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Buying my first Mac...help please
- Thread starter DarkDenim
- Start date
ozziej
Senior Member
Start here:
(current and newer iMacs - tapered edge)
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/imac-aluminum-tapered-edge-faq/
Would recommend these, significantly better, especially the GPU.
(Slightly Older iMac)
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/imac-aluminum-faq/
These will be cheaper.
I would suggest that you get the machines with the faster GPUs, generally these will have 2GB of Video RAM. Avoid the older ones with only 512MB, they will be dog slow. The 27" iMac is at least able to take aftermarket RAM upgrades, which means you should be able to bump it up to 32GB of RAM.
Also, if possible look for machines with the fusion drive, these are hybrid SSD and Mechanical disk machines.
(current and newer iMacs - tapered edge)
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/imac-aluminum-tapered-edge-faq/
Would recommend these, significantly better, especially the GPU.
(Slightly Older iMac)
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/imac-aluminum-faq/
These will be cheaper.
I would suggest that you get the machines with the faster GPUs, generally these will have 2GB of Video RAM. Avoid the older ones with only 512MB, they will be dog slow. The 27" iMac is at least able to take aftermarket RAM upgrades, which means you should be able to bump it up to 32GB of RAM.
Also, if possible look for machines with the fusion drive, these are hybrid SSD and Mechanical disk machines.
Way69
Well-Known Member
I have a 21", I regret not getting s fusion drive. OS X is worse than Windows with a mechanical disk. It beach balls constantly.
A mechanical drive is slower but it shouldn't be beach balling on a regular basis. I've got a number of older machines and rarely see the ball.
DrJohnZoidberg
Honorary Master
No computer bought these days should be bought without solid state storage for the boot/OS device. I find it utterly ridiculous that you'd be okay sacrificing so much improvement for a couple of bucks.
shadow_man
Executive Member
I've opened about 15 iMacs, about half being thick 2012 models and the rest thin 2013+ models.
The thick models are no issue to add SSD and RAM - I didn't break a single one.
On the thin models the screen needs to be pried apart (it's glued vs thick models use magnets). I broke 2 displays on the thin one's (lcd tabbing issues with thick white lines running down the display - it's as a result of prying the display off) - I wouldn't recommend opening those up unless you're comfortable with some risk.
The thick models are no issue to add SSD and RAM - I didn't break a single one.
On the thin models the screen needs to be pried apart (it's glued vs thick models use magnets). I broke 2 displays on the thin one's (lcd tabbing issues with thick white lines running down the display - it's as a result of prying the display off) - I wouldn't recommend opening those up unless you're comfortable with some risk.
shadow_man
Executive Member
I've opened about 15 iMacs, about half being thick 2012 models and the rest thin 2013+ models.
The thick models are no issue to add SSD and RAM - I didn't break a single one.
On the thin models the screen needs to be pried apart (it's glued vs thick models use magnets). I broke 2 displays on the thin one's (lcd tabbing issues with thick white lines running down the display - it's as a result of prying the display off) - I wouldn't recommend opening those up unless you're comfortable with some risk. Anything prior to mid 2014 (i think...) can have SSD / RAM upgrades - the new stuff the RAM is hard soldered and you're screwed...
The thick models are no issue to add SSD and RAM - I didn't break a single one.
On the thin models the screen needs to be pried apart (it's glued vs thick models use magnets). I broke 2 displays on the thin one's (lcd tabbing issues with thick white lines running down the display - it's as a result of prying the display off) - I wouldn't recommend opening those up unless you're comfortable with some risk. Anything prior to mid 2014 (i think...) can have SSD / RAM upgrades - the new stuff the RAM is hard soldered and you're screwed...
Mac Mini's start at R9k and a decent one (the 2.6GHz version) costs R12k, plus R5k for a decent 27-inch monitor. Add wireless keyboard and mouse and you're sitting at R20k. Ouch!
ahoudet
Expert Member
If I were to buy a Mac desktop, it would be the Mac Mini... But that fits my use at least.
What will you be using it for? Design, movies, etc????
What will you be using it for? Design, movies, etc????
PostmanPot
Honorary Master
PostmanPot
Honorary Master
Something else to note is that if you upgrade the hard drive in most of these iMacs since ±2009, you'll need to run fan control software. Reason being is that the stock hard drives have temperature sensors in them. If the Mac doesn't see these statistics (using an aftermarket drive), the fans go crazy.
I'm not sure if SSDs are affected.
I'm not sure if SSDs are affected.
Mostly coding. The biggest reason I want an iMac is portability around the house and the big screen. I've lost the study so will be working around the house including the patio. A Mac Mini with a 27-inch screen is not a bad idea but that's more moving parts.
Wouldn't a laptop make more sense?
ahoudet
Expert Member
Noseworthy
Expert Member
I've used my Mac mini as a laptop for many years before I could afford a MacBook pro
shadow_man
Executive Member
Not quite true. The 2011-2012 iMac's if you use a SATA splitter you don't get fan issues. So you split power off drive one and on to drive two. If you don't use a splitter to short out the pins, well then you could have issues.
The 2013+ iMac models haven't had any fan issues for me either.