My Advice: Do not move from 27" to 24" iMac

[CoreForce]

Right now I'm installing the iMac M3 24" as a replacement of an old Intel iMac 27".
Had to do something after a power outage bricked the iMac's power supply.

Honestly: don't do it.

It's just small. It really really sucks.
I wish I would not have done it.

What Apple tells you, about an ideal replacement when coming from Intel iMacs: it is not true. It is a plain lie.
I should have gone for a refurbished 27" instead.

Also, the color schema with the white bezel looks really ****.

Thank you for your attention.

 

[J.J. Sefton]

The day I give up and buy a Mac Studio/27" Display, Apple will release a 40" iMac.

 

[Altis]

I don't really mind dual 24" displays but a single 24" is a bit small for me.

I ended up just buying a 2020 27" iMac for about $650, tossed in 32 GB of RAM for another $75, and triple boot macOS internally and Windows 10 and Linux on external TB drives. When it's no longer useful I'll replace the internals with a display driver and use it as a nice 5k monitor for years to come.

 

[zqbobs]

I don't really mind dual 24" displays but a single 24" is a bit small for me.

I ended up just buying a 2020 27" iMac for about $650, tossed in 32 GB of RAM for another $75, and triple boot macOS internally and Windows 10 and Linux on external TB drives. When it's no longer useful I'll replace the internals with a display driver and use it as a nice 5k monitor for years to come.

"...replace the internals with a display driver..." sounds easy, but...? At the least, I know it is a non-trivial job to get into the iMac. I have a 2017 27" and want the size, but am frustrated that Target Display Mode is no longer supported to use it as a monitor for another Mac. SO, is there a black box internals replacement to make it a monitor, or would this be a DIY project for an electronics tech or engineer?

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

The day I give up and buy a Mac Studio/27" Display, Apple will release a 40" iMac.

If you post that in enough places, a number of iMac fans will probably fund your purchase, so they can get one too.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

"...replace the internals with a display driver..." sounds easy, but...? At the least, I know it is a non-trivial job to get into the iMac. I have a 2017 27" and want the size, but am frustrated that Target Display Mode is no longer supported to use it as a monitor for another Mac. SO, is there a black box internals replacement to make it a monitor, or would this be a DIY project for an electronics tech or engineer?

While not for hardware hacking chickens, the process actually doesn't look so bad...

And his headline cost reflects buying a used iMac 27". Those with one already would not have to buy another.

 

[holymasteric]

Why not just buy the mac mini or mac studio and get your own 27 inch monitor...?
Why do you absolutely need the all-in-one form factor when you think the 24 inch is too small?

 

[Altis]

"...replace the internals with a display driver..." sounds easy, but...? At the least, I know it is a non-trivial job to get into the iMac. I have a 2017 27" and want the size, but am frustrated that Target Display Mode is no longer supported to use it as a monitor for another Mac. SO, is there a black box internals replacement to make it a monitor, or would this be a DIY project for an electronics tech or engineer?

Like @HobeSoundDarryl posted above, there's a controller you can buy for it. The installation isn't difficult if you have any kind of ability to work on things and follow the tutorial videos.

Better to let the beautiful 5k display work as a monitor than let it go to e-waste as per Apple's silly design.

 

[CoreForce]

Why not just buy the mac mini or mac studio and get your own 27 inch monitor...?
Why do you absolutely need the all-in-one form factor when you think the 24 inch is too small?

There are several reasons for an all in one. Be it simplicity and aesthetics, for someone with a deep desire in that direction, while a computer is still a hobby thing and outside of work life, budget being limited. Some people call it: the real life.

I’ve put together bundles with iMac and Studio, but those, beside being complicated (especially the Mini with all the dongles needed there), end up in twice or even thrice the money. Send it to me, then we can talk.

However, her quote, when seeing the new iMac in real, was: „why does Apple create such a bad look, what once was very beautiful?“
In real, it look much worse than in the website presentation. It looks unfinished and cheap. Lean design is something different.

Therefore, it would have been a much better choice to go for refurbished Intel 27“ iMac and keep waiting for a next decent machine. Her iMac was from 2009 and good enough for her while spreading beauty into the room and her hobby use.

Mine is from 2014. I will keep waiting.

 

[Surfsalot]

Right now I'm installing the iMac M3 24" as a replacement of an old Intel iMac 27".
Had to do something after a power outage bricked the iMac's power supply.

Honestly: don't do it.

It's just small. It really really sucks.
I wish I would not have done it.

What Apple tells you, about an ideal replacement when coming from Intel iMacs: it is not true. It is a plain lie.
I should have gone for a refurbished 27" instead.

View attachment 2310378

Also, the color schema with the white bezel looks really ****.

Thank you for your attention.

lol I did over 2 years ago, no complaints here, got silver too.

 

[Ice-Cube]

I've gone from a 27-inch iMac to a 16-inch MBP, then to my current 14-inch MBP, and I'll be switching to the new iMac in a few days. The screen size will feel like an upgrade to me 😄

 

[BanjoDudeAhoy]

In real, it look much worse than in the website presentation. It looks unfinished and cheap. Lean design is something different.

This is, of course, subjective. Personally, I find the new ones very nice-looking computers.

But if you regret this purchase so much, can you not return it?
Surely you’d be happier in the long run if you returned it and got a refurb 27” instead?

 

[circatee]

Right now I'm installing the iMac M3 24" as a replacement of an old Intel iMac 27".
Had to do something after a power outage bricked the iMac's power supply.

Honestly: don't do it.

It's just small. It really really sucks.
I wish I would not have done it.

What Apple tells you, about an ideal replacement when coming from Intel iMacs: it is not true. It is a plain lie.
I should have gone for a refurbished 27" instead.

View attachment 2310378

Also, the color schema with the white bezel looks really ****.

Thank you for your attention.

You're still within your return period, no?
Another option, possibly, would be a Mac Mini or Mac Studio and any LARGE monitor of your choice...

 

[JamesMay82]

I replaced mine with studio display and i wish i went for 24 inch iMac. The 27 inch studio feels tiny compared to 27 inch image, mainly cos of the chin and bezels etc. plus the imac offers better value for money. I’m sure you’ll get use to it

 

[ignatius345]

I love my iMac M1, which I came to after a 27" 5K iMac. I would like a larger one, sure, and apprarently you do too. But a blanket statement about how nobody should buy one? That's just generalizing your preferences onto others.

Also, the color schema with the white bezel looks really ****.

Have you tried turning the display on and looking at the actual content, or nah? In life real use, the white fades down to a medium gray when compared with the brighness of the display. Here's a photo of what mine looks like right now. Not exactly burning my eyes out



Anyway, sounds like you should go shopping for another computer or monitor, but don't assume it's the same for everyone ✌️

 

[ignatius345]

When it's no longer useful I'll replace the internals with a display driver and use it as a nice 5k monitor for years to come.

I'm so curious about this. Can you post any good links on sourcing the parts and doing the modification? With used iMac 5K prices dropping like stones, could see this as a great bargain way to get a good display...

 

[kpluck]

It's just small. It really really sucks.
I wish I would not have done it.

I know two people that went from a 27" iMac to the 24" M1 iMac and are very happy. Neither minds the smaller display size.

Different strokes for different folks.

-kp

 

[BanjoDudeAhoy]

Have you tried turning the display on and looking at the actual content, or nah? In life real use, the white fades down to a medium gray when compared with the brighness of the display.

Here's a photo of what mine looks like right now. Not exactly burning my eyes out



Anyway, sounds like you should go shopping for another computer or monitor, but don't assume it's the same for everyone ✌️

This gave me an idea. A dbrand-like high quality sticker/skin set for the bezels. Want black bezels? Well, buy the black skin.
Want pink bezels to go with your iMac's color? No problem!

 

[ignatius345]

This gave me an idea. A dbrand-like high quality sticker/skin set for the bezels. Want black bezels? Well, buy the black skin.
Want pink bezels to go with your iMac's color? No problem!

I actually thought these would come out when the iMac came out, but I haven't seen them appear. IMO, not really an issue but it would be a very easy win for people who are hung up on the bezels. Would have to be a *very* good fit to account for the web cam.

 

[jz0309]

I replaced mine with studio display and i wish i went for 24 inch iMac. The 27 inch studio feels tiny compared to 27 inch image, mainly cos of the chin and bezels etc. plus the imac offers better value for money. I’m sure you’ll get use to it

When I replaced my 5k iMac I had it and the ASD next to each other on my desk for a few weeks - I enjoyed then and still now the smaller overall size but identical screen size

 

[jz0309]

Right now I'm installing the iMac M3 24" as a replacement of an old Intel iMac 27".
Had to do something after a power outage bricked the iMac's power supply.

Honestly: don't do it.

It's just small. It really really sucks.
I wish I would not have done it.

What Apple tells you, about an ideal replacement when coming from Intel iMacs: it is not true. It is a plain lie.
I should have gone for a refurbished 27" instead.

View attachment 2310378

Also, the color schema with the white bezel looks really ****.

Thank you for your attention.

There’s some regular guy in the digital photography forum that went from 27 5k to the 24 and the seem quite happy.
Me on the other hand, I went from my iMac 5k to Mac Studio and ASD, I couldn’t have handled the smaller size either…

 

[Fedsbackhand]

Couldn't you have replaced the power supply?

I'm still running an Intel 21.5" machine.

 

[CoreForce]

Couldn't you have replaced the power supply?

I'm still running an Intel 21.5" machine.

No, it was not available any more for that particular model.

 

[Fedsbackhand]

Shame. I'm trying to keep mine running for as long as possible and just upgrading the internals when necessary.

 

[Altis]

I'm so curious about this. Can you post any good links on sourcing the parts and doing the modification? With used iMac 5K prices dropping like stones, could see this as a great bargain way to get a good display...

Check out the video in Post #6 above. He goes over the process. It's definitely a great way to get a great display at a pretty good price and cut back on that e-waste (as if the 5k panel should be waste already... come on Apple)