. . .and this cost of this new investment climbs ever higher.

Seem to remember the cost of my first hard drive was $800 for 40 meg zero footprint drive that fit under my Mac Plus.

I have started looking at computers like I do cameras now. Disposable with a very limited lifespan of no more than 3 years for business. If this was a hobby I would still be using an old machine.

No way! For the money we're talking on these (2011 OR 2012) they need to last a lot longer.

Well with a 2011 you are starting with a computer which is almost 2 years old.

Sigh. . . I guess that's a good point.

BTW, does anyone really need a 3TB main HD? Media storage is supposed to be external, right?

I've been getting by for the most part with 350 GB.

And what is the purpose of the 768GB flash storage option?

Re: Thunderbolt: that may be, but fact is I still have all USB, FW400 and FW800 drives (not to mention my Apogee duet audio interface which is FW400). Not going to scrap them 'cause something else is faster. Perhaps the NEXT external drive/device I'd buy would be TB, but the older stuff is staying around 'til it spontaneously combusts.

Hi Josh.

For what it's worth, there's an "Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter" for $29 which can connect to a FW800 drive.
Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter - Apple Store (U.S.) (http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD464ZM/A/apple-thunderbolt-to-firewire-adapter?fnode=51)

And this might be able to handle a FW400 drive with an additional "FireWire 800-400 Adapter" for $8.
NewerTech FIR1369AD 9-pin (FW800) to 6-pin (FW400)... in stock at OWC (http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/FIR1369AD/)

And, as the iMacs from now on won't have optical drives or burners, you can get a Blu-ray (and DVD) burner for $99 which is powered by the USB port (I ordered one of these yesterday):
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MRSSBDR6X/

As the iMacs (and the connectors at the back) constantly evolve, I find I have to keep a very large drawer filled with connectors and adapters, in case I ever need to use legacy equipment.

It looks like getting one of the new ones is the way to go, unfortunately for my wallet.

There's supposed to be some kind of super thunderbolt breakout box coming?

Guess I can look for a 2012 refurb. . .

Ok. Thought I was resolved to (eventually) getting a spanking new one, but I see now that even the May 2011s have a 3.4 Ghz i7 model. So given that, are the new ones really much faster/better?


Looking at a comparison on Mac Specs, Prices, Answers & Comparison @ EveryMac.com, Est. 1996 (http://www.everymac.com), I see that the big differences between the maxxed out Mid2011 and new ones (not counting the obvious, missing fw and optical drive) are:

new - i7 3770/mid 2011 - i7 2600
-graphics card - new MGeForce GTX 675MX/ mid 2011- Radeon HD 6970
-max vram - new - 1GB/ mid 2011- 2 GB
RAM type - new pc3 12800 ddr3l/ mid 2011 - pc3 10600 ddr3
min RAM speed - new 1600 mhz/ mid 2011- 1300 mhz

So, hate to keep asking this, but how much do those things matter in the real world?

Ok. Thought I was resolved to (eventually) getting a spanking new one, but I see now that even the May 2011s have a 3.4 Ghz i7 model. So given that, are the new ones really much faster/better?


Looking at a comparison on Mac Specs, Prices, Answers & Comparison @ EveryMac.com, Est. 1996 (http://www.everymac.com), I see that the big differences between the maxxed out Mid2011 and new ones (not counting the obvious, missing fw and optical drive) are:

new - i7 3770/mid 2011 - i7 2600
-graphics card - new MGeForce GTX 675MX/ mid 2011- Radeon HD 6970
-max vram - new - 1GB/ mid 2011- 2 GB
RAM type - new pc3 12800 ddr3l/ mid 2011 - pc3 10600 ddr3
min RAM speed - new 1600 mhz/ mid 2011- 1300 mhz



really? I'm sorry but you need to read this entire thread more carefully. I ORDERED the mid2011 3.4 GHZ i7 and stated that many pages back. I also linked to an ebay auction with a mid 2011 with a 3.4ghz i7. I also stated the comparison stuff between the 2012/2011 models pages back.



So, hate to keep asking this, but how much do those things matter in the real world?


My vote is no, hence the reason I went the 2011 model. Either one would be an amazing upgrade from you current dual core machine.

Im aware you ended up with the older model. It was suggested by some others that while this was ok if one didnt have the money for the latest and greatest, it might be foolish to go with something that is nigh on two years old at this point just to save a grand. Ive been trying to see, since that point, if the age really matters given the real world differences in the machines. Sorry if im causing frustration.