Hello everyone, I’m considering buying an iMac for the first time and would like to know if there’s anything I should be aware of before making a purchase.
The M1 iMac is still a solid machine, but here are some recommendations:
- Avoid the base model
- I suggest going for the 8-core GPU configuration with at least 16GB of RAM (around $1,700 new, $1,440 refurbished)
- Expect an M2 (or possibly M3) 24’’ iMac to launch within the next year
- It’s better for resale to purchase close to its release date
- The M1 iMac was released about two years ago, so reselling in three years means dealing with tech that’s five years old instead of three
- If you plan on using it for over five years, this is less of an issue
- Refurbs come with a mighty mouse and a keyboard without a number pad
- Unlike new iMacs, you can’t pay extra for the trackpad and numpad; you’ll need to sell the ones you receive and buy new accessories separately.
@Tyler
I expect to use this iMac for at least five years What are your thoughts:
- Should I wait for the M2, or is M1 sufficient for that time period?
- Is 256GB of storage adequate? I want to get something a bit better than the bare minimum.
I mainly need it for uni work like typing papers, reading PDFs, and using Discord My main worry is performance—I’m switching from Windows for good reasons.
@Willow
I wouldn’t suggest buying an iMac right now I’d recommend spending your budget on a well-equipped Mac Mini paired with a high-quality 24-27’’ monitor.
Try to get as much SSD and RAM as your budget allows The way a Mac relies on cache means that a larger drive will have a longer lifespan and you can never have too much RAM.
@Luca
Good point! I’m not super knowledgeable about computers, especially Macs, so I thought the iMac could be a good entry point since I have an iPad and could take advantage of Sidecar for a dual screen experience. Perhaps I should wait.
@Willow
An M1 Mac with at least 16GB RAM will definitely last over five years, especially for your intended use (which is similar to mine). I got an M1 Mini six months ago and it’s been fantastic My previous Mac lasted 9 years, and I could’ve used it even longer (a 2013 iMac).
If you can afford to wait for the M2 and want to ensure your computer remains viable for longer, that’s a valid choice But if you need or want a computer now, don’t hesitate to buy the M1—many users are satisfied with it.
256GB will be sufficient unless you plan on gaming or need a lot of storage for media. For videos or photos, an external drive would suffice.
Avoid Intel Macs Stick with anything that has an Apple M series processor.
Luca said:
Avoid Intel Macs Stick with anything that has an Apple M series processor.
With rumors of the M2 coming soon, is the M1 still a good option?
Luca said:
Avoid Intel Macs Stick with anything that has an Apple M series processor.
With rumors of the M2 coming soon, is the M1 still a good option?
It still is.
According to MacRumors, the iMac is rated ‘don’t buy, updates coming soon.’
The current iMac ranks lowest in terms of Mac performance Its base specs of 8GB RAM/256GB SSD are increasingly seen as underwhelming You could get an M2 Pro Mini with twice the CPU and GPU performance, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD (those upgrades on the iMac would cost $400), and several more years of use.
@Mackenzie
This is very helpful, thank you!
Willow said:
@Mackenzie
This is very helpful, thank you!
You’re welcome! Every now and then, Apple has a product with real value in the market—I believe the M2 Pro Mini is one of those examples It’s a powerful little machine Just be wary of the $400 upcharge for 32GB RAM as I foresee 16GB might become a performance bottleneck down the line.
Macs are not upgradeable, so ensure you get ample storage and memory upon purchase because that’s the only time you’ll ever have the chance to upgrade.
Go for at least 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD Order directly from Apple.
Never buy the minimum spec unless you’re really wealthy, very old, or just need it for light web browsing and email.