Apple Executives Discuss How Mac Studio Fills the Gap Between iMac and Mac Pro

[alexe]

If Apple listened to customers on what ports to offer, are we really to believe that USB-A ports on the front to accommodate USB-A flash drives which are still ubiquitous was not a common customer request? A desktop really should have room for at least one front-facing USB-A port.

Nah, USB-A should have died a long time ago, and I'm happy that Apple no longer feeds the industry's laziness and inertia.

I, too, have a bunch of USB-A peripherals left, so we're probably in the same boat, but:

1. Ultimately Apple's design choice leads me to buying only USB-C devices, which puts more pressure on the industry to switch to USB-C, which is a good thing.
2. Small USB-C-to-USB-A adaptors are cheap enough to use the devices I already have.
3. I much prefer for my really expensive, once-in-a-decade-investment computer to have future-proof modern ports and to have to use cheap converters to use my outdated USB-A stuff instead, rather than having the outdated ports on my expensive computer and thereby make it less future-proof.

 

[kkclstuff]

THIS. I don't even really care where they put it, just give me a reasonable M1 Pro option to replace my aging 2015 5k Retina iMac. I wouldn't even mind paying a little extra for the screen/computer combo instead of an all in one but I don't need an M1 Max or the price tag that comes with it.

I don't think they'll add a M1 Max to the mini or iMac as it would overlap with Studio sales, but I'm hoping for an M1 Pro option. It's gotta be one or more of these for me to pull the trigger:

M1 Pro Mac Mini w/Studio Display
M1 Pro iMac
M1 Pro Mac Studio

Exactly... Ive been waiting since before 'the transition' to upgrade my 2011 i7 iMac. Excited that I was able to wait for the transition... very disappointed ever since. (Maybe frustrated is a better description)

 

[4jasontv]

The goal of the Mac mini is to present the Mac as cost-effective, but Apple doesn't want to sell it.
The goal of the Mac Pro is to present the Mac as the most powerful device, but Apple doesn't expect to sell it.
The goal of the Mac Studio is to upsell from the mini and appear cheaper than the Pro.

People think the LG C1 is the top-of-the-line TV, but it's not. It's their mid-tier product. Every business does something like this.

The pricing on the Studio is designed to confuse customers into thinking they might need the extra performance, but the price difference is low enough they can justify the better experience. Maximize dollar per sale.

 

[macsteve27]

Yeah, great, but now we have another gap to fill. The price gap. Entry level iMac: $1300. Entry level Mac Studio + Display + Peripherals: $3900.

(1300 + 3900) / 2 = $2600.

Perfect price for an entry level 27" Mini-Led iMac Pro with M1 Max. Hell $3000 would even be fine by me.

I just want an iMac. Everything in one. No cable clutter. A good price. I love the iMac. Had the Bondi blue one from 1998. Had the lamp G4 from 2002. Had the thick one from 2011. Now a 2020, which is still amazing. I hope my next iMac is going to be a powerful M3whatever-chip powered iMac. So Apple, please keep making them.

Anyone else?

I'm with you on this. I prefer the all in one and was hoping to upgrade to an AS version from my 2015 5k Retina iMac. The value of the iMac can't be understated, which is why the "modular" screen + computer ends up feeling like a lot more.

The "high-end" option of the 24" iMac: $1700 (M1)
Entry level Mac Studio + Display + Peripherals: $3900 (M1 Max)

My guess is that around $2300-3000 is the sweet spot for an M1 Pro iMac, if apple decides to make it. Having mini-led could make it more expensive, but here's to hoping for a decent replacement under $3k.

 

[cupcakes2000]

The goal of the Mac mini is to present the Mac as cost-effective, but Apple doesn't want to sell it.
The goal of the Mac Pro is to present the Mac as the most powerful device, but Apple doesn't expect to sell it.
The goal of the Mac Studio is to upsell from the mini and appear cheaper than the Pro.

People think the LG C1 is the top-of-the-line TV, but it's not. It's their mid-tier product. Every business does something like this.

The pricing on the Studio is designed to confuse customers into thinking they might need the extra performance, but the price difference is low enough they can justify the better experience. Maximize dollar per sale.

I’m not sure many people are really as ‘confused’ as you’re making out. If you know what you want then you know what you want. If you don’t - well, the same thing has forever been the issue in buying any system from any manufacturer.

 

[subjonas]

I’m a bit confused about the confusion here. I’ve heard “modular” used many times both in terms of within a computer itself and in terms of the computer + monitor system. I’m surprised tech enthusiasts in these forums aren’t familiar with both usages.
People have been asking Apple to split up the 27” iMac into a monitor + middle power stand-alone desktop forever. It’s just too bad that Apple couldn’t offer both for people who do like the cleanness of an AIO at that size (or bigger)/power. I assume Apple’s market research concluded it wasn’t worth it at the moment.

 

[fontman]

If people have to continue to discuss how it fits into the current offering then obviously there is a shortfall somewhere. Marketing can't solve systemic issues with innovation and design. As example the display that they're providing is not that great considering that they are stating that it is sadly.

 

[smulji]

What do they mean when they say modular? It looks pretty singular to me, but I might be misunderstanding the definition...

If you click on the article this post is referencing, it mentions it (whether you agree with it or not is another story)

"In our convo, Soren noted that there was a clear signal from its creative and pro users that there was a need for a modular system that fell in between the iMac and the Mac Pro. Modular, in this sense, consisting of the Mac Studio offering two levels of M1 chip and a paired Studio Display. "

 

[smulji]

Is modular like when they say the iPhone and iPad Pro have edge-to-edge displays?

Modular to Apple essentially means => BYOKDM (Bring Your own Display, Keyboard and Mouse)

 

[smulji]

So what does modular mean?

BYOKDM (Bring Your Own Keyboard, Display & Mouse)

 

[ct2k7]

BYOKDM (Bring Your Own Keyboard, Display & Mouse)

In one context yes, and in a different context (Mac Pro), it means something completely different.

 

[smulji]

In one context yes, and in a different context (Mac Pro), it means something completely different.

You have to talk to Apple regarding theird definition. In this article and circumstance it means BYOKDM

 

[ct2k7]

You have to talk to Apple regarding theird definition. In this article and circumstance it means BYOKDM

From the presentation, it wasn't immediately obvious to me, simply because they had used that (near?) exact phrasing to describe something else.

 

[4jasontv]

I’m not sure many people are really as ‘confused’ as you’re making out. If you know what you want then you know what you want. If you don’t - well, the same thing has forever been the issue in buying any system from any manufacturer.

Most people don't know what they want.

I don't just mean in a computer. Most people don't know what type of gum they want to chew. They rely on advertising to tell them. Manipulative pricing tiers have just as strategic of a marketing plan as 30 second SuperBowl spots.

 

[InuNacho]

If modular means choosing a monitor that means my 2018 Intel Mini is SUPER DUPER MODULAR with its eGPU.

 

[MacBH928]

Between iMac and iMac PRO?

I thought this this dismantles iMac Pro and its next replacement.

> who want performance and conductivity and a modular system

I wouldn't call a device that isn't upgradeable modular. It's the 2022 iMac but $2k more.

and display-less

 

[rehkram]

Apple need to know that most of us are quite well aware of what "modular" means. Despite their attempt to hijack the English language, we the customers will stick with the actual definition. The only place this is "modular" is in the tiny closed world of Apple's assembly floor. Oh, and also in the departments of Sales & Marketing, Planned Obsolescence and Investor Relations.

And yes, I resent having my intelligence insulted.

 

[Thebrochure]

To borrow from one Mr. James Rolfe: "It's easier taking a dump while doing a handstand than it is writing a professional piece of work on that rectangular wafer of a keyboard."

 

[CPx]

There's still quite a gap that an M1-pro mini with more ports would fill (or a cheaper M1-pro Studio).

 

[tomtad]

That picture is such a mood

 

[chadthemac]

The photo of the user in this marketing photo is so ultra realistic that it could be too honest. They don't seem filled with delight or joy. It also implies they were just having to sit there and wait... just sit there with your head resting on your hand and ponder "should I just go check out MacRumors now while this renders?"

 

[gslrider]

So basically, this is just a suped up Mac Mini with modern connections, or a boxed down version of the iTrashCan. I mean, if you want performance, with no upgradability, that takes up less space. And don’t want to sign away your kidney. I guess this would be good. I just wish they at least added 2 HDMI ports. Or add a Displayport. You know, for those of us that like to use dual monitors. I still prefer my Mac Pro 2010. Still a work horse, and highly upgradable (though mine is upgraded to as much as it will go now). I can’t run beyond Mojave. I figure I have about another 3-4 years, before I really have to consider upgrading to a new Mac system. I’m looking to get the Mac Pro though. But it’s good to know that there is a cheaper alternative. That’s still decent in performance. I just hate proprietary crap.

 

[rehkram]

The photo of the user in this marketing photo is so ultra realistic that it could be too honest. They don't seem filled with delight or joy. It also implies they were just having to sit there and wait... just sit there with your head resting on your hand and ponder "should I just go check out MacRumors now while this renders?"

I wonder if Nike got a licensing cut for the swoosh.

 

[EdT]

The technology for the Studio is (probably) impressive, but in a device that you can’t add memory or swap out for a larger primary drive after purchase I don’t think that the word modular is really applicable. You can replace the monitor, but not if you are buying an Apple branded one because right now there’s only one, the Studio Monitor. Unless something else has changed I guess you can re-use your mouse and keyboard, but after the initial rush I think that the price will limit sales. A $4-500 adder I can see, and If there were multiple monitors so that the total cost was around $2500-2700 including a monitor (one that’s 27 inch with none of the bells and whistles for sound) I think that the screaming would be minimal, but $3700 and up isn’t a replacement. It’s a steep price increase even if it has impressive performance, it’s a new level not a replacement.

 

[EdT]

His definition basically comes down to a hand waving argument. It's valid because it's valid.

His definition is that the cpu/memory/hard drive are one module, the keyboard is another, the monitor is also separate, so those parts are modular. The memory and the CPU aren’t, but that’s true for all Apple series M processor computers, laptops included.