iMac M1 questions

[MrMister111]

Looking at maybe getting an M1 iMac few questions for current users please.

Can you connect an external monitor directly to it via the USB-C ports? I have a Dell USB-C monitor that has a USB-C connection. Can you just plug this in and the iMac will run both screens?

I’ve been reading that the base model, which would probably do, has only 1 fan, whereas next grade up has 2 for better cooling. Is this still the case? Does it matter? I would be upgrading the keyboard to the touchID version, so it would be another £50 anyway.

Is the 8 core GPU a big step up, for now and future proofing, over the 7 core? Is it used purely for graphic intensive games, and video?

Thanks

 

[tis]

The base model is the best bang for buck, IMO. Don’t worry about cooling. The same chip is used in the MacBook Air with no fan and it still runs like a beast.

 

[Realityck]

Looking at maybe getting an M1 iMac few questions for current users please.

Can you connect an external monitor directly to it via the USB-C ports? I have a Dell USB-C monitor that has a USB-C connection. Can you just plug this in and the iMac will run both screens?

I’ve been reading that the base model, which would probably do, has only 1 fan, whereas next grade up has 2 for better cooling. Is this still the case? Does it matter? I would be upgrading the keyboard to the touchID version, so it would be another £50 anyway.

Is the 8 core GPU a big step up, for now and future proofing, over the 7 core? Is it used purely for graphic intensive games, and video?

Thanks

For connecting a monitor

Welcome to iMac Getting Started Guide

iMac Getting Started Guide provides everything you need to quickly set up and start using your new iMac.

support.apple.com

The cheaper 8/7 iMac has a single fan blowing across the small motherboard that includes the SoC. There are only the (2) TB3/USB-4 ports.

For $200 more:

• Get a 2nd fan that specifically cools down the M1 with its unified memory, that fan has a pipe that bleeds the heat away using the chassis.
• You get the 8/8 M1 with an additional GPU core.
• You have (2) USB-C ports added.
• You also get a keyboard that has touchID also.
• Gigabit Ethernet is on the power adapter.

Heat wise if you were to run something Cinebench a single fan iMac can be running into throttling when the M1 reaches 95C or hotter. Comparable the 2 fan 8/8 models run 20 degrees cooler with no throttling during several months of varied usage.

Also the single fan iMac when it gets hots spins at a higher RPM and is notably audible, compared to the 2 fan iMac which you never hear them when stress testing it with a performance test or a game.

If you are extremely casual usage get the 8GB, otherwise most will tell you get the 16GB. I would also get at least 512GB SSD if you can.

The RAM and SSD on the Apple Silicon Macs are not user-upgradeable since they're both soldered onto the logic board. Hence, you have to be extra careful when you're selecting your desired iMac variant.

 

[Realityck]

The base model is the best bang for buck, IMO. Don’t worry about cooling. The same chip is used in the MacBook Air with no fan and it still runs like a beast.

Why torment people to get stuck with the worst configuration.

A 24" iMac is way better performer then a throttled M1 MacBook Air when pushed. I was pleasantly surprised when playing some games that use to bake my 2015 27" iMac 4Ghz i7. Runs way cooler.

 

[tis]

Why torment people to get stuck with the worst configuration.

A 24" iMac is way better performer then a throttled M1 MacBook Air when pushed. I was pleasantly surprised when playing some games that use to bake my 2015 27" iMac 4Ghz i7. Runs way cooler.

Why continually suggest people buy more than they need? The base model is better than most computers that came before it. Most people don’t need anything more….period.

 

[MrMister111]

I don’t want to spend too much ideally, and so was hoping to go base, but reading about the 1 fan got me thinking. I would also definitely be updating the base if got to touchID keyboard which is extra £50 in UK, so the difference is now £150 to next one up. I wouldn’t be bothered on the Ethernet though.

I wouldn’t upgrade the SSD, I’d love to get more RAM but the cost is a lot.

I’m just thinking for future proofing that’s all.

So that’s good on the external monitor, at least can connect 1 direct toy the USB-C port without hassle.

 

[Realityck]

Be advised occasionally you see refurbish 24" iMac in stock, just watch and you might find what you want a bit cheaper.

see https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/refurbished/mac/imac

 

[MrMister111]

Be advised occasionally you see refurbish 24" iMac in stock, just watch and you might find what you want a bit cheaper.

see https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/refurbished/mac/imac

Do you know how much they were please? Didn’t know the new M1 would be in refurb yet.

We can get a Uni discount for a new one, so would be interested to know much refurb is as they are normally really good

 

[Realityck]

Do you know how much they were please? Didn’t know the new M1 would be in refurb yet.

We can get a Uni discount for a new one, so would be interested to know much refurb is as they are normally really good

Apple Starts Selling Refurbished 24-Inch M1 iMacs in the UK

Refurbished 24-inch M1 iMac models are now available from Apple's refurbished store in the UK, just a few months after the machines first launched in April. Right now, Apple has one 24-inch iMac available in a pink color, which was first spotted by 9to5Mac. The machine features an 8-core CPU...

forums.macrumors.com

That example shows what the discount would be. They also shows up a day later on US/Canada refurbished URLS, but sold pretty quickly.

 

[CWallace]

Considering you will already be using one of the TB/USB ports for your second display, that gives you only one left if you buy the basic model.

Yes, you can get a USB hub for a handful of dollars, but those ports all have to share the bandwidth of the one port the hub is plugged into and if you want to connect something like a disk drive or a high-speed thumb drive you could be bandwidth-constrained.

So having two additional ports free with the upgrade model gives you maximum flexibility plus you get other benefits like an extra GPU core, the nicer power supply with the Ethernet port, the extra fan and such.

 

[James Godfrey]

I am currently deciding between…

iMac mid tier 256GB, with the 16GB Ram for £1699 or the base line 14” MBP which is similar spec apart from extra GPU cores, has miniLED, 120Hz, double the storage for £1899 (only £200 more) plus added convenience of portability… but at the same time I will also be loosing the extra screen real estate of the iMac…

Really don’t know which way to go…

 

[MrMister111]

Think I will go the 8-8 core for the extra bits after watching more YT and reading.

I’m just wondering now if should wait, I know you can always wait for the next thing, but wonder if should wait for a better M1x or M2 in the iMac 24” now.

I’m surprised, or not really!, that Apple didn’t put a better M1 in the iMac that can handle more power easily and better beat dissipation, than the MBA or MBP. The M1 is in this regard a mobile CPU in some ways.

 

[Realityck]

Think I will go the 8-8 core for the extra bits after watching more YT and reading.

I’m just wondering now if should wait, I know you can always wait for the next thing, but wonder if should wait for a better M1x or M2 in the iMac 24” now.

I’m surprised, or not really!, that Apple didn’t put a better M1 in the iMac that can handle more power easily and better beat dissipation, than the MBA or MBP. The M1 is in this regard a mobile CPU in some ways.

At the earliest a larger iMac would show up in spring 2022, maybe at the same time the more powerful Mac mini would also appear. Then you have Mac Pro's show up some time later, maybe they will revisit servers also in 2022? The M2 is likely to be a SoC that gives you some percentage of CPU/GPU improvements that still would be for designs that you are trying to retain power efficiency without beefier fans. The M Pro and M Max will likely be used in larger iMac, and Mac Pro there might be a M Max with even more CPU/GPU cores than the most powerful one in the 14/16" MBP just announced.

Whats left to be transitioned from Intel.

2020 27-inch iMac
2019 Mac Pro
2018 Mac mini

 

[CWallace]

I’m just wondering now if should wait, I know you can always wait for the next thing, but wonder if should wait for a better M1x or M2 in the iMac 24” now.

I personally do not believe M1 Pro will come to the 24" iMac. At least one poster is adamant it will.

I personally do believe that Apple could release an "M2" later next year as the replacement for the M1 in the MacBook Air and 24" iMac (and maybe the 13.3" MBP if that sticks around).

 

[MrMister111]

I would just want the 24” anyway though. I just thought that the current 24” iMac could easily use the M1 pro and max and would have been a better fit really. The M1 is good for mobile use, whereas, even through the M1 pro and max is in MBP I thought also would be in desktop.

So thinking there will be no upgrade to 24” for a while.

I think the M1 is still decent though, even for video editing apparently does 4K ok?

Thanks

 

[tis]

I would just want the 24” anyway though. I just thought that the current 24” iMac could easily use the M1 pro and max and would have been a better fit really. The M1 is good for mobile use, whereas, even through the M1 pro and max is in MBP I thought also would be in desktop.

So thinking there will be no upgrade to 24” for a while.

I think the M1 is still decent though, even for video editing apparently does 4K ok?

Thanks

You are getting caught up over thinking this. The current M1 in the iMac is good enough for 99% of the public. Everyone seems to think they need more power than they do. If you need a computer now, buy the current model with M1. Let’s not forget how impressive it was when it released a year ago. It’s still that impressive.