Apple iMac or iPhone 16 Pro Max?

bertfair on 08/10/2024 - 16:45
Last edited 08/10/2024 - 16:51 by 1 other user

My iMac is nearing the end of its life. macOS is Big Sur, now about 10 years old, may be older. My iPhone also is old (iPhone 7).

My dilemma is, do I forego replacing either the iMac or iPhone? But both is not an option due to my funds. Both options come out at a similar price.

My advisors (real friends) suggest that since I have just been using my iMac for emails, browsing and no longer subscribe to Lightroom, my best option is to go for an iPhone 16 Pro Max with 512GB storage. They say it is virtually a handheld computer with a camera as good as a mid level DSLR.

What would you do it you only had one option, iMac or iPhone ?

Poll Options expired

  • 6
    iMac
  • 21
    iPhone 16 Pro Max
Computing Apple Computer Mobile Phone

Comments

  • Mechz on 08/10/2024 - 16:53

    I would buy an Android phone that costs much less and a refurb Windows laptop. Probably still have change enough to buy a return flight to Japan.

    • ThithLord on 08/10/2024 - 16:56
      +1

      What if OP wants a phone that will receive more than two major OS updates, and a Laptop that will last more than 4years before becoming a laggy POS?

      • caulfieldguy on 08/10/2024 - 17:31
        +1

        My Dell PC is ageing disgracefully and now runs windows 11.

        The only laggy POS in my possession is my daughters macbook with M1 processor and 8GB ram. She wants a new one, we're getting her a Lenovo, without an expensive cult following and running a proper version of Office.

        • ThithLord on 08/10/2024 - 17:32
          -4

          lmao sure, bud

        • ihfree on 08/10/2024 - 17:58
          +1

          Cool story bro.

          Sounds like the family's tech decision maker has failed to buy a product that meets requirements which is a shame because the MBA is an awesome device for the right use case.

        • sumyungguy on 08/10/2024 - 20:19

          She must have a highly irregular use case to be hating on an M1 MacBook Air; more likely the sad reality of receiving less than zero support at home. At least you'll enjoy excellent resale value.

  • ThithLord on 08/10/2024 - 16:57
    +2

    You use the phone every single day, and cameras are astronomically better than what you get on the iPhone 7. I went from iPhone 12 Mini to 16 Pro and my word, the cameras are so good.

  • ihfree on 08/10/2024 - 17:41

    I'd go the phone. Your friends are probably overselling the camera a bit but it would require more effort with a SLR and is probably about the best you'll get from a phone.

    As an alternative, assess your actual storage needs and consider a standard iPhone and refurb or lower end Mac.

  • snapper17 on 08/10/2024 - 17:48

    I would get a 16 (non pro) at jbhi fi. you can get 10% off gift cards fairly easily.

    That would leave you with about 1k, then you can get a mac mini again with 10% off at jb.

    wait 2 more weeks before buying the mac if you can as there maybe a new model mini that would push the price of the current m2 models down. Then grab an m2 with 16gb ram and 512gb hdd. You can always attach an external ssd if you need more storage.

  • Potatohead82 on 08/10/2024 - 17:50

    I'd go with the iPhone 15 pro max with the max storage you can find. Is the iMax running a spinning hard disk that can be replaced with an SSD? If you just browse the web and check emails, Big Sur on iMac is more than enough. We still have a macbook air from 2012 on Catalina, which is used for web browsing and emails and it runs perfectly fine as it has an SSD.

  • nav71 on 08/10/2024 - 17:51
    +1

    2 Completely different technologies for different purposes. You would probably use your phone more, just get a phone

  • AustriaBargain on 08/10/2024 - 20:15

    I mean you can do a lot of what you used to do on Lightroom on an iPhone these days. And you can always get another Mac later.

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 08/10/2024 - 20:32

    macOS>ios

  • starspawn on 08/10/2024 - 20:46
    +1

    If you have no other computer at home, you could easily spend the 2.2K on a Macbook Air & older iPhone

    https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/apple-iphone-13-128gb-mid…

    https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/macbook-ai…

  • Save 50 Cent on 13/11/2024 - 16:34

    Definitely get rid of iphone 7.
    Get a cheaper refurbished iphone as suggested above plus a mac mini and a screen.

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