So where do us 27” iMac owners go from here?

[Traverse]

I do think there is currently a bit of hole in the lineup, but I don't think it is that big. While Apple very well may scale up the 24" iMac to 27" with an M? or M? Pro chip, I think their answer is a Mac mini/Studio + Display.

A Mac Studio + Display even with some spec upgrades gets you under the cost of the iMac Pro, so that market should be met from both a power and cost perspective. An M2 or M2 Pro Mac mini (once 32GB RAM is an option) + Display would more or less cover the 27" iMac segment from a power perspective and somewhat cost. There is definite a few hundred more required, but I'm not sure Apple sees this market as big enough to devote resources to.

Unless they really are planning a massive "Pro" upgrade, I can't see the logic of not scaling up the 24" iMac unless they genuinely have no intention of replacing that product or the supply chain issues are that constraining.

 

[NightOne]

To the o/p. You have a 2019 iMac. Be patient. You have many years left in that machine before you have to worry about a new machine and by that time the desktop Mac lineup will be sorted out. I'm typing this on a maxed out 2013 iMac that's still got lots of life left in it

I haven’t kept a computer for more than a few years. No way I personally would be using one that is 5 years old or older. ?

 

[NightOne]

I am currently using at 27” 5k iMac at home. If I ever had to replace it, I guess the next best alternative for me would be the 24” iMac. I agree it does seem like a downgrade, spec-wise, but I am satisfied with the performance of my M1 MBA, and I think the 24” iMac will suffice for what I do with it.

I don’t want a smaller screen for my desktop. In fact I want a bigger one. Was hoping for a 30-32” Apple Silicom iMac.

 

[throAU]

Buy whatever monitor you like, and pair it with either a Mac Studio, mini, or whatever as appropriate. You're no longer forced into a 27" screen size if you want a mid-range mac.

 

[dimme]

I don’t want a smaller screen for my desktop. In fact I want a bigger one. Was hoping for a 30-32” Apple Silicom iMac.

We all have different needs but I was forced into a 24"iMac after having use 2 different 27" iMacs for 5+ years. I would say 7 months later I don't miss the extra few inches.

 

[dimme]

Buy whatever monitor you like, and pair it with either a Mac Studio, mini, or whatever as appropriate. You're no longer forced into a 27" screen size if you want a mid-range mac.

There is one issue with some sizes of monitors and that is monitor scaling. As of now OS X doesn't call well compared to windows. Hopefully that will change.

 

[fivenotrump]

There is one issue with some sizes of monitors and that is calling. As of now OS X doesn't call well compared to windows. Hopefully that will change.

What does this mean? Calling what?

 

[dimme]

monitor scaling

What does this mean? Calling what?

Sorry it was a typo, Did't have my coffee.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

A lot of dreaming going on here.

When is the last time Apple axed something like the 27" iMac and then brought it back?

I wouldn't be surprised to see a future 24" with a faster M chip and more RAM, but a 27" iMac? why? the 24" is 4.5k. What would be the point of another AIO with just a marginally bigger display?

They could 'go big'. Like a 30", or 32". I can see that being a product at some point, but who knows...

 

[pshufd]

monitor scaling

Sorry it was a typo, Did't have my coffee.

I think that you just need to use the options given you instead of the standard resolutions. I actually don't have any issues with monitor scaling on macOS but I generally use native resolution or the ones that macOS provides on a particular system. Windows does have scaling issues as well but it's more related to fonts for me. I have an iMac 5k and it's set to QHD and it looks great.

I do know that there have been a large number of threads on this issue but I think that stuff like this can be worked out.

I do think that monitors, in general, have been an issue with Apple Silicon. One thing that I've noticed is that the Intel Macs were not picky about the cables that you use. I had a lot of black screens, often for 1-3 seconds on external monitors with my Apple Silicon systems and they were intermittent and annoying. They were fixed with higher quality cables - but I haven't had this problems with my Intel Macs (2014 MacBook Pro 15, 2015 MacBook Pro 15, 2014 iMac 27, 2010 iMac 27). There have been a lot of threads on this topic as well.

I didn't mind upgrading cables but it didn't matter in the past.

 

[Fishrrman]

Question:
"So where do us 27” iMac owners go from here?"

Answer:
Keep using what you have, until what you have doesn't work for you anymore.
Then... upgrade to something else.
(really, "that's all, folks"...)

 

[fpenta]

I also have a maxed out 2019 27" iMac. Will upgrade to the Studio M1 Ultra + Studio Display. I like the idea to have different components. Next upgrades will feel less painful.

I feel like the iMac 27" resale value is still very high compared to old MacBook Pros which lost a lot of resale value after the 2021 updates.

Question:
"So where do us 27” iMac owners go from here?"

Answer:
Keep using what you have, until what you have doesn't work for you anymore.
Then... upgrade to something else.
(really, "that's all, folks"...)

I don't want to keep my Macs until they die (I think the op thinks the same way). I like to upgrade every 3 years. With the transition to Apple silicon, I feel like old Macs are even "older" so I prefer to get rid of them to maximize the resale value.