You decide: do I buy new Imac now or wait?

[Mac'nCheese]

Its been six years since I bought my 2 GHz 512 MB 667 MHz DDR2 Imac. Thanks to the holidays and a bday, I have a stack of apple gift cards ready to go. My old mac is slow, video editing takes forever, I'm out of room on my hard drive, etc. However, it works and isn't usb 3 and built in blu ray just around the corner. I don't mind waiting a few months if I will get two great upgrades in the new mac (usb 3/bluray). However, if we are a year or so away, I'd rather not wait that long (I'm assuming I can never add usb 3 to an Imac like you could to a tower pc, am I wrong?) Also, If i buy now, would any body recommend uping the ram, memory, etc on the basic 27 inch imac? Our computer is used for editing home movies, pictures and the net. Nothing major but we do want the computer to be "state of the art" for as long as possible without overkill. Thank you.

 

[jlblodgett]

Its been six years since I bought my 2 GHz 512 MB 667 MHz DDR2 Imac. Thanks to the holidays and a bday, I have a stack of apple gift cards ready to go. My old mac is slow, video editing takes forever, I'm out of room on my hard drive, etc. However, it works and isn't usb 3 and built in blu ray just around the corner. I don't mind waiting a few months if I will get two great upgrades in the new mac (usb 3/bluray). However, if we are a year or so away, I'd rather not wait that long (I'm assuming I can never add usb 3 to an Imac like you could to a tower pc, am I wrong?) Also, If i buy now, would any body recommend uping the ram, memory, etc on the basic 27 inch imac? Our computer is used for editing home movies, pictures and the net. Nothing major but we do want the computer to be "state of the art" for as long as possible without overkill. Thank you.

iMacs were just updated in October, 2009. It will be a while before they are updated again.

However, the 27 inch models are having lots of screen issues.

I would not expect an iMac update for some time. But, the present 27 inch model does have some known issues you will have to be prepared for.

 

[Mac'nCheese]

and whats the deal.....

Whats the deal with the different processors, as well.
There are two 27 inch imacs. The core 2 duo has 3.06 ghz processor and the core i5 has a 2.66 ghz processor. Is the core 2 better because is has more ghz or is the i5 better even with the less ghz? Or should someone upgrade to the i7 which is in between both, ghz-wise? Thanks again!

 

[jlblodgett]

Whats the deal with the different processors, as well.
There are two 27 inch imacs. The core 2 duo has 3.06 ghz processor and the core i5 has a 2.66 ghz processor. Is the core 2 better because is has more ghz or is the i5 better even with the less ghz? Or should someone upgrade to the i7 which is in between both, ghz-wise? Thanks again!

The core 2 duo processor is older. So while it may have a faster speed, it is an older processor.

The core i7, I believe, is a better processor than the i5, even if its processor speed is not as fast.

Remember a few years ago, when Pentium 4 processors were approaching 3ghz? then the core duos came out which were about 2ghz, but actually a lot faster, because they can handle the data more efficiently than the older processor.

The same is true with the newer processors. Their speed may be less, but because of their architecture, they are better able to process information - and therefore "faster" processors.

 

[lionheartednyhc]

They JUST updated the computers. Please tell me you are not waiting for the next update.

Whats the deal with the different processors, as well.
There are two 27 inch imacs. The core 2 duo has 3.06 ghz processor and the core i5 has a 2.66 ghz processor. Is the core 2 better because is has more ghz or is the i5 better even with the less ghz? Or should someone upgrade to the i7 which is in between both, ghz-wise? Thanks again!

The 2.66 (i5) is quadcore. Double the power. Same with the i7.

 

[Rodus]

It's i7 (2.8 Ghz Quad)>i5 (2.66 Ghz Quad)>C2D (3.06 Ghz Dual). Get the i5, fast, good resale value and pretty future proof. The stock system should be fine for you and you'll notice a massive speed difference between it and your old system.

 

[jcb815]

Originally, I was going to get the i5 but decided it was wort the extra $200 to upgrade to an i7 so you might think so too. Luckily, I had to wait to order my i7 till I had saved up the money. I placed the order as soon as I could (January 29th). It should be here by friday and so far it looks like all weeks 6 iMac's have the screens fixed. So I believe they have fixed the screen issues.

 

[jodr]

After looking into it, I don't think it's at all ridiculous to be waiting for the next iMacs - true, they updated the line in October. But just today, they stripped the product's "new" status on the website. Core 2 Duos are being phased out in favor of i Core processors, which Intel are actively promoting as the successor in desktop and laptop computing - directly to consumers, even, as through the Superbowl commercials. It's not at all unreasonable to assume there might be a processor "bump" on the 21.5" iMacs in March.

I think if you're not hard-up for a good working desktop, it would make plenty of sense to wait for these newer, more efficient, more powerful chips to make their way into iMacs. The month or two they might delay your purchase will likely be outweighed by the many months your system will be better equipped to handle the latest software and web technologies.

Signed,
Somebody who bought a G4 Mac on the cusp of G5

 

[donster28]

After looking into it, I don't think it's at all ridiculous to be waiting for the next iMacs - true, they updated the line in October. But just today, they stripped the product's "new" status on the website. Core 2 Duos are being phased out in favor of i Core processors, which Intel are actively promoting as the successor in desktop and laptop computing - directly to consumers, even, as through the Superbowl commercials. It's not at all unreasonable to assume there might be a processor "bump" on the 21.5" iMacs in March.

I think if you're not hard-up for a good working desktop, it would make plenty of sense to wait for these newer, more efficient, more powerful chips to make their way into iMacs. The month or two they might delay your purchase will likely be outweighed by the many months your system will be better equipped to handle the latest software and web technologies.

Signed,
Somebody who bought a G4 Mac on the cusp of G5

True, but then all new problems will arise, then you're back to waiting.

 

[pcypert]

I'd get one. For me the jump was a bit bigger as I was coming from an early Core 2 Duo Macbook. Working with video projects is a dream on the 27 inch monitor and the i7 just rips things up. I also do a lot of photography and love seeing the batched RAW files from 5DMK11 and lower res 7D just tick away almost immediately one after the other. It's sped my productivity up and made me excited to do more personal video.

I don't know, just love all those extra seconds. I used to set stuff to process while I was asleep, now I don't worry about things taking up my computer for the whole day...

Only downside I have is that I've installed Windows 7 on the other side and wasting a bit too much time with Steam

Paul

 

[mrsir2009]

Now, there's no time like the present. If you wait you'll always be waiting...

 

[Icaras]

iMacs were just updated in October, 2009. It will be a while before they are updated again.

They JUST updated the computers. Please tell me you are not waiting for the next update.

Just? Try 4 months, or mid product cycle. If you really don't need a new machine this very instant, I'd say wait. The longest you'll most likely wait is 5 months, during WWDC, but the iMac's general product cycle is 7-8 months, so as far numbers go, we're already halfway there.

I mean, you've had your current computer for 6 years. What's another 4-5 more months?

 

[mrsir2009]

Just? Try 4 months, or mid product cycle. If you really don't need a new machine this very instant, I'd say wait. The longest you'll most likely wait is 5 months, during WWDC, but the iMac's general product cycle is 7-8 months, so as far numbers go, we're already halfway there.

I mean, you've had your current computer for 6 years. What's another 4-5 more months?

I've always brought my Macs regardless of when new ones were going to come out, and I've never had a situation where one came out the following day lol

 

[SpokaneMac]

After so many upgrades on my 2001 G4 467 Digital Audio that refuses to die and has been running OS 10.4.11 flawlessly i am finally throwing in the towel and practically dictates a new Mac-Mini but the heart wants a new 21.5 iMac, so that is what I just ordered!!

OMG... $500 more than the S L O W new Mac-mini but I have been running this beautiful beast for nearly 10 years now without any problems...Time to upgrade since I spend so much time onlne now.. What the Hell...waiting for new technology means never buying!

I did a benchmark test and that convinced me.. http://www.primatelabs.ca/blog/mac-benchmarks/

Here is the task CPU/Task score breakdown... -*Higher score is of course better !

Late 09+ iMac Duo Core 3.06 >> 4297
Late 06 iMac Duo Core 2.0 >> 2619
Late 09+ MacMini Duo Core 2.26>> 3056
My Current *2001 G4 Digital Audio 467 Mhz >> 313

 

[Icaras]

I've always brought my Macs regardless of when new ones were going to come out, and I've never had a situation where one came out the following day lol

That's good. I don't know how many posts I've read from people on this very forum who actually do get burned by a new release mere days after they bought their system, which is really just baffling, considering they hang around a site called "MacRumors"...

Anyway, I acknowledge that the current iMac will run like a dream compared to a six year old machine and I'm not downplaying the current models at all, but if the OP is the type person who likes to hang on their machine for that long anyway, a 4 month wait until the next model just seems very marginal in comparison.

Besides, if this is the year that Apple will supposedly take their Macs to the "next level", according to Steve Jobs, then it might not hurt to wait a bit.

 

[MMM.PWR]

I just got my 27" i7. I'm debating on returning it and waiting a few months for the next iMac to be released. The current models have too many little random issues that I don't have to put up with. I have a perfectly capable MBP until then.

 

[Mac'nCheese]

I know, I know...

Thank you all for the advice (feel free to keep posting...) I agree 100% that if you always wait for the next big thing, you'll never get anything... However, I just have a feeling that USB 3 will be huge. Why rush to buy if (and thats a big if, it seems) new imacs will have USB 3 and for the next 5 years every device I buy would have worked better with the faster/better power-saving USB3 ports. BTW, I'm on the cusp of upgrading my camera and video camera as well. Should I buy something now or will they have combo, waterproof hd video/20-mexapixiewhatever devices soon?

 

[donster28]

BTW, I'm on the cusp of upgrading my camera and video camera as well. Should I buy something now or will they have combo, waterproof hd video/20-mexapixiewhatever devices soon?

Now you're asking too much.

I never buy combos. I have a Canon 50D and 2 HD Camcorders that do they're intended jobs well. However, the Canon 7D does best of both worlds, if you really need a combo.

 

[Dawei]

Right now I'm thinking of buying an iMac too, but I'm not sure if I should wait or just go ahead a buy the $1499 iMac. I don't really need a computer now but since some of my MacBook Pro's keys don't work after my brother in law spilled a full cup of water on my computer.

They need to fix the yellow tinge on the iMac screens and bump the rest to i5 and top 27 to i7 and i'll be set to buy, I want a 21.5" i5.

 

[js81]

Thank you all for the advice (feel free to keep posting...) I agree 100% that if you always wait for the next big thing, you'll never get anything... However, I just have a feeling that USB 3 will be huge. Why rush to buy if (and thats a big if, it seems) new imacs will have USB 3 and for the next 5 years every device I buy would have worked better with the faster/better power-saving USB3 ports. BTW, I'm on the cusp of upgrading my camera and video camera as well. Should I buy something now or will they have combo, waterproof hd video/20-mexapixiewhatever devices soon?

I know this isn't the info you're looking for but, DUDE!!! Upgrade the memory in that iMac!!! Geez, there ain't no wonder its slow - 512MB is a joke these days... You should be able to go to 2GB pretty cheap.

 

[iamthedudeman]

Well, if you really want one. Just buy it. It isn't like your going to buy one and not buy another for the next 10 years. I usually sell my Mac every three years and get a fairly good price on it. I recently sold a early 2009 model for 900... and bought a base Imac with the 3.33 for my home. So for $400 more of what I sold it for I got a new mac.

You have 30 days to take it back if the new ones come out, so there is a little leeway there.

I ended up taking my home mac and swapping it out with one from my business which was a new i5 with no screen problems anyway.

The imac has firewire 800 if your worried about transfer speeds. USB 2.0 will be still prevalent for the next three years or so the time you should sell your mac and buy a new one anyway. No guarantee the new imacs will have USB 3.0. Not saying they will not, but there is no guarantee of what they will have and not have.

Wait broke the wagon as they say, if you want it just get it.

 

[Mac'nCheese]

I know this isn't the info you're looking for but, DUDE!!! Upgrade the memory in that iMac!!! Geez, there ain't no wonder its slow - 512MB is a joke these days... You should be able to go to 2GB pretty cheap.

That's actually a good point. I plan on keeping this machine for a bit longer as a back up and for my 6-year old daughter. One of my complaints is how long it takes to open up applications, how slow they get when multi-tasking, choppy net video.... would a 2gb upgrade help solve these? is it cheap/easy to install on my own?

 

[Mac'nCheese]

I took your advice

I know this isn't the info you're looking for but, DUDE!!! Upgrade the memory in that iMac!!! Geez, there ain't no wonder its slow - 512MB is a joke these days... You should be able to go to 2GB pretty cheap.

I took your advice and got 2gb of ram for about 60 bucks. The computer works much better now, no more slow downs loading programs and I can multitask between iphoto and safari and word without that spinning wheel spinning forever and ever. I can also update to snow leopard so both machines will look and work the same (a plus when you're not an expert and your 6 year old is learning how to use the macs). Anyway, thanks for the advice, now i have no problem holding out for my usb 3 imac.....

 

[Sambo110]

I can't believe it's been five months since the iMac refresh, feels like two. Hopefully the iMac refresh this year has one of the Ati Radeon 5xxx mobility cards, they have been using the 4850 for too long.

 

[Icaras]

I can't believe it's been five months since the iMac refresh, feels like two. Hopefully the iMac refresh this year has one of the Ati Radeon 5xxx mobility cards, they have been using the 4850 for too long.

Technically, it's only been less than four months, which is probably why it still seems such a short time.