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Apple Discontinues 512GB and 1TB SSD Configurations of 4K 21.5-inch iMac

Apple_Robert said:
That is a good thought. Apple has already explained their new chip. There is really no need to rehash the same type information with an hour video. The last presentation was entirely too long, in my opinion.
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That is a potentially a press release if they aren't redesigning the iMacs and they're just swapping out the CPU/GPU/RAM with M1.

But the rumors are modest redesign with M1X silicon, which will be slightly different from M1. Apple would want to take the chance to talk about how much faster it is compared to previous Intel models and how it is improved since M1.
Frankl2 said:
Non-snark question: Would Apple announce an M1 iMac if they didn't have the chips to satisfy initial demand?
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Yes, they've done it before with iPhones. There was some mentions that Apple cut down on iPad production and strips them to maintain iPhone supply a few times in the past.

Also, keep in mind they released M1 Mac mini, MBP and MBA last fall with the chip shortage in place.

Another thing is, Apple pre-orders a massive share of their fab supply years in advance. TMSC chip shortages aren't affecting Apple as much as others, plus Apple's on 5nm process node that most folks aren't requiring yet for their designs.

On the other hand, if there's a redesign with new tech like mini leds or something, then there is a potential supply restraint from the new tech, not chip shortage.
 
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All the hate for Fusion drives? I have a late 2013 iMac 14,2 with a 1TB Fusion drive and eight years later it’s still performing perfectly. DriveDX reports the SSD part still has 60% life left. My iMac boots Catalina very fast because of the Fusion drive.
 
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MikhailT said:
That is a potentially a press release if they aren't redesigning the iMacs and they're just swapping out the CPU/GPU/RAM with M1.

But the rumors are modest redesign with M1X silicon, which will be slightly different from M1. Apple would want to take the chance to talk about how much faster it is compared to previous Intel models and how it is improved since M1.


Yes. Keep in mind they released M1 Mac mini, MBP and MBA last fall with the chip shortage in place.


Note to mention, Apple pre-orders a massive share of their fab supply years in advance. TMSC chip shortages aren't affecting Apple as much as others, plus Apple's on 5nm process node that most folks aren't requiring yet for their designs.
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Valid point. Apple could also release and then post videos on their site and YouTube.

I am not in the market for an iMac but, I certainly understand the eager hope and anticipation of being able to tap the blue "buy it now" button.
 
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Frankl2 said:
Non-snark question: Would Apple announce an M1 iMac if they didn't have the chips to satisfy initial demand?
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They do have (near?)exclusive right to that 5nm fab so I don't expect them to have a massive shortage on those.

They also probraly started production of the M1X variants weeks or even months ago and even the iMacs itself (depending on launch date) so they will have huge stock.
If that stock and the configurations that stock is in will match up to demand is another question.


And now please :apple: could you mark all SpaceGrey MacMinis as "discontinued"?
 
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vertical smile said:
I wonder if a M1 iMac will just be a quiet release?


I remember a few years back, there were many threads with people asking when Apple was going to update the iMac Pro. My thoughts back then were that the iMac Pro was an one-time release, a stop-gap until the Mac Pro.

Looks like that might be the case.
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I actually thought Apple specifically said that they care about the pro community when they launched the iMac Pro, and that it is their temporary answer to their demands while admitting they are committed and more was to come? (Aka the later Mac Pro)
 
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lkrupp said:
All the hate for Fusion drives? I have a late 2013 iMac 14,2 with a 1TB Fusion drive and eight years later it’s still performing perfectly. DriveDX reports the SSD part still has 60% life left. My iMac boots Catalina very fast because of the Fusion drive.
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No hate here. Why would I want a hybrid drive and risk unnecessary problems down the line, when I can afford a real SSD?
 
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Spock said:
I find it odd that they discontinued the 1 TB SSD option and still kept that damn fusion drive, I bet has something to do with the chip shortage AND a redesign.
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a) all Intel-iMacs will be discontinued soon and they don't have any with a 1TB SSD in stock

b) most Intel-iMacs will be discontinued soon and they only plan to keep a few select configs
 
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macmyworld said:
The M1 MacBook Air is very hard to find in stock right now
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Not at my store! We've even got CTOs models, 512gb, 1TB available to dispatch within the week. This is the UK though, but we're £50-£100 cheaper than Apple direct too.
 
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Seems to indicate some sort of lineup change incoming. Unless the 21.5" just isn't selling well (and especially BTO machines) for being outdated/ everyone waiting for an M series redesign?

Hat Tric said:
Also there is no option to select another drive configuration on the entry level 27ˋ 5K iMac. Only 256GB SSD available here in Germany.
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I *think* that's been the case since they were last refreshed?
 
obamtl said:
There’re not out of stock though. They’re discontinued, meaning Apple no longer intends to sell them.
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It likely is chip shortage related overlapping with new iMac M1(X?) systems (among others) in the pipeline that they are holding supplies to support. I suspect those systems will likely be SSD only.
 
macmyworld said:
If the M1 iMac is 2nd half of this year. This makes no sense. 512GB is a great option so they must be predicting long-term chip shortages. The M1 MacBook Air is very hard to find in stock right now, so Apple is obviously struggling like others for parts.
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Maybe if they stop putting scarce parts in old machines, they'll have them for the new ones (which makes sense to me).

What if they're announcing the M1 iMac next week? This makes a lot of sense! (And fits your "if-then" as an "else")
 
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Frankl2 said:
Non-snark question: Would Apple announce an M1 iMac if they didn't have the chips to satisfy initial demand?
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Apple used to have a history of announcing and starting to sell things (particularly iThings) that sold like hotcakes for a week or two, and then customers had to wait weeks before taking delivery while the supply and logistics chains caught up. Some felt that helped stoke demand, but there's only so many potential customers you can deny instant gratification to before it begins to hurt sales. Tim Cook clearly abhors vacuums in supply as much as he does overstock, which is why, for instance, we saw some delayed product announcements last year. Of course, demand can always exceed internal estimates, even in a pandemic, even for $549 headphones.
 
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panthro100 said:
Hurry up M1 iMac!
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I think it will look very nice, but I do not think an entry level M1 iMac it will sell very well in this day and age where portability is key for budget conscious students and the average consumer.
Especially when a MacBook Air will have very similar performance but at a lower price and with the added portability. And also as M1 Mac Mini already exists.

On the other hand, I think a higher performance MX iMac would probably do much better with content creators and professionals with dedicated work spaces.
 
Anson_431 said:
I actually thought Apple specifically said that they care about the pro community when they launched the iMac Pro, and that it is their temporary answer to their demands while admitting they are committed and more was to come? (Aka the later Mac Pro)
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They may have said this, but I don't recall them saying that it was it was temporary.
 
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