Which iMac for Programmer?

Hello,

I need some input regarding which iMac will be suitable for my needs.

I am a programmer and I mainly use my current laptop for programming purpose. Apart from that I use laptop for browsing, watching movies, listening songs and interfacing laptop with Raspberry PI, etc.

I don't play games on laptop because most of the games need more RAM and powerful graphics card and they won't get installed on this laptop.

I want to upgrade from my current Windows 7 based Dell laptop which I have used for almost 6 years.

I would like to use iMac for longer time period (more than 6-7 years).

Should I choose 4.0 GHz processor or 3.2 will be sufficient?

Should I choose 4GB graphics card or 2 GB card will be sufficient?

I am clear about RAM and SSD. I am going to take 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD.

Can I expect new version of iMac this September along with iPhone 7 and wait for launch of this new version?

I would like to know which iMac will be suitable for my needs?

First, nowadays with the rapid advancement of computer technology, no computer is going to be forefront for 6 or 7 years. It might last that long, but it will lag behind anything newer.

To answer your question about an iMac... buy the best you can afford. As far as memory is concerned, you can add that yourself later on so that should not be a worry. The last question about what Apple is going to do, we have no idea if they intend to refresh the retina iMac models or not. There will be new MacBook Pros later this year and a new iPhone, but nothing in the rumor mill about an iMac.

(Just to be clear... we are referring to the 27" model iMacs not the 21.5" models.)

One thing that concerns me is you are currently using a Dell and Windows 7. Do you have any experience with OS X? There is a learning curve. And are you sure the programming you will be doing is compatible with OS X? Just asking to make sure you are consitering that.

Also if you are doing large programs with a lot of compiling - and if it were me - I might lean toward the 4.0 GHz. As for the graphics card, I am not sure that the 4GB is needed as you are not gaming or running any CAD or graphic intensive programs. If you are, then by all means get the 4 GHz. And since you want it to last at least as long as your last computer - six years or more which is not unreasonable - then going with the 4GB card might be good for the future.

I will admit - I will max out any machine I buy new as I know I will keep it for many years.

As for a new version of the iMac, it just got refreshed in 2015 with the 5K system. I have not read of any plans to do anything else for now. The Macbook pro is the big refresh for this fall along with the iphone 7 and apple watch.

Lisa

Thanks for the quick info. I mainly write Java and other server side programs. I have never used Mac in my life but I have experience on Linux so I guess I will be able to learn Mac functions.

And yes, I was also referring to 27" iMac model, somehow I forgot to mention this in my original question.

Thanks,
Chandrashekhar

As chscag recommended the most iMac you can afford, and a 27" one to boot. If the funds run to it a new model with flash storage and imroved graphics and a minimum of 16GB of memory.