Who else is holding out for a new 27 inch iMac?

[Black Diesel]

I have money burning a hole in my pocket for a new 27" iMac. I'm calling Apple's bluff that they actually discontinued this line. I believe Apple said it was discontinued so people would buy the new Studio and their expensive 27" display....otherwise most iMac owners would just continue to wait for the new iMac.

I know so many people who love their 27" iMac and want nothing more than a new one with Apple silicon. We are all going to hold out as long as we possibly can with our current iMacs, and if Apple doesn't eventually release one we'll be forced to buy something else. But for now, even though I want something new I will continue to hold out and use my current 2019 iMac until I can't use it any longer. Apple will be missing out on my cash for as long as I can wait.

Is anyone else doing the same?

 

[curnalpanic]

Sounds like a plan.

 

[EssentialGadget]

Nope - bought a Mac Studio M1 Max 10-32-16 with 64GB and 4TB SSD.

Very pleased so far. Will hand my 2019 iMac down.

 

[Phil77354]

I am in a similar situation. My late 2015 iMac is still working fine so there is no rush to replace, but I'm ready just as soon as I see what Apple does with the iMac. I've been watching the delivery times for the Studio and display and they are coming down but still a month out, and I can't get both at roughly the same time since the display deliveries are further out. Especially if I decide to get the height adjustable stand. And the cost of a Studio plus display ends up being more expensive than I really want to pay, if I spec it out the way I want (base Studio specs and RAM is fine but I will get more storage than 500GB).

If the new larger display iMac is a more expensive Pro model then I may decide that the Studio and display are the best choice for me, but I want to be able to make that comparison and choice.

@EssentialGadget, you have a very nicely spec'd Studio! What are you using for the display?

 

[colodane]

My 27 inch 2017 is still working fine, but will probably replace it in the next year or so. If doing so right now, I'd gladly go with either a higher-end 24 inch iMac or a Studio Max with a non-Apple display. The lack of a new 27 inch iMac isn't bothering me in the least.

 

[ucfgrad93]

If Apple didn't kill off the 27" iMac, it is going to be a long wait for the new one to come out.

 

[satchmo]

If Apple were to re-introduce a 27” iMac or iMac Pro, I don’t think it’ll come in the same colours as the 24” model.

Instead I think it’ll follow the more along the MBA’s muted colour palette. But perhaps just two colours: midnight and silver.

 

[Jumpthesnark]

Let's be honest, it all depends on what the display is like and what the CPU/GPU is.

I know people like to say "oh the Studio Display is the same 27-inch monitor they've had in iMacs since 2014" but that's simply not true. Same resolution and size, but different backlighting, different color profiles, different brightness and contrast, etc. So the answer for me is it partly depends what version of a 27" 5K display they'd use in such a new bigger iMac. As a photographer, does the display suit my needs?

And I'd need to see what guts they'd put into it. Which processor? How much RAM?

My dream is that they make a M2 or M3 Max iMac with a great display. If that's what they eventually sell, then I'd eagerly buy one. But none of us know what Apple is going to do, and when they're going to do it. We can only make our buying decisions based on what we know is available. Not what we want them to produce at some future date.

 

[ADGrant]

Let's be honest, it all depends on what the display is like and what the CPU/GPU is.

I know people like to say "oh the Studio Display is the same 27-inch monitor they've had in iMacs since 2014" but that's simply not true. Same resolution and size, but different backlighting, different color profiles, different brightness and contrast, etc. So the answer for me is it partly depends what version of a 27" 5K display they'd use in such a new bigger iMac. As a photographer, does the display suit my needs?

And I'd need to see what guts they'd put into it. Which processor? How much RAM?

My dream is that they make a M2 or M3 Max iMac with a great display. If that's what they eventually sell, then I'd eagerly buy one. But none of us know what Apple is going to do, and when they're going to do it. We can only make our buying decisions based on what we know is available. Not what we want them to produce at some future date.

It also will depend on the price. The Intel 27" iMac was popular because compared to a standalone 5k" monitor and the Mac alternatives it was a good deal.

 

[glenthompson]

I went from a MacBook with 27” Thunderbolt Display to a M1 iMac and much happier with the smaller display. The 27” was too big for the type of tasks I do.

 

[McBain2]

I have money burning a hole in my pocket for a new 27" iMac. I'm calling Apple's bluff that they actually discontinued this line. I believe Apple said it was discontinued so people would buy the new Studio and their expensive 27" display....otherwise most iMac owners would just continue to wait for the new iMac.

I know so many people who love their 27" iMac and want nothing more than a new one with Apple silicon. We are all going to hold out as long as we possibly can with our current iMacs, and if Apple doesn't eventually release one we'll be forced to buy something else. But for now, even though I want something new I will continue to hold out and use my current 2019 iMac until I can't use it any longer. Apple will be missing out on my cash for as long as I can wait.

Is anyone else doing the same?

Currently using a 2011 27in iMac. Sorry, I caved. Just dropped $3k on a Mac Studio and I haven't even bought a monitor yet. Sorry, they got me.

 

[PeterJP]

I need to order a 27" iMac + 2 external screens for a desktop setup. The user is currently on a macBook Air with M1/16GB which is more than enough for him. So now I'm forced to buy a 32GB M1Max Studio just so he can connect 3 screens. Nice one, Apple!

 

[ADGrant]

I went from a MacBook with 27” Thunderbolt Display to a M1 iMac and much happier with the smaller display. The 27” was too big for the type of tasks I do.

The 27" feels a bit small to me. It used to feel big but then they switched us to 40" monitors at work.

 

[glenthompson]

The 27" feels a bit small to me. It used to feel big but then they switched us to 40" monitors at work.

before I retired the programmers at work on a SAP implementation used two wide screen monitors - one vertical and one horizontal. The vertical was used for code so they could see more of a program without scrolling. Most seemed very happy with the setup. Different people have different needs.

 

[joshuabeg]

I held out for an updated iMac Pro for some time. Tracked rumors prior to March's event, and after the event I started hearing that it may not release until in Spring 2023. Didn't want to wait that long, or find a temporary solution, so I actually ended up purchasing a Studio Display and M1 Mac mini.

I mounted the Mac mini under my desk to save space, and get the iMac feel. I've loved it so far, and hope to upgrade to a MacBook in the future for some flexibility. Just thought I'd share as an alternative for those still holding out!

 

[Kevin Lasko]

I was held out for an updated iMac Pro for some time. Tracked rumors prior to March's event, and after the event I started hearing that it may not release until in Spring 2023. Didn't want to wait that long, or find a temporary solution, so I actually ended up purchasing a Studio Display and M1 Mac mini.

I mounted the Mac mini under my desk to save space, and get the iMac feel. I've loved it so far, and hope to upgrade to a MacBook in the future for some flexibility. Just thought I'd share as an alternative for those still holding out!

I am considering that setup in lieu of an M1 24" iMac to replace my 2014 iMac 27". I love my M1 Air and do need the upgrade for my desktop. I will wait to see what happens with the M2 iMac / Mini. I am hopeful that I don't have to replace it because of a failure before those M2 (or M3) versions come out.

 

[Isengardtom]

Personally I am very happy with my 24" iMac. It's definitely very powerful. I think in the current price situation, a 27" 5K iMac will be very expensive

 

[zoom25]

Let's be honest, it all depends on what the display is like and what the CPU/GPU is.

I know people like to say "oh the Studio Display is the same 27-inch monitor they've had in iMacs since 2014" but that's simply not true. Same resolution and size, but different backlighting, different color profiles, different brightness and contrast, etc. So the answer for me is it partly depends what version of a 27" 5K display they'd use in such a new bigger iMac. As a photographer, does the display suit my needs?

And I'd need to see what guts they'd put into it. Which processor? How much RAM?

My dream is that they make a M2 or M3 Max iMac with a great display. If that's what they eventually sell, then I'd eagerly buy one. But none of us know what Apple is going to do, and when they're going to do it. We can only make our buying decisions based on what we know is available. Not what we want them to produce at some future date.

Exactly! I compared the Studio Display to the M1 24" iMac and while they both have the same PPI to hit retina, they were quite different visually. Much better contrast, sharpness, colours, brighter, and deeper blacks on the Studio Display. I checked out like 5 24" iMacs in the Apple Store that were besides the Studio Display just to be sure. All of the iMacs were indistinguishable from each other, yet clearly different and subpar to Studio Display.

I've noticed the same thing on the M1 MacBook Air. The panel quality isn't the same as the Pros (this is before the mini LED update as well).

 

[Isengardtom]

Well the studio Display is 5K at gets to 600 nits brightness so definitely going to be better than the 24"iMac

but
- An iMac 24" mid tier with a ram upgrade to 16 GB costs 1903 EUR here in Belgium
- a Mac mini with the same 8 core GPU / CPU and 16GB ram (1.034 EUR) + Studio display (1.779 EUR) = 2.813 EUR.

So I'd say that iMac is better value at the moment.

 

[Yebubbleman]

I have money burning a hole in my pocket for a new 27" iMac. I'm calling Apple's bluff that they actually discontinued this line. I believe Apple said it was discontinued so people would buy the new Studio and their expensive 27" display....otherwise most iMac owners would just continue to wait for the new iMac.

I know so many people who love their 27" iMac and want nothing more than a new one with Apple silicon. We are all going to hold out as long as we possibly can with our current iMacs, and if Apple doesn't eventually release one we'll be forced to buy something else. But for now, even though I want something new I will continue to hold out and use my current 2019 iMac until I can't use it any longer. Apple will be missing out on my cash for as long as I can wait.

Is anyone else doing the same?

If you spec'ed out a similar Intel configuration to the M1 Max Studio with a Studio display, you'd pretty much end up at the same price-point. This leads me to believe that the Mac Studio REALLY IS the spiritual successor product to the 27" iMac. And honestly, it makes a lot of sense. People have wanted a desktop in-between the Mac mini and the Mac Pro forever, and the Mac Studio no longer mandates pairing with an Apple display the way the 27" iMac did. You can add whatever display you want to it; a customization element that most folks buying that kind of machine have wanted forever. Even functionally, barring lack of user-replaceable RAM, the only thing making that pair different from the iMac it replaces is the additional box that is the computer. But, honestly, that's minor.

If you're waiting for an Apple Silicon 27" iMac, I think it's already here. It's just not all built into the display; but I think, for most, that's a feature and not a bug.

 

[pshufd]

I have a 2010 iMac 27 hooked up to an M1 Mac mini as a third monitor and it works great.

 

[strangeasangels66]

I just bought a refurbished 27" iMac. I'm also disappointed that they discontinued the 27" iMac.

 

[CooperBox]

One thing's for sure, once having used a 27" there's no going back to a smaller screen. I've tried a new 24" M1 iMac and much preferred the previous 2020 Intel version. Plus the sound is superior on the latter.
I too would have liked to have purchased a new 27" iMac model but when it didn't happen I was able to get a 2020 27" mid-range model at a superb reduced price. Just love this machine! Currently has 8GB memory (which is fine for all my tasks so far including video editing) but when required will upgrade RAM to 32GB for a mere 150€. And eventually to 128GB when memory prices have plummeted and I decide to sell - but not before at least an M2 27"/30" appears. And I'm sure it will but not before end 2023.
For those who are still undecided, please don't write-off the 2020 27" iMac. Imho it's most definitely an underrated model which will still do most tasks extremely well.

 

[wilberforce]

The opportunity to buy a refurb 2020 iMac for a good price is pretty much over, at least from Apple.
The only 2020 iMac models remaining on Apple’s refurb store are stupid configs like an i5 with 128 GB overpriced Apple RAM, or with expensive 8TB SSDs.
A few months ago you could get a nice config for about $1800; now there is nothing less than $3000 and with weird configs.

 

[ocman08]

I have money burning a hole in my pocket for a new 27" iMac. I'm calling Apple's bluff that they actually discontinued this line. I believe Apple said it was discontinued so people would buy the new Studio and their expensive 27" display....otherwise most iMac owners would just continue to wait for the new iMac.

I know so many people who love their 27" iMac and want nothing more than a new one with Apple silicon. We are all going to hold out as long as we possibly can with our current iMacs, and if Apple doesn't eventually release one we'll be forced to buy something else. But for now, even though I want something new I will continue to hold out and use my current 2019 iMac until I can't use it any longer. Apple will be missing out on my cash for as long as I can wait.

Is anyone else doing the same?

I am in the same boat, I have a 2013 27" iMac. Not sure what to do.