the bracket to mount one.
 
I haven't really decided on whether I'll upgrade the CPU to a BTO option. But I'm definitely upgrading to an SSD + HD option (if we haven't gotten lucky enough to be standard).
 
Also if you look at the AMD website on the HD 6000A series, it is an all-in-one desktop that is behind the dude. Another hint hint???
 
Can't really say until we see what the Offering is from Apple of there standard equipment!
 
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