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2021 M1 iMac: Peak iMac design?
- Thread starter Kierkegaarden
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Hopefully by then we get to see the next chip in the M1 family (M1X?). The rumor mill seems pretty clear that a 12-core (8 performance, 4 low power) variant exists. This chip would presumably support more memory, multiple display out, etc. We also aren’t clear yet as to whether dedicated graphics is a thing on this new architecture and to what extent.
From a feature perspective, I’d like to see 24” and 30” sizes (enabled by smaller bezels), Face ID, and it would be nice to finally ditch the white Magic accessories and go all in on silver/black and/or space grey/black.
I intend to replace my 2016 MBP next year, with either the redesigned iMac or MBP, so I’m really curious to see how the performance situation between them plays out with Apple silicon, among other features and pricing.
From a feature perspective, I’d like to see 24” and 30” sizes (enabled by smaller bezels), Face ID, and it would be nice to finally ditch the white Magic accessories and go all in on silver/black and/or space grey/black.
I intend to replace my 2016 MBP next year, with either the redesigned iMac or MBP, so I’m really curious to see how the performance situation between them plays out with Apple silicon, among other features and pricing.
I have a 2015 MBP and planning to upgrade to the Air or Pro but I want a redesign on the laptops so I’m going to see what the M2 or M1X brings next year, with the iMac getting a redesign I’m hopeful.
There is a very long iMac thread where this has been discussed. To sum up, there has been several rumours of an 24 inch iMac with a iPad Pro like design. Considering what the M1 is capable of in a thin chassis, it is possible that we see a flat back iPP like design for iMacs. The current bulb is only needed for cooling very warm component. I would not be surprised if the 24 inch was passively cooled just as the "air" while the 27-30 inch has active cooling to be better adapted to heavy workloads.
Other discussion is a very thin screen and having the computer in the stand or foot. If tat results in a 720p camera, no thanks.
I believe that in 2021 we see more of iPhone/iPad Pro technology migrated to the Macs.
Other discussion is a very thin screen and having the computer in the stand or foot. If tat results in a 720p camera, no thanks.
I believe that in 2021 we see more of iPhone/iPad Pro technology migrated to the Macs.
If you’re expecting the rendered to be real then you’ll probably be disappointed. It will probably look like the XDR but with a chin about half the size of the current one. I don’t see that going away, that’s where the vents and speakers are and it’s a branding thing. They want an Apple logo on the front.
And no it wont be as thick as an iPad and no it won’t be fanless. Even the Mini had a fan. It would be a very poor choice if it didn’t. The hump will surely be smaller but you still need thickness to house a heat sink and fan. I hope it has a large heat sink so it can stay as silent as possible.
And no it wont be as thick as an iPad and no it won’t be fanless. Even the Mini had a fan. It would be a very poor choice if it didn’t. The hump will surely be smaller but you still need thickness to house a heat sink and fan. I hope it has a large heat sink so it can stay as silent as possible.
I think the thing that can or will happen is non overheating iMac. That would be a big plus. I am very interested in where all of this is going to. Few years ago I moved away from Apple as my daily driver. So far, Win10 great to be honest. With the ARM move, Apple is back on my radar!
my daily workflow is hardcore Photoshop and illustrator. Sometimes huge files.
my daily workflow is hardcore Photoshop and illustrator. Sometimes huge files.
M1X (A14T) with an Apple GPU (code name Lifuka) is rumored for the iMac.
My guess would be that an iMac for the masses, would be released first half of 2021 with an M1 chip, and keeping the current design. Apple seems to be rolling out M1 in the machines that sells the most. The high end Macbook Pros and iMac will get the love in the second half of 2021 IMHO.
My guess would be that an iMac for the masses, would be released first half of 2021 with an M1 chip, and keeping the current design. Apple seems to be rolling out M1 in the machines that sells the most. The high end Macbook Pros and iMac will get the love in the second half of 2021 IMHO.
Take a look at the 2008 Cinema Display — this is what the iMac could reasonably look like — all screen with a small Apple logo on the glass. It has speakers just like an iMac as well. Interesting that this was discontinued after only a few years.
It looks like the design is possible — probably not with the current tapered chassis, but more XDR-inspired.
I don’t think the “A14T” would be the M1X. I think it wouldn’t include a GPU on it if they’re going to ship a dedicated GPU with it. China Times calling it a “desktop” chip made me think that. I think it will have a fancy packaging substrate that will allow the CPU die and GPU die to use a single bank of memory just like the M1 SoC.
I think the M1X will be a bigger version of the M1 and go in the higher end laptops and Mac mini.
I’m just speculating though.
I would love for them to throw in 2 M1's or maybe M2? 
I have hade 27" iMac since 2012. I love that form factor. But would not mind the rumoured 30"
I have hade 27" iMac since 2012. I love that form factor. But would not mind the rumoured 30"
I’m thinking about getting the new Mac mini but it’s almost impossible to find a monitor as amazing as the current 4K is for less than 500 €. So then I’m wondering what’s the point of getting a Mac mini if I have to spend another 700 € in a good monitor, why not just wait and buy the new iMac. I’m super exited for the new iMac because of thermals, screen quality and power.
2021 should give us native AS Adobe support, so you should find a Mac that fits your workflow. Welcome back to the Mac!
I agree ~ it probably makes sense to wait for the iMac if you don’t already have a good monitor.
Yeah, the iMac design has really been pretty sharp since 2009. I think what we see over the next two years for the iMac will be remarkable.I would love for them to throw in 2 M1's or maybe M2?
I have hade 27" iMac since 2012. I love that form factor. But would not mind the rumoured 30"
I would like to see user-upgradeable RAM and SSD. Otherwise we will end up in a situation, where the base models are far better value for money than comparable non-Apple computers, but expensive memory/storage upgrades make the high-end models very poor value for money.
No more Ram user -upgradable since the RAM is unified with the chip
The 24" iMac probably will have an M1X or something that will have around 8 perf cores and 4 eff one with the gpu on the SOC around 4-5 teraflops (around double than the current M1) that is twice the vega 20-3.2 teraflops , 1 bigger fan than the Mbp/mac mini and thats it, and it will be more than enough to outperform the M1 , have support for 3 external displays, and probably Apple will remove the usbA ports and let those just for the mac mini, and goes full only usb4 ports
Given that the M1 is already very fast, and that it's capable of driving a 6K external display, I think the new iMacs, at least the first set, will just have the same M1 SoC that's in the new MBA and MBP. Seems like the most logical, efficient thing to do.
since the current 21.5" iMac has an dGpu Vega 20...and has the ability to drive at least 2 or 3 external displays, Apple will not just place an M1 in that bigger enclosure...it will be a waste
Im betting that Apple what chip will place in the 24" iMac will be placed under 16" Macbook Pro
Apple dont want the first imac to run slower than the Macbook air or so since the M1 would drive an 24" 4K display instead of 1600p display
Im betting that Apple what chip will place in the 24" iMac will be placed under 16" Macbook Pro
Apple dont want the first imac to run slower than the Macbook air or so since the M1 would drive an 24" 4K display instead of 1600p display
I think you're expecting too much. Double the current M1? 3 external displays? Much more likely, IMHO, it will just be straight M1 based.
What proportion of 21.5" iMac users do you think ever connect any external displays, let alone 2 or 3? It will be a tiny, tiny fraction. IMHO Apple wouldn't hesitate to degrade that capability in the interest of simplification and efficiency.
And as I understand it the M1 already outperforms the Vega 20, so Apple is already done there.
I'm not so sure about that. While other consumer-level Macs only have two memory modules, the 27" iMac has always had four. If Apple uses unified memory in the 27" iMac replacement, the memory capacity will drop by half.
Also, unified memory will probably not work that well with higher-end GPUs. The M1 chip is said to have 68.25 GB/s memory bandwidth, while high-end consumer GPUs are in the 500 GB/s to 1 TB/s range. GPUs in general need relatively small amounts of very fast memory, while CPU workloads often benefit from larger amounts of more cost-effective memory.
Unlikely a redesign will occur with the first iMac with Apple Silicon. It will likely occur in 2022.
A redesign may diminish the change made from Intel to Apple Silicon chip.
Apple did this back in 2006 when the PowerPC's white polycarbonate body had the first Intel chip. The following year in 2007 the first aluminum iMac came out.
A redesign may diminish the change made from Intel to Apple Silicon chip.
Apple did this back in 2006 when the PowerPC's white polycarbonate body had the first Intel chip. The following year in 2007 the first aluminum iMac came out.
Ok, is just your opinion. But im sure, because its clearly you didnt watch the after WWDC event what Apple has to say. Unified memory is their future...and , i will not be shocked if Apple in 3 years will unified the storage too. the only in question to be somehow still modular is the upcoming "mac pro"
You are dreaming for Apple to place user RAM replaceable ....not even the current one does has user replaceable RAm. And thats with intel base,no unified memory
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