iMac replacement advice

Velskoen said:
Spec upgrade prices are just crazy.
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Upgrade? People around here seem to think 256gb of storage and 8gb ram should be enough.

Core's pricing is crazy.
 
Reading around the 'net, Apple globally is not endearing itself to its customers. The exorbitant pricing is a recurring theme wherever you go. Their pricing models are straight up gouging.

I honestly couldn't justify paying the 16Gb price. It's around R45k! 512GB is half what I have now but I'm safe for a good few years if I look at my current storage. Fortunately my iCloud account is taking care of a lot of less frequently used stuff.
 
Velskoen said:
So after much back and forth and deliberation and window shopping on the 'net, I decided to go with a M3 iMac with 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD and 4 ports rather than 2. Not being near a large city where I could go and view acceptable monitors, and the number of conflicting opinions regarding monitors, made the Mac Mini less of an option for me. The 24" monitor on the iMac is more than adequate for my application. I like the neatness of an all in one machine too.

Prices on used Intel Macs have dropped through the floor. In August last year I got an offer of R11000 for my late 2015 iMac. Same company now offered me R5000 for the same machine. Won't look at an offer for my 2009 iMac.

I cannot believe how Apple shafts users though. Spec upgrade prices are just crazy. And this on top of already expensive machines.
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You can't go wrong with a Dell IPS monitor, i've used many over the years and never been disappointed.
I don't see the wisdom in paying such a huge premium for an all in one device, much more difficult to repair and if the logic board blows you have a useless display. Also if the device ever needs repairs a Mac mini is cheap and easy to ship to a repairer whereas a iMac is a pita to ship and expensive.

It’s so easy to backup and restore Macs I’d just buy a well spec'd 2hnd Mac Mini M or M2 and a Dell monitor, if by some long shot it doesn't work out it’s easy enough to sell and just get the iMac and restore from Time machine.
 
airborne said:
You can't go wrong with a Dell IPS monitor, i've used many over the years and never been disappointed.
I don't see the wisdom in paying such a huge premium for an all in one device, much more difficult to repair and if the logic board blows you have a useless display. Also if the device ever needs repairs a Mac mini is cheap and easy to ship to a repairer whereas a iMac is a pita to ship and expensive.

It’s so easy to backup and restore Macs I’d just buy a well spec'd 2hnd Mac Mini M or M2 and a Dell monitor, if by some long shot it doesn't work out it’s easy enough to sell and just get the iMac and restore from Time machine.
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I realise the endless opinions, reviews, comments and analysis available at our fingers can lead to analysis paralysis. However, I read about okes having issues with image ghosting, lines across the screen, flickering, dissatisfaction with resolution, wobbling stands and what have you (not specifically just Dell). If I go the MM and whatever monitor and have an issue with it, it's a major pain in the ass for me to have it repaired, exchange it, wrestle with a supplier etc.

My first Mac was a Macintosh Classic and I have had many Macs since those years. I have never ever had a problem with any one of them. Not saying it's impossible, just that it's unlikely. I am not really a brand whore but 3 brands I really trust are Toyota, Honda and Apple. I don't like to sukkel.

But I hear your advice and honestly seriously considered the MM and other monitor route as a result of what you've posted. :thumbsup:
 
FiestaST said:
Feck me they're pricey o_O
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In my travels around what feels like the entire Apple internet, I saw custom built Mac Studios right here in South Africa for R245k, no keyboard, monitor or mouse! For less than a beach spade full of silicon.

The world has gone totally insane.
 
FiestaST said:
I had check for myself, the M3 10-Core 8/512 is just over 44k smackers. Shew.

Heck at least you should get many many years use out of it.

View attachment 1673351
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This replacement is a pre-owned one from Macshack where I bought my current iMac from. Still has Apple warranty until end December 2024. This, and the trade in of my existing model softened the blow considerably. My wallet is still lying quivering under the bed though.
 
Well, this M3 is, um, fast. I'm in the office today setting it up and getting printers etc hooked up. I lost one iMovie project somehow. :cautious: That's going to suck up some time recreating it.

The little I've done with it thus far impresses me. Everything happens in realtime compared to my old iMac. Retina display is something else. Besides the price, I think it was a worthwhile upgrade. This better last me at least 10 years. I'm glad I went with the iMac and not the Mac Mini.
 
Velskoen said:
I'm slowly but surely getting peed off with the poor performance of my late 2015 iMac running Big Sur. Click, wait, click, wait.

Looking around on the net, I see the 21 inch iMacs have been discontinued although Macshack has some available. If I decide to upgrade, I want to get as new as possible while staying within my budget which is around R20k-ish. I'm not a pro-user although I use Pixelmator Pro lightly, have around 12k pix which I access on my iCloud 200Gb account fairly regularly, and then the Pages/Numbers/Keynote combo.

I am pretty much invested in the Apple ecosphere so wouldn't want to replace all the devices. iPhone 13 on iOS 16.6.1, iPad Air on iPadOS 16.6.1.

I'm looking at some advice from the fundis here please.
  1. Are there any cost-effective upgrade paths ito drive, RAM for my current iMac?

  2. Should I bite the bullet and just get a newer Mac? MacShack has some pre-owned deals (2019 Apple iMac 21-inch 3.0GHz 6-Core i5 (4K Retina, 8GB RAM, 1TB Fusion, Silver) - Pre Owned / 3 Month Warranty for R17900) plus will trade both my older iMacs. I've had good service from them in the past.

  3. Is the MacMini with good monitor an option? Apple Mac mini with M2 chip 8 core CPU and 10 core GPU, 256GB for R13599 plus a good monitor for around R4000-ish on Takealot?
I am way out in the sticks so logistics is a consideration. Easiest for me is click, pay, gets delivered to the co-op in town for me.

My current set-up below:

View attachment 1646769
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Have you had a look at Everymac? Thats the site that shows you how to do it.

iMac "Core i5" 2.8 21.5" (Late 2015) Specs (Late 2015, MK442LL/A, iMac16,2, A1418, 2889): EveryMac.com

Technical specifications for the iMac "Core i5" 2.8 21.5" (Late 2015). Dates sold, processor type, memory info, hard drive details, price and more.
everymac.com everymac.com

So your ram is soldered on and you can not upgrade it. So the only thing you can do is change your HDD really to an SSD. Best bet here would be to get a 2.5" Samsung Pro SSD Drive or at least the EVO/EVO Plus.

I only see the Samsung Evo 870 on the takealot site, but you probs have a 5400rpm so it will be a big improvement with load times etc.

Mac Mini is great. If you want to get a monitor for Graphics get a Dell ULTRASHARP (starts with U), or at least the Dell Professional (Starts with P ie P2717H). The Ultrasharp uses the same style panels as the Mac Pros. Its the go to monitors for serious graphics design as its calibrated to high uniformity. In the past when Macs stopped with their own monitors, they punted the Ultrasharps for the graphics artists. Thus Dell is still my favourite monitors. We use the more affordable P series at the office (Can adjust and rotate), and at home use Ultrasharp for photo editing. And although many dont get it, I have dealt with many a photographer who chucked out a cheap Samsung or LG or Philips that some techy sold them, because the top is 10% lighter than the bottom of the monitor. So finicky are photographers.

You can go for a Mac mini otherwise. If you look up on everymac you can see what can be upgraded and what not, even has guides how to do it.
 
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Velskoen said:
I realise the endless opinions, reviews, comments and analysis available at our fingers can lead to analysis paralysis. However, I read about okes having issues with image ghosting, lines across the screen, flickering, dissatisfaction with resolution, wobbling stands and what have you (not specifically just Dell). If I go the MM and whatever monitor and have an issue with it, it's a major pain in the ass for me to have it repaired, exchange it, wrestle with a supplier etc.

My first Mac was a Macintosh Classic and I have had many Macs since those years. I have never ever had a problem with any one of them. Not saying it's impossible, just that it's unlikely. I am not really a brand whore but 3 brands I really trust are Toyota, Honda and Apple. I don't like to sukkel.

But I hear your advice and honestly seriously considered the MM and other monitor route as a result of what you've posted. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Thus, when you buy a cheap dell monitor you take it back to the shop. However if you are willing to spend a bit more you get this...


We realize the quality of your work depends in large part on being able to view it clearly and reliably, day in and day out, on your monitor.

That’s why every Dell Monitor comes with a Limited Hardware Warranty1 with three years of industry-leading Advanced ExchangeService2 and an option to extend the coverage up to five years.

With Advanced Exchange Service, if you have an issue that cannot be resolved over the phone, Dell will send a replacement monitor to you the next business day to get you up and running and minimize downtime.

Reinforcing our unyielding commitment to quality and your satisfaction, all Dell Ultra Sharp and P Series Monitors include our Premium Panel Exchange.5 In the event you discover even one bright pixel on these select monitors during the Limited Hardware Warranty period, you will receive a free panel exchange. With Dell monitors you’ll get the same quality and reliability that you have come to expect from any product that carries the Dell logo, backed with our world class service and support. Count on Dell Monitors, the #1 monitor companyworldwide.*
Ideally you want a UP Model but they are hard to come by. They are also not cheap. The Ultrasharp Premiercolor.

But Digicape sells Dell Ultrasharp (my fav Apple Store - that actually knows Macs)

www.digicape.co.za

Dell UltraSharp 27" Thunderbolt Hub Monitor - U2724D 68.4cm (27")

Experience a new level of visual comfort, enhanced productivity and extensive connectivity with this monitor certified by TÜV for 5-star eye comfort.
www.digicape.co.za www.digicape.co.za

See the Ultrasharp Dells are the Rolls Royce of monitors.
 
Maybe give Digicape a call and chat to them about what do they suggest. Most of the serious graphics designers that I know only deal through Digicape and only really use the Istore for their Iphones if Digicape doesnt have the stock.
 
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