It's not behind a Macbook Air. iMac is, like it or not, the desktop version of Macbook Air. The desktop version of Macbook Pro is Mac Mini/Studio + Studio Display. Is that the same situation as 10 years ago? No. Should it be?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
M1 vs. M3 iMac Buyer's Guide: 15+ Differences Compared
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I don’t think the thin thing was all Ives influence or doing. It’s seen everywhere in technology.
Sounds about right. Maybe it's positioned right. Today, powerful standalone box + OLED monitor is where it's at, and iMac is nowhere on that front.
Why? I see it as an advantage not to have to run a seperate wire from the floor up to the computer (although I don't have one, so it's theoretical for me personally). I don't like cable clutter.
What is "it" in this sentence? I'd argue that laptops is where "it's at". Desktops, integrated or not, is a niche, especially outside of gaming. Which is why Apple has simplified the lineup to one size.
This was my first new Mac coming back from WinTel machines after selling my Mac Classic back in the 90's. Haven't owned a Windows computer since. Though I am stuck using them at work.
It's funny to look back on those Core Duo machines today in light of what's currently offered. The build quality alone is light years from where it was. I remember having to take my Core Duo apart on the dining room table and put Arctic Silver on the processor to get it to cool better. Those things were seriously toaster ovens. And a replaceable battery? WOW. Crazy times. Those things were built like model T's compared to the current MBP offerings. Lots of good memories, though. They were really advanced for the times.
The new iMac's aren't all that great compared to the last generation, but it's a worthy upgrade for anyone coming from an Intel machine.
And clearly Apple needs to "keep up with the Jones'" as far as specs, and no one's gonna brag on you if you don't brag on yourself so I get it.
My current M1 iMac has 256GB SSD. Upgrading to a larger disk size, along with getting the new M3, is well worth it for a computer i will keep for a few years
I don’t get this issue either - I use strong WiFi - the power adapter and Ethernet box sits on the floor, I haven’t seen it since I set up my Mac
I don’t consider a computer that is up to twice as powerful as the one it replaces a minor upgrade.
The GPU is a huge difference.
This steps up into territory where someone that needed an M1 Pro or Max on the last Gen could now go with this machine with M3.
The GPU is a huge difference.
This steps up into territory where someone that needed an M1 Pro or Max on the last Gen could now go with this machine with M3.
I’d say your M1 iMac will probably last a fair amount of time yet.. there is a huge number of people still on Intel and M1. And M1 is going yo be supported by MacOS upgrades for a very long time indeed.
Unless you really really really need the extra power of M3… it wouldn’t be worth it.
Also, as it’s a desktop… it’s far better and cheaper to just use attached storage instead of buying the extra SSD size option. (Apple charges far too much for storage options above base, unless you get a great deal someplace). You’d probably be buying external storage that has higher quality NAND too.
When you have to manage 40+ at a time per location, crawling under the desk to try to finagle the power supply into a location that is frequently getting kicked, ripped, unplugged, etc is a real pain. I personally hate the whole external power supply brick concept for a desktop computer let alone when the ethernet is added to it. The ethernet on the power supply also makes it inherently difficult to tie a specific ethernet address to a specific computer unless you independently label each one and tie it back to the specific computer it was associated with; otherwise, all bets are off if you just toss them into a box and want to reuse them later. Finally, if a power supply goes bad or comes up missing, then you lose the ethernet for that device as well, so then you have to order a new one, assign a new ethernet address to the machine, reregister it on your network, and jump through a bunch more hoops. it is just poor design decision overall, especially for what I imagine is one of the iMacs top customers which is the education market.
So glad Apple stuck with the same colors. They are some great options!
Thanks, makes sense. I admit I was not considering mass deployment.
BTW, my workplace (200+ employees) has now skipped Ethernet completely, and gone all WiFi. I'm just a user there, so I can't tell you why or whether it has brought challenges, just an observation. IT seems happy about it. Given that most of education is on chromebooks, I'd guess Apple doesn't see Ethernet as important for the future of education.
Studio Display says it won't happen.
No, it’s the new architecture of M3 GPU so all M3 will have it.
Nope. They specifically said "to every chip in the family" in the video.
I have the 256/8gb model with the four usb c ports on back. This thing flies for what I do. No need to upgrade for my usage.
Let's say the iMac screen costs around $400, which is reasonable for a 4k 60hz monitor. Combine that with the price of a Mac mini (we'll use the M2 model as they're unlikely to raise prices when the M3 one comes out). That's another $500. In total, you're up to $900. Add in the cost of better speakers, a larger enclosure, better webcam and mics, etc. and you quickly get to over $1000 in total. So the price ($1300) isn't crazy, although it is a bit much in my opinion.
Is the ethernet address actually determined by the brick?
I don't have one but the iFixit teardown shows the Ethernet controller on the main logic board, suggesting that the brick/magsafe assembly is really just a patch cable.
Still - it's a needlessly love/hate design decision and its obvious that the real reason was form over function, just for the sake of making the iMac too thin to contain a power supply and RJ45 connector - which is pretty pointless for a desktop machine. It may be neat if your Ethernet sockets happen to be right next to the mains - but if your Ethernet is at desk level and the mains is at floor level then it is ridiculous. If you want "neat" a few bucks worth of spiral cable tidy will banish the spaghetti.
The iMac has went back to being a consumer device, that is why we have not gotten a Pro version or a larger screen. This is the computer that people get when they want a bigger screen than the iPhone or iPad. What I think that Apple should do is release a Studio all in one machine and keep the iMac as the consumer computer that it was intended to be from the start.
For what it is worth, Chromebooks might be in vogue for primary and secondary schools, but they are pretty much nonexistent in higher ed.
I too have many fond iMac memories. I had the iMac G4, among many others. Thank you Jony.