Apple's M4 iMac: What to Expect

[MacTiki]

The studio display is too large and gives me eyestrain over a day or two.

What is causing the eye strain? Fonts too small? Display to far from eyes? The light from the screen and your surroundings?

Have you tried anti-fatigue eye strain glasses? They are more than just blue blockers. They come in various tints depending on what works best for the wear.

A person often feels a difference as soon as they put them on.

 

[dazzer21-2]

Nope, no fractional scaling! The specific reason I chose 42" is because that gives you 100 dpi. I did NOT get the cheapest 4k I could find. What I have has excellent color and meets my needs.

Well then I'll have [retina display] when 8k 42" monitors come out. You have to be creative to get around Apple's BS.

I have a 27” 1440p screen next to my Studio Display. 109ppi. 42” at 100ppi sounds nightmarish! A two for one of both neck and eye strain. The Studio Display, like the 5K iMac I also have, are pure luxury in comparison.

 

[ric22]

The Studio Display is very nice to look at, but it's hard to get over the fact that it's a lobotomised iMac for the price of an iMac.

 

[turbineseaplane]

The Studio Display is very nice to look at, but it's hard to get over the fact that it's a lobotomised iMac for the price of an iMac.

I also would want a 2nd input at that price point

It's way too inflexible as a display given how expensive it is

 

[cjsuk]

What is causing the eye strain? Fonts too small? Display to far from eyes? The light from the screen and your surroundings?

Have you tried anti-fatigue eye strain glasses? They are more than just blue blockers. They come in various tints depending on what works best for the wear.

A person often feels a difference as soon as they put them on.

It's the size of the screen that's doing it. Moving eyes left to right over the distance is problematic. I can't sit further away either due to the desk organisation.

 

[turbineseaplane]

The studio display is too large and gives me eyestrain over a day or two. Performance-wise I can't tell the difference!

Wow, I'm the total opposite

I find sub 30" monitors to be too small

I use a 65" OLED TV now (have a desk 6-8' away) and absolutely love it

 

[cjsuk]

Wow, I'm the total opposite

I find sub 30" monitors to be too small

I use a 65" OLED TV now (have a desk 6-8' away) and absolutely love it

I mostly work on a small piece of code or a TeX document at a time. Plenty of space.

I built a large chunk of my employer's principal product on a 12" 1280x800 screen too

 

[Algr]

I have a 27” 1440p screen next to my Studio Display. 109ppi. 42” at 100ppi sounds nightmarish! A two for one of both neck and eye strain. The Studio Display, like the 5K iMac I also have, are pure luxury in comparison.

It's exactly like having two monitors, except no divide. I've got the same DPI as you, but twice as many pixels. And I rarely run anything full screen. If I want to watch movies, my chair has wheels.

 

[Tagbert]

The Studio Display is very nice to look at, but it's hard to get over the fact that it's a lobotomised iMac for the price of an iMac.

How do you figure the price of a Studio Display is that of an iMac? The Studio Display starts at $1600. Even several years ago a 27” iMac started around $1800. Electronics prices have gone up quite a lot since then. If Apple were to sell a 27” iMac now, it would probably be closer to $2500. If you get a Studio Display and a Mac Mini the package would be around $2200.

 

[ric22]

How do you figure the price of a Studio Display is that of an iMac?

Cos it costs a little more than the iMac Apple sells currently?

So you pay more, but don't even get a computer, or mouse, or keyboard? All for 3 extra inches? Riiiiiight.

It's not even like they bothered to give it ProMotion or HDR10...

 

[Algr]

How do you figure the price of a Studio Display is that of an iMac? The Studio Display starts at $1600. Even several years ago a 27” iMac started around $1800.

You've answered your own question. What kind of Mac can you get for the $200 difference? And when the Studio Display came out, those previous 27" iMacs were not selling at list price.

 

[Tagbert]

You've answered your own question. What kind of Mac can you get for the $200 difference? And when the Studio Display came out, those previous 27" iMacs were not selling at list price.

But that 27” iMac would not be $1800 now. It would be more like $2500. That is a bigger difference.

 

[Realityck]

But that 27” iMac would not be $1800 now. It would be more like $2500. That is a bigger difference.

It was list $1799 for 2020 model intel i5 CPU 8GB RAM/256GB model, still you could find them nicely discounted and readily add more RAM or switch out the internal SSD.

One can only guess if Apple would have raised it to $2500 (+$700) with a M1 instead? We know the 2021 24" iMac pricing really hasn't changed in the 3 years.

 

[jaehaerys48]

The demise of the 27" iMac has also seen a huge improvement in the choice of "headless" desktops which are really competing for the same market. I wouldn't want to see that sacrificed for an iMac.

I think people overlook this. In the 2000s-2010s the iMac was treated as the default desktop Mac, which came a bit at the expense of the Mac Mini. The Mini was relegated to just being a budget computer. With the transition to Apple silicon this has switched - the iMac has become niche while the Mini (and Studio) have become the default desktop options. I think that was a sensible decision. These days the majority of consumers prefer laptops. Those who do opt for desktops are often more intensive users who prefer the flexibility of being able to pick, choose, and change their monitors at will. The Mini & Studio are simply much better for that.

 

[ric22]

But that 27” iMac would not be $1800 now. It would be more like $2500. That is a bigger difference.

Why? It costs less to make a computer now than 5 years ago. Component costs crashed.

 

[ric22]

I think people overlook this. In the 2000s-2010s the iMac was treated as the default desktop Mac, which came a bit at the expense of the Mac Mini. The Mini was relegated to just being a budget computer. With the transition to Apple silicon this has switched - the iMac has become niche while the Mini (and Studio) have become the default desktop options. I think that was a sensible decision. These days the majority of consumers prefer laptops. Those who do opt for desktops are often more intensive users who prefer the flexibility of being able to pick, choose, and change their monitors at will. The Mini & Studio are simply much better for that.

Apparently the Mini sales are horrendous. I was surprised too. It was discussed in another thread a few days ago. Something like only 1/100 Macs sold is a Mini.

 

[Fomalhaut]

Yep.



Nope. The M4 beats the M1 Max at multi-core, by about 16%.

…which is quite an impressive feat in just 2.5 years!

 

[Fomalhaut]

I've tried using external storage in this way, but Mac OS caused me problems when I tried to use external storage 24/7. It actually bricked an expensive Samsung SSD 😧

interesting! What specific problems did you have, and for which applications?

 

[SactoGuy18]

I still think Apple will offer an M4 Pro option on the new M4 iMacs. The fan cooling design of the current iMac chassis is still capable of cooling the M4 Pro SoC properly, even if the RAM size is as large as 36 GB.

 

[Algr]

I still think Apple will offer an M4 Pro option on the new M4 iMacs.

That's just wishful thinking. We can't know what Apple will do, and whatever it is will benefit them more than us.

 

[deconstruct60]

Yeah all valid points.
But there is some stronger argument in updating the Magic Mouse and Keyboard these days, due to one changed reality: both the keyboard and mouse are supported in iPadOS. There could be incentive there to make the more compatible, like integrating the TouchID function.

"More compatible" .... what in the world does the shape ( not the function, just purely form-over-function) of the charging port on the keyboard have to do with being compatible with the iPad.

It already is.

Magic Keyboard to an iPhone.
" ...
ou can use Magic Keyboard, including Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad, to enter text on iPhone. Magic Keyboard connects to iPhone using Bluetooth®.
...
Note: If Magic Keyboard is already paired with another device, you must unpair them before you can connect Magic Keyboard to your iPhone. Do one of the following:
..."

Pair Magic Keyboard with iPhone

On iPhone, use Magic Keyboard (including Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad) to enter text.

support.apple.com

unlike most of the other 'sane' bluetooth keyboards on the market, you have to decouple the Magic Keyboard from the Mac (or anything else) before you can couple it to the iPad. But it is just as bluetooth keyboard. Many on the market can handle 2-3 different system connections. That is a 'feature' thing; not a compatibility one.


A redundant biometric sensor isn't critical. ( There are some Macs with wake from sleep issues with the TouchID keyboard ... Apple should work out the bugs first, before adding duplicative sensors. )

The main target for the keyboard with TouchID is systems that don't have any biometric sensor.

Magic Mouse already lists iPads in 'compatible' section of webpage.

Magic Trackpad Black Multi Touch Surface - Apple

Apple Store Search Results

www.apple.com

So does Magic Trackpad

Magic Trackpad Black Multi Touch Surface - Apple

Apple Store Search Results

www.apple.com

Don't forget about the Mac Studio and Mac Mini too; though they're not in the box, Apple recommends them when buying on the store. For the Studio and Pro, they sell the black one.

Apple is so busy trying to sell even more upscale "Magic Keyboard (for iPad)" that they really just don't try to mention the more normal "Magic Keyboard" that they overload and clobber the name 'Magic Keyboard'.

"Magic Keyboard "

iPad Keyboards

iPad keyboards provide a great typing experience, full-size keyboard, and durable protection for your iPad.

www.apple.com

​

and

"Magic Keyboard"

Magic Keyboard US English - Apple

Apple Store Search Results

www.apple.com

( Compartibility there explicitly goes through lots of iPhones/iPads/Macs . but also older before Apple launched into this name overload mode. )



But again 'compatibility' where? Studio and Mini have USB-A and USB-C sockets already. They don't use either for power. ( none of the desktop systems do. )

Magic Keyboard with Number Pad

Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad for Mac models with Apple silicon US English Black Keys - Apple

Apple Store Search Results

www.apple.com

currently comes with a USB-C to Lightning cable. If it shipped with a USB-C to USB-C cable the connector on the Mac side of the cable is exactly the same. Nothing hardware wise on the Mac needs to change in the slightest.

Honestly nothing really needs to change at the protocol level either since the charging on keyboard/mouse/trackpad is all USB power protocol standards anyway and USB 2.0 data transfer (where that works). The 'drama' here is entirely form over function. It is just the physical shape of the socket.

Apple's 20-30W power bricks are all modular. The USB-C to Lighting or USB-C to USB-C doesn't mean changing the charger at all. It is just a cable.

 

[deconstruct60]

I still think Apple will offer an M4 Pro option on the new M4 iMacs. The fan cooling design of the current iMac chassis is still capable of cooling the M4 Pro SoC properly, even if the RAM size is as large as 36 GB.

It doesn't physically fit. It has nothing to do with "two fans". The "Pro" has more Memory packages. It is also about a 100mm^2 bigger die. Both of those take up more motherboard surface area room of which there are currently no copious large empty spots.

iFixit Teardown step 7

iMac M1 24" Teardown

Is the new M1 iMac just a silly-sized M1 iPad, a detached-keyboard M1 MacBook, an M1 Mac Mini stretched out like pizza dough? We’ll only know by...

www.ifixit.com

The M4 Pro SoC consumes a larger surface area than the plan M4 . ( all those 'extra' cores. additional RAM package(s). that is more space. More connections to outside TB , memory lanes ... again bigger package. ). That motherboard size paints them into a corner.




This isn't like the Mini where "about half" of the container was empty for the M4 version. The motherboard is restricted to a subset of the 'chin'. (along with speakers and aforementioned two fans. ). There is no room.
[ They could make a different iMac with a much bigger chin. Or they could go back to the old Intel iMac chassis. However, as long as they want to stick with the 'iPad on a stick' design language there really isn't any room. ]

 

[deconstruct60]

For what it's worth, I also note that the M4 line is using ARMv9 instructions as well

The streaming SVE stuff? That appears to be largely a thin facade layered over AMX. That isn't much of a 'revolution'. It is feature they already had but had a proprietary interface. The layered something more standard on top. It is more useful, but that is more so evolutionary.

 

[deconstruct60]

Apparently the Mini sales are horrendous. I was surprised too. It was discussed in another thread a few days ago. Something like only 1/100 Macs sold is a Mini.

This one?

Mac mini and studio comprise 1% of Mac sales

https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/03/06/macbook-pro-and-macbook-air-overwhelmingly-drive-apple-mac-sales/amp/ I figured it was single digit but didn't think it'd be 1%. It also says Mac pro makes up 3%, which is also surprising.

forums.macrumors.com

The CIRP data? Please. Their sampling likely has problems. If look at Amazon sales ranking or BHPhoto or public retailer that will show unit ranking these unit volume rankings don't add up. Those are folks who sell products. CIRP doesn't sell product. And really opaque how they are doing sampling.


The Mac Pro outselling the Mini and Studio combined ... isn't particularly creditable.

Recent Apple presentation said that the MBA 15" is the best selling 15" laptop from anybody.... (coupled to best selling MBA 13" ) and yet MBP sales are outpacing MBA sales. ( the MBP 13 moved up to the substantially higher prices MBP 14" and it sold lots more? Err. really? )


Similarly, last WWDC, the head of Apple marketing at Gruber's meeting makes remark about 'phenomenal' mini sales. And yet CRIP says there are a huge disaster.

Every time Apple gives broad hints at what is the best selling Macs ... CIRP's predictions don't match up. So Apple doesn't know what they are selling? Probably not.

Maybe their sampling for iPhone is better, but their Mac stuff don't much up with either Apple's revenues nor Apple statements.

 

[antonrg]

Yes, this frustrates me too, and is one reason I happily switched to a Studio so hopefully that's the last time it will happen.

When the 5k iMac first came out, there was no standard external display connector that could drive 5k (best you could do was *two* DisplayPort 1.2 cables - and even Thunderbolt 1/2 peripheral controllers could only split off one of those at a time) - so, initially, there was at least some excuse for dropping Target Display Mode. However, as soon as TB3 came out, that could have been rectified.

Also, "target display mode" was a bit of a two-edged sword "green"-wise: you had to have a whole Intel-based Mac running doing nothing - and consuming power (a lot more than Apple Silicon) - just to use it as a display.

You'd think there would be businesses springing up offering to convert old iMacs to displays: there *are* controller boards available to do this if you fancy a bit of DIY and don't mind a slightly messy result. Probably, though, the best thing would be to find a good home for the old iMac as a "going concern" (perhaps installing Windows or Linux on it if it falls out of MacOS support).

However, that's the elephant in the room with right-to-repair: it's great for DIY enthusiasts with time to spare, but otherwise repair is labour intensive and expensive whereas brand new kit assembled by robots and/or in low-wage countries.

I use mine as a media device now for watching films etc. It is still good for my family to use for simple tasks, but I can no longer use it for work (graphic design and video). I upgraded to the new MacBook Pro and will just stick with that from now on. Portability is a big plus, even though the screen is much smaller. It took me a little over a month to truly get used to the smaller screen for work and be truly comfortable with it.