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maerz001

macrumors 68030
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Nov 2, 2010
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we are using a 16GB 27” iMac together with 2 different accounts.
It works ok but switching between accounts with entering passwords is a lame experience.

Especially when there is an OS update, you can’t do it as long as the other user is logged in. it’s frustrating.

is the touch ID on the M1 machines switching really instantly to the other accounts, when i press it by recognizing each user?

2nd question is RAM. We don’t do anything hardcore. Just multiple browsers, office and zoom or teams.
But with 2 users locked in, the 16GB from time to time is in the red zone already.

As the M1 macs only offers 16GB, hows your experience when it hits the red zone?

I posted already in the macbook forum but didn't get an answer...
 
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The following is for a 14" MBP M1 Pro (16GB RAM) - I don't know if the M1 iMacs are the same:

Once you are both logged in, clicking on the touch button instantly switches. (You have to click it down with the registered finger, not just touch it). Seems to work well.

The first time each person logs in (or after logging off), a password has to be used.

I have never been able to force it into the red zone. Not even with using 22GB of swap (deliberately stressing the machine with huge photo-editing). 16GB is fine for normal use IMO. Not sure what happens if you are both stressing it hard.
 
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I have never been able to force it into the red zone. Not even with using 22GB of swap (deliberately stressing the machine with huge photo-editing). 16GB is fine for normal use IMO. Not sure what happens if you are both stressing it hard.
Thanks. Good to hear how Touch ID works.

For normal use 16GB is fine, yes. Its just the other accounts programs are still in RAM when not logged out and we switch users.
Then I have the feeling its like working with a 8GB machine

But this is on a 2013 iMac. Don’t know if RAM usage is handled differently on the M1 macs
 
Not needing to click the finger print reader myself in most cases? But as above. I get the odd occasion where I have to click but the two accounts are normally rest the finger on the reader. Though on some occasions a site might not present the option to finger print in.
On the whole though, I like it, works across multiple web site password requests and accesses to boot.
 
Not needing to click the finger print reader myself in most cases? But as above. I get the odd occasion where I have to click but the two accounts are normally rest the finger on the reader. Though on some occasions a site might not present the option to finger print in.
On the whole though, I like it, works across multiple web site password requests and accesses to boot.
I think you are talking about where a website asks for a login or a password, in which case, yes: just touch the touchID button.

OP is talking about fast-switching between two users of a single computer, unless I misunderstand. In which case, press the touchID button. At least, that is my experience on a 14" MBP M1 Pro
 
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Thanks. Good to hear how Touch ID works.

For normal use 16GB is fine, yes. Its just the other accounts programs are still in RAM when not logged out and we switch users.
Then I have the feeling its like working with a 8GB machine

But this is on a 2013 iMac. Don’t know if RAM usage is handled differently on the M1 macs
I think you would find the M1 Macs are very good at handling RAM, and make much better use of 16GB RAM than prior machines, essentially by very efficient compressing and swapping. But RAM is RAM, the M1 RAM isn't magically more. Unfortunately it is quite expensive compared to RAM on a 27" iMac (like 5 times the cost per GB added)
 
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Thanks. Good to hear how Touch ID works.

For normal use 16GB is fine, yes. Its just the other accounts programs are still in RAM when not logged out and we switch users.
Then I have the feeling its like working with a 8GB machine

But this is on a 2013 iMac. Don’t know if RAM usage is handled differently on the M1 macs
You might consider adding more RAM... Very simple on your 2013 27-inch. Just pop open the little door on the back, and add more RAM. 2013 can have up to 32GB. (If the slots are full, you will need to remove some to add larger sticks) That will likely help your multi-user issues, until you replace your old iMac. If you can wait a few months, you may see other CPU/RAM options on the new iMacs.
 
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I think you are talking about where a website asks for a login or a password, in which case, yes: just touch the touchID button.

OP is talking about fast-switching between two users of a single computer, unless I misunderstand. In which case, press the touchID button. At least, that is my experience on a 14" MBP M1 Pro
No, soft touch for all. iMac myself, with the keyboard from new not a second purchase.
 
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You might consider adding more RAM... Very simple on your 2013 27-inch. Just pop open the little door on the back, and add more RAM. 2013 can have up to 32GB. (If the slots are full, you will need to remove some to add larger sticks) That will likely help your multi-user issues, until you replace your old iMac. If you can wait a few months, you may see other CPU/RAM options on the new iMacs.
Yes thanks. I know, i did the upgrade from 8GB years ago.

But we have a 2013 Air to replace cos it can‘t handle Teams anymore with a new Macbook.

So i was looking for a refurbished macbook pro 13“ which comes only with 16GB max. Thats why i was asking if 2 users have experience.

The 32GB 14“ would be 800€ more. Thats out of my budget
 
You also have the challenge of deciding if the memory usage in an M1 MacBook Pro will be different from memory usage in your 2013 MBAir... (yes, RAM usage is different with the unified memory in the M1)
You may find that the M1, even with the same total RAM, will be much better behaved than your current MBAir.
I don't think you can assume that RAM issues on your Intel Mac will also be a problem on Apple Silicone. The architecture is so different that you can't really use your previous experience to expect the same problems on a new M1.
I read about some problems with memory leaks on M1(x), which I expect is being addressed through software updates.
 
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a little update. The RAM 16GB limit is not a big problem. From time to time we are in orange region but system is still snappy.

The touch ID switching is a little different and i am not satisfied with.
Obviously the first time both users have to enter password after restart and than the switch works by pressing touch id.

But as soon as the lid was closed or after sleeping only the before active user can enter with touch id.
If the other user wants to work he has to click “switch user” and reenter password. This is annoying.

Is there some setting to prevent this?
 
a little update. The RAM 16GB limit is not a big problem. From time to time we are in orange region but system is still snappy.

The touch ID switching is a little different and i am not satisfied with.
Obviously the first time both users have to enter password after restart and than the switch works by pressing touch id.

But as soon as the lid was closed or after sleeping only the before active user can enter with touch id.
If the other user wants to work he has to click “switch user” and reenter password. This is annoying.

Is there some setting to prevent this?
Try this:

Security and Privacy
Require password after XXX minutes

Uncheck this (not a very good idea) or increase the time.

Another thing that I do is I use my left finger to unlock my wife's account (and she likewise with mine). Then I can unlock hers by touch (left finger) then switch to mine (right finger). Of course this means each person has no account privacy from the other, other than by trust (same as knowing the other's password).
 
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