iMac 5K Purchase (College Student)

hello everyone,

college student has been interested in purchasing imac 5k quite time now, couple of factors have been stopping me making final decision. appreciate helpful input willing take time in reading have say.

cannot make decision on imac 5k model right me. throws me off new models released month.

appreciate input perspective , make purchase based off of everyone's comments. try make easy possible list few things use imac for.

* = daily
** = weekly

what use imac 5k for:

• browsing web (netflix, social media, online blogs, emails)*
• listening music*
• editing photos in photoshop cc*
• editing (1080p) videos in final cut pro & premiere pro cc/after effects cc*
• using illustrator cc (along of adobe’s cc applications)*
• playing video games (call of duty 4, shovel knight)**
• lastly, using microsoft office (2011 , 2016)*

for budget limited on amount can spend why cannot make final decision on model should purchase. spend $2,550. not know of these more important upgrade (processor, graphics card, or storage).

not use 3d editing software, not know if 2gb video memory enough future if keep machine more 5 years (which plan on doing). confusing part apple has 3 new graphics cards (r9 m80, r9 m90, , (r9 m95 can upgraded 395x)) , not know suit needs based on list above.

thing stuck on storage, person not need lot of storage on machine because have external 3.0 hdds debating on 2tb fusion drive (for included 128gb ssd) or 225gb ssd (which less produce heat). ram, keep 8gb of ram since can upgrade in future.

please keep in mind using education discount base prices lowered.

side note:
own macbook pro retina 13 inch , using of above software runs smoothly on machine.

specs are:
2.4 ghz, i5
4gb ram
intel iris 1536 mb

thank again willing me!

 

"i own macbook pro retina 13 inch , using of above software runs smoothly on machine.
specs are:
2.4 ghz, i5
4gb ram
intel iris 1536 mb"

above think you've partially answered own question. , partially because caveat base 27" config while exceeding of above specs, has 2gb of vram push pixels of larger screen. unfortunately move 4gb of vram have go top tier, , select $250 r9 m395x upgrade puts way out of price range. mid-tier model's video card (r9 m390) while better base's r9 m380, still gives 2gb vram. education pricing approx 10% less. stated purpose graphics, processor, storage in order, , existing external usb3.0 hdds , budget constraints 256gb ssd recommendation. agree base 8gb ram (to upgraded later).

see 3 scenarios might want consider:

a) if you're not in huge rush, wait few months these units show in refurb store. 15-25% off, immaculate condition, full warranty, app available , same-as-new return privileges.

b) go base tier 27" 5k imac above mentioned 256gb ssd upgrade, that's in price range, , try out usual applications. if you're not happy graphics performance, you've got 2 week return window.

c) if you're not dead-set on latest , greatest there great deals had in above mentioned refurb store, both non-retina 2013 models, late 2014 5k retina models; highly recommend check these out, availability fluctuates daily, check often. if see like, move fast, don't last.

best of luck!

 

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