I have a 16" M2 MBP, and a 13" MBA (both 16/1tb.) Would I notice much of a difference with the new iMac?

[The Cockney Rebel]

My first Mac (2008) was an iMac, and I loved it.

It introduced me to the Apple lifestyle.

If I get one, I'll get it in silver (I'm a minimalist.)

So, would it perform much better than my current computers?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Apple_Robert]

You wouldn’t notice any real world difference at all.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

So I'd be buying it purely for the form factor alone?

 

[Andrey84]

No difference in real-world general usage compared to M2
If you have any specialised usage, like video editing or 3D rendering, you will of course notice the difference
Why the question? Does your current setup not work for you? And/or do you have too much money?

 

[Apple_Robert]

So I'd be buying it purely for the form factor alone?

Correct.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

The iMac holds a special place in my heart.

I just feel like buying one.

 

[Andrey84]

The iMac holds a special place in my heart.

I just feel like buying one.

Then you've answered your own question. If it holds a special place in your heart, go for it. Just don't expect any performance improvements.

My wife has had 3 different iMacs since 2010, I helped her buy and upgrade all of them, so it holds a special place in my heart also.

It's a computer that brings you joy every time you look at it.

 

[coffeemilktea]

Just buy it if it makes you happy. There might not be a practical improvement as computing goes, but if you enjoy it more, I imagine that's what's important.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Then you've answered your own question. If it holds a special place in your heart, go for it. Just don't expect any performance improvements.

My wife has had 3 different iMacs since 2010, I helped her buy and upgrade all of them, so it holds a special place in my heart also.

It's a computer that brings you joy every time you look at it.

I concur.

It’s a lovely machine.

What colour does you wife have?

I’m going silver, as I’m very minimalist.

 

[MrTemple]

Buy an ultra wide monitor.

You get to use it with the laptop screen as well, so you’re getting like 3-4x the useable screen real estate (easily have 3 or 4 FULL windows open with room to spare).

The increase in utility is through the roof.

Plus it’s your same machine in super-productive desk mode or on the go.

(Avoid curved ones, they're a gimmick and full of distortions that change based on the exact positioning of your head.)

If you’ve got a bit more cash to spend try out the AVP. The new room-sized ultra wide curved (no distortions) virtual monitor for AppleSilicon Macs is truly insane. Plus it has tons of other magical experiences with it.

 

[Andrey84]

I concur.

It’s a lovely machine.

What colour does you wife have?

I’m going silver, as I’m very minimalist.

She is still on intel, so it's the classic aluminium iMac. She has the top spec 27" 2020 model with the nano-textured screen.

 

[leifp]

Without knowing what you actually do with your computers, answering your question is exceedingly difficult. While it’s likely you would notice little difference if all you do is browse the internet and write emails, if you do photo, video, gaming or other work and went with 32GB RAM you may well notice a large difference.

 

[Night Spring]

The MacBook Air was my first Apple computer. I then got an iMac. While I loved the iMac, and owned several models over the years, eventually I got tired of how if one part fails, the whole thing is basically useless. I have one iMac with a failed display, that works perfectly well with an external display. I have another with a failed motherboard, that would make a nice display for another computer if I could figure out a way to do that.

So for my latest computer I got the M2 Mac mini. I'm very happy with that. The M4 mini makes me wish I could have waited to get that one, but my last iMac had become unstable, so I had to buy what was available then. Like I said, I'm happy with the mini I have now, and I'm planning on getting another mini when my current mini gets too old.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Without knowing what you actually do with your computers, answering your question is exceedingly difficult. While it’s likely you would notice little difference if all you do is browse the internet and write emails, if you do photo, video, gaming or other work and went with 32GB RAM you may well notice a large difference.

General computing stuff.

I‘m also a self taught street photographer, and will be starting a photography course in February.

I know I can use my MBP for this, but I just want to get a new iMac. It was actually my first Mac (iMac) which got me into photography.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

The MacBook Air was my first Apple computer. I then got an iMac. While I loved the iMac, and owned several models over the years, eventually I got tired of how if one part fails, the whole thing is basically useless. I have one iMac with a failed display, that works perfectly well with an external display. I have another with a failed motherboard, that would make a nice display for another computer if I could figure out a way to do that.

So for my latest computer I got the M2 Mac mini. I'm very happy with that. The M4 mini makes me wish I could have waited to get that one, but my last iMac had become unstable, so I had to buy what was available then. Like I said, I'm happy with the mini I have now, and I'm planning on getting another mini when my current mini gets too old.

My 2008 iMac had a video card die on me, which was repaired.

 

[Night Spring]

My 2008 iMac had a video card die on me, which was repaired.

There was one iMac that we did manage to get repaired. The one with the failed motherboard, the Apple Genius was like, we could replace the motherboard for $500, but then we can't guarantee that it would work. The last iMac that I was using before I got the mini was actually my first iMac from 2009, which I dragged out from storage after we couldn't fix the one with the failed motherboard. So when that started acting wonky, it wasn't even worth considering repairs.

I'm not complaining here. All my iMacs lasted at least 5 years, many of them more, and the one time we got one repaired, Apple did a good job with that. Still, I'm just done with iMacs. Seeing you say you still love iMacs makes me nostalgic for that feeling. But it's just not coming back.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

So I popped into the Apple Store, and had a look.

I really don’t know if it’s worth me buying one.

It’s not a matter of needing one. Rather wanting one.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[Night Spring]

So I popped into the Apple Store, and had a look.

I really don’t know if it’s worth me buying one.

It’s not a matter of needing one. Rather wanting one.

Decisions, decisions.

Obviously it's not a matter of need -- I'm not quite clear why you have both an MBP and an MBA. I know you used to keep one at your home and one at your Nan's, but now that your Nan is gone, God rest her soul, do you need both?

Have you considered buying an iMac and selling / trading in one of your notebooks? That combo, one desktop and one notebook, could make more sense.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

You know about Apple and it’s marketing.

I’ll probably not get the iMac.

It is want over need.

 

[Fishrrman]

16" M2 MacBook Pro?

Keep what you have, for now.
That's a dandy laptop, probably hasn't lost much at all since it was brand-new.

Instead of getting an iMac, I'd suggest you get a GOOD 27" 4k display to use with it now and then.

Others might suggest an Apple Studio display, but the current model is getting long-in-the-tooth for "what you get" from it, and costs too much besides...

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

16" M2 MacBook Pro?

Keep what you have, for now.
That's a dandy laptop, probably hasn't lost much at all since it was brand-new.

Instead of getting an iMac, I'd suggest you get a GOOD 27" 4k display to use with it now and then.

Others might suggest an Apple Studio display, but the current model is getting long-in-the-tooth for "what you get" from it, and costs too much besides...

I decided to leave it.

It was absolutely more of a "want" than a "need."

This computer has hardly been used, but you know what Apple's marketing is like.

@Night Spring knows of my story, and why I have these two laptops.

Wishing everyone well.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Obviously it's not a matter of need -- I'm not quite clear why you have both an MBP and an MBA. I know you used to keep one at your home and one at your Nan's, but now that your Nan is gone, God rest her soul, do you need both?

Have you considered buying an iMac and selling / trading in one of your notebooks? That combo, one desktop and one notebook, could make more sense.

Apple's trade in value for this specced up MBP is about £800!

I paid more than 2.5k for it.

 

[Night Spring]

Apple's trade in value for this specced up MBP is about £800!

I paid more than 2.5k for it.

LOL, yeah, their trade in value is much more reasonable with base models than the specced up ones!

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

LOL, yeah, their trade in value is much more reasonable with base models than the specced up ones!

It's sad, when people wonder why I have a Pro and an Air.

I still can't believe she is no longer here.

However, I am very spiritual, and I believe she is always with me.

I swear she's helped me out in so many situations.

Wishing you & your loved ones well.

 

[Night Spring]

It's sad, when people wonder why I have a Pro and an Air.

I still can't believe she is no longer here.

However, I am very spiritual, and I believe she is always with me.

I swear she's helped me out in so many situations.

Wishing you & your loved ones well.

I know you miss her a lot! ::hugs::

I hope you find something nice to get / do for yourself this holiday. Maybe something that makes you feel closer to her. Holidays are hard when you are missing someone, isn't it?

Take good care of yourself!