Which 27-iMac 5K should I buy?

[ronaldcastillo]

I currently own a late 2016 15-inch MBP (2.6GHz/25GB SSD/460), but I want to switch to an iMac. My MBP has never left my desk since I got it and I'd figure I could benefit with the bigger screen. I'll eventually sell my MBP and stick to just my iMac as my main computer.

I'm currently a graphic designer & photographer. I also run my own photobooth business as well. I always have Adobe (InDesign/Photoshop/Illustrator/Lightroom), Mail, Safari, iTunes, iMessage, & sometimes Handbrake running. I'm also planning on doing video in the near future (most likely will use Final Cut Pro).

Config #1
27-inch iMac 5K - $2,459
4.2GHz i7 / 8GB memory / 512GB SSD / Radeon Pro 580

Config #2
27-inch iMac 5K - $2,279
3.8GHz i5 / 8GB memory / 512GB SSD / Radeon Pro 580

Config #3
27-inch iMac 5K - $2,189
4.2GHz i7 / 8GB memory / 256GB SSD / Radeon Pro 575

*These are based off the EDU prices, so it'll come w/free Beats as well (which I'll probably end up selling to bring the cost down lol)

I'm undecided on the processor and graphics card. I'm planning on upgrading the memory later and I can get away with just 256GB SSD or 512GB. Any suggestions would be nice!

 

[chicagofan00]

I went with the same config you have listed as #2 and will be upgrading to 40GB of RAM from Crucial. I would imagine you would be just fine with config #2 but #1 would be a sweet machine as well. I would skip config #3 just based on the video card and the performance differences between the 575 and 580.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

If you are just doing 2D stuff then the mid-model w/ 575 would do you fine. I don't really see where you benefit much for an i7. I think you'd do better with a larger SSD or buying a stock mid-model and buying an ext TB3 SSD. Honestly because your business is your storage I would think you'd only want ext. storage.