[DrJokepu]

I agree with you but I think your iMac analogy is exactly is the one of main sources of the "controversy" regarding iPhone and iPad product updates. When you update your desktop Mac after 3-4 years for $1500, you expect to see obviously visible improvements for your money. The upgrade cycle for phones and tablets is probably much shorter, due to lower product prices and physical limitations such as battery lifespan. Even though the prices are lower and upgrades are more frequent, I think some people expect to see the same kind of improvements they enjoy with their desktop computers or notebooks; notably, much faster CPU, much more RAM, much more storage space and so on.

[ugh]

Huh? All their PCs improved little in 3–4 years, definitely on a level (or maybe even a bit worse) with what you get when you upgrade your iPhone or iPad every other year.

There is nothing happening with PCs, only boring spec-bumps and maybe a port more or less. The only interesting thing that did happen was the introduction of ultra-books – and even that was years ago.

CPUs and GPUs get faster, but PCs are already extremely fast. There is much more headroom for improvement with mobile devices, their spec bumps are actually good for something.

I don’t see the point you are making at all. Upgrading every other year gets you loads of improvements.

If you buy an iMac now you get the same old boring thing you could get three years ago. Do you really think non-nerds will be able to tell the difference? Heck, even I think that there is little to no practical difference between a 2012 and a 2009 iMac. They are the same goddamn thing (for all intents and purposes).

[jonnathanson]

Agreed. I have a 2008 MBP that is still more than adequate for any task I require of it. And believe me, I put that thing through the ringer on a near-daily basis.

Unless you're a professional film editor or a gamer (and, in the latter case, I'm not sure why you'd be using a Mac), you really don't need to replace Macs every 3 to 4 years. Especially desktops. The desktop market has matured, and it is moving along at a relatively incremental, unexciting pace. There's surprisingly little difference between a 4-year-old iMac and today's iMac, aside from some relatively minor spec upgrades and a new port.