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Apple's M4 iMac: What to Expect

Recently dusted off the old iMac 24 M1 for an intern & was surprised how nice it still was. With 3,5 kg, ultimate portability and a screen almost on par with the Studio it is quite okay for most everyday tasks in Adobe CC, the MBA for the desktop. If Apple gave us an M4(Max) with 24GB/2TB and 27 or more inches, it would be the perfect sleek machine for those in the team that do not do video/audio/3D. Instant buy to replace the old iMac Pros.
 
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deconstruct60 said:
The iMac already has USB-C sockets and does NOT need the USB-C sockets for power.(there is proprietary magnetic plug that EU hasn't meddled in yet. ***) It is USB-C for power that is the primarily EU complaince issue. It doesn't ban all usage of USB-A sockets everywhere. USB-A sockets were not even on Phones/small computers etc. in the first place for power.

The Magic Keyboard and Magic mouse in the box would need changes (to their charge ports) , but there is about zero rational need to update the SoC to change the ports on the peripherals shipped in the box. Didn't the airpods container go USB-C without no changes in the Airpods themselves. Similar issue.


*** the range of desktop computer power needs are not bounded by what even the recently expanded USB-C power standard covers. Might be able to throw hocus pocus at laptops (even there high end laptops with big GPUs that is tough ). Yes pragmatically the iMac is a "iPad on a stick" , but regulation wise it should fall into the "desktop computer" category.
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I think the change of the magic keyboard and mouse will happen to the entire product line at once, logically. I don't know if Apple would like to have identical mice and keyboard existing that are lighting and USB-C - will definitely be annoying if people have both lying around.

Granted, I do admit the airpods swap was sudden with only a port swap. But I'm hoping(?) that it'll be an opportunity for a refresh with the mouse and keyboard (fixing the mouse port location?)
 
picpicmac said:
Seems like a desperate keypost.

Desktop computers are slowly dying out.

It will take years before they totally go away, maybe decades.

But there is not a fundamental need for them anymore.

All the computer most people need now fits in their pocket.

Simply cast to your big screen TV if you don't want to look at the small screen on the phone.

Use wearables to gesture, as the QWERTY keyboard is one of those things that holds on out of stubborness, sort of like imperial measurements.
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Answer: no. Go visit any real business, doing real work -- they need desktops and high-quality screens.
 
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The new iMacs look cheap to me. I dont like the look. Too thin and very cheap to me.

Totally ruins the look of any room you put one in.

Maybe if they had a space gray option without the cheap looking white bezel.
 
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mectojic said:
Isn't Apple forced to refresh the iMac by the end of 2024, to comply with the USB-C switch?
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Yes and no:

Non-USB-C devices that get announced or are manufactured before the December 28 2024 deadline can be sold in the EU after the deadline.

No Lightning products will face a sales ban or get thrown out. They'll only be illegal to sell if they are announced and manufactured after the deadline.

But being that most Mac refreshes are typically nothing more than a minor spec bump, I think the switch to USB-C will be the reason we get a new M4 iMac before December 28.

This is an exception to the regular refresh schedule, yes, but has to happen to capitalize on the general push of the legislation and the huge, global USB-C media frenzy we'll most likely see in late 2024 continuing well into 2025.

It would definitely be a missed opportunity for Apple to not have all their products be USB-C before the deadline, if you ask me.
 
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Cirillo Gherardo said:
Apple has no business making a larger/high-end iMac again unless they add back Target Display mode. This way the iMac doesn’t become a gigantic paperweight once the CPU is past its useful lifespan. I have 2 iMacs collecting dust, both with gorgeous 5K displays that still work just fine and would cost over $1000 a piece on the open market just for the panel, that are useless today. Can’t sell them because they are humongous and a bitch to ship, can’t use them because old Intels are worthless, and can’t repurpose them because no TDM.
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I ended up using Luna Display (<$100). A little clunky in spots, but it works across architectures and macOS versions. I'll never buy another iMac without target display mode either.
 
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So glad I gave up waiting for an updated 27" iMac when I did. My Mac Studio and Studio Display setup has been so awesome.
 
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Cirillo Gherardo said:
Apple has no business making a larger/high-end iMac again unless they add back Target Display mode. This way the iMac doesn’t become a gigantic paperweight once the CPU is past its useful lifespan. I have 2 iMacs collecting dust, both with gorgeous 5K displays that still work just fine and would cost over $1000 a piece on the open market just for the panel, that are useless today. Can’t sell them because they are humongous and a bitch to ship, can’t use them because old Intels are worthless, and can’t repurpose them because no TDM.
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100%. This is why I'm never going back to all-in-ones. I also have a 27" iMac sitting in storage collecting dust.
 
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devinher said:
Apple really needs to redesign the iMac. Jobs said about Apple products when he returned to the company, “The products suck! There's no sex in them anymore!” This iMac is a sex-appeal black hole of blandness. The previous generation is pure art by comparison.
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They actually did, it's called Studio Display.

Why they haven't already made that one an iMac proper is beyond me.
 
With all due respect to Apple, all I want is an M4-based Mac Studio, sooner than later. I need to replace an aging 2017 iMac Pro (my new M4 iPad is 74% faster in multi-core tests!)
 
entropys said:
Apple makes a whole tonne of money selling a studio display and a Mac mini. A 27 inch 5K imac would have a much tighter margin.

Twenty years ago apple made money to make great computers.
These days they make computers to make great money.
There is a difference. And not a small one.
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Which is why they are heading for a downward spiral in the next 10 years. Pathetic company in its current form.

Rumours of an iPhone Ultra to sit above the already ridiculous iPhone Pro Max is case and point.

Really missing the days Apple was actually led by great products instead of greed.
 
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lexvo said:
Same here. I am still using my 27 inch iMac from 2017. Which is still doing fine by the way.
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Agreed. You can pry my 2017 27” iMac out of my cold, dead hands! I’m not going to downgrade to a 24” 4K screen from a 27” 5K one. When I replace it, it appears I’ll be going to an M4 Mac Mini with a Samsung 27” 5K monitor or a M4 Mac Studio with the same monitor.

I was hoping the M3 version of both would be out by now when the M3 chip was announced and shipped but it appears I’ll be waiting longer. I won’t be making the mistake of an all-in-one desktop from Apple ever again. I thought a 27” 5K or larger version of the iMac was here to stay. 24” 4K is a downgrade and I’m not OK with going back or waiting any longer for Apple to come to their senses and put one back out there.
 
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