I just copped the 5K retina iMac and...

[JLova]

Just for broad comparison sake, and PC heads can crucify me later, but I'm working with a $3,000 max budget for my next computer.
Apple
$2,999
5k iMac 27"

• 4.0GHz quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 4.2GHz
• 16GB 1867MHz DDR3 SDRAM - two 8GB
• 256GB Flash Storage
• AMD Radeon R9 M395X with 4GB video memory

Windows
HP Envy Phoenix Performance Desktop
$2,999

• 6th Gen Intel Core i7-6700 (3.40GHz); Windows 10 Pro

• 6GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980Ti Graphics

• 1TB SSD; 6TB (3TB x 2) 7200RPM HDD

• 64GB DDR4 RAM; Blu-ray Writer

• 600W Power Supply; Liquid Cooled

Some key points to consider:
You won't be able to easily upgrade or repair your iMac. (You really don't want to open up that $3,000 computer and screw something up and void the warranty).
The iMac is going to be using a laptop graphics card and not a desktop one.
If you plan on gaming, you'll be very limited.
Performance wise, dollar for dollar, a windows PC will smoke an iMac.

So why do I have apple everything in my house?
I produce music, and I have been using Logic and Pro Tools for way too long. I'm stubborn as far as those go. Logic is not available for PC and in my experience with comparable systems, Pro Tools runs better on Mac. Also I like to have thunder right out of the box. Some of my studio equipment is strictly thunderbolt and I'd like to keep things simple.
I also have a ton of expensive plug ins and I don't have the interest in buying new plug ins for any new windows specific programs.
You really have to ask yourself what you need.
I've been fine for 6 years with the same imac which is weaker performance wise than some of the base model imacs today. The only reason I'm going to be upgrading is for thunderbolt ports, and because I'm getting a substantial amount of student pell grant funds in a few weeks.

With the PC you still don't have a comparable screen to the 5K joint the imac has.

We can both admit, a suped up PC and imac are both hella expensive.

 

[Maschine_Man]

With the PC you still don't have a comparable screen to the 5K joint the imac has.

We can both admit, a suped up PC and imac are both hella expensive.

thats the thing alot of PC dudes don't want to take in to account.(not saying KR is saying that though...just in General)

I mean, the iMac has a built in $2000 monitor. Can't just brush that a side like it ain't a thing.

the maxed out iMac with a 2TB fusion (as default) is gonna give you great performance.
dollars to Gigs, the Fusion drives are the best value regardless, I wouldn't waste my money on an SSD.

upgrading Ram on the iMacs is super easy. Don't even need to open the imac up.
can be done in like 2 minutes.
Cop Ram from some other third party store
like Negegg or whatever

 

[JLova]

thats the thing alot of PC dudes don't want to take in to account.(not saying KR is saying that though...just in General)

I mean, the iMac has a built in $2000 monitor. Can't just brush that a side like it ain't a thing.

the maxed out iMac with a 2TB fusion (as default) is gonna give you great performance.
dollars to Gigs, the Fusion drives are the best value regardless, I wouldn't waste my money on an SSD.

upgrading Ram on the iMacs is super easy. Don't even need to open the imac up.
can be done in like 2 minutes.
Cop Ram from some other third party store
like Negegg or whatever

Could you swap out the fusion for an SSD later?

 

[Mr. Manhattan]

But can you play Games on it

That Mac exclusivity

 

[DMR]

The answer to this question has always been hackintosh - just get a compatible motherboard and nVidia card (AMD may have various issues unfortunately) and build yourself a powerhouse for half the price of an iMac. More info here: Home | tonymacx86.com

 

[Maschine_Man]

The answer to this question has always been hackintosh - just get a compatible motherboard and nVidia card (AMD may have various issues unfortunately) and build yourself a powerhouse for half the price of an iMac. More info here: Home | tonymacx86.com

But it doesn't come with that 5K Screen

Could you swap out the fusion for an SSD later?

Yup, it's not as easy as changing the RAM, but its definitely doable. However, I wouldn't do it unless you are not easily intimidated by computers. It looks harder than it actually is. Can be done in like 10-15 minutes. I did it on my old imac.

Changing an iMac's HDD - All


However, I've had my 5K for a year now with the Fusion and never felt the need to change it. And I run pretty high end apps with tons of plugins and VST's.
in Fact I haven't even upgraded my RAM(even though I'll probably do that next).

I run Logic, Ableton, Maschine. And I've never had any issues. Even When I would edit videos in Premiere Pro my mac has held up with no issues.

and that's with a fusion drive and only 8GB. All I'm saying is I don't think you need to rush out and buy all these upgrades(like I thought before I bought mine), until you actually feel you need to.
A lot of ppl just want to have the specs, without actually NEEDING the specs like that.

 

[Maschine_Man]

But can you play Games on it

That Mac exclusivity

what games do you wanna play on it though?

I'm not a PC/Computer gamer myself ( I own the PS4 and X1). but that Macs can't play games argument is like 10 years old lol. Ever since they went to intel CPU's they've been getting on board with gaming.

but the new imacs can play games no problem. Also, a lot of tech blogs and ppl consistently say that Running windows(dual boot) on a Mac is typically more stable and better performing machines.

 

[DMR]

But it doesn't come with that 5K Screen

True, desperately waiting for 5K Thunderbolt display

Although for now 4K still looks very nice

 

[Ciggavelli]

Dell makes a 5K monitor as well. So, you don't have to go apple. It's pricey though...

 

[Maschine_Man]

Dell makes a 5K monitor as well. So, you don't have to go apple. It's pricey though...

yea that monitor is like 2G's

you can get a 5k imac for $1800.

True, desperately waiting for 5K Thunderbolt display

Although for now 4K still looks very nice

Yea 4K is dope. For me its not even the quality of the picture(which is amazing) its the extra real estate I have on the desktop and on screen now.

 

[Orbital-Fetus]

The thread is still on the first page of TRL but mods deleted some of his comments. Apparently he took the pic of the dead Syrian kid and mad it a smilie just like

on the low...that shyt was funny.