Will there ever be a new large iMac (Pro)?

[JouniS]

for your first point, I wouldn't necessarily put it as the ability to 'match the capabilities' of the intel Macs they replace.

RAM at the end of the day is a resource consumed by the machine and the development approach so far has been 'add more if needed' over 'maximise optimisation'.

It's usually more appropriate to think memory as a capability than a resource. Most of the time, memory is a binary attribute: either you have enough of it, or you don't. If your code accesses a certain chunk of data in unpredictable patterns, you need to have enough memory to store the data or the performance will suffer greatly.

I have now repeatedly seen how an M1 MBA is tens of times slower than an i9 iMac in relatively lightweight tasks, because 16 GB is not enough memory for those tasks. With 32 GB memory, the MBA would be noticeably faster than the iMac.

 

[Cassandle]

What "relatively lightweight tasks" are you doing on your MBA that means that 16GB isn't enough?

I am running VMware, Apple Music, Pocket, Messages, Email, Notes, Preview, Steam (via Rosetta) and have 5 Safari tabs open. I'm not close to maxing out the 8GB of RAM on my M1 Mini

 

[ssong]

It's usually more appropriate to think memory as a capability than a resource. Most of the time, memory is a binary attribute: either you have enough of it, or you don't. If your code accesses a certain chunk of data in unpredictable patterns, you need to have enough memory to store the data or the performance will suffer greatly.

I have now repeatedly seen how an M1 MBA is tens of times slower than an i9 iMac in relatively lightweight tasks, because 16 GB is not enough memory for those tasks. With 32 GB memory, the MBA would be noticeably faster than the iMac.

totes fair.. I guess I was thinking more from the perspective of 64GB+ machines.. at that point I kinda wonder if a purpose built workstation is more fitting than a maxed out consumer / prosumer device

 

[JouniS]

What "relatively lightweight tasks" are you doing on your MBA that means that 16GB isn't enough?

I am running VMware, Apple Music, Pocket, Messages, Email, Notes, Preview, Steam (via Rosetta) and have 5 Safari tabs open. I'm not close to maxing out the 8GB of RAM on my M1 Mini

I'm porting some bioinformatics software to ARM Macs and testing it to make sure the performance is acceptable. That usually involves loading some data and indexes into memory and doing some simple single-threaded computation based on it. If there is too much data, some parts of the computation can be extremely slow. With too little data, cache effects may make performance measurements from other parts meaningless. With 16 GB memory, the window between those two extremes is often quite narrow.

 

[Alwis]

Why have more if you don't need it?

Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it ?

Personally I went with 64GB for my 2020 iMac, 32 GB seemed not enough for the future with several VMs running. But this is probably not the use case for most people.

 

[STC1709]

For someone with a 2009 24in imac, i was really looking forward to this event and i came away dissapoonted. The base model is useless so one is almostg forced to get the mid tier at 1499 to the little extra things. Also, the ram, terrible. I have 4gb in a 2009 and here we are 12yrs later still running 8gb as standard. My imac is usles as it is, incant do anything more than safari, once i load safari and chrome it slowsmdown badly. Thankfully i have a 2012 mbp which runs my heavy workload.

I feel like the mac mini is the way to go here, for me at least anyway. With edu discount, i can get the minu out the door for 881 vs 1711 for the imac. (16gb ram both, but numeric keyboard for imac). Its unlikely the imac outperforms the mini by a wide margin. I have 24in 1080p monitors already but seems ok connecting two. Would have to connect through usbc for another monitor on new imac.

At this point, im just wondering if i should pull trigger now or wait and see if the mini gets a refresh with m1x and for it to finally come standard at 16gb

 

[canyelles]

Now that thread title has changed we need a new poll!

 

[fireguy286]

It's a neat machine, but definitely notice some caveats right away. So far, I still definitely don't regret just upgrading to the 27in refresh 9 months ago. I can't imagine still waiting - like catching a falling knife.

 

[fuchsdh]

I don't get the fascination with bezels. Never once have the bezels of any monitor bothered me.

If you're running a multi-monitor setup having as small a separation between your screens is very useful. But yeah, the obsession with bezels is kind of like Apple's obsession with thinness—aesthetic, but at some point you're missing the forest for the trees.

 

[xgman]

Now that thread title has changed we need a new poll!

my guess is announce June, ship (at least high in end versions) Fall. And, I predict interesting design, questionable specs, but ultimately disappointing in at least some aspects. But let's face it, the new 24" set a very low bar.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I am just an average person. A 24" M1 sounds perfect to me. I just wish the colors were the same as the old model.

The old "colors" were sterile and boring. I'm excited about these new colorful colors.

Good for you. I am a visual person (its also my job) so these things bother me.

The camera hole is distracting because of the white bezels, but I'm sure I'll get used to it within five seconds.

For someone with a 2009 24in imac, i was really looking forward to this event and i came away dissapoonted. The base model is useless so one is almostg forced to get the mid tier at 1499 to the little extra things. Also, the ram, terrible. I have 4gb in a 2009 and here we are 12yrs later still running 8gb as standard. My imac is usles as it is, incant do anything more than safari, once i load safari and chrome it slowsmdown badly. Thankfully i have a 2012 mbp which runs my heavy workload.

I feel like the mac mini is the way to go here, for me at least anyway. With edu discount, i can get the minu out the door for 881 vs 1711 for the imac. (16gb ram both, but numeric keyboard for imac). Its unlikely the imac outperforms the mini by a wide margin. I have 24in 1080p monitors already but seems ok connecting two. Would have to connect through usbc for another monitor on new imac.

At this point, im just wondering if i should pull trigger now or wait and see if the mini gets a refresh with m1x and for it to finally come standard at 16gb

You completely fail to realize that this iMac is for home use, not for tech enthusiasts obsessed over minor technical specifications.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

I'm interested to know if these new iMacs M1/M1X/M2 can run 2 external monitors.

And not melt down? Me too...

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Maybe that's where the CPU/Logic Board goes.

Cooling tubes maybe? It would make some sense...

 

[STC1709]

The old "colors" were sterile and boring. I'm excited about these new colorful colors.

The camera hole is distracting because of the white bezels, but I'm sure I'll get used to it within five seconds.

You completely fail to realize that this iMac is for home use, not for tech enthusiasts obsessed over minor technical specifications.

Disagree, theres no reason why a 1300$ imac should not have basic usb ports, ethernet cable, and 16gb if ram. Thats my problem with it, im not a power user but to spend that kind of money it should have the basic things required for every day use. Make me pay 400 more for standard items is what annoys me. Mac mini will have basically same performance as imac while have all the basic items a computer should have minus the 16gb ram

 

[AutomaticApple]

Cooling tubes maybe? It would make some sense...

Cooling tubes for... what? A home use iMac?

 

[AutomaticApple]

Disagree, theres no reason why a 1300$ imac should not have basic usb ports, ethernet cable, and 16gb if ram. Thats my problem with it, im not a power user but to spend that kind of money it should have the basic things required for every day use. Make me pay 400 more for standard items is what annoys me. Mac mini will have basically same performance as imac while have all the basic items a computer should have minus the 16gb ram

The basic things you think are required for "home use" are things that power users need. You don't understand the market that you're talking about.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Cooling tubes for... what? A home use iMac?

Apple did say they are using an innovative cooling system on the new iMac, right? Cooling tubes, running up the inside of the sides. *shrug* Heat just doesn't disappear...

 

[fuchsdh]

Disagree, theres no reason why a 1300$ imac should not have basic usb ports, ethernet cable, and 16gb if ram. Thats my problem with it, im not a power user but to spend that kind of money it should have the basic things required for every day use. Make me pay 400 more for standard items is what annoys me. Mac mini will have basically same performance as imac while have all the basic items a computer should have minus the 16gb ram

In what world is 16GB of RAM required for everyday use?

I've got a 2014 MacBook Pro with 8GB of RAM that still performs without sweating until I push it on demanding video tasks. I cannot fathom the average consumer user suffering from that amount of RAM, even if I would recommend people future-proof if they intend on using the machine for as long as possible.

And no duh a Mac mini that doesn't come with a 4.5K screen, webcam, or decent speakers costs less. This isn't the indictment of the iMac's pricing you think it is.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

The basic things you think are required for "home use" are things that power users need. You don't understand the market that you're talking about.

And home users are more likely to use multiple USB devices, and also more likely to be bitten by a cheap USB hub. More ports is not something that is such an alien concept. More ports adds flexibility to a machine noticeably absent of any degree of upgradeability.

 

[EugW]

I agree, the base model is just lame. I can understand no Touch ID and maybe even no Ethernet but the lack of USB ports is just pathetic.

 

[satchmo]

Just set your expectations, I think a 30" or 32" display will still have a chin and white bezels.

When has Apple ever made the two sizes of iMacs, look different from each other?

 

[Freida]

So you are saying that the big iMac will come with same colours too?

Nah, the bigger one will have a bit different design - same style but most likely different colouring etc.

Just like iMac vs iMac Pro

There

Just set your expectations, I think a 30" or 32" display will still have a chin and white bezels.

When has Apple ever made the two sizes of iMacs, look different from each other?

 

[satchmo]

So you are saying that the big iMac will come with same colours too?

Nah, the bigger one will have a bit different design - same style but most likely different colouring etc.

Just like iMac vs iMac Pro

There

Well, that's technically two different product lines.

But they just killed the iMac Pro a few months ago...so I think it'll just be the big and small iMac. In that case, I can see a space grey with black bezels...but still a chin.

 

[Freida]

Chin doesn't bother me that much. Its the white bezels that are awful

Well, that's technically two different product lines.

But they just killed the iMac Pro a few months ago...so I think it'll just be the big and small iMac. In that case, I can see a space grey with black bezels...but still a chin.

 

[EugW]

I don't mind the white bezels. My iBooks, MacBooks, and iPads look just fine. The white bezel has a very light consumer look to it, and matches lots of decors well.

My favourite is the silver aluminum bezel of my 30" Cinema Display though. The black bezels of my two iMacs are my least favourite.