i Mac upgrade: Need some advice on updating my 7 year old 22" I Mac. I'm over 80 and don't have a good vocabulary so maybe you can help break the tie between their $1799 version vs the...

Corsica fox

Need some advice on updating my 7 year old 22" I Mac. I'm over 80 and don't have a good vocabulary so maybe you can help break the tie between their $1799 version vs the $1999. I know it has to do with memory and speed stuff but either will be significantly better than my current one. I'm not a gamer, have about 25000 images now, no PS but likely to get Luminar (?), probably by most standards a lite user. Otherwise it's e mail, web searching, Amazon/other on line purchasing. I know your comments will be very helpful. Thanks.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

While I am a Windows user, according to your usage description, a basic Mac should be quite an improvement over your current one. Save the additional $200 - go out to dinner.
Mark

Corsica fox wrote:

Need some advice on updating my 7 year old 22"... (show quote)

cboysen Loc: Homewood, IL

We just bought the 27 inch Sierra iMac for $1999 and like it very much. Get the best if you can afford it.

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

cboysen wrote:

We just bought the 27 inch Sierra iMac for $1999 and like it very much. Get the best if you can afford it.

I'm with him! For 200 bones get the best you can...you never know when the advantages will come into play...

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

When it comes to 'upgrading' it helps to list the capabilities of your present Mac and the peripherals you have AND the degree of importance of them to what you do. Do your peripherals connect by Firewire, USB, or the orher newer connection. Do you find yourself downloading off DVDs/CDs and burning to them. As Apple has been redesigning some functionality has been dropped. Like the Superdrive for CD/DVD reading/burninng, like Firewire. The Mac OSX is up to Sierra now so the CPU specification will be in the mix, e.g., what is your software compatible with. A factory refurb might be one route, but what is available factors in. Apple has been retiring older machine models and so refurbs will be limited. My feeling is that Apple has been going backwards over the post Jobs years.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

The difference is the processor, i5 or i7. If he does not use intensive applications, he'll never know the difference. He indicated he is a basic user. No need for i7 processor.
I feel its a waste of his money. My opinion.
Mark

cboysen wrote:

We just bought the 27 inch Sierra iMac for $1999 and like it very much. Get the best if you can afford it.

whitewolfowner

The better one will serve you faster by a very small margin. The one for $1900 adds an SSD drive verses a regular drive for the one for $1700. The $1900 one, for $200 more-
' 2
/]fdssdefr89/8=544567890-ztg
"will load the program faster for you when you first start it up but will have little effect when working in the program since its speed is controlled internally in the computer for most of the functions through the processor. It will only be faster when it uses the drive directly. B etter yet, I'd put money into more software. It comes with 8GB, I would suggest you put it up to at least 16GB and if you want to try to stay ahead for the future load it up to 32GB.

whitewolfowner

The better one will serve you faster by a very small margin. The one for $1900 adds an SSD drive verses a regular drive for the one for $1700. The $1900 one, for $200 more-
' 2
/]fdssdefr89/8=544567890-ztg
"will load the program faster for you when you first start it up but will have little effect when working in the program since its speed is controlled internally in the computer for most of the functions through the processor. It will only be faster when it uses the drive directly. B etter yet, I'd put money into more software. It comes with 8GB, I would suggest you put it up to at least 16GB and if you want to try to stay ahead for the future load it up to 32GB.

airbusking Loc: Great State of Texas

My recommend is 1799 plus add 8 gb of Ram.

Corsica fox

It's nearing days end here and I want to thank all of you for your responses. i knew there was/is a pony in there. I'm thinking the basic $1799 version plus 8GB RAM. When I get there I may tumble for the fusion for another $200 and eat at McDonalds. Thanks again.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I think You'll be delighted with or without Big Mac.
Good luck,
Mark

Corsica fox wrote:

It's nearing days end here and I want to thank all of you for your responses. i knew there was/is a pony in there. I'm thinking the basic $1799 version plus 8GB RAM. When I get there I may tumble for the fusion for another $200 and eat at McDonalds. Thanks again.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

From reading the specs, the difference between the two models is a standard 1TB hard disk vs the "fusion" hard disk (a standard HD + 24 GB of flash) and an upgrade in video adapters (but both have the same amount of VRAM) for $200. What you really need for performance is more RAM (16GB total minimum) and a larger hard drive, preferably SSD. Since Apple gets $200 for an additional 8GB, but you can buy it aftermarket for $85, I would buy the $1799 model and add the additional aftermarket RAM for $85. Then I would spend the remaining $115 toward either a 240GB SSD upgrade for $140 or better yet, a 480 GB SSD upgrade for $240. On balance, you will need to install those upgrades or have someone do it, but if you can do that, you'd have greatly improved performance (and storage) for very little more money than the $1999 version. Just my 2 cents... I'm assuming you want to stay with a Mac, so won't discuss an alternate Windows machine configuration.

Corsica fox

That's interesting and I will find out if my local tech company can do those things or somebody close by. I live in a rural area in a small town but maybe within an hour or so it can be done. Thanks

whitewolfowner

TriX wrote:

From reading the specs, the difference between the... (show quote)

You cannot do it that way. The memory chips have to match or it can cause problems. You can buy the 16GB separately and install them that way. You may be able to someone to sell the original chips to.

UKnomad Loc: England

You may be able to get an even 'better' deal - higher spec for lower price by looking at their refurbished machines - they come with same guarantees as new etc.