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

[Juicy Box]

I wonder if a M1 iMac will just be a quiet release?

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.

That was my thinking.

Unless it is a redesign or there is a significant improvement over the existing M1 Macs, a M1 iMac event would just be telling us stuff we already know and HW that we have already seen.

 

[GadgetBen]

I told you!

I said yesterday that Apple are splitting their iMac lineup just like the iPad Pro.

If you want a top performance iMac you won't be able to configure it.

New iMacs - to be launched with limited configuration in a variety of colours like the image that has been widely shared.

New iMac Pro - to be launched with top spec configuration and premium finish.

 

[The Barron]

No way I would buy a Fusion drive.

The fusion drive is dead. 👍

 

[Bug-Creator]

[Fusion Drive]

They're cheap and high capacity.

At which point? The point that Apple is charging for bigger SSD? Yes.

The point where you buy a small SSD+HD at bulk prices vs. a basic 1TB SSD? Doubt it.

 

[The Barron]

Probably doing away with 21.5 inch displays. They are becoming a thing of the past.

Let's see a new 24" iMac.

 

[adamw]

Make way for the M1/M2-series iMacs!!

 

[ColdShadow]

Can’t wait for M1 iMac.
iMac is Apple’s best product imo.
I just hope they don’t mess up the amazing iconic design,just removing those huge bezel around display and some tweaking will be more than enough.
It already looks near perfect.

 

[Falhófnir]

I got a feeling we may have a press release of the iPad with a Mac event come April...

I would think this implies the opposite (if anything can be read into it at all) - A March event which could have showed off both has been scrapped, and instead an M series iMac gets a press release in the next couple of weeks, with the iPads pushed back indeterminately if Kuo is right and production will only begin towards the end of next month.

 

[Zdigital2015]

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.

I’m sure they are diverting NAND to the 27” model as it sells better anyways. I suspect they have the 23” ready to go, but are trying to stockpile parts for it now as they start assembly.

 

[James Godfrey]

I would think this implies the opposite (if anything can be read into it at all) - A March event which could have showed off both has been scrapped, and instead an M series iMac gets a press release in the next couple of weeks, with the iPads pushed back indeterminately if Kuo is right and production will only begin towards the end of next month.

No event has been scrapped, as there was no event planned, but there is still the possibility of a press release on Tuesday.

 

[terminator-jq]

There was a rumor not too long ago that the M1 iMacs are actually ready to ship... With all of these products getting discontinued and the iMac ARM 64 showing up in crash logs, it makes me think that rumor may be factual.

I think we may see at least 1 new iMac before WWDC. Probably a base model 24” with the standard M1. My guess is the M1-X models will show up at WWDC.

I must say... Apples Mac lineup sure is a mess right now. Other than the MacBook Air, 13” Pro and Mac mini, I can’t recommend any of the other products. We are stuck playing the waiting game

 

[Homy]

Also there is no option to select another drive configuration on the entry level 27ˋ 5K iMac. Only 256GB SSD available here in Germany.

There never has been such an option.

 

[JPSaltzman]

How long are they going to keep pushing that Fusion Drive fiasco? A 64 or 128 or 512 GB SSD married to (no doubt) an extremely slow 5400 rpm Hard Disk platter. Any Mac OS after Mavericks just can't handle glacial speed of the Hard Disk

I'm sure there's a few new iMacs out there with a couple of USB-2 ports, as well.

By the way, once upon a time the original Lightning Connector was nothing more than a fancied-up USB-2 cable ... i.e., slow slow slow when it came to transferring or updating files. I haven't seen any documentation that says the Lightning Connector cable is USB-3 yet (I'm sure I missed the announcement if Apple did). Maybe it is. How do you find out?

 

[DinkThifferent]

I definitely believe something is about to happen! One of the largest retailers in The Netherlands has a rare Apple-discount weekend. With a lot of 2020 iPads, iMac’s and MacBooks on sale. That doesn’t happen a lot (unfortunately) But when it does often Apple launches new stuff soon after.

 

[Jay-Jacob]

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.

My late 2013 iMac also have 1TB fusion drive and still work perfectly no problems. Back then it was good choice storage size with price and speed of SSD. It is my first iMac (not first Mac). No regrets. I defo wouldn't pick fusion drive now since it quite outdated, will be SSD only. Nothing wrong with picking fusion drive back in 2013 and few years after that.

 

[rp2011]

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. Not to mention the upcoming iPad Pro which would also bring M1 performance with far more versatility than a desktop or a laptop.

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.

 

[dogslobber]

Getting rid of Intel iMacs from the supply chain. Tim might be a PC guy but he's a supply chain guy first.

 

[gnasher729]

No way I would buy a Fusion drive.

Why not? Combining fast expensive storage and huge cheap storage gives you the best of both worlds. Given the choice of 5TB SSD or 256 GB SSD + 5TB HDD, with your spouse watching your bank account, what would you prefer?

 

[gnasher729]

M1 iMac? Nonsense. It will be an M-series like M1X or M2.

It will be called M1. Next year will be M2 with 4+4, 8+4, 12+4 cores, and M10 in 2030 or so.

But also lots of iMac users will be just fine with the current chips.

 

[ikramerica]

I was thinking that the new iMacs wouldn’t launch until late summer or early fall, but all recent signs have pointed to an imminent launch.... Here’s to hoping they come at the rumored April event!

Yep. And it won’t be a high end. Which is why they are discontinuing both the iMac Pro and iMac 21.5.
I see an April launch of both Gen 11 Intel iMac 27” with only high-end chips for pro users who need eGPU, memory expansion, Intel chips, etc. and an M1 iMac 24” with same core specs as mini but higher clock speeds, with same ports and limitations. For a consumer level machine, it “just works.”

 

[Bug-Creator]

It will be called M1.

IF all iMacs with the A14based SoC will be at the loweend than yes it will be a "M1".

IF the release something beefier based on that IP it will called "M1X".

IF a new iMac used the IP that will form the A15 later this year than it might very well be called "M2" (don't think that is likely to happen, but can't be ruled out).

 

[Falhófnir]

Why not? Combining fast expensive storage and huge cheap storage gives you the best of both worlds. Given the choice of 5TB SSD or 256 GB SSD + 5TB HDD, with your spouse watching your bank account, what would you prefer?

Only they don't offer 5TB fusion drives, the SSD portion is 32GB not 256GB and unlike with a Windows dual drive set up (which arguably does offer the best of both) you don't get to choose what goes where.

 

[Realityck]

The general consensus of this is the start of inventory reduction of existing 21” iMac inventory is likely correct before model refresh. This 21” size was not as attractive as the 27” spec wise. Yes used for EDU, lower cost buyers.

 

[glenthompson]

My late 2013 iMac also have 1TB fusion drive and still work perfectly no problems. Back then it was good choice storage size with price and speed of SSD. It is my first iMac (not first Mac). No regrets. I defo wouldn't pick fusion drive now since it quite outdated, will be SSD only. Nothing wrong with picking fusion drive back in 2013 and few years after that.

I agree. We got the 3tb fusion drive for my wife's 2017 iMac because she needed the space and the cost of SSD only was prohibitive. With the 128gb SSD in the 2 and 3tb models, performance is quite good with a high hit rate on the SSD. The smaller SSD on the 1tb can be a performance problem with some workflows.

I'm looking to get an M based iMac but which depends on the offerings. For me a 24" screen would be ideal. I find the 27" just a bit large. Ideally I'd prefer a wider screen without so much height, maybe a 20:9 ratio. I find it easier to work side t side than up and down. My preferred configuration is 16gb ram and a 1tb SSD.

 

[munpip214]

I have always been disappointed with Apple storage line up since every year instead of reducing prices they increase performance. Sure you get something crazy fast, but does it really need to be that much faster next year? We should have options of multiTB storage that don’t cost thousands of dollars