Which iMac: New 2017 21.5" Imac or 2nd hand 27" late 2015?

[jonoville]

Hi. I need some advice from someone in the know. I realize for gaming I should have a PC etc etc but I like my Macs and I'm not a real major gamer but I play some and want to play Star Citizen which is impossible with my 2011 i7 2.8GH one I have now
I'm trying to make up my mind which is the better Imac to buy.
One is a new 21.5" and the other is a 2nd hand 27".
It's always nice to buy a new one for warranty etc but the old one seems to have better Graphics. It also doesn't really worry me if I buy a 27" or a 21.5" and though the 2nd hand one has a larger hard drive that's not that important either as I can change that at a later date with not much trouble.
I do play games like Elder Scrolls Online" on it so I want the one that will handle games like that the best and for the longest.
I am updating from my mid 2011 Imac but about $2000 is my limit.
Can someone advise me which way I should go please?

iMac 27 5K Late 2015 i5 3.3GHz 16GB RAM 2GB GPU 2.12TB Fusion Drive (Maxed Out)
Apple iMac 27 inch 5K Retina Model
Model: Late 2015 model purchased in Aug 2016
Upgrades: Upgraded to =>
=> 16GB RAM at the time of purchase (Maxed out)
=> 2TB Fusion Drive (instead of usual mechanical hard drive 17x more faster)
GPU/Video Card: AMD Radeon R9 M395
i5
3.3GHz Quad core processor supports multi threading**(Turbo Boost up to 3.9GHz)

16GB DDR3 RAM (Maxed out)

2GB Dedicated GPU
2.12TB Fusion Drive

Or this new one:

21.5-inch (diagonal) 4096-by-2304 resolution Retina 4K display
Seventh-generation dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
Radeon Pro 555 or 560 graphics processor with up to 4GB of video memory
Model MNE02X/A
Processor Brand Intel
Processor Type Core i5
Processor Speed (GHz) 3.40
Installed RAM 8GB
Primary Storage Capacity 1TB

 

[pigoo3]

You (and you alone) REALLY need to decide on display size first...this is a very personal thing (have the space for a 27"...want more/less screen real estate, etc.). Once you do this...then you have your answer.

If this question were about two 21" iMac's...or two 27" iMac's...then I think there would be more room for discussion.

- Nick

p.s. Personally I would always go for the 27"...and...the 27" is not maxed out on RAM. The 27" has a max. RAM of 64gig (which it could have been configured with at time of purchase...but would have been very expensive). Also...the 27's RAM is user upgradeable AFTER purchase.

 

[jonoville]

You (and you alone) REALLY need to decide on display size first...this is a very personal thing (have the space for a 27"...want more/less screen real estate, etc.). Once you do this...then you have your answer.

If this question were about two 21" iMac's...or two 27" iMac's...then I think there would be more room for discussion.

- Nick

p.s. Personally I would always go for the 27"...and...the 27" is not maxed out on RAM. The 27" has a max. RAM of 64gig (which it could have been configured with at time of purchase...but would have been very expensive). Also...the 27's RAM is user upgradeable AFTER purchase.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for the reply Nick.
As I said, I don't really give a bugger about screen size, all I care about is the better one for playing the games.
I was pretty sure the 27" iMac had the better graphics card though the 21" iMac says it has a 4GB of video memory which threw me a little.
Also I wasn't sure about the CPU power etc would make a difference in the choice.
I did notice him claiming 16gig of RAM was 'maxed out'. I now have a 21" 2011 iMac which I put 16gig RAM in a couple of years ago and that's not even maxed out. from memory.
Cheers.
Jon

 

[pigoo3]

I know you say screen size doesn't matter...but it really should. Since in this case with the 27" iMac...a portion of the price for the 27" iMac is reflected in the larger screen size. If the 27" iMac was a 21" model...then it's price would be lower. In other words...if you don't care about the 27" display size...then you're paying for something you really don't care about.

One other important thing to consider is...the 21" iMac only has 8gig of RAM. If I was purchasing a computer in 2018...I would want it to come with at least 16gig of RAM...or the RAM be user upgradeable. The 27" iMac does have 16gig of RAM (and is user upgradeable). The RAM in the 21" iMac is TECHNICALLY upgradeable...but this isn't really for the average user to do. It is very difficult to get inside newer Apple computers.

Here's the RAM upgrade procedure in case you thought you might do it:

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+Retina+4K+Display+(2017)+RAM+Replacement/92288

Back to the display size. I don't know what size display your 2011 iMac has...but if it's not a 27"...believe me...most users once they have/experience the 27" display...they don't want to give it up!

I know you also mentioned a max budget of $2000. It might also help us to know what the exact price is of each of these computers...since it there's a BIG difference...that's an importnat factor too.

- Nick

 

[pigoo3]

Also. As I mentioned above...don't know the price of the used 27" iMac. But I just looked at the Apple refurbished area...and there currently are THREE 27" iMac models for under $2000...and they are all 2017 models (newer than the 27" iMac you're considering). Apple refurbished are just like new...and come with the exact same 12 month warranty as new computers.

There are also three 21" iMac models for sale in the Apple refurb. area. But they all have only 8gig of RAM...which I would suggest not going with (get at least 16gig of RAM).

- Nick

 

[harryb2448]

Be aware the 21.5" will be as slow as molasses because of the slow 5400rpm laptop style hard drive. Further memory is not user upgradeable without cracking it open, voiding any warranty and removing most of the innards.

Don't believe all about the Fusion drive as it only has a 128GB of PCI-e storage. Overflow goes to the low old platter drive. Suggest looking for a 27" model with a built in SSD.

 

[jonoville]

Thanks again for the advice people.
I am in Australia and both computers are just under $2200 Australian. If buying from America there would be risk involved plus the conversion rate plus import tax so I decided to not go down that path.
My present iMac is a 21" and I added the extra RAM with ease through the small panel on the bottom. I thank Nick for pointing out the ridiculous method in the newer 21" iMacs and for all the advice he has given.
It seems, from what everyone has said, I will be getting the 2nd hand 27" iMac. I searched online quite thoroughly and the 27" iMac seems to be the best deal in my price range. All other ones have a smaller Graphics card.
Thank you all for your advice
Jon

 

[pigoo3]

I am in Australia and both computers are just under $2200 Australian. If buying from America there would be risk involved plus the conversion rate plus import tax so I decided to not go down that path.

Yes...knowing your location Jon is very helpful...and I would not have suggested the US Apple Store if I had known you were outside the US. Of course there's the Australia Apple Store...but they seem to not have any refurbished iMac's at the moment.

My present iMac is a 21" and I added the extra RAM with ease through the small panel on the bottom.

Yes...older 21" iMac's did have user replaceable RAM...but things have changed a bunch (at least the last few years) with the 21" iMac.

It seems, from what everyone has said, I will be getting the 2nd hand 27" iMac. I searched online quite thoroughly and the 27" iMac seems to be the best deal in my price range. All other ones have a smaller Graphics card.

Great to know that your current iMac is a 21". If you decide to go with the used 27"...please let us know what you think of the 27" display. Most folks that haven't had an Apple 27" display before...are usually blown away by the beauty & and large screen real estate of the 27" display!

- Nick

 

[pm-r]

I am in Australia and both computers are just under $2200 Australian. If buying from America there would be risk involved plus the conversion rate plus import tax so I decided to not go down that path.

Well, you do have an Apple Refurbished Store dow under but no iMacs at present, but you could keep an eye on if some show up there:
https://www.apple.com/au/shop/browse/home/specialdeals/mac

I'm sure not a gamer and I have no idea if the screen, type, size or GPU and/or CPU to drive things become the most critical parts. Maybe something to google unless someone here already knows considering what was said:

all I care about is the better one for playing the games.

Somehow I would have problems believing that any Mac running a 5400RPM HDD would be among any of the contenders as a gaming machine as harry had already mentioned.

EDIT:
BTW: I didn't see any mention of Mac or macOS for the Star Citizen System Requirements so I don't know how that translates as to what is needed when pling on an iMac:
http://starcitizen.wikia.com/wiki/Star_Citizen





- Patrick
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[jonoville]

Thanks for the comment Patrick! I can't really wait long to get another Mac because the graphics card on my present one is producing intermittent multiple pixels on my screen plus it locks up occasionally (that's after me googling and doing as much first aid as I'm capable of, software wise.
As for gaming on my computer, I have been locked to Macs for about 30 years now so know the applications etc of which, of the close to 100 in my application folder, I use all at one time or another so won't be changing in a hurry (can't teach an old dog new tricks , and being on a disabled pension for many years I have to make do with what I can afford.
BTW. I realize Star Citizen is not on the Mac platform but there are ways to play Windows games on Mac with full functionability. I can use Boot Camp or maybe follow this links method. (if the link works, if not it's a way to run Star Citizen using 'Snoost' and Steam. https://www.snoost.com/en/blog/play-star-citizen-ultra-graphics-mac-linux/

I just bought the 27" on eBay and got $200 off with the "make an offer" selection so only paid $2000aus + $70 postage. I'll update this post in a week or so with my thoughts.
Thanks all and especially Nick.
Cheers
Jon

 

[pigoo3]

I just bought the 27" on eBay and got $200 off with the "make an offer" selection so only paid $2000aus + $70 postage. I'll update this post in a week or so with my thoughts.

Congrats Jon...very nice.

- Nick

 

[dtravis7]

Since that game is not playing well on your 2011, I would think a lot of that is video card/Chipset related. I would think the 27" iMac you are considering would have the better video card and might play the game smoother at higher resolution. Something to think about. The video card in your current 2011 is probably holding the game back.

 

[harryb2448]

There have been no refurbished iMacs in Australia for three years. All sold directly to a couple of Resellers in each Capital City.

If you are in Sydney I can help you with the name of a guy who sells these. Do not even consider purchasing overseas. Apart from the exchange rate when I looked at this last year, Customs want you to deal through an Agent who will charge a fee for shipping and insurance, his own fee of about $95 and GST applies at the rate of 15% on goods over $1,000.00 when theyvare available locally.

 

[jonoville]

Thanks Harry. As said above, I have bought the 27" and it is on it's way.
I bought my 2011 iMac 2nd hand in 2013 for a very good price from America but this time I remembered the rules have changed regarding computers and now there is import duty so I decided against it.
I am in NSW but an 8 hour drive from Sydney (closer to Brisbane actually but still a few hours out) so no good for dropping & pickup from those cities.
The seller has sent me 3 emails already advising me what's happening so that is a good sign and it's coming by Fastway courier which I have the consignment notice to track it so all good. With luck I made the right choice.
I do have a Sierra boot thumb drive install made and ready though he did reformat it for me and advised me of the password.
Cheers
Jon

 

[harryb2448]

You must be near me at Nambucca Heads.

May I respectfully suggest not speaking to many of these Yank Adminoistrators here as they are trying to get into Australia since the 2016 Presidential Elections. Canadians are also on their guard!!

 

[pm-r]

May I respectfully suggest

That seems a bit odd as the Aussies have been streaming into Canada here for some time now, and I don't hear of many if any Canucks heading south to Aussieland. They seem to prefer going to NZ for some reason.

BTW: I hope you all managed to escape the rain and floods the NE areas seem to have been hit with. Some of the photos and videos are horrendous.

Crazy place with super heat and fires to extreme floods.




- Patrick
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