Apple Announces New iMac With M3 Chip

[Warped9]

This is pretty much as I expected. I’m disappointed that 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD are base standard, but I wasn’t interested in the base configuration anyway. I was hoping for a 32GB RAM option, but I’m not surprised 24GB RAM is the max option. 24GB RAM with the more powerful M3 should work fine for me.

I would have liked to see the Apple logo return to the chin and to see the colour options tweaked. Space Grey, Midnight, Starlight and Space Black would have looked nice on the iMac 24, but not happening. I’m still leaning toward Blue, Green or maybe Silver.

No word about USB-C accessories, but thats no issue. It ain’t broken so no real need to fix it. And new accessories can be quietly introduced without a lot of fanfare.

I don’t know enough to understand why no M3 Pro option for the iMac, but thats probably more that they want you to go for a Mac Studio if you want that extra performance.

I’ve said that an M1 with 16GB RAM and 512GB-1TB SSD would likely fulfill my needs, but I wanted more for assurance. I think M3 with 24 RAM and 512-1TB will work without worry.

 

[TheLunaPark]

8GB base RAM? What’s the point. So stingy it’s embarrassing.

 

[brofkand]

Highly disappointing that you still have to pay extra to get a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, a Ethernet port, and a Magic Trackpad. All should be standard.

They really should be. I think Apple should just kill the iMac and Mac Pro at this point frankly.

 

[splifingate]

Nope. Lightning lives on like a scary zombie.

That's part of the "Theme"

 

[macduff79]

Huge letdown.... All i wanted was a M3 Imac that could handle 2 external monitor support...super simple...I like a panoramic view! The old Intel macs could do that no problem! But these brand new M3 chips cant do that on a desktop Imac setup? Common

I want an Apple Silicon MBA that can support multiple monitors. I’ve been holding out for a couple years but it looks like 2025 at earliest. Really disappointing. Let’s see how much longer my 2016 MBP can hold out.

 

[Nermal]

It's a $50 upgrade on the base model. The higher-spec iMacs get it as standard.

Aha! I didn't look at the plebs' model

 

[bobcomer]

No M3 Pro or Max, and at least 32G of RAM, no sale.

 

[TigerNike23]

8/256 in 2023. LMAO. It’s like a very expensive all in one Chromebook replacement.

 

[bobcomer]

This 24" crap does not replace a 27" iMac.

I actually would like a 24" iMac if it had better specs to replace my 27" iMac.

 

[joeguide4]

I was just about to get iMac to replace my wife’s 10 year old iMac. Perfect timing. 16mb RAM and1 TB should last her another decade.

 

[bernuli]

Studio Display has entered the chat.

Ok Studio. Welcome to the iMac chat.

 

[Warped9]

So much angst over the iMac not being what some want it to be rather than focusing on what it is. All the vitriol won’t change anything.

If you hate it so much get a Mac Mini Pro or Mac Studio with 27-32in. display of your choice.

 

[iZac]

Just playing devils advocate here, but regarding the Lightning accessories still being in the box - imagine the furore if the only device you could currently buy with a USB-C keyboard was the iMac, leaving everything else still on Lightning. You’d get furious nerds across the world giving Tim a piece of their minds and even some dingbats buying iMacs just to get their hands on an updated keyboard.

 

[ryanmp]

That one actually got to me. It's one thing to not make a product, but downright insulting when you try and pull this off.

27 inch is 27 inch.

So true.

I just don’t understand, the larger form factor iMac would be so popular. Apart from kids and people that only use Safari and Mail, 24inch just doesn’t cut it.

Just take the look of the Studio Display (maybe even make it 30-32inch) and bolt a computer to the back. I’d buy instantly.

 

[lowkey]

Gosh, in Australia the iMac is now insanely priced IMO. $2,499 for the base model 8/256 with ethernet.
In comparison the Mac mini with the same 8/256 spec is $999.

Thats $1500 for a 24" monitor!

I was all ready to pick up an iMac, but now going to get a mini instead.

 

[stef.brl]

apple is now at a point where sony was 15 years ago. completely ignore and misunderstand the customers wishes and needs. because they know better.
shipping these iMacs with lightning accesories just shows they have a lot of old stock. the iMac sales must be really bad that's why there was never a m2.

 

[Warped9]

I just don’t understand, the larger form factor iMac would be so popular.

Apparently Apple disagrees with you.

 

[canyonblue737]

Understand the desire for prepping for future bloatware.

But I was hoping Apple would reconfigure their pricing structure for SDRAM and the NAND chips. Both have fallen in price this year, compared to their high prices during 2020-2021 when the chip shortage thing happened.

Now, no one has commented on the quality of the NAND that Apple uses. All SSDs are not alike, there is a range of NAND chips they can use. Some are going to be longer lasting than others.

The M3 still has the 100GB/s memory bus speed. That's a good value, but the higher models of the M3 do much better.

Overall, I think I'm most disappointed by the price schedule, not the specs. An M3 iMac will be more than capable for 98% of the households who want one.

Apple didn't want to reset the price expectations of a base iMac downward... I'm ok with the price staying the same but would have loved to see a bit more effort than just throwing a new chip inside... new colors and USB-C peripherals should have been the starting point but neither happened. I needed the computer and it will fit the bill nicely but still think for such a huge company with so much money its always interesting how product segments just seem to be forgotten or have no one to work on them from time to time.

 

[MistrSynistr]

I can deal with 24” screens. I cannot deal with base models having 8GB RAM and 256 storage. They should of bumped that.

 

[PsykX]

oh my goodness... shot on iPhone.... this is mind blowing

It surprised me... their entire video was stunning as always.
Not that the iPhone isn't capable, but I mean, this quality, shot on the iPhone?

 

[Black Tiger]

“It’s the perfect size and resolution to replace both the 4K and the 5K Intel based models.”

There goes all the hope that 27” iMac users had left, at least for a good while.

Sorry guys!

And this line would have made more sense two years ago when those other two sizes existed. It’s baffling to me that they are essentially pretending the M1 iMac didn’t exist and that they’ve been selling intel iMacs up until today. Bizarre

 

[emulajavi]

Still no black bezels?! No buy.

 

[GraXXoR]

Still just freaking 8GB in all three “standard“ configuration. That is indefensible at this point.

You think this is indefensible, wait till you hear that the MacBook “pro” base model comes with 8GB ram.

 

[krell100]

For those wanting a 27-32" iMac, can you seriously say you'd pay the same price as a Studio/Mini+Studio Display for an all-in-one?

 

[emulajavi]

That is fine for the base configuration, but they keep it at 8GB for the two higher configurations too. So anything more than 8GB is BTO. Meaning retailers won’t be able to carry (and discount) any more than 8GB configurations.

exactly. Happens the same with the MBA.

they should a least always offer one base configuration with 16GB RAM on every Mac.