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I don’t get why this is even a debate. You have to be an insane apple loyalist to not think they made some strange choices with this design.

Or maybe, just maybe not everyone in the world agrees with you and they're still sane. For example, I mentioned I'm not a fan of the audio jack location, but unlike the OP, I don't think it "sucks" - I already have an outboard USB audio interface I could use for my wired speakers/headphones. Other people simply don't care if their audio wire is sticking out the side of the iMac. I don't think they're "insane" for thinking differently than I do.
 
I don’t get why this is even a debate. You have to be an insane apple loyalist to not think they made some strange choices with this design.

It's like many apple design decisions: it will work well for a large number of people whose setup and needs match the design goal, and be super annoying for everyone else. Although honestly, I don’t think that the majority of people are going to be bothered by these design choices.
 
7. This obsession with thinness on a desktop makes no sense to me. Other than taking an iMac to the Apple store for service, who cares how light your iMac is?
For many that's all the reason to buy a thinner computer. I have been an iMac owner for years but every time I had an issue with it I had to pack up this heavy thing and haul it off to the Apple store on a dolly. I had said that my current iMac is my last one and my next (2nd Mac) will be a MacBook Air because when I need to get my Mac serviced I don't want to deal with a big thick heavy iMac. This new thin design does have been considering it.
 
For many that's all the reason to buy a thinner computer. I have been an iMac owner for years but every time I had an issue with it I had to pack up this heavy thing and haul it off to the Apple store on a dolly. I had said that my current iMac is my last one and my next (2nd Mac) will be a MacBook Air because when I need to get my Mac serviced I don't want to deal with a big thick heavy iMac. This new thin design does have been considering it.
I do think that’s a valid point.
 
So many puzzling decisions by Apple with the iMac redesign.

1. White bezels are terrible for content consumption. If you use dark mode it's going to make the bezels stick out so much. There is a reason just about no monitor, TV, etc, is white these days. Yes I'm aware Apple used white bezels back in the day. No I don't think that's a good reason to use them again. They could have either matched the bezels with the colors of the machine, gone with silver, or used less pastel colors. At the very least offer the silver model with a black bezel.

2. Yes, the bigger future iMacs will look very different. But what if you want a cheaper/smaller iMac with no white bezel? You are SOL.

3. The chin looks bigger without the logo. It also looks like an unfinished product without it.

4. The ports on the base model are pathetic. No ethernet unless you pay for it on the power brick or get the next up model. Two USB 4/Thunderbolt ports and nothing more is a joke for a machine that starts at $1,300.

5. The power brick is embarrassing. The whole appeal of the iMac is that it is an all-in-one device. A power brick is such a junky addition.

6. Headphone jack on the side sucks if you use wired speakers.

7. This obsession with thinness on a desktop makes no sense to me. Other than taking an iMac to the Apple store for service, who cares how light your iMac is? I'd rather have a thicker iMac and not have a power brick, not have a headphone jack on the side, and potentially not have a chin either.

8. 8 GB of RAM is really cutting it close and not very future-proof. My iMac struggles at times and I'm a light user with the same amount of RAM. Luckily I can manually update mine if needed. Not the case for his model of course.

9. The look of this iMac itself is very polarizing. Pastels combined with white bezels is a bold choice of course but with such choices you are going to turn off a lot of consumers looking for something less bold and/or more professional. Another reason why a silver/black bezel model would have made sense as an option.
1. I like white bezels.

2. I and lots of folks were out of luck previously when we couldn't get a white bezeled iMac.

3. I'm happy I won't have to face the logo on the front of my Mac. I don't like logos on my jackets and t-shirts either.

4. Ports are scarce on the Mac mini as well. That's what hubs are for. Or, step up at purchase for more ports.

5. The external power brick keeps its heat out of the computer; so less fan noise.

6. How about using bluetooth speakers or a right-angle mini jack? The side jack is an improvement, for headphones.

7. Apple design has always been about thin devices. Are you not used to that yet?

8. By most accounts and reviews, 8 GB in a M1 Mac is plenty, except for very high-end users.

9. People like choices. I'm sorry your preferences aren't being addressed among the seven colors available.
 
1. I like white bezels.

2. I and lots of folks were out of luck previously when we couldn't get a white bezeled iMac.

3. I'm happy I won't have to face the logo on the front of my Mac. I don't like logos on my jackets and t-shirts either.

4. Ports are scarce on the Mac mini as well. That's what hubs are for. Or, step up at purchase for more ports.

5. The external power brick keeps its heat out of the computer; so less fan noise.

6. How about using bluetooth speakers or a right-angle mini jack? The side jack is an improvement, for headphones.

7. Apple design has always been about thin devices. Are you not used to that yet?

8. By most accounts and reviews, 8 GB in a M1 Mac is plenty, except for very high-end users.

9. People like choices. I'm sorry your preferences aren't being addressed among the seven colors available.
Ports are not scarce on the Mini. It includes the same ports as the mid-tier iMac. The iMac should include the same ports in the base model.

The addition of a power brick is a fail. The iMac is an all-in-one device. Adding a power brick makes it far less sleek and far more clunky.

Right angle jack would still show. You are now forced to use BT speakers to avoid the eyesore.

An obsession with thinness in the past and now in the present does not mean it's a good thing. They are focusing on thinness in a device that you will probably rarely, if ever, move. By doing so they made design compromises. This is not something to cheer about.

I seriously doubt 8 GB will be sufficient down the road for most users.

Your seven colors comment is comical. Six colors are a combination of a white bezel with pastel colors. If you are not a fan of such an aesthetic you are SOL. Personally I think the white/silver combination is terrible. They should have made that one model a black bezel in order to offer someone who desires the 24" model a more traditional styled machine.
 
I seriously doubt 8 GB will be sufficient down the road for most users.
You can order the iMacs with 16GB, as has been stated before. Not sure why you keep repeating the same false information.

How is a power brick a problem? It’s on the floor; you won’t even see it. This complaint truly makes no sense. Multiple writers have rightly pointed out that the inclusion of Ethernet on the power brick also means one less wire coming up onto the desk. This is a win, and makes the appearance of the computer on the desk better, the opposite of clunky. And all laptops have power bricks… are all laptops clunky? I just don‘t get this argument in the slightest.

You are offended so deeply by the placement of a headphone jack to the point that you believe Apple is FORCING you to use Bluetooth speakers for a computer you admittedly would never even buy? How does that work exactly? Would Apple force you to buy the iMac first?
 
You can order the iMacs with 16GB, as has been stated before. Not sure why you keep repeating the same false information.

How is a power brick a problem? It’s on the floor; you won’t even see it. This complaint truly makes no sense. Multiple writers have rightly pointed out that the inclusion of Ethernet on the power brick also means one less wire coming up onto the desk. This is a win, and makes the appearance of the computer on the desk better, the opposite of clunky. And all laptops have power bricks… are all laptops clunky? I just don‘t get this argument in the slightest.

You are offended so deeply by the placement of a headphone jack to the point that you believe Apple is FORCING you to use Bluetooth speakers for a computer you admittedly would never even buy? How does that work exactly? Would Apple force you to buy the iMac first?

I am not repeating any false information. The iMac comes with 8 GB. I know it can be upgraded. Obviously my point is that 8 GB is too low and it should come with 16 GB instead.

A power brick is indeed a problem. Not everyone will be able to simply place the brick on their floor. People have all different kinds of setups. Plus, why would anyone now want an annoying power brick on the floor when we never had one prior? This is a fail. And all due to an obsession to make the iMac crazy thin for no proper reason other than looking cool.

The power brick does not have ethernet with the base model. Think about that. You have to pay extra for it. That's ridiculous.

A laptop power brick is completely different. I don't have to use the power brick at all times when the machine is in use. You do with this iMac.

My point regarding BT speakers is that you will be forced to use them over wired speakers unless you want to see a cord jutting out from the side of your iMac.

This has nothing to do with whether I would buy it or not. I prefer a larger screen so it's not something I would want. That doesn't mean I can't express my thoughts on an Apple product. In what world can't someone be critical of an Apple device if we don't intend on buying it. What?!
 
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An obsession with thinness in the past and now in the present does not mean it's a good thing. They are focusing on thinness in a device that you will probably rarely, if ever, move. By doing so they made design compromises. This is not something to cheer about.
I agree. I don't spend much time looking at the sides of my iMac while I'm using it. I would gladly accept a few more mm in thickness for some ports, a card reader, or other added functionality that is more easily accessible than on the back of the computer.
 
Or maybe, just maybe not everyone in the world agrees with you and they're still sane. For example, I mentioned I'm not a fan of the audio jack location, but unlike the OP, I don't think it "sucks" - I already have an outboard USB audio interface I could use for my wired speakers/headphones. Other people simply don't care if their audio wire is sticking out the side of the iMac. I don't think they're "insane" for thinking differently than I do.
It’s not about agreeing or liking/not minding the choices. It’s about acknowledging that white bezels are at least unusual, for reasons of contrast, and that 99% of people in the world would have chosen to add a centimetre of depth to house the fans rather then persevere with the enormous chin. Like if you can’t admit that the chin is “strange” then I honestly don’t know what to say to you.
 
I agree with everything you said. While I do love the bold color choices on the backside of the new iMac, the front pastels are what ruin it for me. Not that it matters since I can’t see myself going down to a 24” monitor at this point, so I’m hoping that the upcoming Pro version of the iMac addresses most of the things you’ve listed in your OP.

Also, these people on here are insufferable. The way you’ve been attacked just because you have an opinion is so ridiculous.
 
from a design stand point...white works better with brighter and colourful colours ..black should be kept away
This is a "youthful" product
Its clear meant for the "consumers" and for home/office that are not into the dev/it segments
This is a fresh take, and an welcome one
 
This iMac is being repositioned as the consumer only fun computer. Just like regular iPhone vs iPhone Pro

Hopefully the iMac Pro will be more mass market Prosumer than the last expensive "Pro" iMac. Eg. MacBook Pro (13/14") is for those who want Prosumer machine.

I would imagine the next MacBook Air will get the "fun" colour treatment
 
Ports are not scarce on the Mini. It includes the same ports as the mid-tier iMac. The iMac should include the same ports in the base model.

The addition of a power brick is a fail. The iMac is an all-in-one device. Adding a power brick makes it far less sleek and far more clunky.

Right angle jack would still show. You are now forced to use BT speakers to avoid the eyesore.

An obsession with thinness in the past and now in the present does not mean it's a good thing. They are focusing on thinness in a device that you will probably rarely, if ever, move. By doing so they made design compromises. This is not something to cheer about.

I seriously doubt 8 GB will be sufficient down the road for most users.

Your seven colors comment is comical. Six colors are a combination of a white bezel with pastel colors. If you are not a fan of such an aesthetic you are SOL. Personally I think the white/silver combination is terrible. They should have made that one model a black bezel in order to offer someone who desires the 24" model a more traditional styled machine.
Seriously, dont buy Apple products if you dont like them.
They have been making the same design decisions since I first started using Apples over 20 years ago.

Nothing has changed. You simply dont like the direction.

And as an aside, I love the power brick with built in Ethernet for several reasons :

1 less cable out the back
Magsafe will allow the cable to remain near my table as I pack the lightweight imac away in a cupboard after WFH
As someone else said, it takes heat out the computer

This is a consumer device for general use. Not catering to your wired speakers is just tough for you - use the in built ones as no doubt they are great as they were before. I actually dont understand who would use separate speakers on an imac tbh, and if they were a mucisian, would have a dedicated audio USB interface.
 
Hearing all of these white bezel fiasco, I'm pretty sure there will be lots of accessory companies offering a black bezel frame or black bezel screen protector combo in the not too distant future.
😀
The white bezel, as well as the chin, are behind a pane of glass that covers the entire front of the desktop.
 
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This iMac is being repositioned as the consumer only fun computer. Just like regular iPhone vs iPhone Pro

Hopefully the iMac Pro will be more mass market Prosumer than the last expensive "Pro" iMac. Eg. MacBook Pro (13/14") is for those who want Prosumer machine.

I would imagine the next MacBook Air will get the "fun" colour treatment
exactly, this is clear the new apple...iphone 12 vs 12 pro, or ipad air vs ipad pro , macbook air 2021 probably vs mbp and now, imac vs upcoming imac pro
 
Well there is a traditional Silver option, so it is not all pastels.

And white borders are not good for video, but even in Dark Mode so many applications and web sites are still white so I expect in general use the white borders are not as much of an issue as many feel they could (would) be.

I expect the current RAM limitation is due to using the same on-package memory modules as they use in the iPhone and iPad and the memory industry is currently focused on 4GB and 8GB modules for those applications. They are working on 16GB and 32GB modules so we should see higher densities and it may be possible to have more than two modules so we could see 4x8GB for 32GB.
And 16gb will be an order option. I have a M1 mini with 16gb and it preforms better than my MacBook Pro with 32gb with final cut and premier. What I’m looking forward to is the next round of higher end options with the next generation chip.
 
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Overall the latest iMac harkens back to the colorful imacs from Steve Jobs era, and I absolutely love the embrace of their legacy and adding color to what is considered a very grey line up.

With that said, I'm a bit disappointed in that it only got a M1, its not more powerful processor. In the past the iMac received what you would consider a desktop processor and was more powerful then a mac Mini or MBA. That's not really the case today.

I get that people are saying its a consumer facing product not meant for render farms, but that sounds more like people defending apple just because its apple to me. Yes, consumers will want this, I'm not disputing that, but I think apple erred in not making this a more powerful then a MBA or mini Just my .02

Don't get me wrong, I do love the machine, I'm tempted to get one, but that doesn't take away what I view as negatives
 
A little off topic, but I really wish someone would sue Apple for iMac & Macbooks just like how they sued them on iPhones for planned obsolescence.
Claiming they are in the green, but they actually don't give a **** about that in their products.
1. No upgradable SSDs when all most other manufacturers allow this. Sure two nvme slots wouldn't hurt. Once your TBW max has been reached, just be prepared it would die anytime soon.
2. No upgradable RAM. I mean come on.

If for any reason you break this iMac after your warranty expires, be prepared to pay ******** of repair fees to Apple. And even the fees would probably be close to buying a new one.
Are you familiar with DRAM technology ? can you please refer me to a single link in which you can buy a LPDDR4 DIMM ? they are not doing it due to some crazy scheme to abuse you , as they had upgradeable DRAM in every place they had DDR memory in place , thats all , nothing more nothing less , stop trying to create narratives that do not fit reality.

This forum is filled (including OP) with basic misunderstanding of what DRAM is and what Apple are using , the OP claims his current iMac has the same amount of RAM as the new iMac , please show us your DRAM BW numbers from this single (best case dual) channel DDR memory vs the M1 multi channel memory subsystem running LPDDR4 , AnandTech has the M1 at a whopping 68GB/s !!!! thats crazy BW for your SoC to feed upon.

Just another FYI , Apple iphones are the best supported phones in the industry with years of SW updates and optimization across the stack , while having best in class QA , what phone even competes with the iPhone when it comes to longevity ? this rant is doesnt even make sense....

I never saw a single case of SSD failures in the iPhone or iPad due to SSD wear ,and i wont see it in the Mac unless you use it for decades (and even then its not sure to happen).

Your rage about the entire Apple product line seems off the charts......
 
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I agree with everything you said. While I do love the bold color choices on the backside of the new iMac, the front pastels are what ruin it for me. Not that it matters since I can’t see myself going down to a 24” monitor at this point, so I’m hoping that the upcoming Pro version of the iMac addresses most of the things you’ve listed in your OP.

Also, these people on here are insufferable. The way you’ve been attacked just because you have an opinion is so ridiculous.
When one disagrees with another’s opinions, and states the reasons for it, that isn’t an attack. It’s a difference of opinion.

For example, I can point out that black bezels and stands are the status quo on pretty much every single computer and monitor on the market, and that it’s refreshing that Apple isn’t afraid to buck that trend. I’m disagreeing with your point, but I’m not attacking anybody.
 
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