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dimme

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Feb 14, 2007
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SF, CA
I need to replace my 27”iMac and wondering if the 24” will work for me. I use a 24” display @ work all day and don’t seem to mind it. I do sit closer to the display at work.
 
I'm sure a larger iMac will be coming later this year, if you can wait? I currently use a 27" display and I really want something bigger, not smaller.
 
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I made this transition, and it has been a positive experience for me. Part of the issue is that the 27-inch screen was just too close, and the 24-inch is rather better suited to the space I work in.

I don't find the reduction in real estate to be an important factor at all when I'm working, it has just needed a slight adjustment in workflow to have everything I need on the screen where I want it. It is also rather less tiring on the eyes - partly because the size is better suited, partly because the black bezels on the 27 were a bit 'contrasty' and distracting, where the 24 is not, and partly because the 27-inch iMac was rather a dominating factor in the space.

My neck is rather less strained now, and the smaller stand gives me a bit more choice in terms of where on the desk it can go.
 
I went from a MBA with 27” Thunderbolt Display to a 24” iMac. The 24” isn’t as tall which I find to be a plus. Slightly wider aspect ratio. Have not missed the larger display at all. Someone posted a desktop picture that shows the size of the 24” display on your existing 27”. You can try it here.
 
I'd had iMac 27s since they were introduced and was skeptical about going to the 24 at first, but I'm very happy with it. The 27 caused me a lot of neck strain because it sits so tall. Yes, I've seen comments on the Forum like 'well just raise your chair.' That's not the answer if your chair has arms that won't fit under the middle drawer. My chair height is exactly where I want it -- the iMac 27 was just too tall. I will consider going back to a bigger iMac if Apple ever incorporates height adjustment (or a significantly smaller 'chin' to allow it to sit lower), but for now, the 24 is great. Really no compromises from my perspective.
 
If I were you, I would still wait these 2-3 months to see, what is comming for the next generation of Mac (Apple Silicon M1X or M2...). You've got a solid 2019 iMac right there, it should last in that time.
 
Anything M2 or M1X is not until at least November it not later. One of the things I love about the 24" iMac when used with processor intensive tasks is how it never gets too hot on the 8/8 model with a additional fan with heat pipe that specifically cools the M1 SoC, instead of the fan that cools off the board on the other side. Watching the temperature drop fairly quickly after I ran something processor intensive was better then my late 2015 27" 4.0 Ghx i7 could ever do. The below short video shows how this latest model build compares to the previous iMacs cooling with getting really hot.


Another thing to consider is how you only need half the memory you use to need because the unified memory and internal SSD is so fast. There are still diffidently examples where you need that much memory, but it not as much a requirement as it used to be. I still suggest 16 GB if you get the 24".


So it looks like a nice future no matter what you decide on. :)
 
It's currently at the Apple store hopefully beng repaired. The computer just shuts off under heavy load but it really random. Apples test does not find any problems. I just tired of dealing with the machine I been fight this for almost a year. I wish they would just replace the power supply but because it's a random problem I have to prove it to them.
I hope they can/will fix it but just thinking of plan B if not.
 
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It's currently at the Apple store hopefully beng repaired. The computer just shuts off under heavy load but it really random. Apples test does not find any problems. I just tired of dealing with the machine I been fight this for almost a year. I wish they would just replace the power supply but because it's a random problem I have to prove it to them.
FYI the apple stores also get blue and silver 8/8/16GB/1TB models in stock. All you need to do is select the $1699 model, add those two options (RAM, SSD) and check for local pickup at stores in your area. Each store gets a couple in a week it seems. It's not a BTO. EDU discount is applicable on that.
 
FYI the apple stores also get blue and silver 8/8/16GB/1TB models in stock. All you need to do is select the $1699 model, add those two options (RAM, SSD) and check for local pickup at stores in your area. Each store gets a couple in a week it seems. It's not a BTO. EDU discount is applicable on that.
I got one in silver from the Sarasota, Florida store this past weekend. It just took a couple of days of checking for one to show up.
 
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Everyone who had a 27“ before how would you compare the display? For me the one from the 24“ looks way warmer than the 27“ (nightshirt and True Tone off) And I think the viewing angle is better at the 27“.
 
Everyone who had a 27“ before how would you compare the display? For me the one from the 24“ looks way warmer than the 27“ (nightshirt and True Tone off) And I think the viewing angle is better at the 27“.
Only the most recent 27" 2020 iMac I thought supports HDR. Although the 2019 27” iMac says it supports billions of colors. I disabled TrueTone watching HDR content to avoid the yellowing with night light changes. Using MacOS 12 beta 3 Monterey, I do not see a calibrate option in Displays only the choices of 10 color profiles.


The review above is one that examines video quality a bit, see the Apple iMac 2021 review: Display section. I haven't seen anything from a calibrator.
 
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Just buy it. It’s reasonably priced for what it is. The M1 iMac weighs so little I thought it was the cardboard display in the store , but it’s real . Plus cool colors that Steve Jobs would love
 
It's currently at the Apple store hopefully beng repaired. The computer just shuts off under heavy load but it really random. Apples test does not find any problems. I just tired of dealing with the machine I been fight this for almost a year. I wish they would just replace the power supply but because it's a random problem I have to prove it to them.
I hope they can/will fix it but just thinking of plan B if not.

I think some stress tests may reproduce the issue better than Apple Diagnosys. Can you find some application for stress testing like Prime95, Unigin Valley, Cinebench?

 
If you can get a video of your iMac failing that will go a long way to helping you get work done on it. That way you’ll have proof that it is failing, even if they can’t replicate the issue during your appointment.
 
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I'm sure a larger iMac will be coming later this year, if you can wait? I currently use a 27" display and I really want something bigger, not smaller.
Same. Ideally a 32” or even 34” display would replace the 27. I plugged my imac into an old 30” Apple Cinema Display on my desk, and never even looked at the 27” side after a week. Going smaller is not something I could do.
 
To be fair I'm still using my Late 2015 27" iMac sometimes, now set up in the spare room, but I really don't find it a problem using my lovely new 24" iMac.

I very seldom use apps full screen on either machine, so they're pretty much the same size on both. There's just more space around them on my larger iMac.
 
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I sold my 2017 27" iMac for a new M1 24". I actually wanted a smaller monitor is it works better for my use. It is hard for people to answer a question like this because only you know what you need.
 
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Same. Ideally a 32” or even 34” display would replace the 27. I plugged my imac into an old 30” Apple Cinema Display on my desk, and never even looked at the 27” side after a week. Going smaller is not something I could do.
I have to admit that this is the reason I happily bought the new 24" model when it came out, as the 27" iMac was just about as large as I'd ever want to go for a screen on the desk in the corner of my living room. This feels just about perfect.

Equally there was no need for me to hold out for an M1X or M2 or whatever, as I never stressed the i5 in my old computer. This M1 comfortably exceeds my needs for the foreseeable future.

Turned out to be one of life's easier decisions in my case!
 
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Apple can't find any fault with the computer. I am tired of fighting with the computer & Apple. Because they said it works fine they gave me a great price on a trade in, I ordered a M1 Mac mini, (2 to 3 weeks away). Now I can't find a monitor that will work for me I want 4K and a large color gamut. I think I going to cancel the mini and order the 24" iMac. That way I know it just works. I just need to sleep on it.
 
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Apple can't find any fault with the computer. I am tired of fighting with the computer & Apple. Because they said it works fine they gave me a great price on a trade in, I ordered a M1 Mac mini, (2 to 3 weeks away). Now I can't find a monitor that will work for me I want 4K and a large color gamut. I think I going to cancel the mini and order the 24" iMac. That way I know it just works. I just need to sleep on it.

LG 27-UP850 is an excellent choice if you want 4k with 95% P3 coverage.
 
LG 27-UP850 is an excellent choice if you want 4k with 95% P3 coverage.
As well as LG 32UN880-B if you want 32" with adjustable arm. This one is also 95% P3 gamut.
This model has build in speakers too, not hi-fi speakers obviously but fine for occasional use.
 
I need to replace my 27”iMac and wondering if the 24” will work for me. I use a 24” display @ work all day and don’t seem to mind it. I do sit closer to the display at work.
I had a 27" 2019 i5 iMac with 48GB of RAM and I got a 24" M1 iMac with 16GB of RAM. I couldn't be happier and I do not miss my Intel iMac at all. Of course it all depends on what you want to do with your Mac. If you have scenarios where 32Gb of RAM or more would be better, then better wait.
The screen size difference has been no issue for me. I do sit a bit closer to the display, but I prefer the compact size of the new iMac.
 
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