What 2019 iMac Did You Order?

[macduke]

If you got one, post which 2019 iMac config you ordered!

I ordered the following config and saved some money on RAM since it's user upgradable:

• 27" 5K
• 3.6GHz i9 8-core
• 8GB RAM
• Vega 48
• 2TB SSD

Why did I go with this config?

I didn't like that the i5 was the second best option, had the same 95W TDP, and had no hyper threading. I figure this processor will last me a very long time, unless Apple blows everything out of the water with their in-house chips in a couple years. Either way it's already overkill in 2019 for my needs. I'd have probably gone with a lower priced 6-core i7 if it was available.

I'll be ordering two 16GB RAM modules and match the pairs with the two 4GB modules that come with it so I can get the full bandwidth at 40GB of RAM total. Looks like it will set me back about $210-230. Then in a few years I'll be able to upgrade to 64GB if I want by replacing the 4GB modules with new 16GB modules and they'll likely be much cheaper.

I went with the Vega 48 because I want to do some occasional gaming in Windows using Bootcamp. I'm betting the performance should be near the GTX 1070/1660 for gaming, but a good amount higher for general computing since it's more of a workstation chip. I'm mostly a console gamer but wanted to play a few games on PC with a friend. I plan on trying 1440p resolution at moderately high settings for most games and think it should be able to handle that for everything but the most demanding.

I decided to go with the 2TB SSD because I am tired of always running out of space with 512GB on my MBP. Sure it will be connected to external hard drives, but the SSD is much faster, even than my Samsung T5 external SSDs, and lightyears faster than my HDDs. I want to be able to partition a good amount for Windows and a smallish Steam library, while also having room for local sync for iCloud and Dropbox files, which I don't like keeping on an external since they sometimes go to sleep and don't stay updated.

Out of everything I maxed out, which is most everything, the 2TB SSD was the hardest choice. I wish there was more of a 1.5TB option, lol. Oh well. My budget was $4000 and I stayed under that because I work in higher education and got the discounts (it was around $3800). I also opted for the numeric keypad option since it's wireless now. My goal was to spec something that is more advanced than what I need today that would last me 5-7 years, and I think I have done that. I also opted for the 18 month 0% financing as I am very responsible with credit so the cost is spread out over time and I can leave that money invested. I'm excited for it to arrive!

 

[wardie]

I decided to go with the 2TB SSD because I am tired of always running out of space with 512GB on my MBP. Sure it will be connected to external hard drives, but the SSD is much faster, even than my Samsung T5 external SSDs, and lightyears faster than my HDDs.

Sounds like an awesome machine for the money, be interesting comparison vs iMac Pro. Regarding SSD space, you’re right about the Samsung T5 (its fast but nothing like internal drive). However if you tried the X5 that will approach internal drive speeds using TB3 well, you could save yourself some cash with a 51GB/1TB internal SSD plus a 1/2TB X5... Albeit bit of hassle managing two drives.

 

[mcnallym]

Thinking of

i9 8 core
8gb Ram
Vega 48
512gb ssd

Matched with

Sonnet sel 3 tb3 pci-e
3 x 1tb 970evo ssd installed in tb3 enclosure

For external storage

Mainly for video editing to replace current mp2010 6 core.

Main concern is heat/noise of the system with an i9 and Vega in there when editing/encoding.

Would be very interested in hearing how you get on in terms of noise/heat with you spec.

 

[fokmik]

When is yours coming?
I have i9+vega+16gb Ram coming next week

 

[Samppaa]

-

 

[fokmik]

Ordered

i9 8 core
8gb Ram
Vega 48
512gb ssd

I would have wanted a bigger ssd but this config from education store is already insanely expensive in my country so I just buy external ssd as second one.

When is yours coming?

 

[Samppaa]

-

 

[quagmire]

i9
16 GB of RAM
1 TB SSD
Vega 48

Estimated to be here April 1-3.

 

[Darajavahus]

Yes you all super rich, good for you, you got to parade with the max out bto, some can vaunt so some can vent

BTW why emojis don't work on this forum?

 

[johnpurlia]

I went with the following

• 27" 5K
• 3.6GHz i9 8-core
• 8GB RAM
• Vega 48
• 3TB Fussion

I also picked up 32GB of 2666 MHz RAM once Crucial confirmed it will work with the new machine (I've seen other sites linking to 2400 MHz RAM, but I was reluctant to buy RAM that didn't match the default specs). I decided to go with the Fusion drive as opposed to an SSD because my current Late 2012 iMac has a 1TB Fusion with 128GB of SSD and I've always been very happy with the disk performance.

Has anyone confirmed the speed of the HDD? I've seen lots of griping about Apple and their slow 5400rpm drives, but a quick check of my 2012 iMac shows that the internal drive is 7200rpm — however, this is a disk Apple replaced 4-5 months ago.

 

[Darajavahus]

Has anyone confirmed the speed of the HDD? I've seen lots of griping about Apple and their slow 5400rpm drives, but a quick check of my 2012 iMac shows that the internal drive is 7200rpm — however, this is a disk Apple replaced 4-5 months ago.

The 27" always had 3.5" 7200rpm, so did 21" before 2012 I think.

 

[macduke]

Sounds like an awesome machine for the money, be interesting comparison vs iMac Pro. Regarding SSD space, you’re right about the Samsung T5 (its fast but nothing like internal drive). However if you tried the X5 that will approach internal drive speeds using TB3 well, you could save yourself some cash with a 51GB/1TB internal SSD plus a 1/2TB X5... Albeit bit of hassle managing two drives.

Yeah, I will likely build a fast array at some point. But it’s just nice having the main system disk be large so it’s not complaining about the system running low on disk space, etc. I don’t mind managing multiple drives sometimes, but only when I’m backing up stuff for archives or grabbing some old files to edit. Over the long lifespan of the machine I figured it would be worth it since it’s not upgradeable. I wanted either a high-end iMac, a low-end iMac Pro, or a low-end new Mac Pro. Was leaning towards iMac already since it has such a nice display and would likely cost less. The i9-9900K at such a relatively low price sealed the deal for me!
[doublepost=1553039294][/doublepost]

When is yours coming?
I have i9+vega+16gb Ram coming next week

Mine is April 1-3. Ordered this afternoon.
[doublepost=1553039653][/doublepost]

Yes you all super rich, good for you, you got to parade with the max out bto, some can vaunt so some can vent

BTW why emojis don't work on this forum?

Oh don’t hate! LOL. My last personal machine was a 2012 MBP. And this is just an iMac. Have you seen the cost of the iMac Pro? This thing is cheap by comparison. Many of us save up years to buy these machines, and some of us (myself included) do professional work for a living and on the side. I put away a portion of my side hustle to pay for upgrades like this. Work hard and you can afford it. Don’t need to be rich, but it also helps if you live in the Midwest or similar where the cost of living is low. I’m very much middle class.
[doublepost=1553039769][/doublepost]

I went with the following

• 27" 5K
• 3.6GHz i9 8-core
• 8GB RAM
• Vega 48
• 3TB Fussion

I also picked up 32GB of 2666 MHz RAM once Crucial confirmed it will work with the new machine (I've seen other sites linking to 2400 MHz RAM, but I was reluctant to buy RAM that didn't match the default specs). I decided to go with the Fusion drive as opposed to an SSD because my current Late 2012 iMac has a 1TB Fusion with 128GB of SSD and I've always been very happy with the disk performance.

Has anyone confirmed the speed of the HDD? I've seen lots of griping about Apple and their slow 5400rpm drives, but a quick check of my 2012 iMac shows that the internal drive is 7200rpm — however, this is a disk Apple replaced 4-5 months ago.

I think a couple years ago they changed it to 5400RPM with only 32GB SSD which is why people complain about it so much. Not sure if they changed it again this time. Might depend on the model but I’m pretty certain the SSD part is much smaller.

 

[TVreporter]

If you got one, post which 2019 iMac config you ordered!

I ordered the following config and saved some money on RAM since it's user upgradable:

• 27" 5K
• 3.6GHz i9 8-core
• 8GB RAM
• Vega 48
• 2TB SSD

Why did I go with this config?

That’s a beast!! Enjoy it!
I priced it- $5600 Canadian!! Way over my budget!

Not sure what I’ll order yet - really want a long-term machine for hobby photography and video editing.

 

[Shivetya]

Yes you all super rich, good for you, you got to parade with the max out bto, some can vaunt so some can vent

BTW why emojis don't work on this forum?

I just figured everyone here owned a Porsche and was married to former super models.


I am going to wait for a site like barefeats to test the video cards as I am settled on i9 + 1TB SSD

 

[mikehalloran]

No power on earth could get me to consider a fusion drive — not going to cripple the speed of a new machine with something that slow.

The configuration I like is priced $600 under the iMac Pro I want. It doesn't have the T2 chip, however, and a Vega 48 instead of the 56 or 64. Only 2 TB3 ports instead of 4...

Not sure what the difference will be between the i7 and i9 for what I do.

Right now the iMac Pro is looking a bit better to me. We'll see....

 

[nutmac]

I was initially excited to place the order for this configuration (with an intent to upgrade the RAM to 32 GB myself):

• 27"
• Entry level CPU and GPU
• 8 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD
• Magic Trackpad

Then more I read about the new iMac, more disappointed I became:

• 64 GB upgradability requires mid-tier CPU ($200 more)
• No T2
• Only 2 Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports (I have converted most of my devices to USB-C)
• No change in thermal design
• No space gray keyboard and trackpad option

I definitely want to have 64 GB upgrade path, so the total became $2349.

So in the end, I am leaning toward Mac mini as I am not concerned with discrete GPU.

• Cheapest 6-core CPU
• 8 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD
• Space Gray Magic Keyboard and Trackpad

$1597 total, $752 difference that can be used toward the monitor. Since I am in no hurry (I have older Mac mini, and 2018 MBA and 2016 MBP), I will wait for Apple designed display that is expected to debut with Mac Pro.

 

[quagmire]

Then more I read about the new iMac, more disappointed I became:

• 64 GB upgradability requires mid-tier CPU ($200 more)

Is there something I am missing? All 27" iMac's have user accessible RAM with four RAM slots. While the base 27" may not have the option to equip it from Apple with 64 GB of RAM, nothing is stopping the user from upgrading it to 64 GB themselves with third party RAM.

 

[nutmac]

Is there something I am missing? All 27" iMac's have user accessible RAM with four RAM slots. While the base 27" may not have the option to equip it from Apple with 64 GB of RAM, nothing is stopping the user from upgrading it to 64 GB themselves with third party RAM.

The spec page indicates 3 GHz i5 is limited to 32 GB, but the model shares the same 4 user accessible SO-DIMM slots. So I am guessing either Apple or Intel artificially limited compatibility to 4 and 8 GB SO-DIMM types.

 

[quagmire]

The spec page indicates 3 GHz i5 is limited to 32 GB, but the model shares the same 4 user accessible SO-DIMM slots. So I am guessing either Apple or Intel artificially limited compatibility to 4 and 8 GB SO-DIMM types.

Are you referring to the configurable to 16 GB or 32 GB section? To me that just tells me I can only get 32 GB installed on that model from Apple, not that it is limited to 32 GB.

If it is artificially limited so even if the user installed 64 GB, it would only recognize 32 GB, it's on Apple. The 9400 is capable of supporting 128 GB of RAM.

 

[3rdDivCptn]

I am about to order mine, it will be my first Mac ever (have iphones and an ipad but that is it). Pretty frustrated there is no i7 option in any of the 27 inch lineup...either i5 or i9. I will be going with 8gb (will upgrade to 32 myself), 512gb SSD and 580x.

Since I am new to MacOS, does anyone know whether I should go with the 9th gen i5 or i9? I don't think the thermal design can handle the i9 too well (or if I need it). My workload will be animation (2D cartoon style with audio), digital art (comic style), and some light programming (biggest workload would maybe be mobile app). Would the 6 core / 6 thread i5 be plenty for that with MacOS? Or do you all think the i9 is necessary for that workload?

I am debating because even if I dont max out the i9 it could still be beneficial. The absence of i7 is driving me insane lol.

 

[OlegOlesyaKotovRozovsky]

No power on earth could get me to consider a fusion drive — not going to cripple the speed of a new machine with something that slow.

The configuration I like is priced $600 under the iMac Pro I want. It doesn't have the T2 chip, however, and a Vega 48 instead of the 56 or 64. Only 2 TB3 ports instead of 4...

Not sure what the difference will be between the i7 and i9 for what I do.

Right now the iMac Pro is looking a bit better to me. We'll see....

What do you do on your iMac or what are you planning on doing with your iMac?

 

[ccsicecoke]

21.5'' 4K VESA mount
3.0 6-core i5
16GB
512GB
Vega 20

Am I the first one ordering 21.5 inch

 

[macduke]

That’s a beast!! Enjoy it!
I priced it- $5600 Canadian!! Way over my budget!

Not sure what I’ll order yet - really want a long-term machine for hobby photography and video editing.

Yeah about $3800 EDU wasn’t too bad. My budget was $4000. I’ve been talking on these forums about finally buying a desktop for at least 3 years now, lol. I’m excited! I had one at work a couple years ago for like 6 months before switching to a new job and loved it.

I was initially excited to place the order for this configuration (with an intent to upgrade the RAM to 32 GB myself):

• 27"
• Entry level CPU and GPU
• 8 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD
• Magic Trackpad

Then more I read about the new iMac, more disappointed I became:

• 64 GB upgradability requires mid-tier CPU ($200 more)
• No T2
• Only 2 Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports (I have converted most of my devices to USB-C)
• No change in thermal design
• No space gray keyboard and trackpad option

I definitely want to have 64 GB upgrade path, so the total became $2349.

So in the end, I am leaning toward Mac mini as I am not concerned with discrete GPU.

• Cheapest 6-core CPU
• 8 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD
• Space Gray Magic Keyboard and Trackpad

$1597 total, $752 difference that can be used toward the monitor. Since I am in no hurry (I have older Mac mini, and 2018 MBA and 2016 MBP), I will wait for Apple designed display that is expected to debut with Mac Pro.

I was wanting something to do some moderate gaming in bootcamp but I wanted the Mac Mini to have a discrete GPU so bad. I have a decent 4K display but the extra space on the desktop for 5K is very nice! I’m worried though that Apple’s custom display will be 6-8K at 31.5” or more and cost $1500-3000. Hopefully they provide two resolution/size options. Ultimately I decided this was good enough and the modular Mac Pro plus an Apple display would put me well over budget. As for USB-C, I haven’t fully switched as I have some like my Samsung T5s that use both, but I figure a USB-C hub is pretty cheap when I’ll need it.

The spec page indicates 3 GHz i5 is limited to 32 GB, but the model shares the same 4 user accessible SO-DIMM slots. So I am guessing either Apple or Intel artificially limited compatibility to 4 and 8 GB SO-DIMM types.

It might be limited, but it might just be marketing. I remember my 2008 MBP only went to 4GB on Apples specs, but it took 6GB and recognized it when I upgraded a couple years later. At least when I looked up the i9-9900K which is the top model, Intel says it supports 128GB, lol.

I am about to order mine, it will be my first Mac ever (have iphones and an ipad but that is it). Pretty frustrated there is no i7 option in any of the 27 inch lineup...either i5 or i9. I will be going with 8gb (will upgrade to 32 myself), 512gb SSD and 580x.

Since I am new to MacOS, does anyone know whether I should go with the 9th gen i5 or i9? I don't think the thermal design can handle the i9 too well (or if I need it). My workload will be animation (2D cartoon style with audio), digital art (comic style), and some light programming (biggest workload would maybe be mobile app). Would the 6 core / 6 thread i5 be plenty for that with MacOS? Or do you all think the i9 is necessary for that workload?

I am debating because even if I dont max out the i9 it could still be beneficial. The absence of i7 is driving me insane lol.

Congrats on making the switch! I used to build PCs for “fun” before switching in 2008 when I switched to a design degree. Haven’t looked back aside from an itch to do some PC gaming which I plan on doing using Bootcamp to load Windows on my new iMac. Not sure exactly about your work but sounds similar to what I’ve worked on before working with large design and photo files and doing some rendering of video. If you want faster render times the i9 is the way to go. Even if doing 2D I assume you’re still rendering out 4K video? Will probably shave a lot of time off since the i5 doesn’t have hyper-threading. I noticed on Intel’s site that both of these 9th gen i5 and i9 have a TDP of 95W which means they’ll basically produce similar amounts of heat so the enclosure should be rated for both of them. Also you probably know this but just in case, 512GB isn’t a lot when working with video so make sure you have plenty of external storage. Apple’s biggest ripoff is SSD price BUT they do put the fastest SSDs out there in their Macs and they scream!

 

[john1click]

27”
3.7 i5
16gb
512 SSD
Radeon 580x

 

[3rdDivCptn]

Just ordered:
27"
i9
8gb (upgrading to 32 myself)
512gb SSD
Radeon 580x