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vahramas

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 3, 2024
2
1
Hi.
Considering buying an iMac M3 this fall, since I believe the possible M4 will be out next year earliest.
But what small changes would you think will be realistic besides the switch from M3 to M4/M5? I‘d say:
- USB-C accessories instead of Lightning
- better webcam
- slightly different display technology so brightness might be higher than 500 nits (I don‘t expect OLED or micro-LED)
- True Motion? One can dream
 
A freaking Laser on the top!
freaking lasers.jpeg
 
Just give me an M4 iMac with a 32’’ display in the $3500-$4500 range. That’s it! That’s all I want!
Sorry, but in this universe, Apple want $5000 for just the 32" display, so that's probably not going to happen.

Anyway, if I were spending that level of $$$$ on a display I'd (a) want to be able to choose it separately from the computer and (b) expect it to serve at least one, if not more, systems after that.
 
For me it would be enough if it just supports more than 24GB of RAM and all four ports will support TB/USB4, what both should be already possible with M4 if I am informed correctly. But I think they will wait for M5 to upgrade it again.

Externally it should look similar on the front side, since I want to use it on the same Desk as a second Display and backup Mac at the same time. So I can do the more RAM-intensive stuff on the newer one and other things on the older one.

Would also be nice if the display gets an update what let's it come nearer to the MacBook Pro display quality without a huge price hike. I think the speakers in the MBP are also better even though it's smaller.

There should also be a thicker and/or larger version for a Pro and maybe Max CPU/GPU. But I personally don't need that. Maybe I would have already purchased it only to get more RAM, if it had been available. Like I purchased the 16" MBP as no 15" MBA had been available. On a Laptop the 16GB RAM is enough for me, but on Desktop I need some more.
 
Here are some hopefuls:
1. Larger display
2. Carry iMac back color to front and possible new colors (starlight, midnight)
3. Slot to add an M.2
4. Numeric Keypad version of keyboard standard
5. USB C charging for mouse and keyboard
 
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I'm baffled with get a separate display because it will last longer and etc...
2015 27" iMac has lasted me for 10 years and maybe longer with not one issue that wasn't resolved. I understand an iMac could have problems causing it to be eh useless but a separate display doesn't have problems that would render it useless?

Now, it seems the M4 may be moot because of the M5 lol.
Apple may have been a smarter company when it was hungry instead of flush with money but that's another thread.

I now say, put the M5 or M6 in a 27" or more iMac :rolleyes:
 
2015 27" iMac has lasted me for 10 years and maybe longer with not one issue that wasn't resolved.
Well, for starters, it won't run the latest MacOS (since 2022) and will probably stop getting Monterey updates this year. Ok, that doesn't mean you have to throw it out, but after 9 years you're well ahead of the curve when some people seem to think that keeping a computer for 3 years is something remarkable.

Now, the display is still almost as good as today's 5k displays that cost $1000 or more - but it's pretty useless tethered to a quad-core Skylake processor.

Even the ~2010 27" 1440p Cinema Display I was using at work outlasted two MacBooks and - if I'd been able to "liberate" it when I left - would be more use today than the 2017 iMac.

An expensive display is something I'd expect to be still useful after 5 years - if only as a second/backup display.
 
USB-C mouse and keyboard
...would be the first things I'd stuff in th junk cupboard (alongside the Tragic Keyboard that I got with my 2017 iMac which is somehow already showing signs of wear despite only having seen about 6 months of actual use). I'd say leave them out and let people add them if they wanted, but I doubt Apple would pass on the savings.

Apple still using Lightning on the "magic" peripherals is annoying but of less consequence than the horrible peripherals themselves. OK - tastes may vary, but while laptop keyboards are, by necessity, one size fits all, but being able to choose peripherals that suit you is one of the bonuses of a desktop system.

My old Apple "aluminium" wired keyboard (Apple's first and last good chiclet keyboard) for me - until it wears out & then third party...

32GB memory.
...certainly at least 16 as standard.
 
...would be the first things I'd stuff in th junk cupboard (alongside the Tragic Keyboard that I got with my 2017 iMac which is somehow already showing signs of wear despite only having seen about 6 months of actual use). I'd say leave them out and let people add them if they wanted, but I doubt Apple would pass on the savings.

Apple still using Lightning on the "magic" peripherals is annoying but of less consequence than the horrible peripherals themselves. OK - tastes may vary, but while laptop keyboards are, by necessity, one size fits all, but being able to choose peripherals that suit you is one of the bonuses of a desktop system.

My old Apple "aluminium" wired keyboard (Apple's first and last good chiclet keyboard) for me - until it wears out & then third party...


...certainly at least 16 as standard.
I've actually had a decent run with my current Magic Keyboard and generally like it a lot. Especially pleased with the TouchID sensor. But, we've had a couple go bad at my office, though, and I know what you mean. I'm only up to like 3 years on mine, and if the past is any guide it probably won't make it to 10.

Seems like with a lot more people being into quality keyboards these days (with the mechanical keyboard hobby having a bit of a moment), Apple could get on board with offering some more build quality long term.
 
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