Will there ever be a new large iMac (Pro)?

[CWallace]

SSDs (or mainboards with more SSD space than 512gb) are the bottleneck right now. When you configure a new one delivery time gets bumped up by a solid week on BTO when you add more SSD space.

Yeah that is what is giving me pause. I can grab the model I want with s 512GB right now at my local Apple store, but iI need/want 1TB and that pushes it out to 9-16 September. And if I do the Trade-In, that has to go back by the end of the month so I could be without an iMac for two weeks or more, which is really a non-starter.

I'll keep an eye on BTO ship dates to see if they free up once this initial rush of orders is processed (the Barclay's promo period is good for purchases charged by 29 September). If not, then I soldier on with my 2017 for another year or so until the "Big Screen" Apple Silicon model is ready. And honestly, it's still 100% usable for my needs so it was only the 50% "discount" doing the trade-in that was making me think of upgrading.

 

[Whiteman007]

How big is that desk...I just got a corner desk as well...seeing the imac one there gives me some perspective but I can't tell the dimensions.

this is it (link if u want)

Ameriwood Home Dakota L-Shaped Desk with Bookshelves (Black Ebony Ash)

Create the perfect office space with the Ameriwood Home Dakota L-Shaped Desk with Bookshelves. With plenty of room for your monitor or laptop, as well as papers and other essential office supplies, the L-Shaped Desk even has two grommets built into the Desk to organize and manage your cords. Two ...

www.amazon.com

 

[DrRadon]

Yeah that is what is giving me pause. I can grab the model I want with s 512GB right now at my local Apple store, but iI need/want 1TB and that pushes it out to 9-16 September. And if I do the Trade-In, that has to go back by the end of the month so I could be without an iMac for two weeks or more, which is really a non-starter.

I'll keep an eye on BTO ship dates to see if they free up once this initial rush of orders is processed (the Barclay's promo period is good for purchases charged by 29 September). If not, then I soldier on with my 2017 for another year or so until the "Big Screen" Apple Silicon model is ready. And honestly, it's still 100% usable for my needs so it was only the 50% "discount" doing the trade-in that was making me think of upgrading.

Have you checked prices for your machine on the used marked? I cannot imagine apple trade in is worth more than selling by yourself.

 

[DQ11]

this is it (link if u want)

Ameriwood Home Dakota L-Shaped Desk with Bookshelves (Black Ebony Ash)

Create the perfect office space with the Ameriwood Home Dakota L-Shaped Desk with Bookshelves. With plenty of room for your monitor or laptop, as well as papers and other essential office supplies, the L-Shaped Desk even has two grommets built into the Desk to organize and manage your cords. Two ...

www.amazon.com

View attachment 944532

I appreciate the link, but I already bought my desk. I wanted something a bit wider/more depth so mine is 23" compared to the 15" on that desk.....I wasn't sure it would suit my needs for making music with all the stuff I may need on there. It does look like a nice desk though.

 

[DrRadon]

I appreciate the link, but I already bought my desk. I wanted something a bit wider/more depth so mine is 23" compared to the 15" on that desk.....I wasn't sure it would suit my needs for making music with all the stuff I may need on there. It does look like a nice desk though.

I got a big ass IKEA desk, have been using it since i still had a heavy 4:3 Monitor.

I think this is the more modern version of it. Mine has different legs and is called "Galant". The plus point is that it is modular. I got one of those circle ends but i also got an extension board to the other side. Don't know about the one in the picture, but mine has a depth of 80cm on the thicker "board" and 62 cm on the thinner side. The corner depths is like 115-120cm on mine. I got my Pixmar A4 printer and my TimeCapsule sitting behind my iMac in that corner. So it's plenty of space there.
Also the legs are high adjustable. So no more complaining about the iMac only being able to tilt.

It's super nice having the 80cm depth because i got a 60cm x 90cm cutting board sitting there and it still has plenty of room around it.

This second one is like mine. I just got different legs and a circle, like in the first image, to cap it of to the right.

 

[DrRadon]

Now Apple took tracking offline so i can't obsessively refresh it anymore.

 

[wardie]

Have you checked prices for your machine on the used marked? I cannot imagine apple trade in is worth more than selling by yourself.

Look to sell your mac elsewhere - for curiosity I looked at trading in my 2017 i7 1TB 8GB 27” iMac and it gave me a value of £250 when the machine cost near £3000, ridiculous, the screen alone is worth more than that. Almost seems like some error.

 

[DrRadon]

Look to sell your mac elsewhere - for curiosity I looked at trading in my 2017 i7 1TB 8GB 27” iMac and it gave me a value of £250 when the machine cost near £3000, ridiculous, the screen alone is worth more than that. Almost seems like some error.

Well, he gave a a lot higher price. But i don't know what he payed for his machine.

 

[Azrael9]

I actually expected more after a decade, wasn't there a bigger difference in the previous decade? I thought it supposed to accelerate.

400% more cpu power for me.
1000% more gpu power for me.

Coming from a late 2012 iMac 27 inch.

And the 5k display is transformative. There's nothing else like it short of the 6k or an 8k display. And those cost more than an iMac.

Azrael.

 

[Azrael9]

Small update after 5 days use; So far I'm very happy. I-9 10core, 5700XT, 1TB SSD, 32GB Ram.

Vectorworks rendering is a LOT quicker for me. The fans do kick in pretty quickly if I'm doing 'final' renders in large files, but that's to be expected. But using Augment3D (which is still in beta), the fan's are barely audible if on at all! Same program made my 2017 MacBook Pro extremely loud. This is huge for me, I can now train myself in an entirely new program that barely ran on my last machine. I've been watching my ram usage and realizing I should of got 64GB, as I'm hovering around 26 used in Vectorworks sometimes.

And WOW do I love having a large monitor with True Tone. my eyes feel much better already after a long day use.

longer review in the works, but overall, very happy with the GPU in particular! New desk coming soon for better 'glamor' shot.
View attachment 944466

anthony13!

Yes. The fans do kick in for renders (in the Blender benchmark I posted...)

Glad Vectorworks is rendering a 'LOT' quicker for you. *nods. Yet, strangely, 'Augment3D' the fans are barely audible. I'll have to check out that program. You've now got the power to learn something new without the performance being an issue. 64 gigs of ram? . 3D programs do like eating ram. I've got 32 gigs coming to add to my 8 for 40 gigs.

26 gigs for Vectorworks? Mm. I'm not surprise. I look back at the usage requirements for apps like Lightwave 4-6 with mild amusement.

The 5k monitor is a revelation. True Tone. The resolution. It's pure eye balm for your eyes. The text is razor sharp. It makes 1440p seem primitive. (Which hammered my eyes...). This display is the jewel in the iMac's crown.

The gpu is mighty. And potent. 16 gigs of Ram..!

And it performs. It throws around HD on ultra settings. It wrestlings 1440p on ultra to the canvas.

It probably won't throw around 4k gaming. But nothing outside of a 2080Ti does.

anthony13, I want to see your 'new' desk pics with iMac on. In due course...ofc.

Azrael.

 

[Azrael9]

Unigine Benchmarks are next...

1920x1080. 2xAA. Ultra Settings.

FPS: 113.4.
Score: 2856.
Min FPS: 19.2.
Max FPS: 281.

2560x1440. 2xAA. Ultra Settings.

FPS: 68.1
Score: 1715.
Min FPS: 17.
Max FPS: 116.7.

Fan temperature. Start: 52. Steady climb to 80s...then 90s...and holds at 93 degrees. With the fans on their 'low-to medium' whrrr.

Azrael.

 

[Azrael9]

That's

Intel, at least, has firmly smacked into the wall in terms of Moore's Law so gains are minimal, now.

If you want big generational gains, that will be Apple Silicon Macs.

True.

True.

Azrael.
[automerge]1597576257[/automerge]

This is my setup @DrRadon

Nice. Is that an external monitor to go with your iMac?

Azrael.

 

[Azrael9]

I got a big ass IKEA desk, have been using it since i still had a heavy 4:3 Monitor.

I think this is the more modern version of it. Mine has different legs and is called "Galant". The plus point is that it is modular. I got one of those circle ends but i also got an extension board to the other side. Don't know about the one in the picture, but mine has a depth of 80cm on the thicker "board" and 62 cm on the thinner side. The corner depths is like 115-120cm on mine. I got my Pixmar A4 printer and my TimeCapsule sitting behind my iMac in that corner. So it's plenty of space there.
Also the legs are high adjustable. So no more complaining about the iMac only being able to tilt.

It's super nice having the 80cm depth because i got a 60cm x 90cm cutting board sitting there and it still has plenty of room around it.

This second one is like mine. I just got different legs and a circle, like in the first image, to cap it of to the right.

You weren't kidding about the 'Big Ass' Desk! :O

I like it. How many iMacs did you order to go on it?

Azrael.

 

[Azrael9]

Yeah that is what is giving me pause. I can grab the model I want with s 512GB right now at my local Apple store, but iI need/want 1TB and that pushes it out to 9-16 September. And if I do the Trade-In, that has to go back by the end of the month so I could be without an iMac for two weeks or more, which is really a non-starter.

I'll keep an eye on BTO ship dates to see if they free up once this initial rush of orders is processed (the Barclay's promo period is good for purchases charged by 29 September). If not, then I soldier on with my 2017 for another year or so until the "Big Screen" Apple Silicon model is ready. And honestly, it's still 100% usable for my needs so it was only the 50% "discount" doing the trade-in that was making me think of upgrading.

50% trade in value?

What are you waiting for?

If you get the 512 SSD. Use external storage solutions for apps and data. 512 gigs is loads to keep a clean boot drive.

Azrael.

 

[wilberforce]

Yeah that is what is giving me pause. I can grab the model I want with s 512GB right now at my local Apple store, but iI need/want 1TB and that pushes it out to 9-16 September. And if I do the Trade-In, that has to go back by the end of the month so I could be without an iMac for two weeks or more, which is really a non-starter.

I'll keep an eye on BTO ship dates to see if they free up once this initial rush of orders is processed (the Barclay's promo period is good for purchases charged by 29 September). If not, then I soldier on with my 2017 for another year or so until the "Big Screen" Apple Silicon model is ready. And honestly, it's still 100% usable for my needs so it was only the 50% "discount" doing the trade-in that was making me think of upgrading.

My experience is that they only send you the trade in box when the new Mac ships, so you should not be “without an iMac for two weeks or more.”

 

[CWallace]

Have you checked prices for your machine on the used marked? I cannot imagine apple trade in is worth more than selling by yourself.

Oh I know I can probably get a bit more and I have had good experience using eBay for my old kit, but I was pleasantly surprised how much Apple was willing to give me and with them, there is no muss and no fuss.

If you get the 512 SSD. Use external storage solutions for apps and data. 512 gigs is loads to keep a clean boot drive.

Trick is I need a BootCamp partition of at least 150GB and probably closer to 200GB (which is what I have now). So that would leave me with a very small (for me) macOS partition. I used to buy 512GB as I have a 12TB Drobo for my media, but I purchased a 1TB refurb in 2015 and man that extra space has been nice so now I always order 1TB.

And yes, it's a heck of a deal, but I'm paying $1250 for performance I really don't need as my 2017 is so good and then I have to migrate my macOS and BootCamp partitions over and all that muss and fuss. And I've been really trying to move away from the "buy it because I can" consumer mindset.

If Apple Silicon was not a thing, it would be an easy decision. But I have a feeling Apple is going to start innovating again with Apple Silicon Macs and $1250 for 12-18 months (if that) of use is not so good value to me.

My experience is that they only send you the trade in box when the new Mac ships, so you should not be “without an iMac for two weeks or more.”

Well that is good to know.

 

[Azrael9]

Oh I know I can probably get a bit more and I have had good experience using eBay for my old kit, but I was pleasantly surprised how much Apple was willing to give me and with them, there is no muss and no fuss.




Trick is I need a BootCamp partition of at least 150GB and probably closer to 200GB (which is what I have now). So that would leave me with a very small (for me) macOS partition. I used to buy 512GB as I have a 12TB Drobo for my media, but I purchased a 1TB refurb in 2015 and man that extra space has been nice so now I always order 1TB.

And yes, it's a heck of a deal, but I'm paying $1250 for performance I really don't need as my 2017 is so good and then I have to migrate my macOS and BootCamp partitions over and all that muss and fuss. And I've been really trying to move away from the "buy it because I can" consumer mindset.

If Apple Silicon was not a thing, it would be an easy decision. But I have a feeling Apple is going to start innovating again with Apple Silicon Macs and $1250 for 12-18 months (if that) of use is not so good value to me.





Well that is good to know.

I understand the Bootcamp partition is tight. Even with 1TB. Going 500 on each. And then the OS from each and included apps?

You're down to about 460 or something. It soon goes.

But I'll be having all my apps and data on external drives.

If you're going for it. You may as well get the 1TB. Or it will be too tight a squeeze for you.

As for waiting for the AS iMac.

Why don't you get both. You could get the latest and last legacy iMac for £1250.

And it will be about a year before the AS Big Mac arrives.

Decisions, decisions...

Azrael.
[automerge]1597595106[/automerge]
But then...you have a decent machine and can afford to wait.

Or surrender to the dark side and be tempted by that oh my god discount.

I still say go for it. You'll be impressed. Maybe it's just me coming from a 2012...

Azrael.

 

[DrRadon]

I don't really feel like 512gb of SSD is a very future proof option.
I know it depends on what you want to do with your computer and more and more "average joe" stuff is streaming or cloud based... but if you actually do work on your computer it is also a truth that all programs get bigger, all file sizes get bigger.
There is a reason the more powerful large MacBook Pro comes with minimum 1TB standard for almost a year now.

 

[wardie]

I don't really feel like 512gb of SSD is a very future proof option.
I know it depends on what you want to do with your computer and more and more "average joe" stuff is streaming or cloud based... but if you actually do work on your computer it is also a truth that all programs get bigger, all file sizes get bigger.
There is a reason the more powerful large MacBook Pro comes with minimum 1TB standard for almost a year now.

Yes I debated 512GB vs 1TB at the time I got mine, glad I went bigger as since then I partitioned 1/3 of it as a Bootcamp Win10 for gaming. Interesting though @Azrael on my relatively puny AMD 580 with i7 from 2017 in Win10 Bootcamp I can play 2160p games on high detail or 1440p games on ultra detail fine, both with 50-60fps which is OK for me (mostly driving sims).

 

[DrRadon]

I have been doing very well with 30 FPS forever and ever. And since the iMac can only do 60 anyway i am fine with the GPU delivering 50-60. xD

 

[fireguy286]

I don't really feel like 512gb of SSD is a very future proof option.
I know it depends on what you want to do with your computer and more and more "average joe" stuff is streaming or cloud based... but if you actually do work on your computer it is also a truth that all programs get bigger, all file sizes get bigger.
There is a reason the more powerful large MacBook Pro comes with minimum 1TB standard for almost a year now.

It's not, full stop. 1TB itself is questionable as futureproof even. If you're buying a 27in iMac, you are doing more than sitting on facebook all day.

I went 2TB as I knew I need Windows and will split down the middle which leaves 1TB each. That's 'ok' as I have external options, but even I was going back and forth on whether that would really be enough. Couldn't justify the 4TB expense though, external storage was cheaper, but 2/2 would have been a safer bet longer term, but we all know none of us are getting 10 years out of intel macs anymore, so..

 

[gusping]

Random Q on gaming. Does anything other than native res look weird? Aka 4k on a 5k screen, 1080p is a no go imo. 1440p may be ok(ish), as it is half the native resolution.

Not to mention, anything other than a 30/60fps lock isn't going to cut it, unless you love screen tearing.

 

[CWallace]

Random Q on gaming. Does anything other than native res look weird? Aka 4k on a 5k screen, 1080p is a no go imo. 1440p may be ok(ish), as it is half the native resolution.

For BootCamp I ran 5120x2880 with 200% resolution so it looked 2560x1440 and I always chose 2560x1440 (Fullscreen) for whatever game I was playing.

 

[wardie]

It's not, full stop. 1TB itself is questionable as futureproof even. If you're buying a 27in iMac, you are doing more than sitting on facebook all day.

I went 2TB as I knew I need Windows and will split down the middle which leaves 1TB each. That's 'ok' as I have external options, but even I was going back and forth on whether that would really be enough. Couldn't justify the 4TB expense though, external storage was cheaper, but 2/2 would have been a safer bet longer term, but we all know none of us are getting 10 years out of intel macs anymore, so..

Indeed, though I did a small Win10 partition and then put apps (i.e. games) onto a 1TB external USB3.1g2 SSD drive. Had I got he 2TB I would probably have not needed to do that.

 

[rkuo]

Random Q on gaming. Does anything other than native res look weird? Aka 4k on a 5k screen, 1080p is a no go imo. 1440p may be ok(ish), as it is half the native resolution.

Not to mention, anything other than a 30/60fps lock isn't going to cut it, unless you love screen tearing.

1440p is a nice break point since:

1. you get "bonus" image quality for being exactly divisible by the native res.
2. most video cards don't quite push 4k at full frame rates without some real compromises, but do 1440p fine.
3. There's a decreasing benefit to pushing higher resolutions. 1080p to 1440p is a big step up ... 4k less so. 1440p to 4k is definitely noticeable, but you will forget it quickly while gaming.

However, the PPI of the 5K screen is high enough that worrying about the scaling really isn't necessary imo. I ran the Witcher at 4k on my 5K screen and while you could see just a bit of softness compared to 5k, it still looked really good.

Also, many games are modern enough that they push the UI overlays at 5K and render the in game engine at a lower res for performance. Sharp synthetic UI elements are what benefit the most from a high resolution, so you can get the best of both worlds if the game supports it.