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

[Azrael9]

I’ll try to clarify the situation.

1. The letter X in the Radeon GPU has always meant that the graphics card is overclocked. In this Apple case, it can be considered an easy modification, just like M means that it is mobile.
2. The Pro version of the GPU does not mean that it is mobile, but desktop / for workstations. Nevertheless, Pro versions usually have a lower core frequency and other changes, which makes their performance a little lower than the RX, but it is believed that they are a little more stable in computing.
3. 580, Vega 48, 56 and so on really can not be called mobile, but all this applies to 27 inch iMacs. If we are talking about the 21.5 inches, then there are really mobile GPUs and at least since 2017 they are +- identical to those of the MacBook Pro 15" (Radeon 560, 560X, Vega 20 in 15" and now 5500M in 16 inches MacBook Pro). Let the absence of the letter M not surprise you, because these cards really have a small physical size, which does not happen without consequences. Therefore, they fit in laptops and Mini-ITX solutions.

Very good post. Helps with the designation of Desktop, cut down desktop and portable GPUs. (My very own GPU before it met it's Mac maker in the sky...was a 680M. I recall it being in the top ten gpus during it's time. I'd be intrigued if the new iMac has a BTO gpu that was in the current top ten of gpus...)

Azrael.

 

[Dave245]

I was hoping that rumour/leaker page on Twitter was correct, it doesn't look like he or she has any credibility tho that is a real shame as I would of brought one of those iMacs based on those rumours.

I still hope Apple update the iMac either before or at WWDC, that would be amazing, especially if there is a redesign happening (which I'm still holding out hope for). That and a new iPad Pro will go nicely together I think (especially for use in Side Car on the Mac)

 

[Azrael9]

Knowing me and my buying pattern and work/hobbies.100900 10/20 core (or 8/16), 32 Gb RAM, GPU mid range (no gamer). 2-4 Tb SSD. It should last me for 10 years. Probably a 27 inch. Noise levels is important

Aye. Likely 10 core, 32 gigs of Ram, GPU (BTO high end for me...) and at least 1TB SSD.

I never used to be 'that' bothered about fan noise. I don't recall my PowerMac 200 604e being noisy. But the Athlon cpu PC I had? 'Noisy.' Very distracting after a while. iBook, fan noise would happen from time to time it would come on. Noticeable. I do remember a bit of fuss on my 24 inch iMac from time to time. Very hot on the top left corner. Uncomfortable to the touch. But with the late 27 inch iMac. I think the noise really started to bother me for the 1st time. In a significant way. Especially for playing a game that was old 2004 style. That's poor. The cooling just isn't up to task. And it's what 'baked' my machine to death. Just not good enough.

So noise levels and cooling are now very important to me. Premium boasts should be matched by premium cooling solutions. The Mac Pro has really led the way on improvements to cooling solutions for Mac. That and the iMac Pro.

So it's time to bring that to the iMac. The cpu and gpu are going to reach ever higher levels of performance and it's about time the cooling solutions matched those performance aspirations of the iMac.

Azrael.

 

[iPadified]

Aye. Likely 10 core, 32 gigs of Ram, GPU (BTO high end for me...) and at least 1TB SSD.

I never used to be 'that' bothered about fan noise. I don't recall my PowerMac 200 604e being noisy. But the Athlon cpu PC I had? 'Noisy.' Very distracting after a while. iBook, fan noise would happen from time to time it would come on. Noticeable. I do remember a bit of fuss on my 24 inch iMac from time to time. Very hot on the top left corner. Uncomfortable to the touch. But with the late 27 inch iMac. I think the noise really started to bother me for the 1st time. In a significant way. Especially for playing a game that was old 2004 style. That's poor. The cooling just isn't up to task. And it's what 'baked' my machine to death. Just not good enough.

So noise levels and cooling are now very important to me. Premium boasts should be matched by premium cooling solutions. The Mac Pro has really led the way on improvements to cooling solutions for Mac. That and the iMac Pro.

So it's time to bring that to the iMac. The cpu and gpu are going to reach ever higher levels of performance and it's about time the cooling solutions matched those performance aspirations of the iMac.

Azrael.

CPU based rending makes my laptop scream. MP 2013 is so silent in comparison. As even the 10900 can apparently draw 220W cooling is necessary.

 

[Azrael9]

I was hoping that rumour/leaker page on Twitter was correct, it doesn't look like he or she has any credibility tho that is a real shame as I would of brought one of those iMacs based on those rumours.

I still hope Apple update the iMac either before or at WWDC, that would be amazing, especially if there is a redesign happening (which I'm still holding out hope for). That and a new iPad Pro will go nicely together I think (especially for use in Side Car on the Mac)

Hello Dave,

Credible or not. I think the Twitter leak is a symptom of what we'll probably get. The CPU and GPU aren't that hard to guess. Ofc. Those components have, to a degree, reached concensus on these boards. Yes. The latest Intel cpu and yes, the RDNA1 Radeon 5700 'Pro' (and/or XT BTO variant...) And 16 gigs of ram (for the prices we pay Apple) and SSD as standard are long over due and the SSD is now standard on a Mac Mini and the Air etc. The iMac is the only hold out.

The only real conjecture left is the design or not. And even if the Twitter leak is 'just a concept' it symbolises a potential change. If the above are just specs then all the more reason to release it now as soon as Intel's CPU supply reaches balance with its OEM partners.

But the longer it goes on, the Twitter 'leak' suggests a design change will be revealed at WWDC.

Looking at that design. It makes sense. The iMac stand's swivel ergonomics are highly limited. It was never the best in that regard. Sure, the stand and monitor have 'grace' and sit well upon the desk but if you adjust it 'too much' there are reports of it failing. That's not good. And even when I adjust the stand it feels very flimsy to me. Hardly rock solid.

In contrast, the 'Pro' display stand is very well done indeed. Looks rock solid and it has far more give on ergonomics and the rotate feature would be a blast to have on the new iMac. It looks far more modern whilst keeping in with the iMac's tweaked 'bezel' aesthetic and reduced chin. Not a revolution, but super evolved in a 'next step' kind of way...that keeps the iMac's current 'timeless' design principles in place. But 'more so.'

They release that? I buy.

Azrael.

PS. Yes. The iPad and side car will go very well with it. I may go for an earlier promotion model for the increased sturdiness of the 12.9 model. But for any artist and general productivity, an iPad and side car will be a boon.
[automerge]1590756881[/automerge]

CPU based rending makes my laptop scream. MP 2013 is so silent in comparison. As even the 10900 can apparently draw 220W cooling is necessary.

Yes, iPadified. I hear what you're saying. CPU rendering is still very dominant though gpu rendering is showing great promise and unified cpu/gpu hybrid rendering is also emerging here and there. Suffice to say, it places a great strain on any system because it engages everything the cpu has to offer eg. see benches with Cinebench to sort the wheat from the chaff.

This is why I'd wish Apple had a mainstream version of the Mac Pro with it's impressive cooling.

Any tight enclosures are going to be punished doing this kind of work...and with renders often being left for minutes or hours at a time...it's slow bake of death for such machines over time.

So, as you say, the 10900 has it's thermal achilles heel. And in the absence of a tower (for the rest of us) correctly and rightfully placed in the £1500-£3k arena (I wish the millionaires at Apple would wake up their desktop division...) then the iMac will 'have to do.' And that makes it encumbant on Apple and the iMac to sufficiently up to the task of rendering 3D and VR etc. If you're going to play with the big boys, Mr. iMac (and over the years, it's increased it's capability to Photoshop/Affinity Photo style work...to Video which it has also conquered...) then 3D is an area that is increasingly popular and in it's price bracket the iMac has to step up and be able to do it. With 8-10 cores and a RDNA1 this is exactly the kind of work the iMac can and should be doing now. And that involves sustained work loads for significant amounts of time. And hearing the iMac sound like a hair dryer whilst doing that? That's no longer good enough.

It needs significantly better cooling now. Time to remove the 'little boy shorts', iMac and put some trousers on.

Azrael.
[automerge]1590757036[/automerge]

I just did a mock up for fun with space grey. Silver on the redesign looks kinda bland to me.

Well done, Alex'. Decent work. I'd buy that!

Silver and Space Grey options. I'd like to buy the latter. If the Mac Mini has gone Space Grey? It's time for the iMac.

Azrael.
[automerge]1590757072[/automerge]

Send it to Tcook mail

Yes...in the hope that he notices the Mac desktop division...

Azrael.
[automerge]1590757109[/automerge]

Apple is harsh, subjecting us to this interminable wait...

Tough love. But the longer it goes on...the longer it says, 'NEW DESIGN!'

Azrael.

 

[Azrael9]

Me too, but just so I can dual screen with two 32in monitors!

32 inches. Dream. Set. Up. Using Mac Pro/XDR design cues. *does the WANT 'that' design dance....to a bit of...

*nods slowly.

*Opens wallet...I'm ready, Apple...3-2 in-ches.

Azrael.
[automerge]1590757489[/automerge]

What kind of specs are you going to take? I'm thinking of something like 10600K 6 core / 12 threads and top GPU, like 5700 PRO. SSD would be 512gb-1tb depending on the prices and I'm hoping that the RAM can be changed at home. If not, I'm ordering with 32gb no matter the cost.

I'm hoping that this setup would not cost over 3000 euros. This can be, if the SSD prices go down from current configurations and the RAM is not too expensive. I would use the machine for video editing, music production (basic, at home) and some gaming.

32 inch screen. 10 cores. 5700XT. 32 gigs of ram. 1TBSSD.

£3k.

Better cooling as standard.

Azrael.

 

[Dave245]

Hello Dave,

Credible or not. I think the Twitter leak is a symptom of what we'll probably get. The CPU and GPU aren't that hard to guess. Ofc. Those components have, to a degree, reached concensus on these boards. Yes. The latest Intel cpu and yes, the RDNA1 Radeon 5700 'Pro' (and/or XT BTO variant...) And 16 gigs of ram (for the prices we pay Apple) and SSD as standard are long over due and the SSD is now standard on a Mac Mini and the Air etc. The iMac is the only hold out.

The only real conjecture left is the design or not. And even if the Twitter leak is 'just a concept' it symbolises a potential change. If the above are just specs then all the more reason to release it now as soon as Intel's CPU supply reaches balance with its OEM partners.

But the longer it goes on, the Twitter 'leak' suggests a design change will be revealed at WWDC.

Looking at that design. It makes sense. The iMac stand's swivel ergonomics are highly limited. It was never the best in that regard. Sure, the stand and monitor have 'grace' and sit well upon the desk but if you adjust it 'too much' there are reports of it failing. That's not good. And even when I adjust the stand it feels very flimsy to me. Hardly rock solid.

In contrast, the 'Pro' display stand is very well done indeed. Looks rock solid and it has far more give on ergonomics and the rotate feature would be a blast to have on the new iMac. It looks far more modern whilst keeping in with the iMac's tweaked 'bezel' aesthetic and reduced chin. Not a revolution, but super evolved in a 'next step' kind of way...that keeps the iMac's current 'timeless' design principles in place. But 'more so.'

They release that? I buy.

Azrael.

PS. Yes. The iPad and side car will go very well with it. I may go for an earlier promotion model for the increased sturdiness of the 12.9 model. But for any artist and general productivity, an iPad and side car will be a boon.

Hi, I don't expect a drastic design change, after all the iMac is iconic and I do like the overall design. I'm just looking for Apple to reduce the bezels, keep the 5K screen, maybe improve on the speakers and definitely update the camera. Better specs are always welcome, maybe add the space grey colour (that would match really nice with a space grey iPad Pro for Side Car.)

It's either that or a Surface Book 3, I'm leaning more towards a new iMac and iPad Pro simply because they work well together in the same ecosystem and if Apple continues to improve iPadOS, I think we may see more pro/laptop function in iPadOS 14.

 

[pldelisle]

Thanks for pointing that out! I had to check that again since I have read on several sites and in reviews during the past years that iMac 2017 and 2019 use desktop GPUs. The M has always been an indicator of mobile GPUs but when I check Techpowerup it says "a professional mobile graphics chip" about all current GPUs in iMac, like Radeon Pro 580x, Vega 48, 56, 64. So where do you find the info about iMac Pro having desktop GPU? According to Techpowerup RX Vega 56 and 64 are desktop cards but iMac Pro uses Pro Vega not RX.

Still I would think that the mobile GPUs in iMac can be clocked faster because of the larger chassi and better thermal cooling compared to MBP.

Just verify the TFLOPs numbers. It correspond perfectly to the desktop Vega 64 chip numbers.

 

[iDan75]

All this talk of cooling issues, I had no idea it was a problem before joining this forum. It’s got me worried now. My old 2011 iMac is totally silent. I’ve heard the fan once I think. However, my newish 13” MBP is like a warm to the touch helicopter within a minute of opening Lightroom. Is this a symptom of progress? And should I expect a new iMac to be the same?

 

[Azrael9]

Hi, I don't expect a drastic design change, after all the iMac is iconic and I do like the overall design. I'm just looking for Apple to reduce the bezels, keep the 5K screen, maybe improve on the speakers and definitely update the camera. Better specs are always welcome, maybe add the space grey colour (that would match really nice with a space grey iPad Pro for Side Car.)

It's either that or a Surface Book 3, I'm leaning more towards a new iMac and iPad Pro simply because they work well together in the same ecosystem and if Apple continues to improve iPadOS, I think we may see more pro/laptop function in iPadOS 14.

I expect your 1st paragraph as a minimum update...to bring the iMac in line with the 'space grey' colouring on other Macs and the design cues of the latest iOS devices...and the 'Pro' design leanings of the latest Mac Pro.

Sure the Macbook Pro got a bezel trim and it's own delete key...and a proper keyboard again... Which suggests Apple can at least get out of bed for a bezel trim and the move to a 23 inch iMac model to (presumably) replace the 21 inch suggests now is as good a time as any to do so. And yes. The space grey would tie in with the iPad Pro for Side Car.

It's a good call, combo wise.

You make a good call on the speakers. I did notice the change going from 24 inches to 27 inch iMac. I didn't feel they were as good even though they sounded brighter in some regards. So better speakers? Yes please. And the iSight camera. Got to do better than 720. Just not good enough for the price payed. 1080 please. Face Cam in the 21st Century, please.

The rumours are saying 'substantial.' So it's fun to have continual expectation conjecture on this from all Mac posters.

It's interesting that you mention the Surface line. Whilst Apple were 'sleeping' thinking that the 'iPad was all the computer you need, why would you need more?' Tim Cook M$ were busy putting tanks on the lawn of Cupertino 1. Actually DARING to enter the Creative back yard of Apple!

If the surface devices ran Mac oS? I'd be a surface customer right now. The Surface Desktop is drop. Dead. GORGEOUS. And even the laptops had better keyboards than the Mac laptops for years. And the surface keyboard was far better than the RSI disaster keyboard for the iPad...like hitting a solid object for your typing...again, for years.

And M$'s devices are going to get better. I have to 'give it them' they have put the gauntlet down to Apple in their backyard. We look at the Studio Desktop vs the imac in terms of design and Apple had their trousers pulled down on the very day Apple launched the Macbook with a meh touch strip. The Surface Studio Desktop is lightyears ahead of iMac in terms of design. Not in specs or guts. But in design? it's embarrassingly good for M$. The years of beige are long gone. The competition in M$, Dell and HP have watched, learned, bided their time and are catching up, drawn level and passed in many areas...just as good if not better. Those are warning signs for the Mac.

Competition is good. I hope M$ push Apple forwards with their desktops. Apple have had easy money on a largely stagnant desktop line for the last 6 years.

Azrael.

 

[pldelisle]

I’ll try to clarify the situation.

1. The letter X in the Radeon GPU has always meant that the graphics card is overclocked. In this Apple case, it can be considered an easy modification, just like M means that it is mobile.
2. The Pro version of the GPU does not mean that it is mobile, but desktop / for workstations. Nevertheless, Pro versions usually have a lower core frequency and other changes, which makes their performance a little lower than the RX, but it is believed that they are a little more stable in computing.
3. 580, Vega 48, 56 and so on really can not be called mobile, but all this applies to 27 inch iMacs. If we are talking about the 21.5 inches, then there are really mobile GPUs and at least since 2017 they are +- identical to those of the MacBook Pro 15" (Radeon 560, 560X, Vega 20 in 15" and now 5500M in 16 inches MacBook Pro). Let the absence of the letter M not surprise you, because these cards really have a small physical size, which does not happen without consequences. Therefore, they fit in laptops and Mini-ITX solutions.

1. True.

2. Half true. A Pro chip could also be in a mobile form factor. The designation isn't only for desktop. It could be for mobile workstations too.

3. If we compare to the TDP of the equivalent desktop boards, they are truly mobile parts (at least the 580X). It's only a 100w TDP GPU (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_AMD_graphics_processing_units#Radeon_Pro_500_series). Techpowerup says 150w, but still classify it as mobile https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/radeon-pro-580x.c3398 . The real RX 580 for desktop is a 185w TDP GPU (Polaris20 XT). As for the Vega 48, Techpowerup classifies it as a mobile GPU too, thought no TDP is revealed https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/radeon-pro-vega-48.c3395

But maybe they do not directly coincide with the Apple parts. It might be a higher TDP than in this link since the a "Radeon Pro". It's possible. Also, for upcoming GPUs, they might tweak the ratios FP64/32/16 to make it like a "real" workstation GPU. That would be nice. The 580X doesn't do half precision.

A full blown 5700XT has a 225w TDP. I doubt Apple can fit this with 10-core intel chip with current cooling system.

Being Apple, I would upgrade the iMac Pro with a Radeon VII. I don't know if it's already discontinued, but this would have been a nice GPU in the iMac Pro while waiting for RDNA2.0

 

[gusping]

32 inches. Dream. Set. Up. Using Mac Pro/XDR design cues. *does the WANT 'that' design dance....to a bit of...

*nods slowly.

*Opens wallet...I'm ready, Apple...3-2 in-ches.

Azrael.
[automerge]1590757489[/automerge]


32 inch screen. 10 cores. 5700XT. 32 gigs of ram. 1TBSSD.

£3k.

Better cooling as standard.

Azrael.

We both want that so badly, almost too badly.... We are obsessed.
It won’t happen though, will it? More likely is the iMac Pro later this year getting that design style, with a simple spec bump this year to the iMac. Then maybe next year or the year after it follows the iMac Pro? Who knows.

 

[MadCar]

All this talk of cooling issues, I had no idea it was a problem before joining this forum. It’s got me worried now. My old 2011 iMac is totally silent. I’ve heard the fan once I think. However, my newish 13” MBP is like a warm to the touch helicopter within a minute of opening Lightroom. Is this a symptom of progress? And should I expect a new iMac to be the same?

The 2019 iMac was the loudest iMac created so far, both at idle and underlay which is why so many are hoping it gets quieter and the cooling better this time around.

 

[Azrael9]

All this talk of cooling issues, I had no idea it was a problem before joining this forum. It’s got me worried now. My old 2011 iMac is totally silent. I’ve heard the fan once I think. However, my newish 13” MBP is like a warm to the touch helicopter within a minute of opening Lightroom. Is this a symptom of progress? And should I expect a new iMac to be the same?

Well, I *USED* to think that too. Until I was made aware of it by others and my increased workflow over the years.

When you push the iMac to do ACTUAL workloads of 3D or gaming (again, exposing the achilles heel of the Mac platform...) then the iMac is taking off on the hairdryer plane.

So yes, you get the 'warm to the touch helicopter.' And that gets annoying to hear whilst you're in the creative zone of work.

We should expect the 'new' iMac do do 'better.' We're paying for it. They're not our friends. They're a corporation (much like any other these days...more so since they grew so big...) and they're held accountable by our wallet and expectations. iMacs that melt under a mild duress workload then get hit with expensive repairs by the same company that leaves better cooling on £5k machines is no longer sufficient for the increased capability of CPUs and GPUs that are likely being down clocked under restricted enclosures of the regular iMac. So we don't want to be paying for a design cul-de-sac that limits the capabilities of the price bracket you're paying for.

Apple charges enough for them. Time for the premium boast to be matched by premium cooling.

I hear plenty of talk about 'You pay a premium for Apple kit because...blah, blah etc...' and I want that premium 'blah' to include better cooling.

Azrael.

 

[pldelisle]

All this because Intel is still on 14nm while trying to crank up the number of cores.

Yes, they master the 14nm process node, but they still can't avoid laws of physics.

 

[Azrael9]

The 2019 iMac was the loudest iMac created so far, both at idle and underlay which is why so many are hoping it gets quieter and the cooling better this time around.

Very interesting. Glad to hear you post on that.

'He' said it was 'whisper' quiet. And I was hoping it would be as a was a potential buyer. But balked at the 'upselling' on everything...especially for the over priced and modest Vega 48.

So it's good to have a 1st account from an iMac user who can spill the beans 'as it really is.'

Noisy even at idle? Oh deary me. That's not good. For it to be the loudest iMac so far is at odds with the 'serene' image Apple portrays in it's marketing material.

Hopefully, like you say, the new iMac gets better cooling. It's so distracting whilst being creative.

It's time.

Azrael.
[automerge]1590759654[/automerge]

All this because Intel is still on 14nm while trying to crank up the number of cores.

Yes, they master the 14nm process node, but they still can't avoid laws of physics.

Well, yes, pldelisle.

But we saw Apple's design response in the Mac Pro (superb) and the iMac Pro (reasonable solution bigger heat sink and dual channel cooling?)

So...Apple are complicit with Intel in terms that they are in bed with Intel for CPU supply. As such they have the up and coming knowledge to deal with the cooling.

After all, don't Apple charge US a mark up on the very Intel cpus that Intel itself as 'market leaders' charges a premium for?

As such, Apple. 'Surely you can do better.' Dooku voice.

If the 2019 iMac (as posted above...is louder at idle and under load...) then 2020 is the year they address that, especially with the much hotter Intel CPUs this year. Sitting on the old design that clearly can't cope is Apple's area of 'expertise.'

There is precendent to deal with an iMac style enclosure. The iMac Pro. That's now 3 years old. I remember when Apple used to bring the innovations down to the lower price points. Now it seems they hold them hostage to fortune on the upsell.

They're a 1 trillion company. They need to pull their finger out and improve the iMac's cooling. The iMac Pro would be a good place to look (if their desktop division iMac and iMac Pro's teams talk to one another...)

Azrael.

 

[pldelisle]

If the 2019 iMac (as posted above...is louder at idle and under load...) then 2020 is the year they address that, especially with the much hotter Intel CPUs this year. Sitting on the old design that clearly can't cope is Apple's area of 'expertise.'

Totally agree.

 

[majaca]

But the longer it goes on, the Twitter 'leak' suggests a design change will be revealed at WWDC.

Looking at that design. It makes sense. The iMac stand's swivel ergonomics are highly limited. It was never the best in that regard. Sure, the stand and monitor have 'grace' and sit well upon the desk but if you adjust it 'too much' there are reports of it failing. That's not good. And even when I adjust the stand it feels very flimsy to me. Hardly rock solid.[automerge]1590756881[/automerge]

Can you elaborate on this? So, you're saying that with the iMac's, the more you 'turn or adjust the stand or monitor' side to side or tilt up/down...it can cause failure?

I'm not super tech-y so pls explain? THX!

 

[pldelisle]

Can you elaborate on this? So, you're saying that with the iMac's, the more you 'turn or adjust the stand or monitor' side to side or tilt up/down...it can cause failure?

I'm not super tech-y so pls explain? THX!

I never witnessed this personally.

 

[majaca]

Aye. Likely 10 core, 32 gigs of Ram, GPU (BTO high end for me...) and at least 1TB SSD.

I never used to be 'that' bothered about fan noise. I don't recall my PowerMac 200 604e being noisy. But the Athlon cpu PC I had? 'Noisy.' Very distracting after a while. iBook, fan noise would happen from time to time it would come on. Noticeable. I do remember a bit of fuss on my 24 inch iMac from time to time. Very hot on the top left corner. Uncomfortable to the touch. But with the late 27 inch iMac. I think the noise really started to bother me for the 1st time. In a significant way. Especially for playing a game that was old 2004 style. That's poor. The cooling just isn't up to task. And it's what 'baked' my machine to death. Just not good enough.

So noise levels and cooling are now very important to me. Premium boasts should be matched by premium cooling solutions. The Mac Pro has really led the way on improvements to cooling solutions for Mac. That and the iMac Pro.

So it's time to bring that to the iMac. The cpu and gpu are going to reach ever higher levels of performance and it's about time the cooling solutions matched those performance aspirations of the iMac.

Azrael.

Isn't heat a bad thing? Was it a fusion drive that was hot? Are you buying a new iMac and would you buy a fusion or an SSD next time? I'm getting ready to order mine...undecided on that spec choice. My 3TB fusion was fine, I had no complaints about it, lasted 7+yrs. But, don't know if I should repeat and get another fusion....THX

 

[Azrael9]

Can you elaborate on this? So, you're saying that with the iMac's, the more you 'turn or adjust the stand or monitor' side to side or tilt up/down...it can cause failure?

I'm not super tech-y so pls explain? THX!

Here you go.

Azrael.
[automerge]1590760670[/automerge]

I never witnessed this personally.

Azrael.

 

[DrRadon]

All this talk of cooling issues, I had no idea it was a problem before joining this forum. It’s got me worried now. My old 2011 iMac is totally silent. I’ve heard the fan once I think. However, my newish 13” MBP is like a warm to the touch helicopter within a minute of opening Lightroom. Is this a symptom of progress? And should I expect a new iMac to be the same?

There was a lot of babblie about cooling issues with last years model as well, turned Out there were non impacting the finished product. its not super crazy silent like the iMac Pro though, but you are not loosing Processing power.
The issue with the MacBook I believe lies more within the Retina display paired with no dedicated gpu. Your 2011 iMac dos have far less of a resolution and probably has a gpu. Lightroom dos absolutely terrible on my MacBook as well Compared to my 2012 iMac.

 

[Azrael9]

Isn't heat a bad thing? Was it a fusion drive that was hot? Are you buying a new iMac and would you buy a fusion or an SSD next time? I'm getting ready to order mine...undecided on that spec choice. My 3TB fusion was fine, I had no complaints about it, lasted 7+yrs. But, don't know if I should repeat and get another fusion....THX

I used to think heat wasn't a bad thing. Until I'd owned two iMacs.

The 1st could cook an egg on the top left hand corner. Blowed its fans under load.

The 2nd? Late 2012 27 incher? Convinced me that heat was an issue and that wasn't good enough anymore for the coin charged. Under 'weak' load of a 2004 game? This iMac could not cope. Hairdryer. A 2012 iMac should be able to cope with a modest game released 8 years earlier. And it's like that today. Can the components Apple puts in the 2020 iMac cope with the thermal load?

A question to be answered judging by the 2019's disappointing cooling.

In short, heat is an issue when it cooks itself and the longevity of the machine when placed under load. I used to think it was fiction. But I've now experienced it myself.

I went for the Fusion Drive. Wished I'd pushed the boat out and gone SSD. But it was Apple pricey.

SSD.

No. Moving. Parts.

Mine has lasted 7 years and it now needs replacing (the iMac's gpu failed...)

Don't give Apple the satisfaction of your hard earned money for archaic tech'. Expect and demand more from them.

Design cludge.

SSDs are very cheap now. Get 512 to 1tb base. Add others externally far cheaper than you'll get from Apple.

But again, we'll see what the price options from Apple are when the new iMac launches.

Azrael.

 

[pldelisle]

But isn't Lightroom just got an update to use Metal and GPUs ? Or I'm confused with another program ...

 

[satchmo]

Apple have had easy money on a largely stagnant desktop line for the last 6 years.

You're being too kind. More like 8-10 years. The tapered iMac was in 2012 and prior to that, it was stagnant for 5 years.
Frankly I think after 2007 when the iPhone took off, the entire Macintosh line was relegated to the back seat.

As innovative as the Surface Studio is, I wonder if it's actually gained any traction/sales. You'd think it would kick start Apple, but it's such a niche product that I wonder if Apple even cares.