I'm starting to think that the iMac 24" is perfectly adequate for my needs, why wait for the larger 27" replacement?

[Phil77354]

Ever since the new 24" iMac was introduced, I've been anxiously awaiting the 27" replacement and thinking that I should plan to get one as soon as it is released.

I've been influenced by the discussions lamenting the ability to get more than 16GB RAM in the 24" iMac, and I had convinced myself that a bigger display than 24" was necessary (bigger even than the 27" I have now).

But with more models now released using Apple Silicon, it's becoming apparent to me that the performance of all of the M1 family chips is well beyond anything I will realistically need. And 16GB RAM is likewise certainly sufficient for me.

And really, the 24" display is also large enough for my needs, sure it is a bit smaller than my 27" iMac but it also will take up less desktop space. Do I really need or want a 30" iMac (if that is what they end up releasing next year)?

Why not save some $$ (potentially a lot of $$) and get a well-spec'd 24" iMac now - $2499 for 16GB RAM, 2TB SSD - which is $500 less than I paid for my 27" iMac almost exactly 7 years ago (16GB RAM and 500 GB SSD) - vs what could easily be $3-4000 for a nicely spec'd 27"-30" iMac in early / mid 2022.

I'm not a power user by any stretch of the imagination, no video or audio editing for me, just web browsing, e-mail, Office type programs, and so forth. The 24" iMac will handle all of my needs without breaking a sweat. I have no doubt about that.

I could wait a few months and see what the next iMacs look like, and they will surely be fabulous, and then order one with more RAM (that I don't really need), a faster and more powerful processor (likewise), and spend a lot more. Other than the bigger display, which I would love to have, I don't think there is any compelling reason to wait. I could end up waiting, and decide to order the 24" iMac anyway!

 

[petvas]

This is how I thought last May and I ordered a 24" iMac with 16GB of RAM and 1TB SSD. I haven't regretted it a bit. The system performs great for my needs, and even when editing a HDR video with Final Cut Pro everything was snappy.
Now, reading about all rumors of the iMac Pro, I am of course intrigued by a ProMotion display, so we will see if I am going to get it.
In any case the 24" M1 iMac is a fantastic machine and you will not regret it.

 

[barbu]

I’m kinda in the same boat. I have a 27” non-retina so even the 24” M1 has waaay more pixels than I have now, so it’s technically a larger workspace. Unless you’re using it like a television (as I used to do) I can’t see missing the size.

 

[SRQrws]

In addition to business use, computers are a hobby for me. I buy/sell several during the course of a year and with all the new Apple stuff this year, there's been quite a bit of buying and selling. My justification is I don't spend money on golf..... Anyway, I picked up the new M1 iMac on release day back in May, replacing a 27". Although I was very impressed with the design and performance, I kept thinking I missed the larger display so in July I bought another 27. Well, guess what..... Last week I bought a new 24" (16GB/1TB) and I think this is the best solution for my needs. A typical workflow is one desktop using Microsoft RDP to my work PC. Another desktop has a couple of browser windows open, email, messages, Excel and probably Music Airplaying to my HomePods. So, like you, not a power user, but I do have a bunch of stuff going on and the iMac M1 handles it flawlessly. After going back and forth, I'm convinced that the 24" fits my workspace much better, I have zero neck strain viewing it (unlike with the 27), and it absolutely handles my work needs as well, if not better, than the 27". I'm sure I'll give the new 27" a look next year, but if your situation is anything like mine, the 24" is really an ideal machine.

 

[James Godfrey]

In my opinion apple have made it so the M1 macs are perfect for about 95% of users, where the other 5% may need the extra ‘oomph’ of the M1 Pro and M1 Max, but you would 100% know if you need this extra ‘oomph’ if your unsure you likely don’t need it.

Now waiting for the 27” ‘COULD’ be a good idea ‘IF’ your upgrading the 24” configuration…

If you look at it, you can match the SSD and RAM of the base high end MBP 14” for the exact same price, however you do loose some GPU cores on the 24” iMac at the same $1999 price tag.

(The 8CPU/8GPU iMac with 512GB SSD and 16GB RAM is the same price as the base high end MBP which has 8CPU/14GPU same SSD and same RAM at $1999)

So this could potentially be the same on 27” iMac, however, personally I don’t think it will…

In my opinion the larger screen size with the base M1 Pro specs will likely get a $100 bump for the extra screen size plus an additional $100+ for the miniLED display… so personally I expect the base M1 iMac 27” will likely come in at around $2199, $2299 or potentially even more.

I can’t see the same $1999 entry M1 Pro price being the exact same as the MBP it’s surely going to be more expensive than that.

So the question is whether the 27” is worth an extra $200, $300 or even $400 for you…

-

With all that being said Apple may launch a new M1 chip (M1 Pro Max) to go in the larger iMac and actually give it the iMac Pro treatment with a huge price tag of $4999 like it did in years past.

 

[Phil77354]

This is how I thought last May and I ordered a 24" iMac with 16GB of RAM and 1TB SSD. I haven't regretted it a bit. The system performs great for my needs, and even when editing a HDR video with Final Cut Pro everything was snappy.
Now, reading about all rumors of the iMac Pro, I am of course intrigued by a ProMotion display, so we will see if I am going to get it.
In any case the 24" M1 iMac is a fantastic machine and you will not regret it.

Thanks!

I’m kinda in the same boat. I have a 27” non-retina so even the 24” M1 has waaay more pixels than I have now, so it’s technically a larger workspace. Unless you’re using it like a television (as I used to do) I can’t see missing the size.

Yes (although I do frequently use my iMac for Apple TV+ and such).

But having that 27" display just a couple of feet from my head is probably not really necessary, and a 24" would probably not be much different . . .

In addition to business use, computers are a hobby for me. I buy/sell several during the course of a year and with all the new Apple stuff this year, there's been quite a bit of buying and selling. My justification is I don't spend money on golf..... Anyway, I picked up the new M1 iMac on release day back in May, replacing a 27". Although I was very impressed with the design and performance, I kept thinking I missed the larger display so in July I bought another 27. Well, guess what..... Last week I bought a new 24" (16GB/1TB) and I think this is the best solution for my needs. A typical workflow is one desktop using Microsoft RDP to my work PC. Another desktop has a couple of browser windows open, email, messages, Excel and probably Music Airplaying to my HomePods. So, like you, not a power user, but I do have a bunch of stuff going on and the iMac M1 handles it flawlessly. After going back and forth, I'm convinced that the 24" fits my workspace much better, I have zero neck strain viewing it (unlike with the 27), and it absolutely handles my work needs as well, if not better, than the 27". I'm sure I'll give the new 27" a look next year, but if your situation is anything like mine, the 24" is really an ideal machine.

Thanks, great comments, particularly since you've done exactly what I'm thinking about. You've also given me something to think about - I do use my iMac for teleworking / removing to my office computer. There is an argument to be made for having a separate computer for that purpose.

Two 24" iMacs would be pretty nice. But will we still be teleworking in another year? (I don't think so, but I also think it could be a mixture of telework and office work in the future).

In my opinion apple have made it so the M1 macs are perfect for about 95% of users, where the other 5% may need the extra ‘oomph’ of the M1 Pro and M1 Max, but you would 100% know if you need this extra ‘oomph’ if your unsure you likely don’t need it.

Now waiting for the 27” ‘COULD’ be a good idea ‘IF’ your upgrading the 24” configuration…

If you look at it, you can match the SSD and RAM of the base high end MBP 14” for the exact same price, however you do loose some GPU cores on the 24” iMac at the same $1999 price tag.

(The 8CPU/8GPU iMac with 512GB SSD and 16GB RAM is the same price as the base high end MBP which has 8CPU/14GPU same SSD and same RAM at $1999)

So this could potentially be the same on 27” iMac, however, personally I don’t think it will…

In my opinion the larger screen size with the base M1 Pro specs will likely get a $100 bump for the extra screen size plus an additional $100+ for the miniLED display… so personally I expect the base M1 iMac 27” will likely come in at around $2199, $2299 or potentially even more.

I can’t see the same $1999 entry M1 Pro price being the exact same as the MBP it’s surely going to be more expensive than that.

So the question is whether the 27” is worth an extra $200, $300 or even $400 for you…

-

With all that being said Apple may launch a new M1 chip (M1 Pro Max) to go in the larger iMac and actually give it the iMac Pro treatment with a huge price tag of $4999 like it did in days past.

Yes, although I'm not sure if a new 27" (or possibly 30") iMac will only be a couple hundred dollars more than an equivalently spec'd 24" iMac? I don't remember what the difference was back in the Intel days between the two iMac models.

Nothing is forcing me to make a choice now vs in a couple of months, although not being able to use Monterey is a bit of a frustration since my wife and I both have recently purchased iPad Pros, and 13 Pro Max iPhones.

 

[James Godfrey]

Thanks!

Yes (although I do frequently use my iMac for Apple TV+ and such).

But having that 27" display just a couple of feet from my head is probably not really necessary, and a 24" would probably not be much different . . .

Thanks, great comments, particularly since you've done exactly what I'm thinking about. You've also given me something to think about - I do use my iMac for teleworking / removing to my office computer. There is an argument to be made for having a separate computer for that purpose.

Two 24" iMacs would be pretty nice. But will we still be teleworking in another year? (I don't think so, but I also think it could be a mixture of telework and office work in the future).

Yes, although I'm not sure if a new 27" (or possibly 30") iMac will only be a couple hundred dollars more than an equivalently spec'd 24" iMac? I don't remember what the difference was back in the Intel days between the two iMac models.

Nothing is forcing me to make a choice now vs in a couple of months, although not being able to use Monterey is a bit of a frustration since my wife and I both have recently purchased iPad Pros, and 13 Pro Max iPhones.

Previous to the M1 chips instroduction the 21.5 had a base price of $1299 whilst the 27” had a base price of $1799.

With how M1 and M1 Pro/Max is configured I just can’t see that sort of pricing continuing unless the 27” gets launched with an M1 at base then it will be a question of whether the $500 is worth it for the extra screen real estate and miniLED which will be an easy decision depending on use case.

But just the fact that no 27” iMac got launched alongside any of the M1 models or even alongside the MBP line up, I have a feeling Apple have another even higher end M1 chip in the works launching in the iMac 27” and Mac Pro, resulting in a more iMac Pro sort of pricing… which previously was $4999…

although I don’t expect the price to be quite that high I do think we may see a $3999 price tag on the iMac Pro, and a $4999 price tag on the Mac Pro if an even more powerful chip is coming.

 

[Phil77354]

@James Godfrey I agree that the pricing of a larger M1 (or M2) iMac is probably going to be enough above the 24" that it would be significant (to me, anyway).

Turns out my closest Apple Store has a blue 24" iMac, 16GB RAM and 1TB SDD in stock. . .

But if I want to get the keyboard with numeric keypad, I either have to buy it separately ($179, ouch, and can't order the matching blue color as far as I know), or order with delivery in early December. It only costs $30 to upgrade the keyboard at time of order.

It doesn't look like models with 2TB storage are stocked at my Apple Store at any time, as far as I can tell. I think that I am likely to purchase the larger storage because it will give me the ability to put my entire Music library on my computer rather than on an external hard drive, plus it will be on SSD storage. It's backed-up regardless.

Not ordering anything yet, just thinking about my options . . .

 

[James Godfrey]

@James Godfrey I agree that the pricing of a larger M1 (or M2) iMac is probably going to be enough above the 24" that it would be significant (to me, anyway).

Turns out my closest Apple Store has a blue 24" iMac, 16GB RAM and 1TB SDD in stock. . .

But if I want to get the keyboard with numeric keypad, I either have to buy it separately ($179, ouch, and can't order the matching blue color as far as I know), or order with delivery in early December. It only costs $30 to upgrade the keyboard at time of order.

It doesn't look like models with 2TB storage are stocked at my Apple Store at any time, as far as I can tell. I think that I am likely to purchase the larger storage because it will give me the ability to put my entire Music library on my computer rather than on an external hard drive, plus it will be on SSD storage. It's backed-up regardless.

Not ordering anything yet, just thinking about my options . . .

Yeah I think b&m apple stores only get stock of the higher spec models when a customer and then cancels before delivery, as that will probably go into apple store stock.

Unfortunately as far as I know you can only order the keyboard, trackpads and mouse in the standard silver colour separately at this time.

I am thinking apple have realised the main customers who purchase the 27” iMac are more pro users rather than the general consumer, so my thinking is that the 21.5” was increased to 24” as a sort of middle ground between the two sizes.

I think the larger sized iMac is going to be geared towards the Pro user possibly with another chipset inside (M1 Pro Max, M1 Extreme or something to that effect).

In terms of pricing… I have a theory…

If you look at the M1 line up before the iMac was released the highest priced entry M1 Mac was the entry MBP (8CPU 8GPU) at $1299… and the iMac matched that price point at the same $1299 for a lower spec (7CPU 8GPU).

So looking at the M1 Pro/Max line up the highest price entry level is the 16” MBP at $2499 (10CPU 16GPU), so if you consider this I think the likelihood is that the 27” iMac is going to be that price at its lowest price point (probably with a slightly lower spec 8CPU 14GPU) then rising from there depending on configuration.

 

[wilberforce]

I would not be surprised if the future 27" screen has several compelling features other than just simply bigger size. Such as ProMotion and MiniLED. Watching movies on the miniLED screen of my 14" M1 Pro is a far better experience than on my 2020 27" iMac, despite a screen that is about half the size. Something to consider.
That being said, I seldom watch movies on a computer or iPad. I watch movies in a darkened home theater room on a plasma screen (still nothing beats plasma for deep blacks and cinematic colors, IMO) and a surround audio system.

 

[chrisdazzo]

I’m in the exact same boat - 27” currently, want to keep large music library local so 2TB SSD or larger, need power on occasion for things like Plex, etc.

As incredibly tempting as the 24” iMac is, it pains me to say I’ll probably wait for whatever the new 27” replacement ends up being. Sure it’ll be expensive, but it’ll also be a powerhouse I won’t have to worry about upgrading for many years to come. I think the wait will be worth it, as will the large dent in my wallet.

 

[petvas]

@James Godfrey I agree that the pricing of a larger M1 (or M2) iMac is probably going to be enough above the 24" that it would be significant (to me, anyway).

Turns out my closest Apple Store has a blue 24" iMac, 16GB RAM and 1TB SDD in stock. . .

But if I want to get the keyboard with numeric keypad, I either have to buy it separately ($179, ouch, and can't order the matching blue color as far as I know), or order with delivery in early December. It only costs $30 to upgrade the keyboard at time of order.

It doesn't look like models with 2TB storage are stocked at my Apple Store at any time, as far as I can tell. I think that I am likely to purchase the larger storage because it will give me the ability to put my entire Music library on my computer rather than on an external hard drive, plus it will be on SSD storage. It's backed-up regardless.

Not ordering anything yet, just thinking about my options . . .

You can order the matching color accessory but you would have to call Apple and they would offer it to you as a Repair replacement. You would have to get the iMac first of course. This is how I got my Magic Trackpad and the standard keyboard for my red iMac.

 

[James Godfrey]

You can order the matching color accessory but you would have to call Apple and they would offer it to you as a Repair replacement. You would have to get the iMac first of course. This is how I got my Magic Trackpad and the standard keyboard for my red iMac.

Ah right I see, weird how they just don’t sell them on their website if they can offer them as repair replacements.
Strange ?

 

[James Godfrey]

I would not be surprised if the future 27" screen has several compelling features other than just simply bigger size. Such as ProMotion and MiniLED. Watching movies on the miniLED screen of my 14" M1 Pro is a far better experience than on my 2020 27" iMac, despite a screen that is about half the size. Something to consider.
That being said, I seldom watch movies on a computer or iPad. I watch movies in a darkened home theater room on a plasma screen (still nothing beats plasma for deep blacks and cinematic colors, IMO) and a surround audio system.

Design wise I don’t expect it to stray too much away from the 24” as history tells us the larger iMac has always had the same design language as the smaller model, so I expect a similar design language, but with an SD card slot on the side, black bezels, miniLED, standard colours (silver/space grey).

Internally, I expect we would likely get M1 Pro / Max configurations, but we could potentially see a new more powerful M series chip inside.

I think that will likely be all that’s different in comparison to it’s smaller sibling.

Price wise I expect it to start around $2499 and increasing from there…

-

For release, I don’t expect anything until WWDC now, as the two year transition was announced during WWDC 2020, so WWDC 2022 will be perfect for Apple to release their highest end Pro machines (iMac 27”, Mac Pro, Pro Display) and flex that the 2 year transition is complete.

Another reason I don’t expect anything in Spring is because over the last decade nothing ‘Pro’ other than the iPad Pro has been announced in spring, on top of this we have just had a Pro Mac focused event, so having 2 Pro Mac focused events back to back seems odd for Apple to do.

 

[Ifti]

Personally I'm hoping the 24" gets the option of the M1 Pro/Max as a configurable part.
I also want to see more ports - 4 Thunderbolt and 10GBe as a minimum, and a side mounted SD Card slot would be good (saves having to constantly reach around the back!)

 

[theluggage]

I could end up waiting, and decide to order the 24" iMac anyway!

...and what’s wrong with that, unless your current Mac is failing...

I‘m frustrated by the no-show of the 5k iMac replacement and the higher-end Mac Mini - but I’m still going to wait until they are both out so that I can make an informed decision. Which could be to get a 24” or M1 Mini.

It’s not the usual “well, there is always something new coming” - we‘re halfway through a radical re-design of the whole range and we pretty much know that the remaining Intel Macs will be replaced in the next 6-8 months.

I need to decide between iMac vs. “Mini M1 Pro” plus a wider choice of display (I do fancy a pair of those Huawei Mateviews). That depends on the size/price of the “5k“ iMac replacement (if they can fit 28-29” into the current size then fine, but the machine really doesn’t need to get bigger - nor do I want $1000+ added to the price for an “XDR” class display that dies with the computer).

Also, I don’t want to switch to Monterrey (which will soon be the default with new Macs) until it has got a couple of updates under it’s belt.

If I get bored I might think about a base M1 Air or Mini as an experimental machine in the interim, to test stuff.

 

[dimme]

I went from a 2019 27" i9 to a 2021 24" and could not be happier. My 2019 would constancy get too hot and shutdown. Apple could not fix it so I did a trade in. Very happy with the performance.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:
"I'm starting to think that the iMac 24" is perfectly adequate for my needs, why wait for the larger 27" replacement?"

Because... when the large-screen iMac is released, you're going to experience unending pangs of self-recrimination for not having waited...

... after which you'll SELL the 24" at a loss, just to buy the new larger-screen m1pro version...

 

[bluecoast]

I think that you're probably right, OP.

We've gone from an era of slightly underpowered Macs, to one where even the M1 and 8GB will be good enough for most people for the next 4 or so years - and 16GB will really future proof things.

I've only gone on the M1 iMac at my local store, but up close, that screen is huge!

There's always something better around the corner - and it's likely that that better will have more power than most of us will never need. So why pay for it?

 

[ignatius345]

I think I've adjusted down from my old 5K 27" display to the 24". But me, it's like sleeping as a couple in a queen bed versus a king. Is there enough space? Sure. But it feel like you can really stretch out? No.

I like the M1 iMac a lot, but it still doesn't have that "wow, this screen is really big" factor, and given a little extra money and a few longing trips to see the new one at the Apple Store, I'll probably cave eventually and get the bigger one.

 

[400]

I might be sitting on this 24 for a short while, depends on what is around the corner and trade in value. The more I use this new one, the less I am enamoured with it. Does everything I want but it is very "meh", can't put me finger on it. For me that is.
Even a 24 souped up some might be tempting.
Dunno. Maybe by next year I would have settled in some on this.
Love the track pad though.
?

 

[Spankey]

As others have said, I have found the 24” iMac the best compromise for daily work from home use. During the last year I went from 27” with Mac Mini to a 34 Ultrawide and then a 32”. The larger monitors just be a,e fatiguing having to shift your neck from side to side all day.

Bought a 24” as a family comp in our kitchen desk space. The size feels perfect. Plenty of room for two windows side by side but my entire workspace is viewable. The screen is gorgeous and the camera is great for meetings. I use external speakers but the built ins beat any I have heard in an all in one.

I used to game a little on my Macs but now I prefer to step away from the comp and do some console gaming.

The 24” iMac is the perfect all in one for me. I ordered a blue one for my office.

 

[Phil77354]

I appreciate and am enjoying all of the feedback and discussion.

Obviously there are differences in how each of us use our computers. It is interesting to me that the 24" iMac is working out very well for quite a few of us here. That gives me some confidence that if my decision is finally to get that model, I won't be disappointed with it.

I remember going from my 20" iMac (mid 2007 model) to my current 27" iMac (late 2014) - what a dramatic difference that was! The difference in screen real estate plus the quality of the retina display, wow!

But that was a 7" difference, and I don't expect my next computer to be nearly as dramatic of a change for me, even if Apple brings out a 30" iMac and I decide to get one of those. I wouldn't go back to a 20" (or 21.5") desktop, but it seems to me that Apple may have picked a nice sweet spot with the 24" size. From 27" to either 24" or 30", that is ±3" either way, probably not a coincidence!

 

[wilberforce]

I appreciate and am enjoying all of the feedback and discussion.

Obviously there are differences in how each of us use our computers. It is interesting to me that the 24" iMac is working out very well for quite a few of us here. That gives me some confidence that if my decision is finally to get that model, I won't be disappointed with it.

I remember going from my 20" iMac (mid 2007 model) to my current 27" iMac (late 2014) - what a dramatic difference that was! The difference in screen real estate plus the quality of the retina display, wow!

But that was a 7" difference, and I don't expect my next computer to be nearly as dramatic of a change for me, even if Apple brings out a 30" iMac and I decide to get one of those. I wouldn't go back to a 20" (or 21.5") desktop, but it seems to me that Apple may have picked a nice sweet spot with the 24" size. From 27" to either 24" or 30", that is ±3" either way, probably not a coincidence!

The 24" iMac is actually 23.5" btw

 

[Phil77354]

The 24" iMac is actually 23.5" btw

View attachment 1900121

Yes, thank you (I knew someone was going to point that out . . . )