When I get my new mac pro, should I sell my Imac 27?

[Zellio]

It should be a simple answer, but I was going to replace it with a 27" screen. As of this point, imac i5's (2009) are going for around $700-$800 (sometimes $900) on ebay. It's seems like a huge waste of money to sell at this point..

I may get little back, or even lose money at this point.

 

[GGJstudios]

It should be a simple answer, but I was going to replace it with a 27" screen. As of this point, imac i5's (2009) are going for around $700-$800 (sometimes $900) on ebay. It's seems like a huge waste of money to sell at this point..

I may get little back, or even lose money at this point.

It's purely a matter of personal preference. Do you need both computers? Would it be helpful for you to have a backup computer? Do you have a friend or family member who you would consider giving or selling your iMac to? I doubt there's a compelling financial benefit in selling, but that's up to you.

 

[Zellio]

It's purely a matter of personal preference. Do you need both computers? Would it be helpful for you to have a backup computer? Do you have a friend or family member who you would consider giving or selling your iMac to? I doubt there's a compelling financial benefit in selling, but that's up to you.

... Did you actually read my topic? I was going to replace the imac with a 27" screen! At all times, a 27" screen is going to sit where the imac is, rather or not it's an imac or another screen!

It has nothing to do with personal preference (I would've preferred to have a newer screen that didn't use as much power), backup computers, family, santa clause, or anything else!

... Although the family member suggestion is decent, but no, I don't. The question is really a matter of should I lose money to have a monitor only, or wait for a sale? Maybe add something to the imac to add value?

Is it worth having an extra pc that is less efficient then newer ones, and a screen that is less efficient then newer screens? Is it worth paying more not too?

Or should I just plug in the imac to the mac pro and use it in target display mode?

 

[GGJstudios]

... Did you actually read my topic? I was going to replace the imac with a 27" screen! At all times, a 27" screen is going to sit where the imac is, rather or not it's an imac or another screen!

It has nothing to do with personal preference, backup computers, family, santa clause, or anything else!

... Although the family member suggestion is decent, but no, I don't.

Yes, I read it and understand it completely. You currently have a 27" iMac. You plan to get a Mac Pro with a 27" display, that you would use instead of your current 27" iMac. The fact remains that you may have use for the iMac as a backup computer, or you may want to make it available to a friend or family member. In those cases, you may elect not to sell it, especially since you won't get as much for it as you may like. It has everything to do with personal preference. Do you prefer to only have the Mac Pro with a 27" display, or do you prefer to keep the iMac and have two computers? Do you prefer to give or loan it to someone, or do youu prefer to sell it? That's your choice. There is no "right" or "wrong" answer, but only what you prefer to do.

 

[flowrider]

... Did you actually read my topic? I was going to replace the imac with a 27" screen! At all times, a 27" screen is going to sit where the imac is, rather or not it's an imac or another screen!

I read it, and didn't answer, because I really didn't understand what you were trying to say With you second post, I now do.

If the iMac display and the picture quality are still good, I see no good reason to replace it with another 27" display. The specs for your machine indicate "supports input from external DisplayPort sources (requires cables and adapters, sold separately)". So any video Display port output on your new Mac Pro should support video on the iMac Display. That iMac, as I recall, had a quality IPS display, and if it were me, and I was happy with the image and glossy screen, I would not replace it.

I would also be a little more tolerant of other forum members.

Lou

 

[ThisIsNotMe]

Keep the iMac.
Use it as the display for the Mac Pro.

 

[macpro2000]

Sell it. Get a new 27" thin Thunderbolt Display for the new Mac Pro. My guess is they will be updated at the same time. Don't do a hack job if you can afford it.

 

[Macsonic]

It should be a simple answer, but I was going to replace it with a 27" screen. As of this point, imac i5's (2009) are going for around $700-$800 (sometimes $900) on ebay. It's seems like a huge waste of money to sell at this point..

I may get little back, or even lose money at this point.

Maybe once you get your new 2013 Mac Pro, hang on to your iMac a bit longer while you are "getting to know" your new Mac Pro. There's that adjustment period we all go through if the machine jives well with our work system. The 2013 Mac Pro is a new design, Ist generation architecture under a new OS 10.9 and possibly along the way we encounter glitches either on software compatibility or hardware. Once the new Mac Pro feels good, then maybe from there you can either opt to keep your iMac or sell it.

 

[DJenkins]

Target display for sure!

 

[Santabean2000]

I read it, and didn't answer, because I really didn't understand what you were trying to say With you second post, I now do.

If the iMac display and the picture quality are still good, I see no good reason to replace it with another 27" display. The specs for your machine indicate "supports input from external DisplayPort sources (requires cables and adapters, sold separately)". So any video Display port output on your new Mac Pro should support video on the iMac Display. That iMac, as I recall, had a quality IPS display, and if it were me, and I was happy with the image and glossy screen, I would not replace it.

I would also be a little more tolerant of other forum members.

Lou

Especially as people are just trying to help you...


In any case, unless there is a reason you need two computers, e.g. maybe the iMac can run as an iTunes server, keeping it purely as a screen doesn't make sense to me.

Do you need an Apple display? To me the biggest reason to have a TB display is to plug in a MacBook and make use of the ports on the back which can have other peripherals permanently set up.

Dell make (pretty ordinary computers, but) actually quite nice displays at a not too expensive price point.


Perhaps wait, try the iMac as a display and then make an informed choice later; new TBDs are not going to drop in price any time soon after they're released.

On a side note, anyone else think there will be a 4K high-end offering in addition to a new iMac-like standard TBD..? I'm oddly optimistic.

 

[comatory]

Resell value for 2009 iMacs is what it is now, it wont go any higher, only lower. Getting 700-800USD is pretty good, so good that you can basically buy much better 27" display for the money.

Target display mode is OK but:
1. Input is limited only to mini DP. Down the road OP might want to connect more stuff to utilize the display.
2. No one knows if it will work with new MP. 99.9 probably it will but you cant be sure now.

It really comes down to your opinion. Do you need two computers? Maybe you already have a laptop which might work as backup machine, idk. My personal preference is to keep computers to minimum, much less hassle and worries.

My father keeps his old computers in hopes that they;ll be useful one day. He has heaps of old generic PCs that aren't really useful. Don't be that guy, he even took one room from his rent apartment just to put this junk in there, losing passive income along the way.

 

[fastlanephil]

If I get the nMacPro I'll definitely be keeping my 2011 i5 27" iMac. I'll be using it for one of my two displays using target mode and as a backup computer. I'd like to get a 30" display but budgeting might force me to buy a cheaper Dell display for the secondary monitor.

Question: Apple states that if the iMac is being used in Target Display Mode the USB and Firewire ports become non-funtioning but they don't mention the ethernet connection. If ethernet does still work in TDM, would it allow me to also use my iMac as a slave for my sample libraries with Vienna Ensemble Pro 5 and as a display.

Apple states that applications do continue remain open and work while the 27" iMac id being used as a display in TDM.

 

[scottsjack]

It should be a simple answer, but I was going to replace it with a 27" screen. As of this point, imac i5's (2009) are going for around $700-$800 (sometimes $900) on ebay. It's seems like a huge waste of money to sell at this point..

I may get little back, or even lose money at this point.

Yes, of course.

 

[spaz8]

Does the imac have any use to you beyond.. a power hungry display? ie. does it have any value as a render node, server etc.? I'd be inclined to sell it to buy a monitor if you have no use for the 2nd CPU, you are just putting more heat into the room and using more electricity than a monitor would which keep getting more energy efficient each year. Not to mention taking up desk space - not that an imac is tons bigger than a 27" monitor.

 

[alphaod]

Use the iMac as a display and keep it for Compressor or something.

I would probably use it to play games.