iMac m1 ssd 256gb performance issues (pre-order)?

[agregson]

I am about to order an iMac 24. Long time user of iMac 27 in non-retina and retina configs. Switched my iMac 5k 2017 and moved to MBA M1 with plan to add studio display. The display was just not for me (a few issues, webcam and so on) and I was not keen on multi box solution and lack of non-usb ethernet. Basically like the iMac format. Will keep mba as my portable.

I was about to order 16/256 but read with some alarm the issues with 256gb on new pro and maybe air. Given it simply appears that an ssd chip has been removed I wonder is there a chance that this will happen on future BTO iMac. If so I would okay safe and buy 512gb even though my usage is around 100-120GB. The £200 would be better spent elsewhere rather than for storage I don’t really need and a hedge against performance. That said it takes 4-6 weeks to get a BTO and I would be annoyed and have to return (yet again) if the issue appeared.

Has anyone received or aware of anyone who has receive a recent iMac 256gb and can confirm the ssd performance and configuration?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

A

 

[tmoerel]

I am about to order an iMac 24. Long time user of iMac 27 in non-retina and retina configs. Switched my iMac 5k 2017 and moved to MBA M1 with plan to add studio display. The display was just not for me (a few issues, webcam and so on) and I was not keen on multi box solution and lack of non-usb ethernet. Basically like the iMac format. Will keep mba as my portable.

I was about to order 16/256 but read with some alarm the issues with 256gb on new pro and maybe air. Given it simply appears that an ssd chip has been removed I wonder is there a chance that this will happen on future BTO iMac. If so I would okay safe and buy 512gb even though my usage is around 100-120GB. The £200 would be better spent elsewhere rather than for storage I don’t really need and a hedge against performance. That said it takes 4-6 weeks to get a BTO and I would be annoyed and have to return (yet again) if the issue appeared.

Has anyone received or aware of anyone who has receive a recent iMac 256gb and can confirm the ssd performance and configuration?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

A

Simple. 256Gb is not enough. Get a bigger SSD.

 

[JPack]

So far, there is no evidence the cost cutting measure affects older models. It’s unlikely Apple would go back to downgrade existing models.

 

[QuietOC]

It is very likely that all current production uses the same flash. The only hardware change is the flash itself. There is nothing about the M1 that requires them to use a pair of the older, lower density flash.

 

[agregson]

Simple. 256Gb is not enough. Get a bigger SSD.

I appreciate refreshing candour. I will place an order fort 16/512 later today. Hedges against capacity and performance issues. Thanks for the reply.

 

[agregson]

So far, there is no evidence the cost cutting measure affects older models. It’s unlikely Apple would go back to downgrade existing models.

I would rather hope not though some recent decisions on specifications, promotion and pricing have left me less assured by Apple than I have been. That said they still produce easily the best hardware and operating system available and an unrivalled overall experience. I also cannot fault nor find a suitable alternative to their support and assistance. I just wish there was a little more focus on openness and less on marketing and obfuscation.

 

[agregson]

It is very likely that all current production uses the same flash. The only hardware change is the flash itself. There is nothing about the M1 that requires them to use a pair of the older, lower density flash.

I expected all current M1 logic boards could have one or two chips in place and the OS would identify them and act accordingly. Given the stellar performance of the flash in dual chip mode it would seem a serious downgrade to offer half the performance. I would almost rather they removed the 256GB and even compromised and bumped base price by half the upgrade cost.

 

[JPack]

I would rather hope not though some recent decisions on specifications, promotion and pricing have left me less assured by Apple than I have been. That said they still produce easily the best hardware and operating system available and an unrivalled overall experience. I also cannot fault nor find a suitable alternative to their support and assistance. I just wish there was a little more focus on openness and less on marketing and obfuscation.

You have to keep in mind the legal implications as well.

The current product page for iMac includes benchmarks vs. Intel based on 256GB. The M1 press release specifically indicates 2X storage performance. These are not things you can retroactively change. (M2 press release makes no mention of storage performance for obvious reasons.)

If you consider from a holistic view, it’s extremely unlikely the current product has switched to a single 256GB module.