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hipshot99

macrumors newbie
Nov 2, 2024
1
2
As someone who uses a 27" monitor at work, how noticeable is the reduction to 24"?

Unlike iPads or iPhones which to me can be too big (for example I prefer regular Pro sized phones or the 11" iPad), I don't feel the same way about desktop monitors. I think 27" is the bare minimum and anything smaller would be like holding an iPhone 4 today.

I know it is only 3 inches but in terms of overall surface area, that is probably more like a 25% reduction in space. For any iMac owners who had 27" for the past decade, how difficult was the adjustment to 24"?
Too small for me. I have a 2017 iMac 27” model and can’t see dropping down to a 24” screen. When and if Apple makes a 27” iMac I’ll buy one instantly. Until then I’ll just plod along with what i have.
 

mreg376

macrumors 65816
Mar 23, 2008
1,233
418
Brooklyn, NY
Too small for me. I have a 2017 iMac 27” model and can’t see dropping down to a 24” screen. When and if Apple makes a 27” iMac I’ll buy one instantly. Until then I’ll just plod along with what i have.
Yeah me too. Same 27" iMac as you. It's not just the reduction in size of the display, it's having to pay upwards of $2,000+ for the privilege of having less screen real estate.
 

zedsdead

macrumors 68040
Jun 20, 2007
3,438
1,252
Too small. It’s ridiculous that Apple doesn’t make a large screen consumer iMac. For me the studio and displays are fine, but I have several family members who would buy an iMac if it was at least 27”. They don’t want a downgrade. Apple doesn’t need an iMac Pro, that space is plenty filled. The just need a larger consumer iMac.

We all know the reason it doesn’t exist and it was too good a value with the 5k screen keyboard mouse etc…

There is also definitely a new market of people who just want to connect a MacBook to an iMac style display, but the prices are way too high for the average consumer to even consider Studio displays.
 
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Geekett

macrumors member
Sep 17, 2021
57
42
I find this 24’ iMac really the sweet spot for casual tasks (research on Internet, writing, zoom calls...). I had a 27’ and sometimes found it too large. What I like with the new iMac is that it’s easy to turn and move it on your desk.

What I don’t like is that there is no more Target Mode, that’s a pity and a waste.

I use it also as a TV and in this case, it can be too small when 2 meters away
 

TVreporter

macrumors 68020
Mar 11, 2012
2,056
3,418
Near Toronto
Haven't seen the 24-inch in person - I live nowhere near an Apple Store. But I've been using 27-inch for years and I can't imagine going smaller.

I have noticed a massive flood of M3 iMacs on the refurb store now… $200-$300 off.
 

Fishrrman

macrumors Penryn
Feb 20, 2009
29,233
13,303
reporter wrote:
"I have noticed a massive flood of M3 iMacs on the refurb store now… $200-$300 off."

Wondering if some of them might actually be "new" (i.e., never sold) units that they're trying to sell off?
Just "re-packaged" into "refurbished" style boxes?
 

ignatius345

macrumors 604
Aug 20, 2015
7,608
13,015
To me, it was like going from a king sized bed to a queen: technically big enough, but you can't really sprawl out as much as you'd like.

I get plenty done on my iMac M1, but I do still at times miss that extra space. When budget allows, I'll probably just get the new Mini and an Apple Studio Display.
 
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Isengardtom

macrumors 65816
Feb 14, 2009
1,344
2,191
Personally I disagree 24" is too small for a monitor

I had a 27" iMac at some point and moved to a 21"5 inch when they went 4K. It took me few days to get used to it but that's it

The 24" is a great size for flats with somewhat restricted space. For multitasking I prefer to use a second monitor than a split window setup. Or I use my iPad pro / iMac in Universal Control mode
 

Jay Tee

macrumors 6502
Mar 17, 2023
273
453
Personally I disagree 24" is too small for a monitor

I had a 27" iMac at some point and moved to a 21"5 inch when they went 4K. It took me few days to get used to it but that's it

The 24" is a great size for flats with somewhat restricted space. For multitasking I prefer to use a second monitor than a split window setup. Or I use my iPad pro / iMac in Universal Control mode

Snazzy Labs

I might want a 27", but this is a good interim solution.
 
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PixelPanda

macrumors newbie
Nov 8, 2024
1
4
My thoughts/experience with this encouraged me to create an account in order to respond! I just got a green M4 iMac yesterday (my first iMac since I had a used G4 back in the early 2000s) and was a little nervous about the size of the 24" as I was connecting my 15" MBA to a crappy 27" bog standard 1080 monitor for a dual screen set up. But honestly, the iMac's screen is LOVELY to work on. I thought for sure I would miss having a separate screen, but so far it's been great. I'm in an extensive Zoom training today so I'm using multiple windows all at once but the resolution on this thing makes it so where you can have quite a lot of windows/information in a much smaller space than on my old 27" monitor. Anyway, if anyone's hesitating like I was and their coming from using a larger monitor with less resolution, I'd say you really have to take into account that the screen on the iMac is just a really significant upgrade that can fit more information on it than you're likely used to.
 

Tulipone

macrumors 6502
Jan 30, 2009
350
8
Huntingdon UK
I currently have an early 2019 27” fusion mic and have a new iMac on order - but with a delay in delivering has given me time to think more.

As with most of this thread, I am concerned about dropping from 27” to 24” and have been looking at other options. I get keen on 3rd party (to Apple) monitor and then read a review to find I'm not going to like it. I have a list. Consensus seems to be the Studio Display is the best option. But expensive. This isn’t the bit that gives me a doubt.

I don't understand why Apple limit the CPU to the M4, albeit two options. Why not a pro choice? Why do Apple want to force me into moving from iMac to mac Mini if I think I'd benefit from a bit more cpu power? If a laptop can take an M4 pro / ultra why not an iMac?

Given a choice I'd love an iMac with M4 pro and a 27" screen. Why does it have to be so difficult else so expensive?
 

Adelphos33

macrumors 68000
Mar 13, 2012
1,712
2,268
I currently have an early 2019 27” fusion mic and have a new iMac on order - but with a delay in delivering has given me time to think more.

As with most of this thread, I am concerned about dropping from 27” to 24” and have been looking at other options. I get keen on 3rd party (to Apple) monitor and then read a review to find I'm not going to like it. I have a list. Consensus seems to be the Studio Display is the best option. But expensive. This isn’t the bit that gives me a doubt.

I don't understand why Apple limit the CPU to the M4, albeit two options. Why not a pro choice? Why do Apple want to force me into moving from iMac to mac Mini if I think I'd benefit from a bit more cpu power? If a laptop can take an M4 pro / ultra why not an iMac?

Given a choice I'd love an iMac with M4 pro and a 27" screen. Why does it have to be so difficult else so expensive?

Apple has clearly went in this direction with its Macs - base, “prosumer”, pro

With laptops, the base is the MacBook Air, with the MacBook pro filling the prosumer and pro gaps

With desktops - Apple is saying the iMac is the base, the Mac Mini can fit the base, to prosumer gaps, Mac Studio is prosumer to pro, and Mac Pro is Pro. There are a lot of options

Relative to pre Apple silicon, remember that the Mac Studio and Mac Mini are effectively new products. Apple has replaced the 27” IMac and the iMac Pro with Mac Minis and Mac Studios.

Is this the right choice? I was surprised Apple updated the iMac colors, updated the camera, added a nano texture option to the 24” iMac. It seems to me the product must be selling well enough for Apple to keep iterating and updating. They also have made what appears to be an excellent new Mac Mini. So given that - is a 27” IMac with an m4 Pro option really necessary?
 
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