IMac users soo gala

[Shamis]

OK so I'm going to treat myself to a 21.5 iMac but there are quite a number of versions all from the same year and most have a 1tb hard drive and Intel i5 processor.

Is there are big difference between 4k and 5k?

What's a fusion hard drive in simple user friendly terms?

What's the difference between Intel iris pro graphics and AMD Radeon R9 M380?

Cheers!

 

[syntax]

I'll give it a shot


Before I answer your questions, make sure you understand and know what you will be using your computer for. It's easy to get wowed and impressed by all these fancy tech terms companies like to throw out there to advertise with their products. I just dont want you ending up spending money on shit you'll never utilize.

Is there are big difference between 4k and 5k?

Depends. You know how i said it's important to know what you're using your computer for? This is a perfect example. Are you going to use your iMac to go on somalispot, watch ISIS documentaries and just general web browsing? Then nah you won't notice that much of a difference. If you plan on doing some serious photo,video and graphic design editing then this would be a big upgrade. The difference is 5.3 million pixels, which is a lot of extra real estate if you are doing editing. I'll repeat what I said in the beginning though, you won't' notice the difference. 4k itself is absolutely stunning. There's barely any content recorded in 4k out there, so you won't be missing out on much if you're just a regular computer user.

What's a fusion hard drive in simple user friendly terms?

Fucking apple man. Jesus christ these guys are the masters at using buzzwords to sell their devices. Fusion hard drive kulaha, can't lie it's a good and gimmicky name The reality is you're getting ripped off.


Without getting too technical theres two type of hard drives. Hard disk drives (HDD) and solid state drives (SSD). Pre-2010 everyone was using HDD's, that was the standard. HDDs work by using magnetism to store data on a rotating disk and it has a arm that reads/writes data on to it. This is really ancient technology, I'm talking 60-70 years old. So basically the faster your HDD can spin, the faster it can read/write data. SSD's on the other hand are relatively new technology and way better. SSD's put HDDs to shame. Instead of having to find the data on the disk and read it, SSDs can access it way faster because it doesn't have to spend time looking and finding the data. Instead your files and data are stored on a bunch inter-connected microchips. Files and applications open up way quicker, your computer will start up way faster and it'll won't slow down if u don't f*ck it up. Usually computers slow down because the hard drive gets cluttered and it spends more time finding the data (defragmentation, a built in Windows tool, fixes this for anyone reading this that wants to keep their computer operating smoother) .They also run way quieter cuz they have no moving parts, unlike HDDs.

The speed difference is astronomical when you compare SSDs and HDDs. Can you imagine a world where you computer never slows down? That's what SSDs offer. Only problem is the price. Their so fucking expensive. But anyways watch this video to get a sense of the difference in performance.


I tried to not get too technical but it's important to know the difference. Now that you get how much superior SSDs are, let me break the bad news for you. Fusion is just a marketing gimmick. What they mean is you get a hard drive that consists of both SSD and a HDD, hence Fusion. Sounds great right. Yeah......no. First of all for every 1TB of Fusion you only get 24gb. Fucking Lol. 2.4% of your hard drive is SSD, and they have the nerve to call it fusion Oh and it gets worse. The 97.6% of the HDD you're getting is the worst kind. Remember earlier I said that the faster a hard drive spins the faster your computer performs. For consumers theres usually only two types, 5400 rpm and 7200rpm. You're going to spend up to 2000 bucks on what you think is a premium device from a premium company, yet their fucking u over giving you sub-par hardware. Nobody fucking puts 5400rpm HDDs in their computers/laptops unless its low grade products. Even the entire line of Macbook Pro/Macbook Air products have ceased production of HDDs in their laptops, all apple laptops exclusively use SSDs for that performance boost. . You have the option of getting 512gb SSD for like 600 more tho, biggest ripoff. You can get one on amazon for half the price and same performance. I know it sucks, but there's still hope! You can chose the cheapest hard drive option on there, buy a 512 gb SSD on amazon for 200 bucks, which is much cheaper than the 600 $ one apple offers. It's also the same shit Lol these guys r jus tuugos. Anyways once u buy that it takes like 5min to replace your old HDD with the SSD. Trust me, if theres anything you will notice...it's going to be SSD performance. That will make the biggest impact by far on your computing experience. f*ck i hope u understood everything I said, I know i didn't keep it simple but I just don't want you getting ripped off.

What's the difference between Intel iris pro graphics and AMD Radeon R9 M380?

I wrote too much for the last question, so i'll keep this one shorter. Anytime you see a intel graphics card that means its integrated. Nvidia, AMD, ATI, are dedicated graphic cards. What does this mean? Integrated just means its literally integrated and built into the motherboard. So that mean it uses the system CPU for processing power and the systems memory (RAM) to create graphics. It just borrows power from the computer to create graphics in a nutshell. A dedicated card is exactly what it sounds like. It's a separate graphics card that is connected to the motherboard, but not built as a part of it. It's way more powerful because instead of borrowing memory and power from the computer, it comes preloaded with its own memory and processing unit. Once again, it's important to know what you're going to be using your computer for. Integrated cards can basically do anything these days but gaming and intense editing. So if you're not doing any gaming or photo/video editing, stick with integrated. Otherwise you'll be wasting money.

 

[Shamis]

Thank you so much for your time walaalo, I really appreciate your help.

So 4k is already advanced enough to be future safe. I watch online docs on my TV but I do like crisp images on my computer. It sounds like it's a little OTT for my needs but that's not such a bad thing.

I might consider the dedicated graphics card, I'm not a gamer but I do occasionally edit videos and it was frustrating on my old Windows PC. The price difference isn't that big. I'll be using this computer for a number of years so the higher the specs the better to prevent me from buying another one for silly reasons.

I don't think they have SSD though unless this is the standard nowadays. They're sneakily advertising fusion hard drive on the more expensive one. I'll have to visit their store and ask. Thanks so much!!

 

[syntax]

Thank you so much for your time walaalo, I really appreciate your help.

So 4k is already advanced enough to be future safe. I watch online docs on my TV but I do like crisp images on my computer. It sounds like it's a little OTT for my needs but that's not such a bad thing.

I might consider the dedicated graphics card, I'm not a gamer but I do occasionally edit videos and it was frustrating on my old Windows PC. The price difference isn't that big. I'll be using this computer for a number of years so the higher the specs the better to prevent me from buying another one for silly reasons.

I don't think they have SSD though unless this is the standard nowadays. They're sneakily advertising fusion hard drive on the more expensive one. I'll have to visit their store and ask. Thanks so much!!

. Yeah SSD Is going to make the biggest impact performance wise by far. Fusion is just a marketing gimmick, you only get 24gb out of the 1000gb as SSD...which is a fucking joke. Your best bet here is to get the cheapest hard drive with the imac , buy your own SSD online where they are way cheaper,swap it out and get someone to install it for you...only takes like 5min and shouldn't be too expensive. Trust me on this you want a SSD, especially if your already spending that much money. The 5400rpm hard drive and the fusion one are stone age slow compared to a SSD

One more thing I forgot. I see you are trying to be future proof. You know what you need? More memory (ram). The memory on your imac is soldered into the motherboard, so you will never be able to upgrade it. Make sure you get at least 8gb minimum, 16gb is even better. Tbh I'd say forget the dedicated graphics card and spend money on memory. Even the Intel on can handle video editing, but every application always uses up memory, the more the better.

 

[Shamis]

Thanks again walaal.

They all have 8gb RAM. I'll have a look around and see if they do 16gb version.

Is there a chance that putting SSD in might wreck the computer in the wrong hands? Do Apple have this service? Are all the SSD hardrives equally as good/compatible with Mac?

 

[syntax]

Thanks again walaal.

They all have 8gb RAM. I'll have a look around and see if they do 16gb version.

Is there a chance that putting SSD in might wreck the computer in the wrong hands? Do Apple have this service? Are all the SSD hardrives equally as good/compatible with Mac?

Like I said in my first post here,all apples laptops exclusively use SSDs. They phased out HDDs in 2012 because of how shitty they are. So yeah they work well with macs given thst every single macbook laptop after 2012 only has SSD. Im not sure why their shafting you guys. Im guessing its because they have a bunch of shitty 5400 rpm drives sitting aroiBtw fusion is not a SSD or anything close to it, don't let them fool you.


Yes it's easy. I've done it like 6 times so far in my laptops and computers and family/friends. And I'm just a enthusiast, professionals would be able to do it in a sec. Good thing is it doesn't void your warranty. I'm 90% sure but ask them at the store. Apple can do it I'm sure but they'll charge u a fuckload. And i think theyll force you to buy their ssd which is the same as any but way more expensive. Your best option is to take it to a apple certified independent repair store. Dw there's like no chance they can f*ck it up, it's a very simple swap.

 

[Shamis]

I always mess it up on tech stuff and get ripped off and this machine is too expensive to not know everything there is to know about it. I'll bookmark your advice. Thanks again you've been a godsend.

 

[syntax]

Np. You can ask if you have more questions in the future. I just hate seeing people always get ripped off. I used to work at best buy and realized most people are technology illiterate and the companies that make tech products take advantage of this. Fusion hard drive being a good example. Their jus selling you outdated technology but make it sound nice and sexy.

This is why I always just buy all the parts and build my own computer. It's much much cheaper and I have full control.

 

[Shamis]

They made it a selling it point believe it or not!

Every laptop I've bought has turned out to be a rip off like the one time they advertised a HD webcam and the pictures was blurry as hell I don't know how they got away with it. This other time I was choosing between two laptops and ended buying the inferior one because the salesperson told me that it had newer technology but it was the worst performance wise and I found out when I got home and compared their specifications on forum. That's why I'm going to use a standard netbook when I'm away from home and have an all in one household computer for serious work stuff. I'll deffo take you up on your offer bro. Mahadsanid!!

I'll try to learn how to build a computer, this would be a time and money saver for me.

 

[syntax]

Tbh I know it seems really complicated but it's really easy building a computer. It's like Lego. All the parts fit together and you just stick shit together.


My last tip to you @Shamis , before you buy something always always amazon it. I mean search it up on Amazon.com (or .CA if you're Canadian). Reason being is you can gauge the price and read reviews. Amazon usually shows market price since they have more stock than other suppliers. More importantly read the reviews, see how it's rated. It'll give you a good sense of how good the product is. I do this for every tech item I buy.

 

[Shamis]

Will do!! I've used an IMac before and it was devine so my only hassle is which one is better value or has the better features. Thanks again.

 

[Shamis]

So I went on a fact finding mission a d realised that Apple love to rip people off by confusing them. They don't have SSD in any of the IMac models. The 27" one (might as well get it, less sore eyes for tough projects) has fusion as standard and for over £700 they'll install a flash drive. Are you sure there's a SSD drive that is compatible with iMac and not just Mac books? I don't like the idea of these fusion drives at all.

 

[syntax]

Shamis walaal SSDs aren't exclusive to only to laptops. Any SSD will work with yours. The best brands are Samsung,Intel, Seagate and OCZ. Personal favourite is Samsung 850. I got mine off Amazon on cyber Monday this year 512gb for 130 bucks. And apple was trying sell you 512gb for 600 lmao

 

[Shamis]

That's good news news walaal. The flash drives were not worth the upgrade. I'll need 1TB just because this will be my computer for 10 years. I'll get a Samsung one and ask the local computer shop if they can install it. Thanks so much bro.

 

[syntax]

No problem. Goodluck and update me when you buy it

 

[Shamis]

Thank you, I will!