buy or wait?
I currently find myself in a dilemma regarding my next purchase of Apple kit, the crux of which is this: having owned numerous iPads, iPhones and MacBook Pros, I am now in the market for a desktop. After saving for a while, I have a budget of £3K to spend, so I can spec a current 27in iMac with additional RAM, flash drive and upgraded processor to suit my use (photograph/video editing and movie making in HD/UHD). However, I am loathe to invest in two-year-old technology when the next iteration of iMac could be just around the corner potentially boasting much better specs and likely to add years to future-proofing my purchase. A common concern amongst other users, I am sure!
Having followed recent developments in the Apple world, I noted that the Apple display has been discontinued, leading me to think that Apple may just offer a desktop minus a display. Some form of downgraded Mac Pro or upgraded Mac
mini perhaps? As the iMac has been on my wish list for the last 12-18 months or so, and loving the design, I would hate to be faced with buying a desktop and separate display. The rumour forums don’t really give any firm indication of likely specs, other than possible processor upgrades, and the fact that Tim Cook has affirmed that ‘We have great desktops in our roadmap’.
Would newly developed processor/graphics specs be worth the wait and disappointment if Apple do away with a displayintegrated iMac?
ALEX says… Thanks for your email. You’ve written with good timing, as Apple has just announced that it’s working on a new Mac Pro, and will be unveiling a new iMac later this year (no news on when the Mac Pro will come out, just that it won’t be this year).
Apple hasn’t said exactly when the new iMacs will be coming out, although I’d expect it to be later rather than sooner. Still, I would recommend waiting if you can. You are right to be cautious of investing in an older iMac when Apple is due to update the line soon; if you have £3,000 to spend, it’s worth saving that for the new iMac rather than buying an older or inferior Mac to tide you over.
I wouldn’t worry about having to buy a desktop without a display. The iMac brand is too large and successful to tempt Apple to radically alter it by removing the integrated display, so you’ll still be able to get an all-in-one Mac when the update lands. If you did change your mind and want a desktop with a separate display, the Mac Pro has just had a slight spec bump and will, of course, be properly updated in the nottoo-distant future. No clues yet on when exactly that will be, though. Hope that helps you to make your mind up.