Which is the best value Mac at the moment?

[Phooey]

I'm sat typing this post on my MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2011) 1.7 GHz Intel Core i5 4GB 1333 MHz DDR3..

I had a quick look yesterday on the Apple site to see which is the best vfm new machine but couldn't get my head around the different specs. Is it actually worth buying right now, or is there any new updated machines due? For example I looked at the iMac 21.5" but a quick Google says it's an old machine and the 27" was recently upgraded but the 21.5" wasn't. I then looked at the smallest of the MacBook Pros and the Air but again couldn't decide which out of the three (iMac 21.5", 13" Pro or Air) represented the best value for me. The machine doesn't have to be portable hence I could get away with the iMac, but needs to be good (powerful?) enough to last me another 7 or 8 years without having to upgrade to the latest model. Any tips or recommendations greatly appreciated, thanks

[Troubleatmill]

You need this.
https://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#mac


I would wait until the new chipset comes out. And then I would until v1.1 comes out.

[Phooey]

Troubleatmill said:

You need this.
https://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#mac


I would wait until the new chipset comes out. And then I would until v1.1 comes out.

Cheers. Any best guesses as to when that will be? I think the above site was the one that put me off buying a 21.5" iMac.

[driver67]

I'm very happy with my high spec Mac mini.

Great value for money.

Dougie.

[AJB88]

First question is whats up with your current machine?

[birdcage]

The 540C. You can get one for about £50

[Burwood]

Phooey said:

Troubleatmill said:

You need this.
https://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#mac


I would wait until the new chipset comes out. And then I would until v1.1 comes out.

Cheers. Any best guesses as to when that will be? I think the above site was the one that put me off buying a 21.5" iMac.

It's worth waiting for if you can but won't ship until the second half of 2021. It will look like an iPad screen (23") most likely and it will run all your iPad apps. It will be super fast and efficient. I need a new iMac but I'm going to wait

[Phooey]

Burwood said:

It's worth waiting for if you can but won't ship until the second half of 2021. It will look like an iPad screen (23") most likely and it will run all your iPad apps. It will be super fast and efficient. I need a new iMac but I'm going to wait

Thanks mate. Bummer it's a year away mind. I keep saying I'm going to treat myself to a new machine for home (I have a 2015 MBPro at work) and give this 2011 MBAir to my daughter if i can easily and successfully wipe all my stuff off it. I'm not sure i can wait a year so need need to perhaps visit a store and get some advice on which is best (for around £1300-£1500) out of the 13" MBP, 13" Air, and 21.5" 4K iMac!

[steveatesh]

Burwood said:

It's worth waiting for if you can but won't ship until the second half of 2021. It will look like an iPad screen (23") most likely and it will run all your iPad apps. It will be super fast and efficient. I need a new iMac but I'm going to wait

Do you know if they are making a bigger screen too?

[Burwood]

steveatesh said:

Burwood said:

It's worth waiting for if you can but won't ship until the second half of 2021. It will look like an iPad screen (23") most likely and it will run all your iPad apps. It will be super fast and efficient. I need a new iMac but I'm going to wait

Do you know if they are making a bigger screen too?

That’s the call from those in the know. The 27 should become the 30"

[alorotom]

I bought a 27” iMac in April and love it - upgraded the ran via OWC and added another 32” 4K screen to it over the weekend - it’s perfect for my needs

[CanAm]

birdcage said:

The 540C. You can get one for about £50

“And some fell on stony ground”

[classicaholic]

Just got the new MacBook pro to replace my MacBook air, I run CAD and web design on it with no issues and its fast as F!

I run a couple of big screens and all the other stuff thats wired through just one port in the office but use just the laptop at home. I got the biggest ram and quad core so it should be good for a few years. The screen is very good as long as you try off the annoying auto brightness, the only downside is it takes ages to connect to a network.

[Phooey]

classicaholic said:

Just got the new MacBook pro to replace my MacBook air, I run CAD and web design on it with no issues and its fast as F!

I run a couple of big screens and all the other stuff thats wired through just one port in the office but use just the laptop at home. I got the biggest ram and quad core so it should be good for a few years. The screen is very good as long as you try off the annoying auto brightness, the only downside is it takes ages to connect to a network.

Good to hear you are happy with the new MBP! Which one did you buy if you don't mind me asking? I've had the idea of putting a few machines into my Amazon Wish List to see if they appear in the Prime Day deals on 13th October

[classicaholic]

Phooey said:

classicaholic said:

Just got the new MacBook pro to replace my MacBook air, I run CAD and web design on it with no issues and its fast as F!

I run a couple of big screens and all the other stuff thats wired through just one port in the office but use just the laptop at home. I got the biggest ram and quad core so it should be good for a few years. The screen is very good as long as you try off the annoying auto brightness, the only downside is it takes ages to connect to a network.

Good to hear you are happy with the new MBP! Which one did you buy if you don't mind me asking? I've had the idea of putting a few machines into my Amazon Wish List to see if they appear in the Prime Day deals on 13th October

[Phooey]

classicaholic said:

brill, I may copy you on that model then - thank you