Is there an M3 iMac in your future?

[Warped9]

Two years ago I eagerly awaited the (then) newly redesigned iMac to be released. I was interested in finally replacing my 2011 21.5 iMac which still serves me without issue today.

But then I didn’t make the jump to the new iMac. I hesitated, waiting for reviews…and performance upgrades.

Design wise I really liked the new iMac. It was boldly thin in an evolutionary way and still remained instantly recognizable.I also appreciated the new colours choices giving the redesign a nostalgic link to the past albeit in a somewhat more subdued way. I even liked the off-white bezels particularly since they were now much thinner. My one disappointment design wise was the chin looked bare without the Apple logo. They really should bring that back.

The M1 iMac was/is a good performing machine…to a point. If all I would be doing was general purpose stuff with some Photoshop work thrown in it would have been ideal, but…

But I was hoping for more. A base standard of 8GB RAM and 256 SSD at that price point in 2020-2023 struck me as rather disappointing. And being limited to only 16GB RAM upgrade was also discouraging. While it’s possible an M1 iMac with 16GB RAM and 512GB-1TB SSD would satisfactorily replace my twelve year old iMac I wasn’t convinced. I hoped for more. I do 3D modelling and I wanted 32GB RAM on my new computer.

Which brings me to the present. After skipping an M2 upgrade Apple is set to release the iMac with the new M3 processor which promises to be a significant upgrade from M1. Good. It’s about time and overdue. I suspect there should be at least an upgrade to 24GB RAM and hopefully also 32GB. I’m hoping the M3 will be the iMac I had hoped for two years ago.

If they make it I will buy.

Mind you some might wonder why I didn’t just get the Mac Studio which is a sufficiently powerful device for my needs. Simple—I like the AIO configuration. That said I actually have considered the Studio. And I might still consider it depending on what Apple does or does not do with the M3 iMac.

So if Apple delivers the goods there is an M3 iMac in my (hopefully near) future.


Anyone else holding out for the M3 iMac?

 

[PeteBurgh]

The iMac is wonderful, characterful design. A real breath of fresh air in a world of bland and ugly computers. We had one at work that I used for about a month, and silly as it sounds, I found myself looking forward to seeing it in the morning! Buying for myself, I'm willing quite a few compromises for that lovely design - including putting up with the limited ports, and even the cost (though those RAM/SSD upgrade prices are brutal).

The trouble for me is that I've simply gotten used to bigger monitors. I've had 27" screens both at home and at work for ~10 years now, and having the extra space has become part of how I work. I almost wish I was coming from a 21.5 like yourself, but for now I'll wait to see if they ever return to the 27" form factor.

 

[Warped9]

Yeah, a 24in. will be a nice upgrade from 21.5 that I’m used to.

 

[TVreporter]

Debating it - my 2019 27-inch has been rock solid (512 SSD and added 40 GB RAM).

Would like to make the jump to the M-series …but I really want to keep the same screen size. Why Apple doesn't think the 27-inch iMac would still sell well is boggling.

 

[BeatCrazy]

Not for a long time. Got a 8CPU/8GPU for $999 at Costco and this thing is a dream. Can't imagine needing more, for casual use.

 

[kagharaht]

Two years ago I eagerly awaited the (then) newly redesigned iMac to be released. I was interested in finally replacing my 2012 21.5 iMac which still serves me without issue today.

But then I didn’t make the jump to the new iMac. I hesitated, waiting for reviews…and performance upgrades.

Design wise I really liked the new iMac. It was boldly thin in an evolutionary way and still remained instantly recognizable.I also appreciated the new colours choices giving the redesign a nostalgic link to the past albeit in a somewhat more subdued way. I even liked the off-white bezels particularly since they were now much thinner. My one disappointment design wise was the chin looked bare without the Apple logo. They really should bring that back.

The M1 iMac was/is a good performing machine…to a point. If all I woukd be doing was general purpose stuf with some Photoshop work thrown in it would have been ideal, but…

But I was hoping for more. A base standard of 8GB RAM and 256 SSD at that price point in 2020-2023 struck me as rather disappointing. And being limited to only 16GB RAM upgrade was also discouraging. While it’s possible an M1 iMac with 16GB RAM and 512GB-1TB SSD would satisfactorily replace my twelve year old iMac I wasn’t convinced. I hoped for more. I do 3D modelling and I wanted 32GB RAM on my new computer.

Which brings me to the present. After skipping an M2 upgrade Apple is set to release the iMac with the new M3 processor which promises to be a significant upgrade from M1. Good. It’s about time and overdue. I suspect there should be at least an upgrade to 24GB RAM and hopefully also 32GB. I’m hoping the M3 will be the iMac I had hoped for two years ago.

If they make it I will buy.

Mind you some might wonder why I didn’t just get the Mac Studio which is a sufficiently powerful device for my needs. Simple—I like the AIO configuration. That said I actually have considered the Studio. And I might still consider it depending on what Apple does or does not do with the M3 iMac.

So if Apple delivers the goods there is an M3 iMac in my (hopefully near) future.


Anyone else holding out for the M3 iMac?

I have late 2013 iMac stuck with Catalina. So I'm waiting for M2, or M3 iMac. Whichever they decide to release. If ever. Not about to buy a an almost 3 year old Mac. Following typical Apple software upgrade cycle, you will hit Vintage or Obsolete sooner than you think.

 

[Adelphos33]

I plan on upgrading my M1 iMac to hopefully the M3 later this year. Will go for 24GB RAM, 1 TB storage. My logic is that Apple isn't updating these machines frequently, and I can hold on to an M3 for at least five years or so before seeing what I need at that point.

 

[lawlietkm]

I wish they did a 27" with these redesign. Let's hope for one in the future.

 

[Warped9]

If true, this is SICK!!!

If true, BRING IT ON!!

Given the purported performance gains I’ll take an M3 iMac with 24GB RAM and 1TB SSD. But just knowing Apple’s base ram on all M3s could be 12GB is pretty damn cool.

 

[MacsRgr8]

Came from a 27" iMac 2017 with 32 GB RAM & Radeon 580 8 GB VRAM and upgraded to the 24" M1 (8 + 8) iMac with 16 GB RAM (so, maxed out)

And TBH, it wasn't the best "upgrade" I did. I miss the 27" screen and 16 GB is not enough of you throw things like FCP X (4K home movies editing) and X-Plane at it (or Myst, etc.)

Got the Mac Studio M1 Max when it came out, and the M1 iMac is now the "pretty Mac" in the living room.

IF an M3 iMac will have at least 32 RAM, at least 27" screen and 2 TB of storage for a R E A S O N A B L E price, then yep. I'll have that in a jiffy.

 

[pshufd]

We will see what it looks like. I've standardized on 27 inch displays and 32 inches would be a problem for me. It also depends on the SoCs that they support. I am quite happy with my Studio + 2015 27 inch iMac right now and I could use these for another five years (I'm actively looking to replace the 2015 with a 2017, 2019 or 2020).

 

[Warped9]

We will see what it looks like.

In terms of design we already know what it looks like. They’re not changing the chassis design. They migt tweak the colour options.n

 

[pshufd]

In terms of design we already know what it looks like. They’re not changing the chassis design. They migt tweak the colour options.n

We'll see what they do. I haven't seen a new design and I'd like to see a difference between Pro and consumer models. At any rate, I can always get a 2020 good for another 3-4 years if they do something that I don't like.

 

[Warped9]

If they make a new 27in. it likely won’t be released this year, but more likely next year. All we know so far relates to the 24 and there are zero indications of physical changes.

 

[pshufd]

If they make a new 27in. it likely won’t be released this year, but more likely next year. All we know so far relates to the 24 and there are zero indications of physical changes.

There are zero indications that there won't be physical changes.

The Mac Studio was a completely new model or a taller mini - depends on how you look at it. Leaks on it were about a week before launch.

 

[Warped9]

There are zero indications that there won't be physical changes.

The Mac Studio was a completely new model or a taller mini - depends on how you look at it. Leaks on it were about a week before launch.

The Mac Studio was a NEW device rather than established one. Thats not true of the iMac 24.

 

[pshufd]

The Mac Studio was a NEW device rather than established one. Thats not true of the iMac 24.

I'm not talking about the iMac 24.

I'm wondering how much work it would be to stuff an M2 mini inside a 27 inch iMac after gutting it.

 

[Warped9]

I'm not talking about the iMac 24.

I'm wondering how much work it would be to stuff an M2 mini inside a 27 inch iMac after gutting it.

Very interesting…

 

[Jay Tee]

But I was hoping for more. A base standard of 8GB RAM and 256 SSD at that price point in 2020-2023 struck me as rather disappointing. And being limited to only 16GB RAM upgrade was also discouraging. While it’s possible an M1 iMac with 16GB RAM and 512GB-1TB SSD would satisfactorily replace my twelve year old iMac I wasn’t convinced. I hoped for more. I do 3D modelling and I wanted 32GB RAM on my new computer.

You were right to avoid the 8GB if you're a modeller. If you're using applications that are NOT in the App Store, then get the 16GB at least, as those apps tend to be less well programmed and a hog on the RAM. 16GB should be the base config in 2023 going forward.

The trouble for me is that I've simply gotten used to bigger monitors. I've had 27" screens both at home and at work for ~10 years now, and having the extra space has become part of how I work. I almost wish I was coming from a 21.5 like yourself, but for now I'll wait to see if they ever return to the 27" form factor.

And TBH, it wasn't the best "upgrade" I did. I miss the 27" screen and 16 GB is not enough of you throw things like FCP X (4K home movies editing) and X-Plane at it (or Myst, etc.)

I too was disappointed with the 24" for weeks, but did find a little trick: increase the display resolution, and pull the iMac closer to you. You won't miss the 27" as much.


I now realise I need more memory as 8GB RAM+256GB SSD is OK but does occasionally run into limits. If a new iMac does arrive, I'll turn this M1 iMac to serve as an all-purpose family computer situated in the hall; it should last another 3 to 5 years quite easily.

The M1 iMac's a great little machine, taking hardly any space on my desk; runs silently with a magnificent display. I got the extended keyboard with trackpad instead of mouse, and I'd recommend that to everyone who does even a moderate amount numeric entry.

 

[pshufd]

I too was disappointed with the 24" for weeks, but did find a little trick: increase the display resolution, and pull the iMac closer to you. You won't miss the 27" as much.

I have 4 27 inch monitors on my desk. Moving the monitor closer isn't possible. Why do I have 4 monitors on my desk? Because I can't fit 5.

 

[Adelphos33]

I have 4 27 inch monitors on my desk. Moving the monitor closer isn't possible. Why do I have 4 monitors on my desk? Because I can't fit 5.

Well it looks like Apple has a number of products (Mac Studio, Mac mini, etc) that are better for you than any iMac

A 27" iMac option would be good. But the 24" iMac is a great screen for a "work from home," general office / general computing device. I have two 27" screens on my desk at my office. My iMac is what I use when I am working from home (like today). I don't feel like I really need the extra screen size when doing my work (which is general MS Office type work - spreadsheets, documents, e-mailing, etc). You also always have the option of adding a second screen to the iMac (which I don't do because I don't really have the desk space).

 

[pshufd]

Well it looks like Apple has a number of products (Mac Studio, Mac mini, etc) that are better for you than any iMac

A 27" iMac option would be good. But the 24" iMac is a great screen for a "work from home," general office / general computing device. I have two 27" screens on my desk at my office. My iMac is what I use when I am working from home (like today). I don't feel like I really need the extra screen size when doing my work (which is general MS Office type work - spreadsheets, documents, e-mailing, etc). You also always have the option of adding a second screen to the iMac (which I don't do because I don't really have the desk space).

I used to have 3 iMac 27s on my desk.

Right now I have a Studio and 3 Dell Ultrasharp 4k monitors. I do my office stuff on the 2015 iMac though as it has the best screen, speakers, and it has a webcam and microphones so I create my videos on it. I move the output video files to the Studio for editing though. I keep an eye out for used iMacs, 2017, 2019, 2020. We have another house and I'd like to put one there and I wouldn't mind 2 of them on my desk.

 

[Adelphos33]

I keep an eye out for used iMacs, 2017, 2019, 2020. We have another house and I'd like to put one there and I wouldn't mind 2 of them on my desk.

A better buy for this use case would be a Mac Studio or Mini with a few monitors (Apple Studio Display or whatever). I get the historical attachment for fans of the 27" iMac, but for something that requires a bit footprint, you have more options. The 24" iMac is great precisely due to the compact footprint.

 

[pshufd]

A better buy for this use case would be a Mac Studio or Mini with a few monitors (Apple Studio Display or whatever). I get the historical attachment for fans of the 27" iMac, but for something that requires a bit footprint, you have more options. The 24" iMac is great precisely due to the compact footprint.

A 27 inch 5k monitor for $200 including computer, speakers, microphones and webcam with a minimal of wires is perfect for my setup. Next to my Mac Studio of course. But all of this could be done with 1 Max iMac too. I have standardized on 27 inch monitors. It would be too much of a headache to change sizes.

 

[ignatius345]

The iMac has always been a good deal up front. For not much more than the price of a good Apple standalone display, you get a full computer. You can't upgrade the computer separately from the display, though -- and you can't even repurpose the iMac as a separate display.

All that said, I've come to really like the AIO form factor and would happily upgrade my M1 iMac to an M3, if it was a larger display. As it is, the M1 is still meeting my needs quite well and I wouldn't upgrade just for the speed bump. I don't think I'd really notice it much, to be honest.