4 ms·

Mostly you're straight on, but the latest iMacs are among the best desktop PCs ever built. And they're still a good deal.

jclardy 10y ago
As far as AIO's go they are great, especially with the 5k display, but the main issue is that Apple doesn't spec bump them. It has been 472 days since the last iMac update and it will likely be at least until spring before we hear about an update. The main issue for me is that my laptop can now use Thunderbolt 3 accessories, but if I bought an iMac today I'd be stuck with thunderbolt 2 and no usb-c ports for the next 3 or so years that I would be using the machine.
- protomyth 10y ago
  Plus, I'm starting to be concerned with quality. Of the last 12 we've ordered 3 were DOA. They got replaced (one after over 2 months), but it wasn't a good experience. They aren't the dumpster fire that HP turned into on the low end for a while, but it is concerning as we have had to send machines back for recalls and fixes. It made for an interesting discussion when we decided a new lab was going to be Intel NUCs with LG 21x9 monitors over buying the outdated Macs. I am hoping for some sign Apple gets it together in 2017.
bangonkeyboard 10y ago
They're desktop PCs with midrange mobile GPUs and mobile RAM in an aging design so thermally compromised for the sake of thinness that it throttles the CPU and GPU at the first sign of either one approaching load while the revving fan efficiently draws in dust from its environment and deposits it irremovably onto the inside of the LCD. Fantastic display panel, though.
- astrodust 10y ago
  > Fantastic display panel, though. That's why people buy them. It's not for the fastest CPU, it's definitely not for the GPU. It's because it has a fast enough CPU, a good enough GPU and goes all-in on the display.
  - tomne 10y ago
    Aren't they all glossy though? It looks better, but it's less practical whenever you get some sunlight.
    - jakobegger 10y ago
      I don't know what the iMacs are like, but the Macbooks have gotten pretty good anti-reflective coating, and they have pretty bright backlight. I prefer my glossy 2015 Macbook Pro to my anti-glare matte 2009 Macbook Pro, even in difficult lighting.
    - astrodust 10y ago
      If you're not used to it that can be jarring, but over time it's less of an issue. It's not something I notice unless I'm in a really bad spot and there's tons of light coming in. Good thing civilization invented this thing called blinds.

jclardy 10y ago

As far as AIO's go they are great, especially with the 5k display, but the main issue is that Apple doesn't spec bump them. It has been 472 days since the last iMac update and it will likely be at least until spring before we hear about an update. The main issue for me is that my laptop can now use Thunderbolt 3 accessories, but if I bought an iMac today I'd be stuck with thunderbolt 2 and no usb-c ports for the next 3 or so years that I would be using the machine.

protomyth 10y ago
Plus, I'm starting to be concerned with quality. Of the last 12 we've ordered 3 were DOA. They got replaced (one after over 2 months), but it wasn't a good experience. They aren't the dumpster fire that HP turned into on the low end for a while, but it is concerning as we have had to send machines back for recalls and fixes. It made for an interesting discussion when we decided a new lab was going to be Intel NUCs with LG 21x9 monitors over buying the outdated Macs. I am hoping for some sign Apple gets it together in 2017.

bangonkeyboard 10y ago

They're desktop PCs with midrange mobile GPUs and mobile RAM in an aging design so thermally compromised for the sake of thinness that it throttles the CPU and GPU at the first sign of either one approaching load while the revving fan efficiently draws in dust from its environment and deposits it irremovably onto the inside of the LCD. Fantastic display panel, though.

astrodust 10y ago
> Fantastic display panel, though. That's why people buy them. It's not for the fastest CPU, it's definitely not for the GPU. It's because it has a fast enough CPU, a good enough GPU and goes all-in on the display.
- tomne 10y ago
  Aren't they all glossy though? It looks better, but it's less practical whenever you get some sunlight.
  - jakobegger 10y ago
    I don't know what the iMacs are like, but the Macbooks have gotten pretty good anti-reflective coating, and they have pretty bright backlight. I prefer my glossy 2015 Macbook Pro to my anti-glare matte 2009 Macbook Pro, even in difficult lighting.
  - astrodust 10y ago
    If you're not used to it that can be jarring, but over time it's less of an issue. It's not something I notice unless I'm in a really bad spot and there's tons of light coming in. Good thing civilization invented this thing called blinds.