Apple Announces iMac With M4 Chip, Center Stage Camera, Nano-Texture Display Option, and More

[synp]

Oh noes, 4.5K isn't enough for me! I need 5K so I'm going to switch to another brand...

No, the problem is not the resolution, but the size of the screen. People are perfectly happy with "just" 4K as long as it's on a 27" or 30" or 32" screen. Yes, "retina" looks pretty when you get up close, but a 27" screen gets more readable text and more room to edit a photo or a video than a 24" screen. 4K is good enough for both of those purposes.

So you go with a mini, and some generic IPS (or OLED if you want to get fancy) screen that is 27" or 32". And the combo either costs less than a 24" iMac, or has more memory and more disk space.

 

[roblognick]

So I've pre-ordered a beautiful yellow iMac 10-core 32GB of RAM and 1TB SSD.

I didn't bother with the Nano texture display. My work MacBook Pro is fine in the room so I'm going to presume my iMac screen will be too.

I may keep an eye on the MacBook Pro devices tomorrow though...

 

[justmadeupname]

I would love this as my Mac on the home office, but I work in a corporate PC-using environment and when working from home would need the monitor and keyboard and mouse - and the HDMI input option still seems gone

Same here. The corporate PC world (for me in the UK) means I need a monitor, mouse and keyboard, otherwise the iMac 24 (vesa) would easily be my preferred choice.

 

[Tagbert]

I am also thinking about that. But which display? Also the problem is that the price of teh mac mini+display option will be much higher, especially since the 5K displays are quite expensive.

The Mini starts at $599 and the Studio Display at $1599 so a total of $2200.

Do you really think that Apple would sell a 27” iMac for less money that that, today?

 

[justmadeupname]

The Mini starts at $599 and the Studio Display at $1599 so a total of $2200.

Do you really think that Apple would sell a 27” iMac for less money that that, today?

Good point!

Also consider a refurbished ASD, they come up in the the Apple Refurbished store, just need a bit of patience.

 

[Agent007]

Now that 16 is base and 24 GB is "only" a $200 upgrade, I'm really disappointed there's no 27 incher. I think a 27 starting @ $1599 would be amazing but, seeing as how we don't even have rumors of one, I don't see it. Maybe in another 10 years if revenue is down elsewhere and they need something quick.

 

[Dingboche]

No 27 inch, not interested.

 

[Adora]

Which display are you thinking about. I am also trying to decide between an imac vs mac mini+display.

I have an HP omen 27k. All kinds of cables were included and it was for less than €500.

OMEN 27k 4K Gaming Monitor | HP® Official Site

Play, create, and enjoy with the 27 inch OMEN 27k 4K gaming monitor. Learn more about the OMEN 27k 4K gaming monitor here.

www.omen.com

I am using it with USB-C connection to Thunderbolt 4, on USB ports with 10Gbit/s it doesn't work doesn't work. Don't know what kind of cable it is, it is neither listed under Thunderbolt nor under USB (there is only a 2.1 hub for the external light at the back and something called BillboardDevice, could be the speakers, I don't need both and have turned that light off). Maybe it's USB 4 and Apple can't display that or USB-C is also used for DisplayPort.

With HDMI I only got 60Hz and the DisplayPort cable and somehow didn't work with my Dock.

I don't even have a clue what is the best type of connection for monitors. I am noob with that.

I had the USB-C connection set down from USB 3 to USB 2 to get the higher frame rates. But I don't need the other USB-ports on the back anyway.

Not sure why they doubled the resolution here to almost 6K, it's only UHD 4k so 3840x2160 max. Some resolutions support 144Hz like the highest one and some also HDR. It's all very complicated for me. For this 3008 resolution I need extra software to change the brightness.

I am using the free version of this to control the brightness and much more for both displays:

GitHub - waydabber/BetterDisplay: Unlock your displays on your Mac! Flexible HiDPI scaling, XDR/HDR extra brightness, virtual screens, DDC control, extra dimming, PIP/streaming, EDID override and lots more!

Unlock your displays on your Mac! Flexible HiDPI scaling, XDR/HDR extra brightness, virtual screens, DDC control, extra dimming, PIP/streaming, EDID override and lots more! - waydabber/BetterDisplay

github.com

The HDR option in System Settings in only there for 2560x1440 with 100Hz max. and for 2304 with 120Hz and for 2048 with 144Hz.

But I don't need HDR and stay with this 3008x1096 resolution and 120Hz. Fits best to the 24" screen with 2560x1440.

I don't know why they used that strange image. It's has a black square stand and you can change the height. Normally it's much higher than the iMac. I didn't change it because the iMac is placed on a TB4-Dock, what fits good.

Only when the HDR option is there I can set the brightness also here.


P.S.: Now I am waiting for the new Studio to see the price difference to the new Mini Pro with 48 or 64GB RAM. I already bought too much this year.

 

[bartmoss]

tiny screen. horrible colors. DOA.

 

[Isengardtom]

tiny screen. horrible colors. DOA.

I think there's a mismatch between tech enthusiasts and normal people here. I'm pretty sure it's a pretty popular computer. Otherwise Apple would not have made the effort of change the colours.

Nobody was asking for that

I prefer a work setup with 2 24" screens than 1 27 or 32"

 

[cicalinarrot]

I am also thinking about that. But which display? Also the problem is that the price of teh mac mini+display option will be much higher, especially since the 5K displays are quite expensive.

Do you reeeeally need 5k? I think 27" 4K is great for most people and they're absurdly cheap. Even if one really needed more, I'd go bigger and/or ultrawide before focusing on resolution. Or just think of a dual 27" 4K setup, that'd be the best IMHO (native resolution for UltraHD, great PPI, really cheap).
Meanwhile, Samsung has 27" 5K for $1000. And there are OLED curved 4K 240hz ones for around the same price.
All of these solution + Mac Mini are cheaper than a bigger iMac would cost.
Sorry, I didn't give you a real solution but I think it's just absurd how much choice you get if you give up the all-in-one thing. Not to mention you could go 4K and change your mind later, add another one, and so on...

 

[BeatCrazy]

Do you reeeeally need 5k? I think 27" 4K is great for most people and they're absurdly cheap. Even if one really needed more, I'd go bigger and/or ultrawide before focusing on resolution. Or just think of a dual 27" 4K setup, that'd be the best IMHO (native resolution for UltraHD, great PPI, really cheap).
Meanwhile, Samsung has 27" 5K for $1000. And there are OLED curved 4K 240hz ones for around the same price.
All of these solution + Mac Mini are cheaper than a bigger iMac would cost.
Sorry, I didn't give you a real solution but I think it's just absurd how much choice you get if you give up the all-in-one thing. Not to mention you could go 4K and change your mind later, add another one, and so on...

Once you get used to the perfect scaling and pixel density of 4.5K/5K, it’s hard to go back to 4K

 

[SebCohen]

I would be fine with a 27'' iMac with the same chips as the 24'' one. still don't understand why they don't want to make it. there is clearly market for it.

For working on media, photos and video, 27 is a minimum.

 

[cicalinarrot]

Once you get used to the perfect scaling and pixel density of 4.5K/5K, it’s hard to go back to 4K

Maybe I have worse eyes but personally, when I use an iMac for a while (even older ones) and then something else, I'm much more bothered by the general quality than resolution but get used pretty quickly. Have you tried OLED? That may compensate with the general feeling. Otherwise, those 5K Samsung may do the trick.
But I also struggle to use a regular single 16/9 after I used dual display or ultrawide setups, which is what I like the least about iMacs (I just could never get any of that with an iMac). That kind of practicality in my case is more relevant than image feel.
Then again, maybe that 4K 24" PPI is the only thing that does it for you, in that case you're "forced" to but an iMac but I'd suggest to get used to more practical and future-proof solutions.

 

[StellarVixen]

RAM maxing out at 32GB is a bummer. Still looks nice

 

[BeatCrazy]

Maybe I have worse eyes but personally, when I use an iMac for a while (even older ones) and then something else, I'm much more bothered by the general quality than resolution but get used pretty quickly. Have you tried OLED? That may compensate with the general feeling. Otherwise, those 5K Samsung may do the trick.
But I also struggle to use a regular single 16/9 after I used dual display or ultrawide setups, which is what I like the least about iMacs (I just could never get any of that with an iMac). That kind of practicality in my case is more relevant than image feel.
Then again, maybe that 4K 24" PPI is the only thing that does it for you, in that case you're "forced" to but an iMac but I'd suggest to get used to more practical and future-proof solutions.

Maybe I'm spoiled... at my desk I use a Pro Display XDR, a Studio Display, and I have a 15" OLED (2K) for casual TV/video content.

I have an 83" C1 LG OLED in the same room, so I'm very familiar with the tech.

Still, gimme 218PPI any day of the week, for computer work.

 

[cicalinarrot]

Maybe I'm spoiled... at my desk I use a Pro Display XDR, a Studio Display, and I have a 15" OLED (2K) for casual TV/video content.

I have an 83" C1 LG OLED in the same room, so I'm very familiar with the tech.

Still, gimme 218PPI any day of the week, for computer work.

Well, yes you are used to very high standards then... 😁

 

[CraigsDog]

People who say 5K is not any better than 4K have never tried 5K

 

[X Cruz 187]

16GB of RAM is now officially the base RAM going forward on Mac's for the next 30-years

It’s interesting how I was there a couple of weeks ago and the sales rep. Said that 8GB was more than enough needed for an M3 Mac.

 

[hovscorpion12]

It’s interesting how I was there a couple of weeks ago and the sales rep. Said that 8GB was more than enough needed for an M3 Mac.

Sales rep standing on business with that 8GB sale. Can't fault em' for trying.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Still can get over the new colour options. Incredible all new design.

 

[SlaveToSwift]

Do you reeeeally need 5k? I think 27" 4K is great for most people and they're absurdly cheap. Even if one really needed more, I'd go bigger and/or ultrawide before focusing on resolution. Or just think of a dual 27" 4K setup, that'd be the best IMHO (native resolution for UltraHD, great PPI, really cheap).
Meanwhile, Samsung has 27" 5K for $1000. And there are OLED curved 4K 240hz ones for around the same price.
All of these solution + Mac Mini are cheaper than a bigger iMac would cost.
Sorry, I didn't give you a real solution but I think it's just absurd how much choice you get if you give up the all-in-one thing. Not to mention you could go 4K and change your mind later, add another one, and so on...

The only Samsung 5K monitor I'm aware of is the ViewFinity S9, which retails at $1,600. Edit: Just saw one on Amazon for $820, guess its on sale. Given its terrible reviews, and that Amazon is also selling Apple's 5k for $1,340, given how long that purchase should last I'd probably pay the extra for the best monitor.

Beware that there are a ton of "5K" monitors that are really "5K2K" monitors, ie wide views that are only 2,160 pixels tall instead of the 2,880 a real 5K monitor is, and have poor pixel density because they way larger than 27 inches.

 

[Tagbert]

It’s interesting how I was there a couple of weeks ago and the sales rep. Said that 8GB was more than enough needed for an M3 Mac.

It still is if you are doing basic things, but most people here seem to do a lot more multitasking and graphics work and so need more RAM themselves.

 

[Bezbozny]

The only Samsung 5K monitor I'm aware of is the ViewFinity S9, which retails at $1,600. Edit: Just saw one on Amazon for $820, guess its on sale. Given its terrible reviews, and that Amazon is also selling Apple's 5k for $1,340, given how long that purchase should last I'd probably pay the extra for the best monitor.

Beware that there are a ton of "5K" monitors that are really "5K2K" monitors, ie wide views that are only 2,160 pixels tall instead of the 2,880 a real 5K monitor is, and have poor pixel density because they way larger than 27 inches.

The problem is that i am not so sure that apple is the best monitor of the two. At similar price the LG UltraWide Curved 5K Monitor 40WP95CP looks like the best option on the market (but it is 2160 tall as you mentioned). At a much higher price the Dell UltraSharp 32 6K (U3224KB) is probably the best overall monitor.

One question i have is whether mac work well with ultrawide monitors. Of course there s also the possibility to use as two monitors and that should short out any problems.

 

[jimonqa]

I want my 27+ inch iMac... how long must I wait?