I posted a poll earlier; iMac replacement vs switch to Macbook Air. Most people said Macbook. HOWEVER, I thought about how I use my computer and decided to go with another iMac. I didn't want to buy a bunch of accessories. I like having an easily accessible, always-on big screen; I like a regular keyboard, and I don't have issues with it not being portable. I like my little workstation area and feel like I can use an iPad for portability as needed.
THAT SAID...now it's Prime Day and I really want to order today and the better buy appears to be Macbook Air (I am talking about all M3 models).
IMAC--Research indicated I should upgrade the "unified memory" (like RAM I guess?) from the standard 8 GB to 16 GB to be on safe side for longevity of use. This appears to not be possible anywhere except Apple.com. Which means no sales, or else I just go with the standard 8 GB which apparently is OKAY except for graphics-heavy....but I wonder if I will do more with family videos, etc, and then wish I had the 16 GB??
I could get a 10 core GPU with standard 8 GB and 512 storage for $1550 today vs $1700 regular...but that's the standard. if I upgraded to 16 GB (as recommended?? ?but maybe not needed?) and bought via Apple the cost is a very expensive $1900 that I feel is getting too high.
MACBOOK AIR--the really good deals seem to be on the Macbook Airs.
Could get a 15", 16 GB unified memory and 512 storage for $1450 on Amazon...so that's better specs, right?? For less $? Is this a much better deal, as it appears to be? Or am I missing something?
Would I be dumb to get the iMac and is it really time to leap to the laptop??? Can I make it work for me? DH is zero help and is less tech-y than I am.
I think I know the answer but would love advice from people who are better at this. Thank you!
PS also there are deals today on external monitors as well
Post by polarbearfans on Jul 19, 2024 12:21:36 GMT -5
I would get what you want. If you have kids, the Apple Store has always given me the student discount, so some savings there.
I ended up getting a MacBook Air for myself because I like moving around the house. But I do at times hook up an external mouse and keyboard since I don’t like the touchpad and laptop keyboards but I already had all that stuff from my iMac. I also have an external monitor since I like using two monitors at times.
Better to pay more for what you want than a sale on something good enough.
After all this… I decided just to wait until Black Friday! Lol. But I did a ton of research and thinking and I know the exact options I would want in an iMac versus the MacBook Air. I’d be OK with either one pending deals available!