iMac Desktop: I am considering the purchase of a new 27 inch iMac desktop and would like feedback from those who presently own one. Planning to purchase the standard setup with these...

sodacreek Loc: Ocala, FL

I am considering the purchase of a new 27 inch iMac desktop and would like feedback from those who presently own one. Planning to purchase the standard setup with these specs.
27-inch: 3.2GHz

Specifications
3.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i5
Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
8GB (two 4GB) memory
1TB hard drive1
NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M with 1GB video memory
$1,799.00
Thanks

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

I'd buy it as a refurb from Apple, then max out the memory from OWC(Other World Computing). I would order it with an SSD drive, and plan on using large externals for storage and back up, using the SSD just to run your OS and software. Also, buy a UPS system from APC to keep the power uniform and to prevent surges- it really extends the life of your computer.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

Got mine 2 yrs ago and never looked back.. As mention up your storage, I also bought refurbished, wonderful machine.. Best part my photos match my prints to the T..

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

sodacreek wrote:

I am considering the purchase of a new 27 inch iMac desktop and would like feedback from those who presently own one. Planning to purchase the standard setup with these specs.
27-inch: 3.2GHz

Specifications
3.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i5
Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
8GB (two 4GB) memory
1TB hard drive1
NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M with 1GB video memory
$1,799.00
Thanks

I got a refurb from Apple and added memory, but I don't know if that's possible any more. Get it will everything you want because adding later might not be an option.

As to your specs, I'd double the memory and drive. No, get more than more than double because you'll probably have it a long time.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Welcome to UHH. It should work great out of the box. I've had mine two years and it works great. If you can, you might see if they can upgrade to 16GB (two 8GB). Your hard drive is great. If you shoot a lot, I would consider saving my files to an external storage like a Seagate 2 TB. You will love your new iMac. Good luck.

sodacreek wrote:

I am considering the purchase of a new 27 inch iMac desktop and would like feedback from those who presently own one. Planning to purchase the standard setup with these specs.
27-inch: 3.2GHz

Specifications
3.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i5
Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
8GB (two 4GB) memory
1TB hard drive1
NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M with 1GB video memory
$1,799.00
Thanks

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

sodacreek wrote:

I am considering the purchase of a new 27 inch iMac desktop and would like feedback from those who presently own one. Planning to purchase the standard setup with these specs.
27-inch: 3.2GHz

Specifications
3.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i5
Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
8GB (two 4GB) memory
1TB hard drive1
NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M with 1GB video memory
$1,799.00
Thanks

Another very satisfied user here (with the caveat that i am a long time Apple user, and a bit of a wonk). Great machine, and very good for photographers. That big monitor is wonderful to work with.

Like others, I'd recommend upping the RAM as much as you can. Not sure on the newest models, but when I bought mine three years ago, it was a very easy job to buy and install bigger RAM chips. Memory is often cheaper at places like Fry's than it is when buying directly from Apple and having them install it. Either way, the more RAM the better things run.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

sodacreek wrote:

I am considering the purchase of a new 27 inch iMac desktop and would like feedback from those who presently own one. Planning to purchase the standard setup with these specs.
27-inch: 3.2GHz

Specifications
3.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i5
Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
8GB (two 4GB) memory
1TB hard drive1
NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M with 1GB video memory
$1,799.00
Thanks

I'd recommend 16 g ram if you post process. 8 won't be enough for long and macs have become almost impossible to upgrade on our own. The machine will serve you well, you'll be happy with it.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

jerryc41 wrote:

I got a refurb from Apple and added memory, but I don't know if that's possible any more. Get it will everything you want because adding later might not be an option.

As to your specs, I'd double the memory and drive. No, get more than more than double because you'll probably have it a long time.

Upgrading Memory is possible on the 27" but no longer on the 21.5. If you're buying the 27" buy the least amount of memory possible, then upgrade it yourself (it's very easy). Apple charges a premium for memory but you can get it much cheaper from places like Egghead or OWC (Other World Computing). I have a mid-2011 27" which came with 4GB. I added two 4GB sticks so not I have 12GB which is plenty for what I do. (One of these days I may swap the 2x2GB boards for another 2x4 to give me 16GB total (there are four slots).

The newer iMacs do NOT have a built in DVD drive. Call me old fashioned, but I love that my mid-2011 version has the DVD built in.

Serious neophyte

My wife and I both got 27" iMacs five years ago. They're still going strong and are way better than the Windows pcs we had for years. I upgraded both to 8 Meg's of RAM. Getting the most memory you can afford is the best upgrade.

paccmps

sodacreek wrote:

I am considering the purchase of a new 27 inch iMac desktop and would like feedback from those who presently own one. Planning to purchase the standard setup with these specs.
27-inch: 3.2GHz

Specifications
3.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i5
Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
8GB (two 4GB) memory
1TB hard drive1
NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M with 1GB video memory
$1,799.00
Thanks

I have and use one with an additional stand alone 1 TB hard drive and I think it is great. I recently moved from a PC to the I MAC and the transition was confusing at the start. The screen size and resolution is excellent . My eyesight is not the best and a friend suggested the I MAC. He took me to an apple store for demonstration and I was hooked.

sodacreek Loc: Ocala, FL

I really appreciate the feedback and will consider recommendations for additional RAM. I knew you guys would know a lot more about computers than me.
Again, thanks.

lbrandt79 Loc: League City, Tx.

sodacreek wrote:

I am considering the purchase of a new 27 inch iMac desktop and would like feedback from those who presently own one. Planning to purchase the standard setup with these specs.
27-inch: 3.2GHz

Specifications
3.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i5
Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
8GB (two 4GB) memory
1TB hard drive1
NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M with 1GB video memory
$1,799.00
Thanks

I have this exact set up had it several months and am very pleased, you can upgrade the RAM yourself with quality RAM instead of Apple's which is cost prohibitive. Have no issues with this one or the 24 inch one I replaced. the 24 inch desktop was 5 years old and never had an ounce of trouble with it.

Alfresco

I just bought a 27" iMac with the 3.5 Ghz Quad-core Intel core i7 with Turbo boost, to 3.9 Ghz, the Nvidia GForce GTX 780M 4 GB, 256 GB flash storage and 8 GB of memory. I figured I would max out two things I can't change, the processor and the video card and I can easily up my RAM later for less money. I opted for the 256 GB flash drive over conventional drive or Fusion drive for the speed over conventional drive and size, the Fusion has only 128 GB of flash. I have external storage for my photos and 256 is plenty of room for my OS and programs. I also purchased the USB SuperDrive, as the iMac has none built in.
I would suggest you consider using either a Fusion drive or Flash drive, the speed increase is wonderful. Also, consider the refurbished, shipping is free and the warrantee is the same as new. Just a thought. You will enjoy the iMac, that I'm sure of!

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

One more thing I would suggest and others may not agree with me. Buy the 3 year Apple Care package. It is well worth it. Apple has the best tech support and customer service in the world, IMHO.

sodacreek wrote:

I am considering the purchase of a new 27 inch iMac desktop and would like feedback from those who presently own one. Planning to purchase the standard setup with these specs.
27-inch: 3.2GHz

Specifications
3.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i5
Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
8GB (two 4GB) memory
1TB hard drive1
NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M with 1GB video memory
$1,799.00
Thanks

lbrandt79 Loc: League City, Tx.

DavidPine wrote:

One more thing I would suggest and others may not agree with me. Buy the 3 year Apple Care package. It is well worth it. Apple has the best tech support and customer service in the world, IMHO.

Just an opinion but I do not purchase the care. If you are close to an Apple Store especially (have never bought a refurbished one but might even trust one of those more than a new one as they have been thoroughly checked). They can and will take care of issues on site forever. I have a lot of confidence in their product and have never purchased it. I could get proven wrong tomorrow but just a thought. I took my 24 inch desktop in after owning it for several years and they resolved the issue in the store. You are correct I always tell folks the only thing better than their product is their customer support.