I am a graphic designer and I am using iMac (27-inch, Late 2013) Processor 3,4 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 Memory 24 GB 1600 MHz DDR3 Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M 2 GB and I can't update the OS anymore. But I would still like to use 27-inch Mac... Is the option of buying the last iMac 27-inch (refurbished) good option or do you recommend other solution?
Thanks for your answer.
Regards,
Leticia
If you can use a 4K instead of a 5K monitor consider the following: if you're considering a new iMac and budget is a concern consider the following: a 10 Core Mac Mini M4 with 16 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD ($1299 US) with a 32" LG 4k monitor with speakers ($318 US) from Amazon.com) is $1517 US which is $512 less than a similarly configured new 24" iMac ($2029 US). Keep your keyboard and mouse from your current Mac for use with the Mini.
32" 4K monitors will range up to $400 or so.
I got the above Mini with a 32" LG 4K monitor w/speakers for the same price as a 27" monitor (didn't know the Mini had a speaker). There are many monitors available in 27" size for about $100 US to $500 US depending on what features you want. The prices are before tax, tariffs and the Strait of Hormuz.
I had an 2017 i7 iMac with an SSD boot drive and the new Mini runs circles around it. So much faster.
You can use the keyboard and mouse from your current iMac.
If you can use a 4K instead of a 5K monitor consider the following: if you're considering a new iMac and budget is a concern consider the following: a 10 Core Mac Mini M4 with 16 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD ($1299 US) with a 32" LG 4k monitor with speakers ($318 US) from Amazon.com) is $1517 US which is $512 less than a similarly configured new 24" iMac ($2029 US). Keep your keyboard and mouse from your current Mac for use with the Mini.
32" 4K monitors will range up to $400 or so.
I got the above Mini with a 32" LG 4K monitor w/speakers for the same price as a 27" monitor (didn't know the Mini had a speaker). There are many monitors available in 27" size for about $100 US to $500 US depending on what features you want. The prices are before tax, tariffs and the Strait of Hormuz.
I had an 2017 i7 iMac with an SSD boot drive and the new Mini runs circles around it. So much faster.
You can use the keyboard and mouse from your current iMac.
The replacement for my now recycled Late-2013 27-in iMac has evolved to an M4 Mac Mini Pro with 14 CPU, 20 GPU with 64 GB RAM and a 1 TB internal SSD. I could have managed with 32 GB RAM, but certainly not 16 GB judging how Apple is adding bloat to present and future releases of macOS and associated third-party applications. Plan ahead, not behind.
I went with the now discontinued 32-in LG 4K HDMI UN32880-B Ergo display with anti-glare screen. It is connected to my M4 mini with a Belkin Ultra Highspeed 8K/4K HDMI cable. I will never go back to a 27-in display for my primary desktop.
Although I did purchase an Apple refurbished 27-in Core i7 iMac in 2021 (currently with 40 GB RAM and Tahoe 26.5.2)) that acquisition now would not be a strategic decision as Apple has dropped macOS Intel hardware support in the forthcoming macOS Golden Gate (27). I happen to have the free VMWare Fusion 26 and a Mojave guest that features the iWork '09 applications for memory lane work.
The best buy, is an M4 Mac mini and a 27" or 32" external display.
No. Buy a new Mac Mini and a monitor that suits your needs.
The last 27” iMac was the 2020 Intel model. It has a nice 5K Retina Display, but will never receive any version of macOS later than Tahoe.
A M4 or M4 Pro Mac mini paired with a large monitor would be much more future-proof. (M5 and M5 Pro Mac minis are expected, but we cannot speculate here on when they might come out.). Be sure to order as much RAM as you need, since there is no way to add more RAM after purchase.
leticiasy wrote:
What about Monitor Philips 34M2C8600 monitor, OLED, 34", 21:9, 3440x1440, 100Hz, pivot, USB-C, HDMI, Display port, USB? Is it OK too?
Philips – Evnia Curved Gaming Monitor QD OLED gaming monitor
That combination of resolution and pixel density works out to ~109.7 PPI – about the same pixel density as a 27" non-Retina 2560x1440 monitor. Basically this is a 27" 2560x1440 monitor with another 440 pixels tacked on to either side, and is probably best run in non-Retina 3440x1440 mode.
I don't know whether the maximum refresh rate (100 Hz for HDMI, 175 Hz for DisplayPort or USB-C (DP)) might turn out to be an issue, in the sense of reducing the total number of displays that you could attach to a M4 Mac mini or M4 Pro Mac mini from three to two.
Or Dell UltraSharp U2723QE?
Dell – Dell UltraSharp 27 4K USB-C Hub Monitor - U2723QE
I'm using one of these now, with a M1 Max Mac Studio. Never bothered installing Dell Display Manager software. Given the pixel density, I prefer to run it in Retina "like 2560x1440" mode. Retina "like 3008x1692" mode is also usable, but I find Retina "like 3200x1800" and "like 3360x1890" modes (which may not be available on a Mini) to produce text that is too small. (As does non-Retina 3840x2160 mode.)
According to Dell's site, "This monitor is currently unavailable".
leticiasy wrote:
What about Monitor Philips 34M2C8600 monitor
Or Dell UltraSharp U2723QE
Most all after market external displays will work with the Mac mini.
👍 You're welcome.
leticiasy wrote:
Thanks
You're welcome.
OT
What about Monitor Philips 34M2C8600 monitor, OLED, 34", 21:9, 3440x1440, 100Hz, pivot, USB-C, HDMI, Display port, USB? Is it OK too?
Or Dell UltraSharp U2723QE?
27-inch iMac OS update issue; upgrade advice?
