My Issue with the New iMacs...

[James_C]

These are powerful, very unique looking devices that will no doubt serve their purpose for years to come, BUT... we're already halfway through the M1 processor cycle. As early as this summer we will most likely start seeing the M2 so this next gen MBP (and possibly MBA) will outperform the just released iMac just a few months after release... Thoughts?

I think you are missing the point of who these entry level iMacs are targeted at. These are not the powerful next Gen Apple Silcone iMacs for ‘professional use’ these are targeted at casual home users, that want something that looks good in the bedroom / lounge is cost effective and powerful. The next gen Apple Silicon processor will appear in the larger screen iMac with a price tag to match. The people who these enter level iMacs are targeted at, are unlikely to want to pay for or need the extra performance of the larger screen iMacs.

 

[SsSsSsSsSnake]

I think you are missing the point of who these entry level iMacs are targeted at. These are not the powerful next Gen Apple Silcone iMacs for ‘professional use’ these are targeted at casual home users, that want something that looks good in the bedroom / lounge is cost effective and powerful. The next gen Apple Silicon processor will appear in the larger screen iMac with a price tag to match. The people who these enter level iMacs are targeted at, are unlikely to want to pay for or need the extra performance of the larger screen iMacs.

yes I am in that target group and totally get it.

 

[petvas]

I think you are missing the point of who these entry level iMacs are targeted at. These are not the powerful next Gen Apple Silcone iMacs for ‘professional use’ these are targeted at casual home users, that want something that looks good in the bedroom / lounge is cost effective and powerful. The next gen Apple Silicon processor will appear in the larger screen iMac with a price tag to match. The people who these enter level iMacs are targeted at, are unlikely to want to pay for or need the extra performance of the larger screen iMacs.

What is exactly Pro work? Are you talking about high end video editing, audio editing and creation and heavy computational tasks? These kind of use cases are less than 5% of what professionals do. Many professionals use productivity software to write documents, books, create professional presentations, do research, etc. Many IT Pros (like myself) can use the new iMac to do all kind of IT tasks.
The new 24" iMac is perfect for all these people, not just kids and families. The new iMac is the perfect home office computer and will also find its place in many businesses (Hotels, doctors offices, etc). Yes, you will not create the latest Hollywood blockbuster with this iMac, but for almost all other use cases, this is the perfect computer. The "Pro" Macs that are coming will surely be great, but are not really important to 95% of people out there. If someone has a use case where the "Pro" Macs are required, or have extra money to spend for something he/she doesn't need but want, then it's ok.

For my line of work and for my personal life this iMac is perfect.

 

[coso]

This can be very well considered a Pro computer. I'm a designer and I will be using the heck out of it. Most of what will buy the "Pro" iMacs just want the cutting edge technology but will probably use them at 50% of their potential. There aren't really many professional which edit 8K video

 

[James_C]

What is exactly Pro work? Are you talking about high end video editing, audio editing and creation and heavy computational tasks? These kind of use cases are less than 5% of what professionals do. Many professionals use productivity software to write documents, books, create professional presentations, do research, etc. Many IT Pros (like myself) can use the new iMac to do all kind of IT tasks.
The new 24" iMac is perfect for all these people, not just kids and families. The new iMac is the perfect home office computer and will also find its place in many businesses (Hotels, doctors offices, etc). Yes, you will not create the latest Hollywood blockbuster with this iMac, but for almost all other use cases, this is the perfect computer. The "Pro" Macs that are coming will surely be great, but are not really important to 95% of people out there. If someone has a use case where the "Pro" Macs are required, or have extra money to spend for something he/she doesn't need but want, then it's ok.

For my line of work and for my personal life this iMac is perfect.

I completely agree with you. These entry level iMacs are more than capable of being used as home office computers. By Pro work I was referring to those apps or uses that need more powerful processors or more ports than offered by these entry level iMacs.

 

[kmj2318]

I don't think it makes sense to compare the iMac to what the MBP will probably get. The iMac is simply the consumer laptop with a much larger screen, that's the basis to compare imo.

 

[za9ra22]

... By Pro work I was referring to those apps or uses that need more powerful processors or more ports than offered by these entry level iMacs.

Which is really quite odd, because 'pro users' were rendering commercial movies on G4, G5 and early Intel hardware in the past. The same systems were also being used by pros for photography. Even earlier systems for climate modeling, global weather prediction.... oh, and rocket science. Yet an M1 iMac isn't usable for this kind of work?

Really, that makes no sense.

Except for the ports. The lack of them is disappointing, and it's really a pity that nobody has yet invented plug-in hubs to add more, because that would solve the problem, wouldn't it?!

 

[James_C]

Which is really quite odd, because 'pro users' were rendering commercial movies on G4, G5 and early Intel hardware in the past. The same systems were also being used by pros for photography. Even earlier systems for climate modeling, global weather prediction.... oh, and rocket science. Yet an M1 iMac isn't usable for this kind of work?

Really, that makes no sense.

Except for the ports. The lack of them is disappointing, and it's really a pity that nobody has yet invented plug-in hubs to add more, because that would solve the problem, wouldn't it?!

I don't think you read my reply fully. I never said that the current M1 iMacs can't be used for photography, or editing video. I have a M1 MBA and an M1 iPad Pro, and I certainly use the MBA for editing photo's and creating videos. Yes G4 and G5's were used back in the day for these purposes. However these were the most powerful systems at the time and the demands of video were less. Pro users ( Those that make money from video editing) are likely to need the fastest machine possible as time is money to these people, rather than editing SD or HD back I the days of PowerPC they now want multi angle video in 4k or more resolution. So my post stating that some 'Pro' users do need machines that have more power makes complete sense otherwise no one would have bought the eye watering expensive Intel Mac Pro.

As for the lack of ports, not really disappointing to the people that these are targeted at. Disappointing to you and others maybe, but it does not mean that these Mac's are underpowered or under specified for the people that Apple is targeting. If Apple added additional ports it will push the base cost of the entry level iMac up for those people that don't need additional ports and also make the more expensive yet to be released larger iMac less necessary for someone that does need the additional ports.

 

[za9ra22]

I don't think you read my reply fully. ..

I read your post from start to finish, but thought it was only necessary to respond to the specific comment made that I included.

Some people reading these multiple threads labeling uses and designs as 'pro' and 'consumer' might not be aware that in fact pros have been using computers for highly complex tasks for many, many years, and that the differentiation being added these days is often rather misleading. Usually rather more to do with the individual's perception than the capabilities of the system.

I didn't respond to your other comments because I didn't think it at all necessary - the points were well made.

 

[familychoice]

I can compromise on the product design features I’m not keen on (chins, colours, fixed height stand, white bezel etc.), the 16gb max RAM, and the power of the new iMac would do the job (pro) work-wise for me (web/graphic design/development), but that 23 and a bit inch screen just looks too small.

27” would have been ideal, so will wait and see what other sizes (30” probably too big/expensive) turn up.

otherwise it’s a Mini for me, and new 27” display.

 

[za9ra22]

I can compromise on the product design features I’m not keen on (chins, colours, fixed height stand, white bezel etc.), the 16gb max RAM, and the power of the new iMac would do the job (pro) work-wise for me (web/graphic design/development), but that 23 and a bit inch screen just looks too small.

27” would have been ideal, so will wait and see what other sizes (30” probably too big/expensive) turn up.

otherwise it’s a Mini for me, and new 27” display.

I was really tempted with a mini - though now I have sat and used one, I'm glad I waited for the iMac. It would probably have been a 24-inch screen for the mini anyway, since my 27-inch iMac is just too big given the distance I sit from it on my desk.

But for those not liking 'the chin', I'm afraid that it is unlikely Apple will redesign an iMac in the current situation, with the M1 device now released, that will not have it. Or indeed, probably a similarly thin aspect. They just don't change their design language in what I think would now be 'mid-generation'. Colours though - I suspect they'll change those options to some degree, though I must say that my own opinion having sat at mine for a while now, is that these colors are actually quite awesome, and work really well.

I might still sneak an M1 mini into my budget for home use instead of the 27-inch iMac shortly to return from work.... it looks rather dated!

 

[petvas]

For those of you not liking the chin, Apple wanted to make a recognizable computer. Removing the chin completely would make the iMac look just like a monitor. This will not happen.

 

[familychoice]

I was really tempted with a mini - though now I have sat and used one, I'm glad I waited for the iMac. It would probably have been a 24-inch screen for the mini anyway, since my 27-inch iMac is just too big given the distance I sit from it on my desk.

But for those not liking 'the chin', I'm afraid that it is unlikely Apple will redesign an iMac in the current situation, with the M1 device now released, that will not have it. Or indeed, probably a similarly thin aspect. They just don't change their design language in what I think would now be 'mid-generation'. Colours though - I suspect they'll change those options to some degree, though I must say that my own opinion having sat at mine for a while now, is that these colors are actually quite awesome, and work really well.

I might still sneak an M1 mini into my budget for home use instead of the 27-inch iMac shortly to return from work.... it looks rather dated!

I’d really like an iMac quality screen, but I really want something bigger than 23 and a bit inches of the new one. Though saying that, it’s difficult to totally disregard the new iMac until I see one in the flesh.

Be interesting to see if anything is revealed next month - bigger iMac, or new ‘pro’ Mini-wise.

Very tempted to get a base model M1 Mini otherwise, as a short-term fix, as they’re very affordable.

 

[za9ra22]

I’d really like an iMac quality screen, but I really want something bigger than 23 and a bit inches of the new one. Though saying that, it’s difficult to totally disregard the new iMac until I see one in the flesh.

Be interesting to see if anything is revealed next month - bigger iMac, or new ‘pro’ Mini-wise.

Very tempted to get a base model M1 Mini otherwise, as a short-term fix, as they’re very affordable.

I'm not inclined to think there's a new mini on the horizon just yet, or iMac. They'll come, for sure, just that the M1 is such a new concept, that there are other systems to roll out Apple silicon into first than updates to already-updated products.

I will say that even having noted your prior observations regarding the iMac, you might find yourself a little surprised when you see one yourself. It isn't that it is a masterpiece of computational inspiration, but it is surprising even so. That it is so thin is really neither here nor there, but the screen is exceptionally good, and the design of the front of the thing complements that exactly. You (meaning, I) see it, yet almost don't. I did not personally think there was anything wrong with the 27-inch design, but to my mind, this shows that up as being very dated.

That said, a mini would give you broadly similar performance. I just don't think you'd be quite as happy with a different screen than this within the price range. If you have an Apple store or reseller close enough, I'd say go have a look at the iMac first - you may find you like it, and if not, it will help decide which direction your choice ought to go.

 

[ThisBougieLife]

Well, the M1X is rumored to be a high-performance chip built for "Pro" devices like the upcoming 14" and 16" MBP or the 30" iMac (which may be called "iMac Pro"). It will be significantly more powerful but it was never intended for these iMacs anyway.

M2 will theoretically be an updated version of M1 and the performance gains will be there, but ultimately marginal. I don't think there's any reason to worry about the performance of these iMacs. It already beats my 16" MBP in CPU benchmarks and using it today in the store it felt faster with things like Google Street View (which tends to tax my laptop a bit). I was impressed.

My question is, will Apple update the 24" M1 iMac with the new M1X (whatever is called) this year?

I want the 24" display size, but it seems like graphically, the M1X is going to be considerably more powerful. And If I buy right now this one i would feel pretty bad if there is an update in 6 months.

I really think the M1X is intended for the MacBook Pro and the larger "Pro" 30" iMac. I don't think it was ever intended to go into the lower-end devices like the MacBook Air and the 24" iMac.

 

[za9ra22]

I really think the M1X is intended for the MacBook Pro and the larger "Pro" 30" iMac. I don't think it was ever intended to go into the lower-end devices like the MacBook Air and the 24" iMac.

Anyone can make a guess at what will come next, and it must be said that when they've tried with Apple in the past, most have turned out to be quite seismically wrong.

This is because if Apple were like any other company, they'd be called HP, or Lenovo. Good, solid, products perhaps, but not an ounce of flair.

If anyone wants a good 'lower-end' device, it isn't the MacBook Air or iMac. They're way too expensive, and honestly, despite the strange need some have to denigrate them, too good. No, get a Raspberry Pi 400. $100, a great desktop alternative for the user who needs good, solid, simple desktop functionality. 4Gb RAM, SoC, and a fair bit of OS-flexibility too, though Raspbian (or whatever it is called) is quite good and not much like a typical Linux which usually needs a bunch of user-tweaking to make anything work.

I have two. They're great, they work, and they're a perfect example of 'low-end'. The iMac isn't, and it does beat it into a cocked hat.... though I never did know what exactly one of those was. Or is.

If you want 'low-end' but think a Pi is beneath you, get a Chromebook. Or a whatever-the-nearest is to a netbook. The MBA and iMac isn't that either. But honestly. a Pi. You won't regret it - and actually the 400 keyboard is marginally better than the new iMac's 'magic'-thing. If that was the best Apple can do, I think we might need a new Apple.

ON EDIT: Ok, /sarcasm off. I suppose I need to add that. But I'm right about the Pi!

 

[ThisBougieLife]

But then what is the difference between the "Pro" line devices and the iMac/MacBook Air? Yes, they're not "low end" like a Pi, but they are Apple's "consumer" tier that doesn't get the "Pro" moniker (a division that exists in their other product lines as well). If the M1X is just the updated version of the M1 and will be put in all their devices, then maybe it is worth waiting for a 32-core GPU if it's coming to all Macs, including the 24" iMac. I just don't think that's likely.

 

[za9ra22]

But then what is the difference between the "Pro" line devices and the iMac/MacBook Air? ...

Marketing.

Like any good business, Apple want people to buy more, and preferably more of the more expensive stuff. So they add the 'Pro' to make it clear this is for 'special people' only.

And it works.