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Apple Announces New iMac With M3 Chip
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Not to mention how much they charge for that 24G of RAM. $400!!!! I put 128G of RAM in my 27"iMac for about that same cost.
I replaced my maxxed-out Intel i7 iMac 27" with a VESA-mounted "four port" iMac M1 24" in 2021, and I haven't been happier — this thing is amazing and super quiet all the time even under sustained load (like encoding several hour-long videos in FCP or Handbrake). I added a VESA-mounted Studio Display last year, and it's a great combination for the office/admin side of my business. Memory pressure in this 16GB model stays between 55 and 80% for me, which I feel is fine, but I still wish I had a little more headroom - that's the only downside to this M1 model IMO.
There are use cases where 8GB iMacs with 256GB are the perfect machines. For example, when I make a request for 24 of them to fill a student computer lab, the savings of the lowest-end models over the higher ones is significant. The students don't need more RAM and storage than that. Of course, for my own personal machines or those of teachers/lecturers/professors, sure, I go with higher specs. Hope that info helps lower your blood pressure a bit.
Yes, schools and home computers. i.e. word processing, emails, and garageband. Thanks for confirming my point.
I respect people's personal choices, but I can't hear when they get attached to non-concrete things:
- Nobody is forcing anyone to buy the "base" iMac, it exists and may be fine for some for simple tasks, paying less for it than other models
- How many words just looking at the numbers instead of thinking about performance in practical situations
- It makes me smile at those who praise Intel Macs, even if machines are still valid, in a few years they won't be able to run the latest versions of OS and apps on Mac (already today they can't take advantage of the new Apple technologies), not to mention that those who praise dedicated video cards forget that Apple silicon offers dedicated media engine for example for video encoding, with incredible performance
Concrete things:
- real lack of a 27" All-in-One, I repeat "All-in-One"
- don't tell me that a Mac mini or Mac studio + Apple Studio Display costs less than an iMac, because that's not true
- don't tell me that a third-party monitor (to save money) is superior to an Apple Studio Display or iMac monitor
- I am in favor of buying something and completely renewing it after 3-5 years, it is useless to think that a monitor, even an Apple Studio Display, will last forever
- it's actually a shame that Apple didn't decide to upgrade the peripherals to USB-C, I say this too, it would have been nice, you can see that there are peripherals in stock to dispose of, and the iMac could be a good boost
- Nobody is forcing anyone to buy the "base" iMac, it exists and may be fine for some for simple tasks, paying less for it than other models
- How many words just looking at the numbers instead of thinking about performance in practical situations
- It makes me smile at those who praise Intel Macs, even if machines are still valid, in a few years they won't be able to run the latest versions of OS and apps on Mac (already today they can't take advantage of the new Apple technologies), not to mention that those who praise dedicated video cards forget that Apple silicon offers dedicated media engine for example for video encoding, with incredible performance
Concrete things:
- real lack of a 27" All-in-One, I repeat "All-in-One"
- don't tell me that a Mac mini or Mac studio + Apple Studio Display costs less than an iMac, because that's not true
- don't tell me that a third-party monitor (to save money) is superior to an Apple Studio Display or iMac monitor
- I am in favor of buying something and completely renewing it after 3-5 years, it is useless to think that a monitor, even an Apple Studio Display, will last forever
- it's actually a shame that Apple didn't decide to upgrade the peripherals to USB-C, I say this too, it would have been nice, you can see that there are peripherals in stock to dispose of, and the iMac could be a good boost
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so was i... I'm making the point my M1 MacBook Air and my daughter's M2 MacBook Air do real work... so how would a M3 iMac that is faster than the M1 and M2 fail to do "real work" and is a "toy"? I get everyone wants more and there are valid complaints: why no 27 inch or larger version, why no updated USB-C peripherals, why no updated colors or black bezel, and why no option for at least a M3 Pro... all that is true, but that doesn't mean the regular M3 isn't a very, very capable computer and fits the needs of likely the MAJORITY of users from a power perspective.
I hate to break it to you, but older computer people have probably owned more laptops than you have fingers. And if you can’t even afford a nice desk, you shouldn’t invest in a MacBook either.
This is perfect to replace my old Late 2013. Im recently retired at 62. I am NOT doing anything stressful like WORK anymore LOL. Basic stuff and fun stuff for me. So for me it’s perfect!
I know, thanks for the advice 🙏. I’ve been using iMacs for 20+ years. Only reason why I never went mini was the Bluetooth/Wi-Fi issues, also I don’t need a Studio display.
Former iMac g5 owner here. Not against desktops. Far from it. It’s just that the default computer is now a laptop.
The default computer is an iPhone/iPad. MacBooks/iMacs are in the same boat of old computing paradigm. 📱=🚤 > 💻=🛶
Darth, there's no way this is "Apple's last iMac" - it's a great machine for the demographic needing it. It's just too bad there's not one in black to match your evening wear.
Regarding advantages "over an MBA with monitor", I would say for sure, yes, an iMac in use has the following:
(1) it feels less wasteful when chosing to use a custom or larger keyboard and/or trackpad/mouse combination when using an iMac vs a laptop;
(2) the installation of an iMac or an iMac + external display looks and feels more permanent in an office, studio, or lab environment;
(3) if being used by people who might damage a laptop by spilling drinks on it or dropping Ritz cracker crumbs in the keyboard all day long, iMac with external keyboard wins by far;
(4) if in an environment where someone might try to walk away with a laptop or play with plugging and unplugging cables, iMac is easier to secure in my experience;
(5) better not having to look/shift focus between a relatively large external display and a relatively small MBA display when using the Mac for daily office work over extended periods (laptop in extended display mode);
(6) the ability to have more desk space available if using the iMac, especially when VESA-mounted;
(7) the ability to have two floating displays of similar external dimensions when pairing an iMac 24" with a Studio Display/LG UltraFine or similar, especially if both are VESA-mounted; and
(8) the price of a 1TB/16GB MBA is going to be around $1900 whereas the price of a similarly-spec'd iMac is going to be $2100 which means you get a way better display for only $200 more.
I have and currently use several combinations of iMacs and MacBook Airs and external displays —and have been doing so for many years— so those thoughts above are just based on my own experience. There are indeed times when an MBA + external display are the best solution, but that wasn't the question I was answering. Aloha.
I’m sure if Apple thought it will sell they would sell it because why not. The thing is just because people are posting about it on here doesn’t mean they’re actually able to or will buy it. I can make a post on here about me wanting a certain type of Ferrari but that doesn’t mean I’m going to be at the Ferrari dealership if they actually make that model.
The problems with a 32” iMac are many. First the screen. Are they going to use that fancy panel out of the $6k monitor and if so that means the price is already going to be extremely high. Secondly it’s going to directly compete with the Mac studio. That means people that already have a Mac Studio and a Pro XDR display likely won’t buy it and those that need that kind of set up might just buy the Mac Studio anyways because it’s really cost prohibitive to attach a really expensive panel like that to a processor that’s going to outdated much sooner than that panel. When M6 comes out, they can just buy another Mac studio versus having to buy a whole new monitor.
In my opinion, AIO computers are best for home and light office use. Those computers don’t need to be updated regularly because speed isn’t critical and they don’t need to have expensive components like high-end processors and super expensive display panels. You can spend $1500 and the thing will last you at least six years but probably much longer.
Good point.
Well let me be more specific: the default (WIMP) computer is now a laptop.
I’m not saying if that’s a good or bad thing or taking a position on it. It’s just what’s happened in the industry / market.
And yeah the iPad SHOULD be the default computer for most people, but Apple hasn’t added ‘advanced’ things like multi user support (see the Mac product line for a reason as to why not, I guess).
The same reason why they put a USB-C to Lightning adapter in the box of the first generation Apple Pencil rather than release the USB-C Apple Pencil last year - they probably found a cargo container of 1st Gen Apple Pencils and had to do something with them.
In my opinion, the default computer for most people is the touchscreen thing we still call a phone but it’s not really that. It’s a computer that’s able to make phone calls. Most of my normal non-tech friends don’t have a laptop computer unless they’re in college or need it for a specific work application. it’s just too easy to do everything you need to do on a touchscreen pocket computer. You might say well you could do all those things much better on a large tablet or laptop computer and you would be correct but that’s not the reason why it’s the default computer. Just like you can take better pictures with a DSLR the pocket computer is the default camera because it’s always with you. You can’t put a DSLR in your pocket.
Yeah you are right : the iPhone is the truly personal computer that is with people all the time.
I’ll clarify : I mean the laptop is the default traditional windows and pointing device computer for most people.
The iPad *should* be the default computer for most people by now, but apple has gimped iPadOS and kept a stranglehold on app distribution for it.
But neither takes better photos or is better at video calls than the iPhone, you’re right.
Again yes, some people are fine with 8GB/256GB. My complaint (again) is that in order to get more than 8GB you have to still BTO (Build To Order). Apple depending on the product will have 2 or 3 "standard" configurations they sell. Those are the ones that standard retailers (that typically discount) like Best Buy, Costco and Amazon can stock. For the iMac, MBA and the non-Pro Mac mini those configurations all are only 8GB (even with different storage/CPU/GPU). So what the means is instead of it "just" being $200 more for memory it turns into $350 or more. After all these years, Apple should make at least one of those "standard" configurations have 16GB so they can be stocked at those retailers.
A perfect example right now is the 15" MBA. Costco has the 8/512 on sale for $1249 which is $250 off Apple's price. If you require 16GB they can't carry a version because those retailers on sell "standard configurations". So instead you go through Apple and pay $1699 for BTO 16/512. So you end up paying $450 more for 8GB more ram, not $200.
I hope that helps you understand the complaint better.
BTW - in an earlier career (in late 80s/90s) one of my jobs was recommending which computers/networks/etc to buy for a Community College and then for a division of Fortune 100 company. Those institutions spent 10s of millions on my recommendations.
I'm tired of this whimpy assed 24" being crammed down our throats as a good thing - Man do I miss Steve...
Yeah, realized that afterwards. Kind of silly.
People do love to blow this out of proportion though. At the end of the day, I've still got multiple Lightning devices around anyway so it would hardly be a deal-breaker to have to continue charging my Magic Keyboard with the color-matched Lightning cable that comes in the box. It's gonna be plugged in anyway since I have AirPods Pro and Max that charge that way.
Hell, I've got crap that charges with micro USB still. It would be wasteful and stupid to replace perfectly good gear to chase the boring goal of charging everything with one cable.