Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Any former iMacers here defecting to the Studio?
- Thread starter mapleleafer
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I am definitely upgrading from my 2011 iMac to a Mac Studio, instead of a Mac Mini, when the M2 version arrives. I primarily choose it for the M1 Max GPU upgrade over the M1.
After having baked the 2011 iMac GPU 5 times, and then replaced it entirely after 3 years of doing that; Added an SSD underneath the optical drive; and replaced the internal HDD after it died, along with a new cable with temporature sensor; I am finally tired of having to spend an hour taking it apart every single time to do/fix things. But more specific, I am still amazed that it is functioning as well as it should (Well, it has issues after waking from sleep, so I never use that), but given the current 27" iMacs are completely glued together and everything inside soldered together, I don't trust the machine to last me 10+ years again. At least with a Studio and separate display, I only have to replace half of whatever breaks.
Edit: Would also very much like to run a 30-34" ultrawide 5k2k display, so I am hoping something like that is on the market by the time the M2 hits.
After having baked the 2011 iMac GPU 5 times, and then replaced it entirely after 3 years of doing that; Added an SSD underneath the optical drive; and replaced the internal HDD after it died, along with a new cable with temporature sensor; I am finally tired of having to spend an hour taking it apart every single time to do/fix things. But more specific, I am still amazed that it is functioning as well as it should (Well, it has issues after waking from sleep, so I never use that), but given the current 27" iMacs are completely glued together and everything inside soldered together, I don't trust the machine to last me 10+ years again. At least with a Studio and separate display, I only have to replace half of whatever breaks.
Edit: Would also very much like to run a 30-34" ultrawide 5k2k display, so I am hoping something like that is on the market by the time the M2 hits.
Last edited:
I've been holding on with my Late 2013 iMac (still working great, wish it had OS support), but just ordered a Studio Max (64/1TB). Should last for a good long time.
I defected to ordering a Mac Studio (M1 Max with 32 GPU Cores, 64GB memory, 1TB storage) and two base model Studio Displays.
Spec-wise, this is exactly what I have been waiting for for about almost two years now. The total screen real estate is welcomed for sure! I'm glad to be having two identical Apple-branded screens, but I am a bit bummed out about the 27" iMac going bye-bye. I was also hoping the Mac Studio would match the design rumors over the last year or so - color(s) and a plexiglass top. Instead, we got a "stretched" out Mac Mini. However, I am remaining optimistic it'll look great and once settled into its new home on my desk, will be out of sight and out of mind.
I currently work with a 27" iMac (Late 2015) and have been a fairly consistent iMac user since the original 20" aluminum and glass late 2007 model. Although, throughout this period of ~15 years, I've had the occasional MacBook Pro and/or Mac Pro setup sprinkled throughout. I've also been partial to all in one set ups for their aesthetics, with my first Mac dating back to, I think 2002, with the 700MHz G4 eMac!
So I guess, spec-wise, I am very pleased with this new hardware path I am headed down and am expecting this round of hardware to serve me for 10 years or more. However, aesthetics-wise, I am a bit saddened at what my desk will look like since I really love the current minimalist layout I have with the single iMac and Magic input devices.
Spec-wise, this is exactly what I have been waiting for for about almost two years now. The total screen real estate is welcomed for sure! I'm glad to be having two identical Apple-branded screens, but I am a bit bummed out about the 27" iMac going bye-bye. I was also hoping the Mac Studio would match the design rumors over the last year or so - color(s) and a plexiglass top. Instead, we got a "stretched" out Mac Mini. However, I am remaining optimistic it'll look great and once settled into its new home on my desk, will be out of sight and out of mind.
I currently work with a 27" iMac (Late 2015) and have been a fairly consistent iMac user since the original 20" aluminum and glass late 2007 model. Although, throughout this period of ~15 years, I've had the occasional MacBook Pro and/or Mac Pro setup sprinkled throughout. I've also been partial to all in one set ups for their aesthetics, with my first Mac dating back to, I think 2002, with the 700MHz G4 eMac!
So I guess, spec-wise, I am very pleased with this new hardware path I am headed down and am expecting this round of hardware to serve me for 10 years or more. However, aesthetics-wise, I am a bit saddened at what my desk will look like since I really love the current minimalist layout I have with the single iMac and Magic input devices.
I've been on a 27 inch iMac for the 13 years. Most recently the 27" iMac 2017. I just ordered a Mac Studio (M1 Max 64gb, 2 tb) with two base studio displays.
I'm worried about the fan sound. I love that my iMac and MacBook Air are silent. I had been waiting for a 32 inch iMac but I'm excited about dual 27 inch screens.
I'm worried about the fan sound. I love that my iMac and MacBook Air are silent. I had been waiting for a 32 inch iMac but I'm excited about dual 27 inch screens.
iMac Pro user who just ordered a Mac Studio (Ultra) with Mac Studio Display. I don't think they will release a new iMac Pro anytime soon!
I sold my 2013 27" iMac a few years ago and replaced it with a 2018 i7 Mac Mini. Huge mistake. I've had no shortage of issues with the i7 Mini (ordered NIB from Apple). I've done numerous clean installs and had the logic board replaced twice(!) while waiting patiently for the (heretofore inevitable) 27" iMac replacement. I never had issues like this with any Mac i've owned over the last ~15 years (MBP, 24" iMac, 27" iMac, multiple MBAs) or currently own (MBP, MBA, 2012 Mini).
I've since moved many of my 'desktop tasks' over to Linux and I don't really 'NEED' a 24-Core $2k+ Mac ($3.6k+ w/ Studio Display) on my desktop. I'm curious to read the Studio Max reviews (w/ and w/o the Studio Display) when they come out, but right now it's hard for me to not see the M1 Mac Mini (or possibly the VESA-mount 24" iMac) as a better (and lower risk) desktop option to integrate into my current desktop setup. Regardless, my primary goal right now is to rid myself of this 2018 i7 Mac Mini and not feel like I've thrown more good money after bad.
I've since moved many of my 'desktop tasks' over to Linux and I don't really 'NEED' a 24-Core $2k+ Mac ($3.6k+ w/ Studio Display) on my desktop. I'm curious to read the Studio Max reviews (w/ and w/o the Studio Display) when they come out, but right now it's hard for me to not see the M1 Mac Mini (or possibly the VESA-mount 24" iMac) as a better (and lower risk) desktop option to integrate into my current desktop setup. Regardless, my primary goal right now is to rid myself of this 2018 i7 Mac Mini and not feel like I've thrown more good money after bad.
I left the iMac a while back because I needed a laptop and was seriously considering returning to it when the M1 came to a 27" model. The Mac Studio and Studio Display make the choice harder. The Mac Studio is far more powerful (both in raw power and in relation to the entire lineup) than the 27" iMac (non-Pro) ever was. Couple that with the high price of the Studio Display and I am thinking the total cost is far more than I am willing to pay. It would be easy to skip the display, but macOS is not so great with 4k monitors, so I would be stuck at QHD which is a bummer.
I think the real replacement for the iMac is a mini+Studio Display. That does seem more inline with what the 27" iMac was. My dream would have been a mini with M1 Pro at a cheaper price.
I think the real replacement for the iMac is a mini+Studio Display. That does seem more inline with what the 27" iMac was. My dream would have been a mini with M1 Pro at a cheaper price.
The Studio + Studio Display REPLACE the 27" iMac (Max) and iMac Pro (Ultra) which is why they made it clear there is only one more Mac -- the Pro -- to come.
I'm a bit torn. Currently I have a 2025 27", the first iteration of the 5k. Before that I had a 2009 27". I was getting the feeling the time might be near that I need to replace the current model when Apple silicon was announced, so I've been waiting to see what comes along. I don't want to go down to the 24" display size on the new iMac, but I'm not sure I really need the power of the Studio. One option would be to get a Studio display and pair it with an M1 mini, with the plan to replace just the mini after a shorter timeframe than I have previously been looking at, as the price of a mini, retaining the Studio display would be much cheaper. The other option would be to go for a base model Studio, on the basis that it will be powerful enough to serve my needs for the next 5-7 years. Alternatively, just go for something headless and use some sort of off-brand display with it.
I think it's more like the mini+Studio Display (~$2300) replace the 27" iMac and the Studio (Max or Ultra) + Studio Display (~$3600-$5600) replace the iMac Pro. That seems more analogous both in terms of price and power relative to the current lineup.
Hanging on to my upgraded/repaired 2011 27" iMac until we get some Studio reviews in. I probably won't get the Studio Display, which means I need to sort out what display(s) to get. I'm thinking of two 27" displays, one landscape and the other portrait, but need to figure out which $700US price-point displays to get.
I am waiting until I know it is as quiet as I require my computer to be. If it is, and I suspect it will be, then I WANT IT NOW
I bought a 2020 Intel iMac to avoid being an early adopter. I look forward to upgrading to a future version of the Studio at some point. I hope Apple builds on and expands its range of monitors. An XDR 27" with ProMotion would be nice.
Yes. But I don't think of it as "defecting" from the iMac. I'm buying the Mac I always wanted Apple to make, that they are finally producing.
The Mac mini lineup never seemed to be updated to the power I was looking for. The Mac Pro was overkill for me and more than I wanted to pay. I begrudgingly bought my iMac because it offered the power I was looking for, at a price I found acceptable. The screen was fine but it seemed wasteful to have it all together, dumping a perfectly good display when upgrading the computer. I'd rather keep the monitor and computer separate. So now I plan to get the Mac Studio and their 27" display, using my additional LG 5K display for a two-display configuration until it burns out.
I'm sad for the people who will miss the 27" iMac, and who really liked the "all in one" design. I may have been on an iMac for the past few years, but I was not and am not an iMac fan.
The Mac mini lineup never seemed to be updated to the power I was looking for. The Mac Pro was overkill for me and more than I wanted to pay. I begrudgingly bought my iMac because it offered the power I was looking for, at a price I found acceptable. The screen was fine but it seemed wasteful to have it all together, dumping a perfectly good display when upgrading the computer. I'd rather keep the monitor and computer separate. So now I plan to get the Mac Studio and their 27" display, using my additional LG 5K display for a two-display configuration until it burns out.
I'm sad for the people who will miss the 27" iMac, and who really liked the "all in one" design. I may have been on an iMac for the past few years, but I was not and am not an iMac fan.
I'm with you on most of this. I'm a little nervous about the fan noise as well.
I have a refurb M1 16/256 GB Mini that I'm trading in to declutter.com (for nearly double what Apple trade-in offered!) to get a base model Studio.
Apple used be more generous on trade-in offers... very bad form on their part imo
Last edited:
I’ll wait for an in depth review before splashing the cash
I just went from a 2019 i9 iMac plus a LG Ultrafine 5k to two Pro Display XDRs plus my 16" 2019 i9. The laptop isn't up to the task at all and ordered a Studio. The iMac is great, but more happy with 2 identical displays with a dedicated computer.
I will be defecting. I've waited long enough for the right product to arrive (11 years). Probably will be the last computer I buy, so i figured it may as well be a good one. Though i'm not going for the Ultra: that's insane power for my needs as a musician-hobbyist, and is aimed at people who need that power for their job not their hobby. Well, unless you're considerably rich. Probably if you're a millionaire you'd have the same remorse at spending, what, ten grand-ish on a fully kitted-out Ultra, as I have at spending 65 pence on a chocolate bar.
Last edited:
I've been an iMac 27" user since the very first one and currently have the 2019 i9. I was eagerly waiting for an M1 replacement for the i9, but it looks like Apple is taking us in a different direction. I can't say that I'm upset about it because I think the Studio opens up some interesting opportunities for upgrading the scene when 6k becomes more available in the future.
I've ordered a Studio Max 10/32 1TB and 64GB RAM. It won't arrive until May here in Asia so I've got some time before I can evaluate how good it is. I'm excited for the power for photo and video editing and am treating this like getting a Mac Pro for half the price. I only wish that the Studio screen was bigger; I was hoping for something larger than 27".
Larger that 27" would probably never happen as long as they sell the 32" Pro Display XDR.
There is still the i5/i7 Mac Mini that has yet to be replaced... and a big gap between the current M1 Mac Mini and the Mac Studio for an M1 Pro or M2 Mac Mini to fill.
Last edited: