imac for study

Question

Level 1

5 points

imac for study

Hi Everyone,

I am looking imac for my Phd studies mainly for data analysis in RStudio and for writing purposes. I am confuse in picking up the right model according to my requirements. What will be the best model according to my requirements?

\Would I go for imac with M1 or M3. Kindly advise me about this matter.

iMac (M3, 2023)

Posted on Mar 27, 2024 7:57 PM

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Answer 1

hcsitas

Level 6

11,372 points

Mar 28, 2024 1:51 PM in response to MacMikeInOK

No, R-Studio doesn’t require anything more than bare minimum https://www.r-studio.com/Mac_Help/systemrequirements.html. Your “minimum” will instead burn $600 for nuthin! Better IMO used elsewhere (just ask any Ph.D student). Just the most basic, cheapest model will do the job. My 60,000 cents 😁

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Answer 2

Mar 28, 2024 1:41 PM in response to SarahR0

If it were me, and I wanted a desktop iMac for the uses you've described, I'd want, as a minimum, the following:

Minimum 16GB RAM (I'm unfamiliar with RStudio...maybe 24GB if it's an app that needs extensive computing power)
Minimum 512GB internal storage (more if you want to store a lot of photos and/or videos)
4 ports on the back. (Less expensive model only has 2 ports)
As hcsitas has pointed out, Apple is only selling the M3 model now.
AppleCare+
USB A <--> USB C adaptors if you have older USB peripherals to connect

You should qualify for the Education discount, so I'd shop using the Education store.

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Answer 3

SarahR0 Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 28, 2024 5:54 PM in response to MacMikeInOK

Thanks macmikelnok, I am bit confused but got the main point that no M1 and think about M3 according to my requirements. I think base model will be work for me.

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Answer 4

Mar 28, 2024 2:06 PM in response to hcsitas

I checked the link hcsitas provided, and couldn't help but notice that no mention was made in their Mac requirements of the last two MacOS versions (Ventura and Sonoma). I'd want to verify with them that a new Mac with Sonoma will be fine with R-Studio.

I would modify my recommendation just a tad, and eliminate the need for 24GB RAM, but would still suggest 16GB. Although I respect that everyone has their own opinions, I still feel 16GB RAM should be the "base" model.

The ports? Well, only the OP would know how many devices will be connected, so I really can't say on that.

Internal storage? Again...that depends. If they're to be stored on an external drive, then a 1TB SSD probably isn't needed. (But I'd still suggest that 512GB SSD should be the "base" model.

If a Mac's RAM and/or internal SSD could be upgraded later, my recommendation might well change. But they can't, unfortunately.

LOL...so SarahRO...have we thoroughly confused you now?

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