Who else with an M1 MBP/MBA is buying the new iMac?

[The Cockney Rebel]

I'm going to.

I love the look of the thing, and my M1 MBP replaced my 2008 24" iMac.

I've come to realise that I love the larger screen (my old iMac is now boxed up at my nan's.)

What I'll do is have the M1 iMac at my place, and have my M1 MBP at my nan's, where I spend weekends.

Is anyone else double dipping? If so, what config will you go for?

I'll be going for the "top end" one in silver, but updating the RAM to 16gb.

 

[mtneer]

Why not just buy a big monitor and plugin your MBP wherever you go? Wouldn't that be simpler to manage?

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Why not just buy a big monitor and plugin your MBP wherever you go? Wouldn't that be simpler to manage?

Thanks for the advice.

However, I really like the look of the new iMac, and I have no real useable computer at my nan's place so I'll be covered at both ends, so to speak.

Thanks again.

 

[deeddawg]

Nope.

If a desktop config had been the best fit to my needs I'd have waited until an M1 desktop config was available.

I'd suggest you give substantial thought to how you will span your usage across two different macs - particularly in terms of files and media. In my experience a single system set up to dock at two locations is far easier to manage.

Plus, a 24" 4K USBC display (with external keyboard & trackpad if suitable) is going to be far less expensive.

(I split my time between home and a weekend place as well - really it's just easier for me to dock one computer vs keeping stuff synced across two, which I've done in the past)

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Nope.

If a desktop config had been the best fit to my needs I'd have waited until an M1 desktop config was available.

I'd suggest you give substantial thought to how you will span your usage across two different macs - particularly in terms of files and media. In my experience a single system set up to dock at two locations is far easier to manage.

Plus, a 24" 4K USBC display (with external keyboard & trackpad if suitable) is going to be far less expensive.

(I split my time between home and a weekend place as well - really it's just easier for me to dock one computer vs keeping stuff synced across two)

I couldn't "suffer" my 2008 iMac anymore.

It was just a dog to use, and was on such an old OS.

I did wait for the first M1 to arrive, and that was my MBP. I'm now happy to get the new iMac and have my MBP at my nan's place. I've got some money readily available, so that's no issue.

I'm treating myself, so to speak.

 

[l0stl0rd]

Nope same internal as the M1 air so no thanks, if they had added cores and ram I might have.

 

[edk99]

Thanks for the advice.

However, I really like the look of the new iMac, and I have no real useable computer at my nan's place so I'll be covered at both ends, so to speak.

Thanks again.

You are already covered, you have a MBP that you can take anywhere.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Nope same internal as the M1 air so no thanks, if they had added cores and ram I might have.

I was also surprised by the fact that it's still using the M1, but you can add more RAM when ordering.

 

[deeddawg]

I was also surprised by the fact that it's still using the M1, but you can add more RAM when ordering.

Nah, no surprise. Apple's being methodical in their transition to Apple Silicon.

First are the lower tier systems: MBA, two-port MBP, smaller iMacs.

We'll later see the upper tier systems transition: four-port MBP, larger iMacs

The oddball in this was the mini - previously only in a many-port configuration, it was split into two tiers of fewer-ports M1 / more-ports Intel - presumably the latter will transition with the other upper tier systems.

 

[4sallypat]

Having used 2 M1 Macs (both base), I am ordering the base iMac in blue to match my iPhone 12 Pro.

The only thing that gets me is the Ethernet function on the higher up units.
I use only wired Ethernet as I get speeds in the 1GBps consistently and without loss.

Question:
If I get the power brick / adapter for the higher end and plug it into the base model, will I get the Ethernet passthru ?

If not, I'll use the Belkin TB3-Gigabit Ethernet adapter dongle...

 

[l0stl0rd]

I was also surprised by the fact that it's still using the M1, but you can add more RAM when ordering.

but only up to 16 GB

 

[deeddawg]

but only up to 16 GB

Matching the RAM limit on the smaller Intel iMacs (21.5")

Kinda like the two port MBPs. Max 16GB when they were Intel, max 16GB when they became Apple Silicon

Presumably the larger iMacs will have a higher RAM capacity when they transition, just as we anticipate the four-port MBPs will also match the higher RAM limit of the Intel versions.

 

[4sallypat]

Having used 2 M1 base devices (M1 Mini & M1 MBP), 8GB Unified memory runs circles around my older Intel machines with double the RAM.

Now I have no need for more RAM that we have been brainwashed to think (more RAM = more performance).

These new M1 SOC has a RISC type architecture and software that runs much more efficient than the old DDR RAM that wastes time in clock/instruction cycles.

The M1 reminds me of the old Motorola sourced RISC processors.....

 

[edk99]

Question:
If I get the power brick / adapter for the higher end and plug it into the base model, will I get the Ethernet passthru ?

If not, I'll use the Belkin TB3-Gigabit Ethernet adapter dongle...

The base model does have a configurable ethernet option. Honesty for $200 more you get Touch ID keyboard and ethernet plus 2 more USB ports. For what your going to spend on an ethernet adapter or what apple is charging for the ethernet option (I'm guessing $100) you might as well just spend the $200 on the next model up.

EDIT: looks like ethernet is a $30 option on the base model. So that is not bad.

Buy iMac

Get an iMac all-in-one desktop computer with M4 chip when you trade in an eligible Mac for credit. Built for Apple Intelligence. Buy now.

www.apple.com

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

but only up to 16 GB

That'll do me fine.

My M1 MBP has 16gb and it's good for my uses.

 

[darngooddesign]

...and I have no real useable computer at my nan's place so I'll be covered at both ends, so to speak.

Is your MBP bolted to your desk at home?

Go for it, nothing wrong with having more than one computer, and the nice thing about the iMac is that you don't need to upgrade its internal storage because external drives aren't inconvenient as they are with laptops.

 

[bobcomer]

I love the look of the new iMacs, but I doubt if I buy one. I'll check how much they will give me for my M1 MBA, and if it's enough, then probably, but I don't expect it to be enough.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Is your MBP bolted to your desk at home?

Go for it, nothing wrong with having more than one computer, and the nice thing about the iMac is that you don't need to upgrade its internal storage because external drives aren't inconvenient as they are with laptops.

I concur.

With regards to nothing being wrong with having more than one computer, I’m with you.

I‘m just a tech junky, what can I say?

 

[pshufd]

I'm considering it. My wife has a 2018 base Mini on her table. It has speakers (and a PSU plug in and wires in the back), wired mouse and wired keyboard and wired external microphone. No video camera. And it's hooked up to a Dell QHD 25 inch monitor. An iMac would make her desk a lot neater, provide far better sound, allow her to videoconference and I could get rid of the cluttered power strip under the desk. I think that I'd either go for 16/256 or 16/512. It's probably overkill for her but I like to get a decent amount of RAM and 16 GB is the minimum for me today.

I could then stick in 32 GB of RAM in the old Mini as a macOS server and sell either my 2014 MacBook Pro 15 or 2015 MacBook Pro 15. When the M1X comes out, I could sell the other MacBook Pro. The Mini would remain for running 32-bit macOS programs and I'd VNC into it for access. I might be able to turn it into a networked Time Machine server as well - something I'll have to look into.

She'll love the Touch Id as well.

 

[spiderman0616]

I'd love one, but my job already provides me with a work Mac for my desk. It would be a purely "for fun" purchase and I haven't owned a full blown desktop computer in years. I like being able to take any machine I might need anywhere I go. The new iMacs are certainly awesome--I just really don't need one. A much larger one to use as a media streamer that can be moved to any room in the house though? That would be freaking sweet.

The biggest purchase I'm going to make from Apple's presentation yesterday is a Sonos setup with Dolby Atmos for my 4K TV and Apple TV 4K. I knew it was a long shot, but I was hoping for a HomePod 2 or some kind of Home app soundbar or something like that. I was waiting for the Spring Loaded event to make a decision, just in case they released new home audio stuff. Obviously that didn't happen. But they will get my money for some AirTags and one of those new remotes. I broke my addiction to the iPad last year, so for my personal computing I'll be continuing to stick with my M1 MBA.

 

[kazmac]

Possibly. I‘m a desktop person, so -while my M1 MBP is absolutely fine- I‘d prefer a larger screen, better speakers, cooling system and microphones. I like the redesign and some of the colors. Needed a machine late last year so I jumped then, but did not want to buy an Intel iMac.

Just wondering if I should wait until the larger iMac is announced to determine which size iMac to go with.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I'd love one, but my job already provides me with a work Mac for my desk. It would be a purely "for fun" purchase and I haven't owned a full blown desktop computer in years. I like being able to take any machine I might need anywhere I go. The new iMacs are certainly awesome--I just really don't need one. A much larger one to use as a media streamer that can be moved to any room in the house though? That would be freaking sweet.

The biggest purchase I'm going to make from Apple's presentation yesterday is a Sonos setup with Dolby Atmos for my 4K TV and Apple TV 4K. I knew it was a long shot, but I was hoping for a HomePod 2 or some kind of Home app soundbar or something like that. I was waiting for the Spring Loaded event to make a decision, just in case they released new home audio stuff. Obviously that didn't happen. But they will get my money for some AirTags and one of those new remotes. I broke my addiction to the iPad last year, so for my personal computing I'll be continuing to stick with my M1 MBA.

Truth be told, it will be a "purely for fun" purchase for me.

Well, not purely. I do prefer the larger screen, so it will be good to go back to that.

My M1 MBP will be repurposed.

Take care.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Possibly. I‘m a desktop person, so -while my M1 MBP is absolutely fine- I‘d prefer a larger screen, better speakers, cooling system and microphones. I like the redesign and some of the colors. Needed a machine late last year so I jumped then, but did not want to buy an Intel iMac.

Just wondering if I should wait until the larger iMac is announced to determine which size iMac to go with.

@4sallypat you can add the Ethernet to the base model for $30.

Sounds very similar to my outlook.

I'll be going for silver (all of my devices are silver/white) ... you?

 

[Aggedor]

If it was a 27" screen, I'd be tempted - or preferably something even larger. But 24" is just too small. My current Windows desktop is a 27" and I've been contemplating getting a bigger screen as it is.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

If it was a 27" screen, I'd be tempted - or preferably something even larger. But 24" is just too small. My current Windows desktop is a 27" and I've been contemplating getting a bigger screen as it is.

My M1 MBP replaced my ageing (2008) 24" iMac.

I'm perfectly ok with the size, so it suits me.

I hope you get what you're hoping comes to fruition.