M4 iMac for mid-tier creatives?

[SazerLite]

I've been stuck with my old 2013, i5, 8GB MacBook Pro for far too long.
I intend to make a big leap forward with a new M4, 10-core iMac with 32GB RAM and 1TB storage. I'm planning on getting it from Apple Refurbished, by the way. And I want this machine to last a good long time. At least 7+ years before I consider buying an upgrade.

Now, question is, is this a good setup for a medium-level creative/hobbyist?

To break it down, I want to use it like so, from highest priority and concern to lowest:

• Video editing. Likely with DaVinci Resolve, or possibly Final Cut Pro. Mostly silly videos with some effects and edits and animations. Not stuff like large, professional documentaries or blockbuster quality films or anything like that.
• Livestreaming. Primarily just on-screen streaming; no web-cam. Streaming my video-editing process or even some light gaming, as well as with some friends via Discord.
• On-screen recording. Mainly footage of older PC games via Steam/GOG or on an emulator like BasiliskII/SheepShaver/QEMU.
• Gaming. Mainly older games, indie games, or some games made specifically for Mac, like the Myst/Riven remakes. Also will dabble into console emulation, mainly up to the GCN, PS2, Xbox generation, which I hear runs great on even the base M4. Not intending to play the newest big-budget games like Cyberpunk 2077. If wanted to indulge myself with the newest AAA games, I'll just get the Steam Deck (and/or see what awaits the Nintendo Switch 2).
• Programming. I have a keen interest in software/game development. Again, nothing huge or extremely demanding. Indie fare mostly.
• Animation. Mostly 2D. My go to animation software is Moho. May also do some drawings on Clip Studio Paint.
• Blender. Likely will use to make 3D concepts and outlines. Possibly simple/low-res animations. Not intending to make professional 3D animated films like Flow or Sintel.
• Discord calls/streams. I'm betting I can watch and participate in Discord livestreams and activities without the machine struggling.
• Browsing. I assume it can watch 1080p 60fps streams no problem. How well can it watch 4K 60fps videos? I know, rare, but still.

Okay, I think that's all I needed to cover. Sorry if it's a little too all over the place. And forgive me if any of these details are woefully ill-informed. As much as I love computers, I'm still a tenderfoot when it comes to certain specifics.
I'd also like to know how many of these purposes can be done simultaneously. Obviously, I'm not going to do all of them at once, but it would be nice to be able to livestream my video editing while voice chatting with online friends without issue.
Also, note that I have no plans to use Apple Intelligence or any other kind of AI system (outside of possibly some voice alters).

Thanks for your patience.

 

[splifingate]

new M4, 10-core iMac with 32GB RAM and 1TB storage

You will face few difficulties in meeting your expectations.

 

[SazerLite]

You will face few difficulties in meeting your expectations.

How so?

 

[throAU]

Don’t plan for 7 plus years. Plan for 5. If you get 7 great. But budget for 5.

 

[SazerLite]

Don’t plan for 7 plus years. Plan for 5. If you get 7 great. But budget for 5.

I can live with 5 years. That said, after having used this still functioning laptop for upwards of a decade, I think I'll be able to squeeze 7 years out of a more powerful iMac.

Now, would you say my potential setup is good enough for my purposes? Even for just 5 years?

 

[throAU]

I can live with 5 years. That said, after having used this still functioning laptop for upwards of a decade, I think I'll be able to squeeze 7 years out of a more powerful iMac.

Now, would you say my potential setup is good enough for my purposes? Even for just 5 years?

Yeah should be.

You may get 7 but I don’t recommend people planning that far ahead because in computing terms it is an eternity.

Especially right now as we are on the cusp of things like AR, actual useful AI, etc. and hardware is rapidly adapting at the moment as opposed the past decade or so of stagnation.

I’ve been in the industry for 30 years and right now is the quickest tech has been advancing for at least 10-15 years.

 

[SazerLite]

Yeah should be.

You may get 7 but I don’t recommend people planning that far ahead because in computing terms it is an eternity.

Especially right now as we are on the cusp of things like AR, actual useful AI, etc. and hardware is rapidly adapting at the moment as opposed the past decade or so of stagnation.

I’ve been in the industry for 30 years and right now is the quickest tech has been advancing for at least 10-15 years.

Thanks for the input.
Really, most of the purposes I've listed I'm fairly confident would work out just fine on a 32GB M4 iMac.
The only one that I'm unsure about is livestreaming. If I am able to livestream a work or gaming session at 1080p smoothly, I'd be satisfied.

 

[throAU]

Thanks for the input.
Really, most of the purposes I've listed I'm fairly confident would work out just fine on a 32GB M4 iMac.
The only one that I'm unsure about is livestreaming. If I am able to livestream a work or gaming session at 1080p smoothly, I'd be satisfied.

Pretty sure the base m1 can process/mix multiple streams of 1080p no issue and that doesn’t even have a media processing engine on it.

In terms of video processing the m2 onward will handle anything you’re likely to throw at it unless you’re dealing with high end multiple streams of 4k.

If you’re talking about livestream of games running on the Mac though that’s a bit of an obscure use case?

 

[SazerLite]

If you’re talking about livestream of games running on the Mac though that’s a bit of an obscure use case?

It is a rare case, I'll admit. I primarily would be streaming and playing older/indie games, as well as my video editing and animation work. Might get a video card for console gaming too someday, but that's for another day.
I assume livestreaming while using Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve would run fine? Also, 60fps? Not completely necessary, but would be nice.

 

[Adelphos33]

Let’s start with the basics. You have used a laptop but are now looking at a desktop. Why? Do you always work at home or do you carry you laptop around?

 

[SazerLite]

Let’s start with the basics. You have used a laptop but are now looking at a desktop. Why? Do you always work at home or do you carry you laptop around?

It was an old hand-me-down Mac from my mother years ago.
I'm fine with laptops, but I'd like to have one solid place to do my work on a larger, higher quality display. I rarely take my MacBook out of the house anyway.

 

[DPL145$]

You will have zero problems with the proposed set up. 7 years...probably a bit long...as lot can change in the world of computer and your life in 7 years (and you need to bust your butt in terms of career and income over the next 7 yrs, get it done).... I do everything you are doing and a bit more (database stuff) on 4 machines in my house. 2 iMacs -different rooms (both M1), Mac Studio (M1) with 2 Apple Studio displays and a M3 MacBook Air 13. They all run fine..... The set up you are thinking about will be great and enjoyable.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

I've been stuck with my old 2013, i5, 8GB MacBook Pro for far too long.
I intend to make a big leap forward with a new M4, 10-core iMac with 32GB RAM and 1TB storage. I'm planning on getting it from Apple Refurbished, by the way. And I want this machine to last a good long time. At least 7+ years before I consider buying an upgrade.

Now, question is, is this a good setup for a medium-level creative/hobbyist?

To break it down, I want to use it like so, from highest priority and concern to lowest:

• Video editing. Likely with DaVinci Resolve, or possibly Final Cut Pro. Mostly silly videos with some effects and edits and animations. Not stuff like large, professional documentaries or blockbuster quality films or anything like that.
• Livestreaming. Primarily just on-screen streaming; no web-cam. Streaming my video-editing process or even some light gaming, as well as with some friends via Discord.
• On-screen recording. Mainly footage of older PC games via Steam/GOG or on an emulator like BasiliskII/SheepShaver/QEMU.
• Gaming. Mainly older games, indie games, or some games made specifically for Mac, like the Myst/Riven remakes. Also will dabble into console emulation, mainly up to the GCN, PS2, Xbox generation, which I hear runs great on even the base M4. Not intending to play the newest big-budget games like Cyberpunk 2077. If wanted to indulge myself with the newest AAA games, I'll just get the Steam Deck (and/or see what awaits the Nintendo Switch 2).
• Programming. I have a keen interest in software/game development. Again, nothing huge or extremely demanding. Indie fare mostly.
• Animation. Mostly 2D. My go to animation software is Moho. May also do some drawings on Clip Studio Paint.
• Blender. Likely will use to make 3D concepts and outlines. Possibly simple/low-res animations. Not intending to make professional 3D animated films like Flow or Sintel.
• Discord calls/streams. I'm betting I can watch and participate in Discord livestreams and activities without the machine struggling.
• Browsing. I assume it can watch 1080p 60fps streams no problem. How well can it watch 4K 60fps videos? I know, rare, but still.

Okay, I think that's all I needed to cover. Sorry if it's a little too all over the place. And forgive me if any of these details are woefully ill-informed. As much as I love computers, I'm still a tenderfoot when it comes to certain specifics.
I'd also like to know how many of these purposes can be done simultaneously. Obviously, I'm not going to do all of them at once, but it would be nice to be able to livestream my video editing while voice chatting with online friends without issue.
Also, note that I have no plans to use Apple Intelligence or any other kind of AI system (outside of possibly some voice alters).

Thanks for your patience.

The box you describe with 32 GB RAM should do anything you discuss, well. The Mac's Unified Memory Architecture will pretty much use all of the RAM immediately, which is a good thing. As time goes on and OS/apps become more demanding the way the 32 GB RAM is used will be come less optimal; operation will become less smooth. IMO where [I estimate 2-4 years in the future] you will first feel the difference will be in "how many of these purposes can be done simultaneously."

Like throAU said, software demands on hardware seem like they will be growing particularly rapidly in our 5-year future. IMO RAM usage will be particularly demanding. Even today, 32 GB RAM can be driven into sub-optimal operation with concurrent usage of the apps you describe + Mail app + Browser app + Messaging app + etc. In particular, leaving certain web pages open can inefficiently hog RAM, but that is easy to fix by not leaving web pages open. ;~)

 

[Warped9]

I have an M3 iMac with 16/512. I primarily do 3D modelling with it with absolutely no issue. Great computer.