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Adelphos33

macrumors 68000
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Mar 13, 2012
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I had an M1 iMac. Given recent history, I was guessing the iMac would not be updated for a couple of years after they introduced M3. So I upgraded, namely for more storage. But now - Apple is allegedly releasing an M4 iMac later this year? I could have waiter for that. These Apple Silicon release cadences are starting to confused me
 
I’m finally ready to replace my tricked-out 2017 27” iMac later this year, but I’m not sure wether to go with a new iMac, or a Mac Studio with display.
 
I had an M1 iMac. Given recent history, I was guessing the iMac would not be updated for a couple of years after they introduced M3. So I upgraded, namely for more storage. But now - Apple is allegedly releasing an M4 iMac later this year? I could have waiter for that. These Apple Silicon release cadences are starting to confused me
Maybe this means they will do something significant with the M4 iMac? I mean, last year all they did was take the existing Apple Silicon iMacs and replace the M1 chip with an M3. While it is a noticeable internal change (leading to a fairly big performance boost over the previous model), it wasn't that big a difference.
 
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I do not think moving the M3 iMac to M4 will produce earth shattering advances. We always get huge promises that fall short . . . .
 
I’m finally ready to replace my tricked-out 2017 27” iMac later this year, but I’m not sure wether to go with a new iMac, or a Mac Studio with display.
I went through the same question when I bought my M3 iMac but when I looked at what I really was using the computer for, the MacStudio was overkill. It is a lot of money that can be used on the new iPad Pro 13" or the iPhone 16 or BOTH . . . my M3 iMac is exceeding my demands and takes little room on the desktop.
 
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I went through the same question when I bought my M3 iMac bit when I looked at what I really was using the computer for, the MacStudio was overkill. It is a lot of money that can be used on the new iPad Pro 13 or the iPhone 16 or BOTH . . . The M3 iMac is exceeding my demands
Yeah I’m leaning towards the iMac too. The most strenuous thing I do is a bit of casual 1080p/1440p video editing in FCPX. My current iMac has been lagging in this regard for a few years now, so I guess even a current iMac would chomp through that without even breathing.

That should see me though another 5-7 years.
 
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Yeah I’m leaning towards the iMac too. The most strenuous thing I do is a bit of casual 1080p/1440p video editing in FCPX. My current iMac has been lagging in this regard for a few years now, so I guess even a current iMac would chomp through that without even breathing.

That should see me though another 5-7 years.

I use Elements all the time on images exceeding 60mb and my M3 does not even hesitate. I suggest getting the 16gb RAM but I have a friend who has only 8gb on his M3 iMac and it seems just as fast in Elements. I am expecting good service from my M3 for years to come!
 
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I had an M1 iMac. Given recent history, I was guessing the iMac would not be updated for a couple of years after they introduced M3. So I upgraded, namely for more storage. But now - Apple is allegedly releasing an M4 iMac later this year? I could have waiter for that. These Apple Silicon release cadences are starting to confused me
Yes, you could have waited for the next update, but if you are happy with the M3 iMac then why do you care? Your M3 iMac won't suddenly stop working when its successor arrives. Looking at the iMac release history, I wouldn't expect to see an update for quite some time.
 
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