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How to convince my friends to get an iMac?
- Thread starter TSE
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Agree with all 3 points!
1. My 2 iMacs, thoroughly used and enjoyed, are now used by others in the family.
2. Having retired them, I moved on to Mac Studio + BenQ 32" 4K, would have mini'd if I did not need more RAM, and so many good monitors on today's market.
3. It really doesn't make sense to not push my personal choices on friends & family, everyone uses tech/cars/homes/tools etc in their own ways with too many considerations for "1 to rule them all".
'Utterly foolish' comes off as a bit condescending and insulting in tone, and the assertion itself has serious logical holes, as a number of posters have pointed out various ways the Mini+ASD option is superior for some.
I doubt that trade-in is going to return full original value, and someone accustomed to an ASD may find the 27" iMac screen disappointing by comparison. If the MacMini was a 'Pro' version, they lose Thunderbolt 5 (which not many take good advantage of yet, I imagine, but nice to know it's there). The loss of the ASD spatial audio may lead to purchasing external speakers for some, introducing considerably more clutter than eliminated by the iMac setup using fewer cables otherwise.
You assert your subjective opinion as to which is better as objective fact, when many hold the opposite opinion.
IIRC, you had another thread struggling with the decision of which color iMac to buy. You sound like someone who highly values the aesthetic look of the setup. You're not alone in that; some people make a big deal out of the minimalist industrial design of the Apple Studio Display, that it doesn't look 'plasticy' or flex and creak when they grasp and move it around, while some of us don't care so much when we mostly start at the screen.
Metaphorically, you may have the 'soul of an interior decorator,' but most people don't. Yes, the iMacs looks cute and their color options are a selling point. But if I cared so much about that, Mighty Skins has a large selection of 'skins' for the M4 Mac Mini series that go way beyond a limited range of pastel colors (19 pages of options in my browser).
The M-series Apple iMacs have their niche. They are cute, powerful enough for many people, compact and minimalist with presumably high quality (albeit 24") displays and for aesthetically sensitive users without demanding computing needs looking for a decor-conscious option for a small space, they have a strong use case. They might also appeal to basic users, like if you're choosing a computer for a technically non-savvy relative where complexity is the enemy and simplicity is king.
If this were anything but an Apple forum, then sure, it would very clearly be a joke. With the kind of fanaticism that permeates this particular community however, odds are 50/50 that a post like this is completely serious.
Utterly foolish to try to convince people that what works for you is a fit for everyone else.
Each to their own, but when the Mac Mini first arrived on the scene in 2005 it was a fit for me because I wanted a computer that was easily, occasionally portable (by bicycle or motorcycle) that could be set up with any available monitor..... Which still works for me, now on my third Mac Mini.
I suggest you continue entertaining folks to nice dinner parties, which they will surely enjoy. Show off your shiny new iMac if you must, but haranguing folks on its merits over their own choices is an exercise in futility.
Had I written the same comment I’d be suspended or banned.
Glad you said it, spoke my mind.
I’m always up for bashing Microsoft and windows (but also Apple because what’s going on with the software right now). But this behavior towards people that already have a Mac is appalling.
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Want to be my friend? Give me dem 100 bucks and I swear to buy an iMac. Trust me bro.
But in all honesty, what’s so bad about a Mac mini and a Studio Display? Id prefer that over an iMac.
Should I need more horse power in the future, I don’t have to replace my computer and screen. Just the Mac, while keeping my nice display for the next one, or any other device like a MacBook, console, PC etc.
Unless Apple reintroduces Target Display Mode I think iMacs aren’t worth it anyway.
But in all honesty, what’s so bad about a Mac mini and a Studio Display? Id prefer that over an iMac.
Should I need more horse power in the future, I don’t have to replace my computer and screen. Just the Mac, while keeping my nice display for the next one, or any other device like a MacBook, console, PC etc.
Unless Apple reintroduces Target Display Mode I think iMacs aren’t worth it anyway.
Ever considered going the 1984 commercial route?
Hit them studio displays with a sledgehammer, then they’ll have to accept your iMac..
In all seriousness the iMac really only works these days for a very specific customer, most are better off with either a Mini/Studio or, more likely, a laptop or tablet.
Hit them studio displays with a sledgehammer, then they’ll have to accept your iMac..
In all seriousness the iMac really only works these days for a very specific customer, most are better off with either a Mini/Studio or, more likely, a laptop or tablet.
Let me start by saying that in the past I have suggested to several family members and also friends to purchase a Mac over alternative solutions, but would never attempt to convince them that it's best for them. Only they can decide.
As for the OP's comment, "Mac mini + Apple Studio Display route, which as we all know is an utterly foolish thing to do compared to getting an iMac" is ironically a foolish thing to say!
However here's a slightly different take on this thread's argument.
I purchased a 27" 2020 iMac (the last of the Intel iMacs) from a private seller for a greatly reduced price a year after it was launched. Now 4 years later (now running sequoia 15.7) it does everything I need extremely well including photo editing and much video editing with iMovie. It's still a marvellous machine especially with 64GB Crucial Ram which I upgraded myself - at a mere fraction of the cost had it been installed by Apple.
Until a month or so ago my wife had been using a faultless 2012 Mac Mini with an SSD installed, and I passed my 2020 27" iMac to her. At the same time I'd purchased for myself at a greatly reduced price an M2 Pro Mac Mini with a 2022 ASD from a private seller who was moving overseas from Europe.
That M2 Pro Mac Mini (also running sequoia 15.7) and ASD was a good choice, but even after several months I still find myself sliding across to my wife's desk to use her 'new' iMac.
I must be honest, I prefer the iMacs total package, with it's gorgeous Retina 5K screen. Agreed, the iMac is a little slower in some tasks but certainly not annoyingly so for my non-professional daily use. For my personal use, would I ever pay full price for the current ASD? No way!! But no problem if it was offered in a professional capacity which many probably are. I find it's a great shame that the ASD screen has the black border which although a similar 27" gives the impression of being smaller than the iMac. Imho the ASD screen and quality is ok but the iMac 2020 is still an incredible machine, still with excellent performance for a fraction of the price. Comparing screens luminosity of 500 to 568 nits, I don't know about the rest of you but I wouldn't recognise a nit if I tripped over one. Regarding any obsolescence I could still upgrade the iMac OS to Tahoe but I'm in no hurry to do so.
Each to their own of course. Just enjoy what you have.
As for the OP's comment, "Mac mini + Apple Studio Display route, which as we all know is an utterly foolish thing to do compared to getting an iMac" is ironically a foolish thing to say!
However here's a slightly different take on this thread's argument.
I purchased a 27" 2020 iMac (the last of the Intel iMacs) from a private seller for a greatly reduced price a year after it was launched. Now 4 years later (now running sequoia 15.7) it does everything I need extremely well including photo editing and much video editing with iMovie. It's still a marvellous machine especially with 64GB Crucial Ram which I upgraded myself - at a mere fraction of the cost had it been installed by Apple.
Until a month or so ago my wife had been using a faultless 2012 Mac Mini with an SSD installed, and I passed my 2020 27" iMac to her. At the same time I'd purchased for myself at a greatly reduced price an M2 Pro Mac Mini with a 2022 ASD from a private seller who was moving overseas from Europe.
That M2 Pro Mac Mini (also running sequoia 15.7) and ASD was a good choice, but even after several months I still find myself sliding across to my wife's desk to use her 'new' iMac.
I must be honest, I prefer the iMacs total package, with it's gorgeous Retina 5K screen. Agreed, the iMac is a little slower in some tasks but certainly not annoyingly so for my non-professional daily use. For my personal use, would I ever pay full price for the current ASD? No way!! But no problem if it was offered in a professional capacity which many probably are. I find it's a great shame that the ASD screen has the black border which although a similar 27" gives the impression of being smaller than the iMac. Imho the ASD screen and quality is ok but the iMac 2020 is still an incredible machine, still with excellent performance for a fraction of the price. Comparing screens luminosity of 500 to 568 nits, I don't know about the rest of you but I wouldn't recognise a nit if I tripped over one. Regarding any obsolescence I could still upgrade the iMac OS to Tahoe but I'm in no hurry to do so.
Each to their own of course. Just enjoy what you have.
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Let me start by saying that in the past I have suggested to several family members and also friends to purchase a Mac over alternative solutions, but would never attempt to convince them that it's best for them. Only they can decide.
As for the OP's comment, "Mac mini + Apple Studio Display route, which as we all know is an utterly foolish thing to do compared to getting an iMac" is ironically a foolish thing to say!
However here's a slightly different take on this thread's argument.
I purchased a 27" 2020 iMac (the last of the Intel iMacs) from a private seller for a greatly reduced price a year after it was launched. Now 4 years later (now running sequoia 15.7) it does everything I need extremely well including photo editing and much video editing with iMovie. It's still a marvellous machine especially with 64GB Crucial Ram which I upgraded myself - at a mere fraction of the cost had it been installed by Apple.
Until a month or so ago my wife had been using a faultless 2012 Mac Mini with an SSD installed, and I passed my 2020 27" iMac to her. At the same time I'd purchased for myself at a greatly reduced price an M2 Pro Mac Mini with a 2022 ASD from a private seller who was moving overseas from Europe.
That M2 Pro Mac Mini (also running sequoia 15.7) and ASD was a good choice, but even after several months I still find myself sliding across to my wife's desk to use her 'new' iMac.
I must be honest, I prefere the iMacs total package, with it's gorgeous Retina 5K screen. Agreed, the iMac is a little slower in some tasks but certainly not annoyingly so for my non-professional daily use. For my personal use, would I ever pay full price for the current ASD? No way!! But no problem if it was offered in a professional capacity which many probably are. I find it's a great shame that the ASD screen has the black border which although a similar 27" gives the impression of being smaller than the iMac. Imho the ASD screen and quality is ok but the iMac 2020 is still an incredible machine, still with excellent performance for a fraction of the price. Comparing screens luminosity of 500 to 568 nits, I don't know about the rest of you but I wouldn't recognise a nit if I tripped over one.Regarding any obsolescence I could still upgrade the iMac OS to Tahoe but I'm in no hurry to do so.
Each to their own of course. Just enjoy what you have.
This is a wonderful post that explains from a real user the magic of the iMac. Thank you Cooper.
Screen looks smaller on the ASD as physically the black surround is smaller on the ASD and you don’t have the Chin either of the iMac.
When went from a 26” Samsung to a 27” LG then took ages to get used to it as the surround on the LG so much smaller even though the actual screen is larger. The frame of the 27” TV being smaller.
One of the complaints levelled at the ASD was that was the same 5k Retina 27” as found on the Intel iMacs and not an improvement.
Try using physical violence; it usually works. If that doesn’t prove effective, adding bladed weapons to the mix may help.
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OP is clearly rage baiting, and in your case it definitely worked 😂
People on MacRumors act like they've never been to any other site on the internet...
I am not raging. I said what I felt was appropriate and that was it. I don’t rage over things on the internet.
And that was good enough for years since no one else came out with any worthy competition whatsoever. 5K is a dealbreaker for me, anything less is out of the question.
There is a very small number of worthy competitors now. I picked up an ASUS ProArt PA27JCV and it's decent, only the backlight uniformity isn't great at the edges. Still have my iMac which I converted to a 5K monitor and intend to fix some issues it.
Your friends actually sound pretty smart since they, like most normal people, appear to understand that 24” is too small.