MKBHD reviews the new M1 iMac

[usagora]

In Windows, it saves the last state, so mine generally open in 'Maximized', but it's also quick to do. macOS never opens in maximized so they always float somewhere, and you only have the option to go Full Screen, which is different as it puts it in its own desktop space.

Actually, macOS will remember the last state too. Try it. Open Music. Hold the Option key and left-click the green bubble at the top left of the window to maximize the window. Quit Music. Open Music again. It opens maximized. Same thing happens with Mail, Messages, Maps, etc. Microsoft Office for Mac also remembers the state of the window size on a per-file basis.

I do wish macOS had native support for window snapping like you mention, but it's definitely not a deal-breaker for me and I don't use any third-party apps to do it. I simply manually resize as need, and--as I said--they open to the same size and position next time I open the app (which Windows doesn't do, so you could actually argue macOS is better in this respect, because once you position the window where you want it, it will open just like that the next time and you don't have to resize or "snap" it back again).

 

[brookter1]

In Windows, it saves the last state, so mine generally open in 'Maximized', but it's also quick to do. macOS never opens in maximized so they always float somewhere, and you only have the option to go Full Screen, which is different as it puts it in its own desktop space.

For most programs you can hold down the option key (or click on the Windows menu) and choose 'Zoom' -- this will 'maximise' the program both in height and width for most programs (and still leave the menu bar visible). Obviously, you can give the Zoom command a global shortcut to make this easier. This 'option-click' method also lets you keep the menu-bar when you tile to the left or right (rather than full-screen split).

However, some programs, like Safari, choose a width based on the 'ideal' width of the screen for web pages, so they leave a small gap to the right. In that case, you have to option-double click on the right frame and it will maximise the width as well.

So, it's possible, but not quite seamless, which is why I use either Optimal Layout (free on the App Store, or at least it was) or Keyboard Maestro.

 

[Altis]

Actually, macOS will remember the last state too. Try it. Open Music. Hold the Option key and left-click the green bubble at the top left of the window to maximize the window. Quit Music. Open Music again. It opens maximized. Same thing happens with Mail, Messages, Maps, etc. Microsoft Office for Mac also remembers the state of the window size on a per-file basis.

I do wish macOS had native support for window snapping like you mention, but it's definitely not a deal-breaker for me and I don't use any third-party apps to do it. I simply manually resize as need, and--as I said--they open to the same size and position next time I open the app (which Windows doesn't do, so you could actually argue macOS is better in this respect, because once you position the window where you want it, it will open just like that the next time and you don't have to resize or "snap" it back again).

Windows and Linux Mint Xfce do the exact same thing for me (remembers size, position, and maximized state for each application). The size part can be annoying since my monitors are different sizes, though.

I highly recommend checking out BetterSnapTool for macOS -- I think it's a few bucks now but I got it years ago and it still works beautifully. Very convenient for making the most of your desktop space... I rarely want windows to just float at a given size in the middle.

I've tried the Opt+Green button trick but I find it has a few problems. First, the "Zoom" (maximize) sometimes doesn't actually use the full space. Second, when you use the "Zoom" or "Move window left/right", it does it, but when you go to drag it back from this position, it retains the new size, which is the full height of the display and/or full size of it -- either way it immediately goes off the edge of the screen, so you have to move it, then resize it from the corner still on the screen, then move it back it -- as Jobs would say, "Yuuuck!"

BST resolves all of this, fortunately. I want all my windows either maximized (but not in their own space), columned, or quadrant, and I don't want to have to fuss around with dragging and resizing them, especially with the trackpad. Being able to WinKey + arrow to instantly have them arrange is a workflow godsend to me.

 

[Altis]

For most programs you can hold down the option key (or click on the Windows menu) and choose 'Zoom' -- this will 'maximise' the program both in height and width for most programs (and still leave the menu bar visible). Obviously, you can give the Zoom command a global shortcut to make this easier. This 'option-click' method also lets you keep the menu-bar when you tile to the left or right (rather than full-screen split).

However, some programs, like Safari, choose a width based on the 'ideal' width of the screen for web pages, so they leave a small gap to the right. In that case, you have to option-double click on the right frame and it will maximise the width as well.

So, it's possible, but not quite seamless, which is why I use either Optimal Layout (free on the App Store, or at least it was) or Keyboard Maestro.

Thanks for the tips -- see my reply above on the subject. The default macOS window behavior is clunky and lacking for me, but fortunately BetterSnapTool resolves it entirely.

 

[brookter1]

Thanks for the tips -- see my reply above on the subject. The default macOS window behavior is clunky and lacking for me, but fortunately BetterSnapTool resolves it entirely.

It's not perfect, I agree, but it may be enough for some, so I thought it was worth mentioning. Safari is the main offender, I think -- Mail and most other apps behave properly. It seems they think that a web page deserves to have a 'correct' ratio in design terms, rather than just fill the screen.

Like you, I prefer to use another tool, mainly because I dislike using the mouse/trackpad unless I absolutely must, so Optimal Layout/Keyboard Maestro works perfectly for my needs. There are others, like Moom, and Better Touch Tool for example.

 

[thingstoponder]

It looks amazing - even touch controls! Why can't Apple come up with monitors like this?

You can find some real life videos as well, looks like it's covered in a very smooth matte AG coating - perfect for those of us that hate glossy monitors!

What’s so great about it? It’s a pretty boring display. And it’s just a CGI promo video… it’s pretty easy to make anything look good like that. If this was sitting next to the new iMac in person I doubt anyone would think it looked and felt better… I bet you anything it’s made of that cheap plastic made to look like aluminum and the stand is wobbly.

Oh.. and it’s just a display. When they fit an entire word class CPU and great speaker system in there I’ll be impressed.

Sorry if I sound rude but I don’t get why people are comparing displays to computers and then complain why a display design is “better” than a computer design when they’re not even in the same category of products.

 

[coso]

I use Rectangle (free) instead of BetterSnapTool, and I'm migrating to Multitouch too instead of BetterTouchTool

 

[tornado99]

What’s so great about it? It’s a pretty boring display.

You appear to have missed the fact that it is the first consumer 3:2 display for a very long time. Believe it or not, not everyone that uses OS X is a creative vlogger or photographer. Try doing coding or scientific research on a 16:9 display and perhaps you'd realise the limitations.

The new iMac may not have a wobbly stand but it's still a 16:9 display. So you end up scrolling up and down all day, just with exquisite font sharpness! At least in my type of work you do.

Didn't Apple use to insist on 16:10. What happened to that?

 

[thingstoponder]

You appear to have missed the fact that it is the first consumer 3:2 display for a very long time. Believe it or not, not everyone that uses OS X is a creative vlogger or photographer. Try doing coding or scientific research on a 16:9 display and perhaps you'd realise the limitations.

The new iMac may not have a wobbly stand but it's still a 16:9 display. So you end up scrolling up and down all day, just with exquisite font sharpness! At least in my type of work you do.

Didn't Apple use to insist on 16:10. What happened to that?

Oh sorry I completely agree. I love more squarish displays. 3:2 is amazing. I thought you were talking about the industrial design compared to the iMac. 😅

 

[tornado99]

Oh sorry I completely agree. I love more squarish displays. 3:2 is amazing. I thought you were talking about the industrial design compared to the iMac. 😅

Yes, I was getting overexcited about the design, when in real life it will probably be mediocre. But I am happy it exists!

It seems to me, that if you pair a 28" 3:2 display with a Mac Mini, for probably the same price as the iMac, you would get a far more productive machine. I've probably seen 20 reviews of the new iMac now, and MKBHD included, none of them touch on how useful it would be to do real work on.

Imagine writing a 20 page report in Word. Does the new iMac make that easier in any way?

 

[coso]

Well, most of the ones who use a Mac mini have a 27-ish" 16:9 4K screens which defaults to retina full hd like the one I'm using with my MacBook. Yeah, square is better for work. But I can work perfectly fine with on 16:9 too. iMacs are all about convenience and tidiness of the work space, and I can't wait to have less clutter on the desk.