Rumors are heating up that Apple is about to reveal a retina caliber iMac. Having used a retina MacBook Pro now for two years, I can tell you I love it. After all of this time I still sometimes look at text on this screen and just drool. I’m so spoiled. 

If Apple releases a retina iMac I’m sure it is going to be gorgeous. I do, however, have a few tips if you are thinking about this currently-mythical device:

1. Don’t Buy on Launch Day

The first generation retina iMac may have issues. Specifically, every time retina screens are added to a new device, there is a performance hit. Usually, it takes the second-generation device for the graphics horsepower to catch up with all of those pixels. Recently, we have seen this in the third generation iPad and also the first generation retina MacBook Pro. This may not be a big deal to you, but you should at least go in with your eyes open. Shortly after the product releases, there will be benchmarks that will give you an idea of what you’re getting into.

2. No Cinema Display for Awhile

Don’t hold your breath for a retina Cinema Display anytime soon. In an iMac, the screen is, in essence, jacked straight into the graphics card. With an external display it would have to go through the Thunderbolt port. The amount of data required to drive that many pixels through a Thunderbolt cable is going to be difficult until Thunderbolt cables get faster (which is planned).

3. Be Prepared to Pay a Premium

When the retina screens found their way onto the MacBook Pro, Apple added the “retina” moniker to the front and a few dollars to the price tag. I wouldn’t be surprised if the same thing happens to the retina iMac.

4. Don’t Look at One Unless You’re Willing to Buy One

I love my retina display on my MacBook Pro. Text is gorgeous. I could never see myself buying another non-retina screen Mac. This screen has ruined me. I will intentionally not look at the retina iMacs if/when they show up.