Apple Announcements Recap: M4 iMac, Mac Mini, and MacBook Pro

[Billy_Bob]

Is anyone else here hoping that there will be a Thursday or Friday announcement of a new 8K Pro Display to make full use of the new M4 capabilities? And, if so, will we see a 6K display remaining at a price point between the 5K Studio Display and the new 8K display? Crossing my fingers...

 

[Chazak]

No M4 MacBook Air? lol typical.

Not at all typical and nobody should be surprised. The M4 schedule was talked about and reported on endlessly for 9-12 months at least. The last update of the MBA was March 2024, seven and a half months ago..

 

[SicTransitGloriaMundi]

i have to say: i don't like the pre-recorded videos compared to live keynotes from days of old, but spreading announcements over a couple of days is even worse.

 

[Chazak]

16GB base RAM is an improvement but 256GB base storage and 1Gb ethernet are garbage when rest of industry are at 1TB storage and 2.5Gb ethernet base. And, the upgrade prices are a disgrace.

Anyone thinking of buying one of the new MacBook Pro configurations always has the option to buy from the rest of the industry if they don't like Apple's business decisions or policies.

 

[Tymbo]

Are there updates planned for tomorrow?

 

[goobot]

So the studio still comes with lightning accessories?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

comparing last years 16 inch m3 max 8tb 128gb variant -- other than the nano screen which i dont care for and tb5, is there much reason to grab this new model?

There's seldom a compelling reason to upgrade from one-model prior, other than exceptional circumstances like the Intel to Apple Silicon change.

No different here. I'd consider a M4 Max if my M1 Max were getting too slow (which it's not). I did get a M4 Pro Mac mini to replace my M1, though.

 

[joloriquelme]

It will be interesting to see if my 2021 M1 Pro 14" MBP base model can compete with the M4 14" MBP base model.

I need to upgrade from 512 GB to 1 TB and I don't use the GPU for graphic demanding tasks, but I love the overall speed of my Mac, the 120 Hz ProMotion, and the form factor, and it would be very useful to me better battery life.

Hoping for benchmarks and tests comparing those two models.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Now if we could just get rid of the 256 and 512 drives and start at a TB without the dramatic price hikes…

Why fail to offer cheaper smaller drives? Many people even with heavy workflows use the cloud and/or external storage rather than internal.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

comparing last years 16 inch m3 max 8tb 128gb variant -- other than the nano screen which i dont care for and tb5, is there much reason to grab this new model?

No, there seldom is a good reason to upgrade for one single generation like M3 to M4.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

It will be interesting to see if my 2021 M1 Pro 14" MBP base model can compete with the M4 14" MBP base model.

I need to upgrade from 512 GB to 1 TB and I don't use the GPU for graphic demanding tasks, but I love the overall speed of my Mac, the 120 Hz ProMotion, and the form factor, and it would be very useful to me better battery life.

Hoping for benchmarks and tests comparing those two models.

IMO base RAM is seldom appropriate, but in response to your query a 16 GB RAM base model M4 will be a much smoother operating Mac than an 8 GB RAM base model M1. Especially as apps move to more AI and 3D usage the doubled RAM and hardware ray tracing will be beneficial.

 

[xSushi]

NEW DISPLAY WHEN!? 😩

 

[mschmalenbach]

One more reason to not buy the Mac Studio it would seem?

And no WiFi 7?

 

[kurtfoster]

Still waiting for a 31 or 32” iMac.

 

[coolfactor]

Anybody else getting new Mac fatigue? One day of new Macs is great, two days of new Macs is good, three days of new Macs is overkill.

I love this new mini-keynote feature! Hope we see more of this, since it's presently unique to Apple, so it's how they can distinguish themselves and keep the headlines flowing.

 

[coolfactor]

One more reason to not buy the Mac Studio it would seem?

And no WiFi 7?

How supported is WiFi 7 in the marketplace?

As for Mac Studio... it's a weird product placement.... a super-Mini? If and when they do upgrade it, it will come with the M4 Max and M4 Ultra configurations. We haven't yet heard about the Ultra.

 

[svish]

Happy to see the bright colours of the iMac is retained. Very glad that the Pink is actually pink and not red like before. The increase in RAM to 16 GB for the base models across Mac lineup is fantastic news.

 

[carlsson]

The people want a bigger iMac!

 

[MrWillie]

Why fail to offer cheaper smaller drives? Many people even with heavy workflows use the cloud and/or external storage rather than internal.

Because the cost difference is negligible, and if you’re working with larger files, say raw video, well…

 

[Mother Nature]

comparing last years 16 inch m3 max 8tb 128gb variant -- other than the nano screen which i dont care for and tb5, is there much reason to grab this new model?

Unless you're a maniac, no.

 

[Jeroeno]

I'm currently using a late 2015 27" iMac primarily for Lightroom and Photoshop. I've noticed that it’s starting to feel slow, with adjustments in Lightroom and Photoshop not being as smooth as they used to be. I'm also experiencing delays when loading photos into the catalog.

Do you think the new Mac mini would be sufficient for these tasks, or would it be better for me to wait for the Mac Studio with the M4 chip?

Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Neil J. Squillante]

Key enhancements in the new M4 Pro and M4 Max MacBook Pro models include:

• Three Thunderbolt 5 ports with speeds up to 120 Gb/s and support for native DisplayPort 2.1 output.
  
• Improved Liquid Retina XDR display with nano-texture glass option for enhanced viewing in bright environments.

Good article but the M4 base model has the same display as the M4 Pro and M4 Max models, including the Nano Texture option.

 

[drmacnut]

I'm currently using a late 2015 27" iMac primarily for Lightroom and Photoshop. I've noticed that it’s starting to feel slow, with adjustments in Lightroom and Photoshop not being as smooth as they used to be. I'm also experiencing delays when loading photos into the catalog.

Do you think the new Mac mini would be sufficient for these tasks, or would it be better for me to wait for the Mac Studio with the M4 chip?

Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

I'd say buy a previous-generation refurbed iMac on a VESA mount —even the M1's will blow your mind when compared with your 2015 Intel iMac— with as much RAM as you can afford, and add to it an Apple Studio Display on a VESA mount as well. You'll love it!

Second best would be a refurbished MacMini with RAM in the 24 to 64 GB range and an ASD on a VESA arm.

All the best.

 

[polyphenol]

I'm currently using a late 2015 27" iMac primarily for Lightroom and Photoshop. I've noticed that it’s starting to feel slow, with adjustments in Lightroom and Photoshop not being as smooth as they used to be. I'm also experiencing delays when loading photos into the catalog.

Do you think the new Mac mini would be sufficient for these tasks, or would it be better for me to wait for the Mac Studio with the M4 chip?

Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

Partner has a 27" iMac bought new in 2016 and, when new, it seemed incredibly fast. She uses it for graphics but not video.

Has now updated to a 24" iMac M3. And it is a different universe in terms of performance. The extra screen size of a 27" would be nice but she doesn't have a problem with the 24" and it means she can now use it in another room.

She has an M1 MBP so was already aware the difference the Apple Silicon can make.

Not saying whether you should go mini or studio. But just the change to an M3/M4 will be very significant.

 

[voiceprint101]

anyone receive the new mac mini yet? was not sure if the available date is real or a safe bet type date?