[Closed] Considering buying an Imac - daft or a good move?

https://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#Mac

Chromebook.

Spend £1200 quid on a PC with an SSD, read a how to on windows updates and use windows built in security

https://www.lifewire.com/patch-tuesday-2625783

Updates 2nd Tues of the month unless something is very critical which you should install

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-schedule-windows-updates-windows-10

As a personal device...nope. Use them at work and seem more problematic than my windows 10 home pc - both do very similar jobs but pc is evening and Mac during the day.

Properly expensive and I don't think it is any better.

Nothing wrong with it other than price for me, but it does nothing better or worse than my pc (which did cost 3 times less and is 6 years old, not 1 year).

A lot depends on what you are going to use it for and what you want to get out of it.

I use both a Windows laptop (work & home) and an iMac (home), and for basic user experience then the Mac is a nicer product to use - both the hardware and the OS.

However, I do like W10 a lot more than previous versions of windows, and it's defo a step in the right direction from Microsoft.

As far as longevity goes my iMac has been great. I bought the then top of the range i7 27" iMac in 2011 (it was basically free as I received a golden handshake for completing my NQT year at a school & got an educational discount). Over the last 7 years I've maxed out the RAM and upgraded to a decent size SSD. I've also made sure to keep on top of OSX updates. It seems to be running as well as ever, and (touch wood) has given me no problems.

Computer years are like dog years, and so I think that 7 trouble free years from a desktop computer is pretty good!

I don't give it too hard a time, but it occasionally gets used for some quite CPU intensive image/video work, and its main use is as a music production machine in my little home studio. I've got Ableton live 10 running, and it will happily do multiple tracks with loads of VSTs running with pretty low latency.

But to be fair my personal Windows laptop has been great too (I'll leave my shonky work laptop out of this as it's been a bit crap, but that's down to them buying the cheapest hardware they could get away with).

It's a refurbed ex-business HP Elitebook i5 (quadcore I think, so gen 3 or 4). I upgraded it to W10, and again maxed out the RAM and installed an SSD. The solid drive makes a massive difference to startup time. It's practically instant. It happily deals with large, multiple layer Photoshop work, ad 3D modelling for 3D printing, and again is happy with running CPU hungry music software when I'm playing stuff live.

I don't use it on the internet that much (use the crappy work one for that!), keep my anti-virus up-to-date, and I've stopped auto updates, so I can do them manually as and when they're needed.

I have a Macbook pro as my personal PC. Whilst it's been pretty good, I wouldn't buy another. When I bought it, Windows laptops were struggling to keep up with what Apple were producing, IMO. Nowadays, windows lappys are just as good and, personally speaking, I find the limitations of software availability for Macs too much of a faff (CAD and GIS software). This may not affect you as much but it's a biggie for me.

As others have said, learn how to run windows right and it won't be an issue. My Mac still requires regular updating as well.

Are you running third party anti virus? That causes more problems than in solves imo. Use the built in Windows one. Fit a solid state drive and it'll boot and run much quicker. Spend the other £1000 on something else 🙂

iMacs are brilliant. I have one for home and one for work. Super reliable and a joy to use. Many many haterz but most of them have only ever walked past one in Curry’s.

I was a Windows user for years and switched to a Mac for home use 4 years ago (still use Windows daily in work).

It's good for regular browsing, but when I do come to do something less common I still find MacOS frustrating at times and have to resort to Googling stuff which I'd just be able to figure out for myself in Windows.  Such as 2 days ago trying to navigate to a specific folder in terminal, where part of the file path contained a space.   Turns out you need to escape spaces with "\", but the real annoyance is that there's no option from Finder for "open terminal here" like you have in Windows.

And my Mac still seems to ask for updates constantly.  Depending how you're using it you might find that switching is more hassle than it's worth.

And my Mac still seems to ask for updates constantly.  Depending how you’re using it you might find that switching is more hassle than it’s worth.

Don't they update via telepathy and the shizzle and that? Like magic?

I've got no problem with the updates, it just seems to be one of the main things everyone bigs up about MacOS over Windows!  It's not much different in my view.

I find osx infuriating to use. Perhaps it's years of Windows use but after 3 years with a Mac I gave up and went back to windows.

Little things which windows can do and I use all the time, particularity browsing folders in explorer, copying folder locations, opening new windows in specific locations etc... Are impossible/infuriating in Mac.

Look at £1200 windows based all in ones and you'll get a much better spec with an ssd.

take ages to start up

As above, fit an SSD (plus boost the RAM to 8GB if it doesn't already have this).

constant updates

Regular updates are once a month (and MS critics constantly complain that this is too slow).

anti-virus and those updates don’t seem to gel until a few days have past

As above, ditch the 3rd party anti-virus and use the built-in one.

there’s no option from Finder for “open terminal here” like you have in Windows.

Finder > Services > Services Preferences

In 'Shortcuts' tab, tick 'New Terminal at Folder' to add to context menu.  You can even add a keyboard shortcut if you want.

<p>As a lifetime Windows user I hate Macs on a similar level to Linux. A lot of stuff seems counter-intuitive and generally awkward when you are so used to doing things a certain way. I'm sure a lifelong Mac user would feel similarly gfoing the other way.</p><p>As said, get an SSD (you can get a 500GB Samsung for about £81) and a bit more RAM if it's struggling. A fresh copy of Windows never does any harm either if it's an upgrade or OEM install you are using. And ditch 3rd party AV.</p>

I wouldn't buy anything these days without an SSD.  Before you take a punt on a new computer stick an SSD in your current one.  It really will feel like a new PC and all the things you've mentioned that annoy you will disappear.  I upgraded the wife's laptop the other week. Free cloning software made it a breeze and cost me £80 for 512GB drive.

If you do go with an iMac, at least make sure it's got the Fusion drive, not just the base model with a standard drive.

Is the in-built available stuff on win 10 easy to find? Current 3rd party is up for renewal and if in-built is decent, I'll use that instead...

All I can say is my 2009 iMac is still working perfectly.

The only problem is Apple has obsoleted it, so OS upgrades are not available.

Considering a move to Linux.

Is the in-built available stuff on win 10 easy to find?

Press start/windows key and type security

I have used Mac desktops for 20 years but use Windows laptops.  Current laptop is an SSD with WIndows 10 and it boots up in 4 seconds and generally runs more quickly than my 7 year old iMac.  When the iMac dies I will get a windows machine.  I like the built in nature of the iMac with no need for base unit but I see many manufacturers have copied that approach so I would just get a Windows machine now

What should I be looking for or is it a bad move?

The question is always - who will I ask when I have problems?  If that person uses a Mac then get a Mac.  If they use Windows then use Windows.

oh, and get an SSD

@MrPotatoHead where did you get the SSD and cloning software?

s the in-built available stuff on win 10 easy to find? Current 3rd party is up for renewal and if in-built is decent, I’ll use that instead…

Same here, it might very well be that thats causing the probelm, my 3rd party AV is avast BTW.

Before you take a punt on a new computer stick an SSD in your current one.

I'll look into this.

It may be those two things that are causing issues.

Is the inbuilt AV as good as the 3rd party ones?

As a lifetime Windows user I hate Macs on a similar level to Linux. A lot of stuff seems counter-intuitive and generally awkward when you are so used to doing things a certain way. I’m sure a lifelong Mac user would feel similarly gfoing the other way.

Not really .or its different.. I used Linux/UNIX as my main systems for years at work alongside Windows.

The biggest and hardest change for me with the MacOS is that you don't tell it HOW you want to do something but WHAT you want to do.  Thats a bit of a generalisation but the biggest battle when I started was stopping looking for menu's and just try and work out how I'd try and accomplish something..  even stuff like mounting an external disk... the Mac just does it and doesn't tell you... so you have to just accept that.

I found the mac more intuitive once I got over trying to find explicit menu's.. and trying to fight it.

I've not really got on with windows 10... but I've put in almost no effort.

All that said though the value of buying an iMac today is really in the ecosystem.  If you have iPhone etc. then it's more worth the premium.

(Written on a 11 yr old iMac)

We got an iMac a month ago, the 21” retina one, also got the ms office package, some extra speed/memory and AppleCare for 3 years. Very pleased with it , love the clear bright display , easy to use and speedy. Got using unidays account and it came with free beats headphones so once these flogged and the unidays discount the price was a bit more bearable.  Prefer it to the old windows thing it replaced.

Is the inbuilt AV as good as the 3rd party ones?

Yes swap them and see

even stuff like mounting an external disk… the Mac just does it and doesn’t tell you… so you have to just accept that.

I'm sure I had to do that in Linux about 10 years ago.... Amazingly Windows seems to manage that unless it's something fairly obscure.

If your not speaking/typing into search/menu then try that takes you to what you might need most of the time.

The real answer is to buy my Mac Mini and get the screen of your choice. The problem with new iMacs is that once you buy it you can't upgrade it as memory is soldered in, plus it's a bit of a sod to open up to change drives. I do like them but I have 3 Mac Minis instead.

+1 for the SSD. I did this about 4 years ago and it made a huge improvement.  My BIOS date is 26/12/2007 and I'm running an Intel quad core processor also released in 2007 with 3GB RAM, Windows 10 and I'm finally looking to replace it with another Windows PC at Black Friday.

Also have a 2017 MacBook Pro for work, iPad, iPhone and iWatch which are all great but I can't justify £1,749 for a 27" iMac

I got an iMac last year and it's brilliant. Not sure what the stuff is before about issues...what issues? Also support...the Apple hotline has been great on other older Apple products I have...sure if it is a hardware fault and you're out of warranty you'll have to pay to get it fixed, but I've used the Apple hotline on a couple of things like problems with WiFi and a few other things with other devices and they've been great.

Intuitiveness can be learned. I've spent a few months now on Windows 10 after my work laptop has been updated to it and I bought my daughter a WIN 10 machine for school and WIN 10 is a big step backwards form the previous version of Windows in my opinion. It's taken a lot longer to get used to going from the previous version of windows I was running to Windows 10 than it took me to get used to OSX when I got my first MacBook.

If you want a desktop then an iMac is very very good...however...

The smaller screen models were updated a year or so ago and they basically have the internals from the MacBook range, and are now not upgradable. I was originally looking at one with upgraded HDD and RAM and it came out a few hundred quid less than the start of the larger screen models, which have a much better screen, self upgradable internals, much better processor and GPU hardware, so I just bit the bullet and got the mid level larger screen iMac. I know it will last at least 10 years (my brother is still running his old MiniMac for pretty heavy duty photography and video editing duties - just upgraded RAM and HDD to an SSD) so the 'investment' is worth it I think.

Don't get hung up on the operating system wars, there are lovers and haters of all operating systems even within those 'in the know'. When my work laptop was getting upgraded I took it to our IT people and in one room were 6 or so geeky technicians and across that population there were those who loved their particular OS and hated all others, a fairly even split across WIndows, Apple and Linux.....

But i'd recommend an iMac for sure. A super capable machine....uber reliable, fast as **** even with a mechanical HDD (mine is a hybrid drive), will be extremely reliable, build quality is second to none, upgradable and still looks like a nice bit of kit in the corner of the room. Their only downside is price, but compared to a similarly spec'd Windows machine they're actually comparable.

I switched from Windows to Mac about six years ago. It definitely took a while to adapt. I wouldn’t go back though. I have a 27in iMac and it’s brilliant. Fantastic screen, lightening fast and I like the in-built apps like photos (although maps not so much).

I bought this iMac from the referb store. It’s still a lot more cash that a similar spec-d PC, and quantitively it’s hard to justify the difference. Qualitatively, I much prefer it.

Intuitiveness can be learned.

Intuitiveness doesn't have to be learned, it's intuitive. MacOS is not intuitive for someone used to Windows. It's an excellent OS, but it's not intuitive in the way that fanbois insist.

I liked mine, as someone who works with Microsoft stuff all day and fancied a change for personal computing. They're actually not bad value compared to an equivalent screen and the computer gubbins inside.

If you're someone who can get through a day using Windows without referring to a Dummies Guide you're smart enough to switch over. No, not everything is the same, but easy enough to figure out.

I got rid because the hardware inside was a bit too slow after 5 years and even with the decent amount I got secondhand for it, couldn't justify the cost of the new 27" ones.

Amazon-480GB Sandisk SSD with SATA USB lead for £80. Ended up using some cloning software called EaseUS which did the job.

What is this forum coming to?

33 posts in and no one has yet suggested he just buy a lady shave instead

Pcpartpicker.com, Samsung drives are best. I think aria are doing the 500gb ones for £81. Has its own clone software.

And yeah. Intuition is not learned, that's kinda the point. I'm not saying OSX is bad, it just has its frustrations in the same way that Linux does.

Windows 10 works the same way all other versions barring 8 did. Or is operated rather. No big mystery. Metro is no sad loss either, was crap on anything other than a tablet or touchscreen.

Amazon-480GB Sandisk SSD with SATA USB lead for £80. Ended up using some cloning software called EaseUS which did the job.

This is typically the go-to solution.

However, I'd personally install a fresh build of Windows and shift the data, well unless you're stuck with poor internet speed.

I built my own pc for around 1000, the thing is a beast, however the normal user experience is not as fluid or "nice" as my 4 year old Macbook pro retina.  On the other hand it did cost just over half of what my macbook cost and it can play games. I am finding that the current pricepoint of apple devices only makes sense if you are intending to keep the device for 4+ years.

Also, whilst the price is attractive, I'm not sure I like the 21.5inch screen, seems too small.

As for the OPs orginal question.

Macs are lovely things, not sure I'd drop £1200 on the one in the link, reasons:

Its a 7th gen i5, I know they're very current, but for £1200 I'd want the 8th gen, 7 to 8 isn't some incremental scheduled marketing job. 8th Gen CPUs are really a level up.

It's got a 1tb HDD, so it's going to be no quicker than your current machine in the areas that most consumers care about, start-up and initial performance.

Not that they're terrible value these days, but you should be able to find a great 8th Gen i5 based PC with a 500GB SSD and a 4K monitor for about the same price as above.

Updates in Win10 should be pretty seamless if you let it just do it's thing,  they're a bit of a pain if you're stuck with poor bandwidth and most browse though, but even Macs need updates, just not as many, because less people are trying to attack them.

AV, either ditch the bolt-on, especially if it's a free one. If you have good back-ups use Defender, if you've got critical data and/or high-risk user and want great support from your AV provider, buy ESET, none is better.

I've got an old ish laptop with i5, Win 10, 8GB ram and a hybrid HD.

Boots in about 12 seconds and has never put a foot wrong despite being used every day.

The missus is a real Apple fan boi (gurl?) and has the latest imac huge thing after upgrading from her not late 2013 one with smaller screen and no SSD. I tried the old one and despite it being nearly 150% faster in terms of processor power, it simply isn't as intuitive and user friendly as windows.

Even tried it twice just to make sure I wasn't being irrational. Second time I gave it a few weeks and still the same outcome.

Sure, it works well with other apple devices and itunes is a breeze but, not for me on the whole.

It is now sat in its box waiting to be sold, but can't be arsed sorting it out.

It's not a cheap alternative but I got a Dell  Precision All in One 5720 (XPS 27)

/en-uk/work/shop/workstations/precision-workstation-aio-5720/spd/precision-5720-aio/xctop5720emea

Comes in lots of guises (touch/non touch).

And you could build a more powerful windows machine for less, but it's an Imac equivalent.

I wanted something for the kitchen which was better than a laptop and always out, but not a big box.

I love it.

Again not really cheap but the screen is fab (hardware calibrated) and it actually has a great sound system.

There is also a home version called the XPS 27 (that is the same but not upgradable in the same way as the Precision).

There is also matte-screen non-touch version that I tried that was surprisingly capable but less flashy, and less well built. (Dell Inspiron 27 7000) from Currys etc.

Although I'm a long-term windows user - I don't get the love for Windows 10 - it's quite a messy set-up. But is at least stable.

Would totally recommend one. Quality is superb and the operating system is far superior to any version of Windows, from the most crappy to the fairly crappy.

No they aren't cheap, but I'd still say they are better value for money than any Windows based machine. And there's not the constant wait while the thing updates every few days.

And yes there's a learning curve, but it's not a steep one. You get the hang of things very quickly. Can't see myself ever going back.

Amazingly Windows seems to manage that unless it’s something fairly obscure.

Although I can't remember what windows 10 does... what I'm saying is it doesn't notify you of progress or anything... it just mounts... and you then need to know and go and find the new media.

It's just one example...  but the Mac just tends to do stuff... then you might need to undo it .. if you wanted to mount a fs readonly for example... whereas Windows tends to ask you what you want to do...

I'm not saying either is better ... but the way of just doing was one of the major things I took time to get used to.

there’s not the constant wait while the thing updates every few days

Windows updates once a month.

And there’s not the constant wait while the thing updates every few days.

Once a month unless its critical......