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Base Model 24” iMac owners how are they?
- Thread starter Surfman
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Actually they do. The base model are configurable to 16GB ram and up to 1TB of SSD, at least in my country.
Unless you wouldn't consider the configuration from the base model as a 'base' model.
I have the base model as I got a good deal on a sealed box unit with box damage. This had 20% off so a bargain as the protection in the box meant no damage at all.
I usually have machines that are 16gb but as this was a bargain I couldn't resist.
Not had any memory issues and usually have up to 20 safari windows open, Firefox, office apps and a few other apps open.
I have a CalDigit TS3+ so the 2 ports issue is not a problem and I run my Ethernet through that at full speed. I have a thunderbolt 3 nvme pcie SSD connected and again I get full speed.
I don't run any power apps anymore but do run quite a lot of apps and tabs at the same time and this machine has run these fine.
Only issues I've had is the USB drives sometime disconnect but that might be because of the CalDigit hub. Also, had a hang once where the Mac beach balled and was slow but a reboot cleared that. I suspect these are minor niggles that will be fixed if an issue in patches or OS upgrades.
If you already have a Thunderbolt 3 hub then I think if you are wanting to save some money then the base model is fine.
I usually have machines that are 16gb but as this was a bargain I couldn't resist.
Not had any memory issues and usually have up to 20 safari windows open, Firefox, office apps and a few other apps open.
I have a CalDigit TS3+ so the 2 ports issue is not a problem and I run my Ethernet through that at full speed. I have a thunderbolt 3 nvme pcie SSD connected and again I get full speed.
I don't run any power apps anymore but do run quite a lot of apps and tabs at the same time and this machine has run these fine.
Only issues I've had is the USB drives sometime disconnect but that might be because of the CalDigit hub. Also, had a hang once where the Mac beach balled and was slow but a reboot cleared that. I suspect these are minor niggles that will be fixed if an issue in patches or OS upgrades.
If you already have a Thunderbolt 3 hub then I think if you are wanting to save some money then the base model is fine.
I don’t have the base model, but I do have an issue with USB drives connected to my Twelve South Stay Go hub sometimes being disconnected when the iMac wakes from sleep.
Yes. Base model applies to one particular model, seven cores, single fan, 256GB SSD and 8GB memory only.
I wouldn’t normally but a bargain is a bargain and with the Thunderbolt 3 hub I already had hasn’t been a problem except for the USB disconnects.
Honestly, there are plenty of potential reasons not to buy a base-level model of anything, but this one, readily overcome with even a cheap hub if needed at all, wouldn't be one of them.
The sole question would, I think, be: Does it do the job, and fulfill the user's needs.
The M1 MBA, with only two ports, (one of which may often be used for power - thus only one usable for anything else) is absolutely great for my use and purposes, so I'd say that's not an issue. Of course, it isn't a 'desktop', but lots of people use their laptops as desktops too, and it's certainly capable of it in performance.
To be clear, my opinion is that Apple cheaped out the base model unnecessarily, and I wouldn't be surprised if it disappeared and the two models above came down in price when it comes to the first M1 product shuffle, but it isn't hard to find people on YouTube demonstrating base-level iMacs doing remarkable stuff with ease. And if available at discount, I think its performance and capabilities would make one a bargain.
I brought the ‘base’ model:
ideally I would have gotten 16GB and maybe 516GB (with number keypad) but this is not available for pick up and shipping is too far out.
still debating about ordering one custom but I really need a desktop and as much as I tell myself I’ll be doing something fancy with it it’ll be most likely for test prep (thus the urgency, it’s next month) and online/office/trading.
if they can deliver within a week it would be great.
eta for what I need it works great. I got the 2017 pro tricked out and it has 16 gb of ram. Never needed it. (Still I’m one of those that if I had the choice I’d probably choose it just because).
With the following configuration: Apple M1 chip with 8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, 8-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine 8GB unified memory 256GB SSD storage Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports Two USB 3 ports Gigabit Ethernet Magic Mouse Magic Keyboard with Touch ID - US English Accessory Kit |
ideally I would have gotten 16GB and maybe 516GB (with number keypad) but this is not available for pick up and shipping is too far out.
still debating about ordering one custom but I really need a desktop and as much as I tell myself I’ll be doing something fancy with it it’ll be most likely for test prep (thus the urgency, it’s next month) and online/office/trading.
if they can deliver within a week it would be great.
eta for what I need it works great. I got the 2017 pro tricked out and it has 16 gb of ram. Never needed it. (Still I’m one of those that if I had the choice I’d probably choose it just because).
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I want the tax deduction in this financial year, Apple wait is too long and they don’t take payment till near shipping,
would prefer a 512gb but could get by with 256gb.
Yes, agree - the base M1 iMac does EXACTLY what I want to do with it so for me, it's perfect.
Even running Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro - it's super fast compared to the awful Intel iMacs with double or triple the RAM!
Unified Memory is the way to go !
Well with all the buzz of the M1 of course it's fast enough for basic uses because it's been shown to do extremely well with taxing tasks. It does however have only one fan and no heat pipe as opposed to the next model up that has two fans with a heat pipe.
My M1 Mini with one fan is super fast - just as fast as my M1 iMac with one fan....
Just never tried the M1 MBA with ZERO fan....
I didn't dispute the speed of the M1 iMac with one fan. The OP asked about fans so I just told him the base model had one fan and without a doubt the performance should be perfectly fine for even very taxing programs. Having one fan with no heat pipe would just mean that it wouldn't sustain a load nearly as long as the M1 iMac with two fans and a heat pipe.
Yes I knew about the 1 fan, probs why i asked.
I can get a 8/512gb locally now but no discount and no return unless faulty, from apple it’s still end of July.
My old 27” i sold had 24gb ram 2TB fusion, not sure about the 8gb, i tried a M1 air with 8gb and it was only on par with my imac.
I went from a Mac Pro 2013 with 64gb of memory and 1TB SSD to the base M1 iMac and although I have offloaded my heavy work to my PC especially the VM images I have not noticed any real issues memory or storage wise.
Like I said earlier, if you have a Thunderbolt 3 hub then the ports are not an issue. Storage and very fast storage can be attached to the other port.
Biggest issue I have had is not hardware constraints but software and drivers like my scanner but I've managed to overcome all of these so far and I'm sure as time goes by these issues will be fully resolved.
If unsure then buy one from Apple and try it for 14 days. If not happy then return for a refund. Nothing to lose doing this.
That is A base model. But I'm pretty sure the OP is referring to the $1299 7-GPU Core 2-port version and not the $1499 model that you're referring to here.
I replaced a 27-inch iMac with 32Gb RAM and 2Tb fusion drive, and my 24-inch iMac with 8Gb RAM is substantially faster - and rather more smooth in operation. It is the second-tier model however, though there's not a lot to suggest the base model would be a great deal slower.
My 8Gb M1 MBA is also faster than the 27-inch iMac had been - particularly in opening/saving/closing files, image and video editing.
Not that you asked, but my advice would not be to get the locally available iMac with no return option. I wouldn't anticipate disappointment with it, but it is more about an individual user's needs and workflow, and not knowing yours, it would be worth waiting for Apple's July delivery. You've been pondering this for almost a week since first posting here, so a bit more time isn't likely to be critical!
I guess I’m confused I thought he meant 8 GPU vs 7 GPU for that but I suppose it also could mean 8GB which is the only option for all three base models… go figure.
The base model has 7 GPU cores instead of 8, one fan instead of 2 fans with a heat pipe, two TB4 ports instead of 2 TB4 + 2 USB and does not come standard with ethernet or Touch ID though those can be added later.
There are fewer colors to chose from too.
Personally I think its work spending the extra $200 for those features and I would also upgrade the SSD to at least 512GB and the RAM to 16GB.
Right, he didn’t say 7/256 but 8/256 which could be either of those base models.
imho all three models are base and it’s the extra add ons (which also means it’s custom vs easily picked up at the local apple store).
I meant base as in cheapest, which is what base means to me lol.
Anyway my local retailer has the mid 8/512gb now in stock, they have 10% discounts at least monthly so Think i will wait for that.