2013 iMacs announced - advice anyone?

Apple today announced there new iMacs

http://www.gottabemobile.com/2013/09/24/apple-updates-imacs-haswell-faster-graphics/

it is very unusual for Apple to announce something so quietly. Never the less I have been holding out on getting an iMac until they announced this years models.

now that that has happened I would love some advice from my apple and Logos loving brothers and sisters. Right now I am thinking of the 21 inch base model with a 1 TB fusion drive upgrade. are there any other options I should consider? would the higher priced 21 inch provide better future proofing?

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Ben

Logos os often held to have some dependence on the graphical power. Haswell has pretty good integrated graphics, but a dedicated card (as the 27s have) would probably provide a minor boost.

The PCI-e SSD will be very nice.

Deacon Steve

it is very unusual for Apple to announce something so quietly.

It does seem a little weird. Even if there is no public announcement, we normally see some kind of indication on the Apple website that a product has been updated. A "new" banner across the product icon or something. I did see the updated graphics card specs on the website, but nothing about an updated CPU is there. The website is silent.

Are we sure the updates have occurred?

spitzerpl

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/529129#Comment_529129

Are we sure the updates have occurred?

Yes. Everyone is reporting them and Apple released a press statement. The stats for the computers are also different from what I've been looking at for the last week or so. they updated the Graphics card, Flash type, and CPU.

JT (alabama24)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/529129#Comment_529129

It does seem a little weird.

It actually isn't all that weird. In more recent years, Apple has silently released updates to Mac lines quietly when the changes are specs, rather than flashier updates.

Wild Eagle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/529133#Comment_529133

Still no retina display, 5400 rpm default hdd - thats a joke. What is going on with Apple. It used to be known for good hardware, seems like not anymore...

Ben

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/529157#Comment_529157

Presumably most users are opting for the PCI-E SSD +HDD, which gives you the best of both worlds: very fast response time, but low price/Gb.

spitzerpl

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/529169#Comment_529169

Presumably most users are opting for the PCI-E SSD +HDD, which gives you the best of both worlds: very fast response time, but low price/Gb.

of course as the buyer I think the fusion should come with the package as standard! not a $200 add on. Then again, I'm the buyer. If it's not worth it to me I have an option, buy something else or live without it. I am frustrated with Windows based products so it is worth it to me. I'm not interested in buying a 4 cylinder Ferrari. i'm Interested in buying something that helps me get what I need done without getting in the way. Mac does that. Windows makes the package look really good with all kinds of cheaper hardware bells and whistles but the bells and whistles have failed to prevent crashes, freezes and reboots.

I am ready for the Apple utopian dream. Ok, it's just a computer, I get that. :-)

EDIT: sorry, Ben. After I reread my post it sounded like I was trying to correct you. I was actually just building off what you said. I think your right on. Most people are going to SSD option. I'm glad they are not forcing everyone to pay for it with a higher price though and are instead providing the 5400 HD option for those who don't need more.

Mitchell

it is very unusual for Apple to announce something so quietly.

Not with stuff like this. They still hold events for big design changes, but they don't typically roll out the red carpet for routine spec bumps like this one.

Still, they look nice, if you're in the market I'd say it's a good time to buy.

Jack Caviness

Right now I am thinking of the 21 inch base model with a 1 TB fusion drive upgrade.

Personally went with the 27" i7 with a 3TB Fusion drive, and I am extremely pleased with the performance.

Adam Rao

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/529246#Comment_529246

I'll be purchasing one of the new iMacs in October. Been waiting for this update.

Two thoughts:

1. The low-end 21-inch now has integrated graphics. I'd opt for any of the models that have dedicated graphics if you can afford it.

2. Get an SSD if at all possible. Especially now that they're running PCIe.

This is a solid upgrade to the already good product they released last year.

In case you're wondering, my system will be the 27-inch w/ 3.2GHz i5, 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD.

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

Right now I am thinking of the 21 inch base model with a 1 TB fusion drive upgrade. are there any other options I should consider?

The 27" iMac has 2,560 x 1,440 resolution that can show more Logos panels and tabs than 1,920 x 1,080 on 21" iMac. Both models support an external display up to 2,560 x 1,440 resolution.

With a quiet upgrade announcement, new models may appear sooner for refurbished purchase =>http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/imac plus prices for older models have already dropped a bit: $ 1,999 for 27" iMac 2012 model with 3.4 GHz i7 and 1 TB Fusion Drive => http://store.apple.com/us/product/G0MS5LL/A/refurbished-imac-34ghz-quad-core-intel-core-i7

it is very unusual for Apple to announce something so quietly.

Searching internet for:

apple quietly upgrade models

finds Apple has quietly upgraded a number of models:

Apple TV 3,2 update on 28 Jan 2013 => http://9to5mac.com/2013/01/28/apple-quietly-releases-firmware-for-a-new-apple-tv-32/

Mac Pro on 11 Jun 2012 => http://9to5mac.com/2012/06/11/apple-quietly-updates-the-mac-pro/

iPad 2 on 13 Apr 2012 => http://www.webpronews.com/ipad-2-quietly-gets-a-processor-upgrade-2012-04

MacBook Pro on 24 Oct 2011 => http://appleinsider.com/articles/11/10/24/apple_quietly_updates_macbook_pro_lineup_with_faster_cpus_graphics/

White MacBook on 27 May 2009 => http://www.zdnet.com/blog/apple/apple-quietly-updates-white-macbook/3985

Never the less I have been holding out on getting an iMac until they announced this years models.

Apple Press Release library => https://www.apple.com/pr/library/ includes iMac updates on 24 Sep 2013.

Keep Smiling [:)]

mab

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/530460#Comment_530460

My friend went with an ivy core i7 and a fusion drive in a 21 inch model. A few months ago. He could have justified anything because it is used for Photoshop. He is very happy with it. I don't see Haswell as much of a leap, but if you are in the market why not?

Deacon Steve

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/529129#Comment_529129

it is very unusual for Apple to announce something so quietly.

It does seem a little weird. Even if there is no public announcement, we normally see some kind of indication on the Apple website that a product has been updated. A "new" banner across the product icon or something. I did see the updated graphics card specs on the website, but nothing about an updated CPU is there. The website is silent.

Are we sure the updates have occurred?

As mentioned before, it was kind of strange that Apple didn't mention anything about the MacBook Pro updates last month ... even on their own website, which they have always done in the past. (Marketing 101) They finally made the updates today with the "new" moniker. Apple has a great product, albeit expensive. The new iPad Air looks great. [:)]

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/536954#Comment_536954

Noticed OS X 10.9 is free for all Mac users running Snow Leopard (10.6) or newer => http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/10/22/os-x-109-mavericks-launches-today-is-a-free-upgrade

Keep Smiling [:)]

spitzerpl

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/529323#Comment_529323

In case you're wondering, my system will be the 27-inch w/ 3.2GHz i5, 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD.

I finally pulled the trigger. This is the exact system I chose as well. I am extremely excited :-) it will arrive around Nov 8. Thanks everyone for the advise!

Deacon Steve

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/539438#Comment_539438

Congratulations!

[:)]