Apple Announces Redesigned iMac With M1 Chip and Seven Color Options

[brewcitywi]

So many negative responses! I think I see a Silver option, maybe they didn't feature it in the presentation. Also, the 24" iMac version seems to be marketed to the demographic who bought the original iMac with Jony Ive years ago. It seems to be the entry level iMac, even though the specs on the top two would be fine for professionals who work with vector graphics more than motion or 3D.

I get the complaints about the chin, especially after it was one of the predicted features. I also feel like the white bezels are a little strange.

If you are interested in the $1,299 version, it's obviously going to lack features. I've never been able to purchase that version, especially when I see the features of the upper tier.

Finally, I didn't notice that they only announced the 24" version today. So, I think it's reasonable to expect that the larger iMac, and/or a new iMac Pro, might have more of the features you expect. Maybe the chin can go, or be reduced. Maybe there will be more obvious colors like sliver and space gray. Maybe the bezels are more muted. Who knows.

But, it gets a little old to read thousands of negative comments, not 5 minutes after the presentation ends.

I know the predictions were out there weeks in advance, but the latest guesses were that we might not see much more than a new iPad and AirTags. If you can say something negative, maybe Apple rushed this basic iMac out there, just to establish the M1 chip.

 

[Stephen.R]

Thank God USB-A is finally banished from the iMac. It’s 2021, not 1998.

That, and the weird Ethernet power brick hint that the “more ports and MagSafe” rumour about laptops may just be a brick (this same brick) with Ethernet.

how I will howl with laughter if the legacy port whiners get Ethernet and still no USB-A.

 

[smaffei]

they really made sure that these would not be taken seriously by adult users and businesses. it's and opinion, but old imacs looked much more professional.

Yet, Apple sold tons of colored iMacs back in the day. So, your point is?

 

[mrhick01]

Agree with you on that, who uses 24" any longer...

This is an update of the 21.5". That's the main thing.

This is NOT the 27" replacement.

Apple told us how they were going to roll these out over a 2-year period. For those who are paying attention, none of the product schedule is a surprise. Apple is going to milk the M1 for all that it is worth, then wow the tech world with the Pro line of processors starting later this year...they're building up the anticipation.

 

[gnasher729]

Thank God USB-A is finally banished from the iMac. It’s 2021, not 1998.

That’s just stupid. Do you think I should replace my scanner, printer, second keyboard and mouse (the ones in front of the other monitor) and my CD reader because it’s 2021?

 

[johnmarki]

This is a great option for a family/education machine. I think they should've went all the way retro, and named it the eMac for some nostalgia. I'm happy for those that are excited by this, and look forward to seeing its adoption. I'll be patiently impatiently waiting for the PRO version... (maybe forever)...hopefully with an more mature design, proper Silver/Black colorway ( or wishful-thinking colorway of space black!) and announcement in June

 

[SactoGuy18]

It’s obvious that they will sell darker colors with a black frame for the 32” M1X/M2 iMac (pro) in the fall.

I think the iMac Pro with Apple Silicon will only be available in Space Gray and Silver only for a more "professional" look.

 

[smbu2000]

It's $200 for those 2 ports and they re-enable a GPU core they disabled, but its the same chip.

It's like buying a bunch of bananas and the grocery store saying you can get it for a few cents cheaper if we smash 2 of them. Or if you bought a car and they said they'd give you a discount if they smashed in 4 doors, hood and trunk.

For $200 you get the extra 2 usb-c ports, gigabit ethernet and the newer keyboard with touch id as well as the 8 core GPU M1.

The upgraded 8 core gpu costs an extra $50 going by the pricing on the Macbook Air. Base model MBA (256GB) has the 7core gpu M1 for $999. The 8 core gpu MBA with 512GB costs $1249. You can upgrade the base model to 512GB for $200 while still keeping the 7core gpu M1 for $1199 total. A difference of $50.

 

[Kylo83]

To me they look cheap the old iMac style looks more pro

 

[MJaP]

#iPadonastick

 

[Steve121178]

Given that every iMac from 2011 has had 2 Thunderbolt ports, 4 USB A ports and an SD card reader - they are not "Pro" features

SD card readers in 2021 when people use a whole range of media cards? Never was going to happen. Just get a USB-C media card reader! I don't understand why people get so upset over an issue that's so easily remedied.

 

[Stephen.R]

That’s just stupid. Do you think I should replace my scanner, printer, second keyboard and mouse (the ones in front of the other monitor) and my CD reader because it’s 2021?

No. You should accept that USB-A is a legacy port.

With that many devices you’ll need a hub anyway, so just change the cable from the hub to the computer.

 

[alexandr]

Yet, Apple sold tons of colored iMacs back in the day. So, your point is?

yea, and then they sold even more imacs that were not colored, so what is your point?

 

[ikramerica]

All you people who think a business wouldn’t buy colors?

fedex wouldn’t buy purple and orange? Or Southwest airlines?

Maybe UPS is holding out for zune brown though...

 

[_z_]

Here's my take:

With the chin and bezels retained, they needed to make it more distinctive to stand out from the existing model as they promote their new M1 line. The colors and white bezels certainly do that, for better or worse. I'd expect the upcoming iMac Pro models to have a black bezel, although I think the nicest look would have been to make the bezel aluminum and color match it to the rest of the housing. On the forthcoming Pro models, you'd then have a space gray (and maybe silver?) frame which would be less distracting for professional work.

One of the nice things about the old iMac design with the black bezels, though, was when the display was off/asleep, the display flowed seamlessly into the bezels, making it look like one continuous piece. At least the bezels appear to be less than half as wide as they used to be.

As for the chin, I think it is part of the distinctive iMac image and it's something I can live with as long as they use that space for good speakers (because if I was okay with desktop clutter, I'd just get the mini). Because all the ports (except the headphone jack) are still on the back, it also gives you something to grab onto to turn it around without getting fingerprints on the display.

I know people relentlessly lambast Apple's drive for thinness on a desktop, but I think it looks nice and it does reduce the raw material usage and weight considerably. I've seen people carry around iMacs as portables to coffee shops, etc., so that crowd will certainly be pleased, LOL. It will also make it easier to carry in for service and should reduce freight/shipping costs for Apple.

I've been waiting for 3 years for an iMac with a display larger than 27" to upgrade my 2012 iMac, but since I also still need Bootcamp, it looks like now I'll be waiting for that in whatever form it eventually takes, if any (assuming the iMac Pro with a 30"/32" display is released later this year).

 

[citysnaps]

Waited 10 years for an iMac redesign. That is the best Apple can do? What a disaster...

1- White bezels? Really?
2- Big ugly chin! I rather have a thicker iMac with a thinner Chin.
3- Only 8Gb upgradable to 16? We are in 2021. 16 should be default, upgradable to 32 at least.
4- No 28-30" Version. That is a big no-no. I cannot replace my current 27 with a smaller one.
5- Not able to adjust the vertical level. Still after waiting 10 years not able to do that is pathetic.
6- Same processor than the iPad. Is the iMac now an iPad with a big monitor?
6- Ugly colors are a question of taste. Still no space gray or black option.

Once again, Apple design is NOT up to the year we are in 2021.

I guess I have to keep waiting.

Or...rather than be unhappy for another 10 years, take a look at Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer, etc and find happiness.

 

[gnasher729]

It's nice but I want at least 27 inches. I'm waiting for ports and external monitor support information. This isn't a bad system and the sound system looks really promising.

Then go and buy 27 inches. With any Intel processor to give you a cozy warm feeling. That’s the one thing that M1 can’t do.

 

[Andrea Filippini]

I have seen the new iMac presentation during the live event...
"My disappointment is immeasurable, and my day is ruined." [citation needed]
Anyway, the design is horrible. Thin but horrible the same.
A variety of colors personalization without the real hardware personalization.
A maximum memory of 16 GB RAM on a iMac is simply intolerable in 2021.
Surely faster performance than previous generation, but it's literally a shame.
Is also the storage soldered to the logic board? Because the entry level 256 GB SSD (estimated 150 TBW) is ridiculous considering the high data written on macOS Big Sur with Apple Silicon Chip.
Nice magic keyboard with touch ID and nice screen size if you went from 21.5-inch model (new mixed resolution with 4.5K but no 8K version?) but where is the innovation? Cooling system (does somebody really perceive the fan noise in the previous iMac?)? No frontal Apple logo to avoid distraction during work? External ethernet port?
Personally, I see only a giant iPad with an integrated display support. Basically a plastic toy.
And for last, but no less important, iMac no repairable.
Yeah I think I will remain with my Apple Intel machines for a long time.

 

[JuicelessMango]

I was really looking forward to these but now I don't really know what to think. I wanted to buy a new desktop computer so I didn't have to use my windows machine outside of gaming but.... 24 inch screen is really disappointing and those white bezels...why couldn't they just color match them to the color of the iMac?

 

[ChineseBots]

The white panel mixed with colored chin reminds me of iPod nano. Overall it looks like something Ive would design and I love it.

 

[zedsdead]

And now we know why apple waited 10 years to change the design, they had nothing better.

 

[Lemon Olive]

Makes sense, a throwback to the iMac Pro concept.

Hardly a throwback, it will literally be an iMac Pro.

 

[snorkelman]

To be fair if they'd brought this out as the first of the M1 models, then folks would have raved about it regardless of colors and bezel I dare say that the display will be very nice, but as the fourth M1 model it doesn't really bring that much more to the party

That said still a worthwhile upgrade to the existing 21

 

[mig0]

The entry level specs are as expected, 8gb/256gb ram and storage respectively, same as the mac mini. Surprised no black or darker colors.

 

[TomOSeven]

No. You should accept that USB-A is a legacy port.

With that many devices you’ll need a hub anyway, so just change the cable from the hub to the computer.

Look how green our company is, now kindly toss out all the electronics you have that still use USB-A, even if they still have years of usable life in them, so the backside of our desktop doesn't have to look slightly less appealing.