@jclements said:
It seems to me that the 2.7GHz (Intel Iris Pro graphics) was a good value compared to the 1.4Gz configuration.
Definitely.
@jclements said:
If I wanted to use SketchUp, would the 2.7GHz option do the job or is the 2.9GHz/nVidia necessary?
@jeff hammond said:
i've never personally used an intel gpu with 3D apps (i have an imac.. nvidia 780m though) but i just haven't heard any complaints lately with the 13" and many 15" macbook pro, the new mac mini, nor these imacs.. all of which use the iris pro.
I'd echo Jeff's comments. I've recently bought a 13" MacBook Pro RD with a 2.5GHz i5/ Iris Pro, so a slightly slower version of the middle config for the iMac you're considering. So far I've been super-pleased with its SU performance. I don't render with it, but I haven't had any issues at all with medium-large files (40-50 MB). I just finished a walkthrough animation that produced a 45MB mp4 file. The animation inside SU and the movie were smooth and hitch free.
So, yes the 2.7GHz would do the job for most SU users, excepting perhaps those with the most demanding workflows.
I also concur with Jeff regarding Apple Care, and have a similar track record with a long string of Macs going back to the SE... never bought it, never needed it. The MacBook replaces an almost 11 year old 12" Powerbook G4 โwhich survived untold amounts of abuse. Any issues I've had โhard drive / optical drive failure โ happened years after an extended warranty would have run out. (7 & 9 years respectively).