Help configuring new iMac

[bamapt]

Hello,

I am in the pro cess of trying to purchase s new family desktop. I had Waited around in October to see if new iMacs would come out but I am in need now. I am coming from an old PC but do have one MacBook in the family I’m used to. I want to go ahead and try to future proof somewhat but also not overspend. The computer will primarily be for kids education use and some minor home video and picture editing.

Had planned to purchase the 27 inch iMac and was looking at the 3rd of the line choice
With the 4.2 Ghz processor , 8gb and 2 Tb fusion. I am now wondering if I should save $$ on the processor and instead use that towards an ssd instead of the fusion ?

Want to stay under 2500 but get what’s most sensibile for sure.

Thanks in advance

 

[Raz0rEdge]

To future proof your technology purchase you buy the best/most you can afford right now. So investing in the SSD as opposed to the Fusion drive is a good thing. You can likely scale back the processor to a "slower" one and not be hurt by it

 

[ferrarr]

Without knowing what country you are located in, be sure to check, if the Apple site offers Refurbished units?

Here is the US version, https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished

 

[bamapt]

To future proof your technology purchase you buy the best/most you can afford right now. So investing in the SSD as opposed to the Fusion drive is a good thing. You can likely scale back the processor to a "slower" one and not be hurt by it

Yeah I’ve been a little leery of the fusion based on some reading. Should I go back to the 3.5 ghz processor or does the video card difference in those two models justify the step up?

 

[Raz0rEdge]

The fusion drive is more marketing than anything, so stick with the SSD. Based on your stated use case of minor video/photo editing, the drop from the 580 to the 575 is negligible.

For comparison, see: https://www.techwalls.com/amd-radeon-pro-570-575-580-comparison/

 

[IWT]

@bamapt

This very recently published article may give you some help in deciding what Mac is best for you: https://www.intego.com/mac-security-blog/how-to-choose-the-right-mac-for-your-use-case/

It's worth a read anyway.

Good hunting!

Ian

 

[bamapt]

Thanks for the feedback. I’ve definitely decide I’m going with the 512 gb ssd. Would like to go more but I figure I can keep most of my stuff externally and save some.
Now just have to decide about the processor and whether to splurge or save and go for the base or mid model

 

[chscag]

Go for the base model and order it with the 512GB SSD. For family use, kids education, and home videos, it will be more than enough. You don't need the i7 or all that extra horsepower that you will never use. Memory can be added by yourself later on. It's a 15 minute job to add memory. Since that machine has USB-C/TB 3 ports, you can add an external SSD for excellent speed and storage. Small very fast SSDs such as the Samsung T5 series can be had on sale from B&H Photo in NY or Amazon.

 

[Rod]

My very first suggestion based on a friend's recent experience updating her old mac desktop is please create a separate user for each person using the device and only grant Administrator rights to yourself.
This is easy to do and if you want instructions on how to do this just get back to this forum. Here is a helpful link.
https://support.apple.com/kb/PH25796?locale=en_AU

 

[bamapt]

Go for the base model and order it with the 512GB SSD. For family use, kids education, and home videos, it will be more than enough. You don't need the i7 or all that extra horsepower that you will never use. Memory can be added by yourself later on. It's a 15 minute job to add memory. Since that machine has USB-C/TB 3 ports, you can add an external SSD for excellent speed and storage. Small very fast SSDs such as the Samsung T5 series can be had on sale from B&H Photo in NY or Amazon.

Thank you. I believe this is the choice.

My very first suggestion based on a friend's recent experience updating her old mac desktop is please create a separate user for each person using the device and only grant Administrator rights to yourself.
This is easy to do and if you want instructions on how to do this just get back to this forum. Here is a helpful link.
https://support.apple.com/kb/PH25796?locale=en_AU

Perfect. Definitely need to do that.
Thanks for all the help here! Looking forward to getting it ordered.

 

[Rod]

Suggestion two is don't share anything. Do not share App Store or iTunes accounts. As annoying as it might be your children must have their own Apple accounts, usernames and passwords and this will give them logins they can use for an email account (apple will create one for each new account) as well as an app store and iTunes account.
Third impress upon them the importance of remembering their passwords. This means, the login for their individual user accounts on the device as well as their Apple ID.
I know this sounds a bit harsh but in my recent example the youngest child sharing the family computer lost everything. Her games, her music and her photos.
Obviously if you can record all of thier usernames and passwords that will be good but chances are they will change them at some point.
Idealy everyone should have their own devices and own login to any shared device this will save all sorts of problems down the line and make syncing their own devices like phones, tablets and laptops much easier.