The most disappointing is the end of the larger iMac—I have a 2019 and would have considered an upgrade to the M1 if they made a 32" version. I use an Apple for work, but it's mostly non-graphics-intensive work—the iMac was the perfect solution.
Now it's just like a PC—you have to buy the computer and monitor separately—and if you want an Apple, it's going to be at least 150% of the price increase. If you want similar specs with a Mac 27" monitor, you'll have a 6k rather than 5k one, but it'll cost more than double what the iMac did.
I don't know enough about Apple's business to know if this will hurt them—but how many $2000 (including $400 stand!) 27" displays are they going to sell? Non-professional Apple users will just buy Mac Minis and 3rd-party monitors. And people will presumably upgrade less frequently—I'm still using my 4-year-old 3rd-gen iPad Pro 12.9"
I had an Apple II Plus as a child, and stayed with Apple through the late 1990s, when the price differential became so steep that I began building my own overclocked PCs. I tried some MS-compatible tablets until eventually the far-superior iPad brought me back to Apple.
But with these kind of insane prices I think I may soon consider going back to PCs—Apple is not only incredibly expensive now, but "It Just Works" has become a bit of a joke. The iPhone is still the sine qua non of smartphones, but it's over $1000 now.
What's the buy-in for someone switching to Apple now, who wants my basic setup? $3000+ for a Mac Mini and Sudio Monitor, $2500 for the iPhone and 12.9 iPad Pro, and $500 for the Watch—then throw in an Apple TV and a couple needed accessories and it's close to $7,000 before tax. That's pretty insane.
