Which of Two Similar iMac Builds Would you Buy?

Rhino Mac Hardware
1

The following are used, from late 2017. I want a machine that can handle heavier files and rendering using v7 for Mac. I am a long time Rhino for Windows user, but I find many of my clients and students are trending towards the Mac version now, so I’m investing in a more powerful machine than my current Macbook Pro from 2012 (which still runs Rhino fairly well, amazingly).

Assuming almost identical price and the fact that I have no need for all the hard drive storage:

Version 1:

Quad-Core Intel Core i7
Processor Speed: 4.2 GHz
4TB Hard Drive
128GB SSD
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores: 4
Memory: 32 GB Ram
GPU: Radeon Pro 580 (8 GB Ram)
Display: Built-In Retina LCD
Resolution: 5120 x 2880 Retina

Version 2:

Quad-Core Intel Core i7
Processor Speed: 4.2 GHz
500GB SSD
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores: 4
Memory: 16 GB Ram
GPU: Radeon Pro 580 (8 GB Ram)
Display: Built-In Retina LCD
Resolution: 5120 x 2880 Retina

2

I’d buy the first one between these two (much larger memory). although I won’t buy a Mac…

3

You’d be surprised, I think. I have been, pleasantly so. This isn’t Rhino for Mac v5 we’re talking about …

I’m looking for insight from people who use Macs though–the SSD is a big factor in how Rhino runs and the second machine has a larger SSD, so I’m wondering if that offsets the big hard drive that I don’t need.

4

PC with the same spec is cheaper than a Mac, even for a second-handed one. I have a 3rd-Gen Mac Pro but I seldom use it for any modelling.

Regarding SSD, yes for heavier model the I/O is faster, however it’s only faster for I/O.

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5

Thanks Keyu. I use PC for my own work and always will (although my Lenovo machines definitely were not cheap). But I have clients and students who want Mac, so it’s not “should buy a Mac?” but “which model should I buy?” : )

6

So i’d buy the first one. afaik memory matters a little more than a faster ssd.

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7

Thank you.

8

Get the one with the most memory. As far as I know memory isn’t replaceable but SSD’s are so if you find later that you need more SSD you can always upgrade it with a larger one from OWL.

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9

DON’T buy the ram upgrade from Apple. Aftermarket RAM is much cheaper and takes 2 minutes to install.

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