Purchasing a 2011 new or refurb iMac vs new 2012?

You can actually put 32Gb in it, the same as the 27" version.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3160562?start=0&tstart=0

Here are the specs for that iMac:

http://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-i5-2.7-27-inch-aluminum-m id-2011-thunderbolt-specs.html

Org. price $1,699; total RAM supported by Apple: 16 GB.

It'll have Lion installed; however, since it was originally released in May - before Lion was introduced - you could check with Apple on the original build number and might be able to install Snow Leopard on an external drive and be able to boot with it. Worth investigating if it's important to you. Here are the build numbers of iMacs:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1159

As you can see, some came with SL, some with Lion.....

In addition to this forum, use the Apple Help menu, and buy a book as a ready reference:

Mountain Lion - Missing Manual, Pogue Press

There are several expressed opinions about potential 2012 iMac hardware failures. Get Apple Care then. Three years of hardware coverage in case something unplanned goes bump. The screen fails or the machine incinerates because of a martian death ray; Apple replaces the machine. Stop with the scare tactics.

If you can manage the finances, go with the 2012 iMac and get the 16GB memory option. Far better CPU and graphics capabiity than 2011 models. Need a DVD drive, get the Apple external model. And, you qualify for One-on-One.

Want to run Snow Leopard on that 2012 iMac, you can in the Parallels Desktop 8 virtualization software. See here for more information on those steps. MichaelLAX is the authority on this process and a frequent contributor to this community.

Are you suggesting to buy the new iMac with the 16 GB option supplied by Apple?

If so, why pay a premium? RAM can be added for significantly less later.

FWIW, the OP asked for opinions, which were supplied. They will differ, but everyone is entitled to their own.

And, Apple doesn't simply "replace the machine"; usually, a minimum of three attempted repairs is necessary before a replacement is even contemplated. It took 5 months and 7 repair attemptes on my Macbook before a replacement was offered.

Great to hear - good luck with your new machine!

Where are you buying the RAM?

Well, I'm the cautious type and generally stick with the officially supported number, but there are plenty of people who have trusted OWC (macsales.com). These guys test the RAM and guarantee it, so it's your decision

Your model should be one of the ones listed here:

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iMac/2011/DDR3_21.5_27

You have a lot of choices; I went with adding 2 x 4 GB for a total of 12 GB. You can add 2 x 8 for a total of 20 GB. The previous two choices assume you are leaving the original RAM.

If you want to take out the original RAM, you can do 4 x 4 GB, 2 x 8, or 2 x 16....... upon checking, I see that there are no 16 GB, so you can do 4 x 8.

If you're just adding, simply leave the original RAM where they are and pop the new RAM in the other two slots. RAM should match horizontally (left and right slots populated with the same RAM).

Look at my post again - I had to edit it: there are no 16 GB modules.....LOL.

But, regardless, you still have a lot of different options. I'm doing fine with 12 using Final Cut Express and a lot of other video/graphics type software (for video editing, rendering, etc). If you're into gaming though, absolutely max it out.

Are you suggesting to buy the new iMac with the 16 GB option supplied by Apple?

Not on the 27 inch iMac that has four user accessible memory slots. Macsales has 16GB for $109. The 21.5 inch 2012 iMac has no user accessible memory slots (according to the Apple iMac tech specs) and that is where I would recommend 16GB Apple option for future proofing. You will notice that Macsales also offers a memory kit for the 2012 21.5 inch iMac. They use red ink to describe the memory upgrade process as “very complex.” Since Apple didn't design this machine for memory upgrades, the mental cost of tearing it apart would exceed the money saved.

The above was my opinion.

David M Brewer wrote:

WZZZ wrote:

Still in doubt that the mid-2011 will run Snow Lepoard. In theory they should, but I've yet to hear of someone who's done it.

My mid-2011 came with Snow Lepoard. Just a few weeks before Lion came out...

Yeah, I was talking only about the currently available ones that ship with Lion (or is it ML now?)

WZZZ wrote:

David M Brewer wrote:

WZZZ wrote:

Still in doubt that the mid-2011 will run Snow Lepoard. In theory they should, but I've yet to hear of someone who's done it.

My mid-2011 came with Snow Lepoard. Just a few weeks before Lion came out...

Yeah, I was talking only about the currently available ones that ship with Lion (or is it ML now?)

I bought my MBP July 2011 ... which makes my MBP every so slightly more valuable re-sale than August 2011 for particular user-market.

The 21.5 inch 2012 iMac has no user accessible memory slots (according to the Apple iMac tech specs) and that is where I would recommend 16GB Apple option for future proofing. You will notice that Macsales also offers a memory kit for the 2012 21.5 inch iMac. They use red ink to describe the memory upgrade process as “very complex.” Since Apple didn't design this machine for memory upgrades, the mental cost of tearing it apart would exceed the money saved.

I'm aware of all of that. I did not occur to me that you might be referring to a size that wasn't being discussed in this thread - my apologies. I would not buy a 21"; actually, my current 27" i7 iMac will most likely be my last iMac - may look for more appropriate replacement options when the time comes in 2015 (once the Applecare expires).