Future Proofing for Everday Tasks

hi , merry christmas!

these 2 imac configurations considering purchasing.

21.5 imac
3.1 i7
1 terabyte fusion drive
16 gigabytes of ram
nvidia geforce gt 750m 1gb video memory

21.5 imac
2.7 i5
1 terabyte fusion drive
16 gigabytes of ram
intel iris pro graphics

use computer surfing internet, checking email, , downloading photos. it's been 4 years since have done video editing in imovie, used handbrake, or encoded music or dvds.

obviously, i7 overkill today, unclear about.

though benefit of i7 applications use hyper-threading, faster i7 processor in addition better graphics card take me farther future everyday use before machine starts feel slow vs. i5? , if so, how farther, 1, 2, 3 years?

i've noticed when apple updates it's operating systems, blankets machines within categories made during years eligible upgrade disregarding different speeds or processors made within time. example, minimum requirements yosemite imac (mid 2007 or later). in future 2013 imacs not eligible upgrade down road regardless if have i7 or i5 processor. however, if stuck on last possible os upgrade, benefit me have i7 setup? although difference in setups not make of difference in speed basic tasks today, in future when os more demanding?

use current imac example. core duo 2006. noticed time snow leopard came out, surfing web slower, , machine slower overall. surfing pages full of flash or gifs cause slow down web pages briefly freeze when scrolling through them. in other words, web surfing experience no longer smooth. wonder if given option better imac in 2006 have made experiences while surfing net snow leopard snappier? , if so, i7 hyper-threading capabilities plus better better graphics card provide better experience while surfing web 3 or more years future i5 setup?

also, remember once 1080p movies itunes came out, system unable play them well. looked minimum requirements , require 2.4 core 2 duo. in mid 2007 apple had 2 20 inch imac models released, 2.0 , 2.4 ghz. guess make case getting higher end mac have enabled me watch 1080p videos more pleasantly until today.

in nutshell, understand not notice of speed difference between i7 , i5 basic tasks today, uncertain in future, if same basic tasks, surfing internet, benefit i7 setup in turn afford me opportunity enjoy computer longer period of time.

 

if plan use everyday tasks lower model fine. 2 models down road wont different. have similar resell value in 2+ years

 

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