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MacBook Pro, iMac, and Redesigned Mac Mini With M4 Chips on Track to Launch 'This Year'
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I want a 24-inch 'iMac' that can do double-duty as a 24-inch display 2 years from now. Preferably, I'd like to see a 24-inch 'iMac', the 27-inch Studio Display get the same 'brain', and a 32-inch 'iMac' Pro Display added to the line up. With the pricing of the M4, Apple should never again sell a 'dumb' display. Ever. Better yet, make the 'motherboard' service-replaceable; no reason why this cannot be done. And it would (finally) put weight to Apple's eco-PR narrative.
They won't do it, of course.
(For those who don't 'get' it: once the M4 ships in the Mac mini/iPad Air, there will be ZERO REASON why the same logic board—at that size—isn't used, and used EVERYWHERE. The motherboard should be small enough to be used in the MacBook Air, should be what is used in the Mac mini, in the iPad Air… and in the displays. Likewise, the MacBook Pro logicboard should be used in the Mac mini 'Pro' and the Mac Studio. They've reached a point of commoditization; it is only Apple that is holding back the pace of that innovation. See also: "How commoditization of parts revolutionized the auto industry and propelled the Japanese manufacturers to the forefront of the U.S. car market within a decade." (Amazing how using the same well-designed door handle or electric window regulator across multiple models and model-years can free up resources to work on other more important stuff that customers throw money at.))
Very much wanting a new Mac mini over here, but really only willing to purchase if 16GB is part of the base model price.
Why not? That's what some people need, and adding extras runs up the price (by nature, never mind Apple's ideas about upcharging).
It's like the Apple Studio Display - I hear it was a great (for in-monitor) speaker system (but many people already have speaker systems), a center stage webcam (that many people don't need, or prefer a superior product to), excellent build quality (in a product many of us rare touch or move around) and the A13 Bionic chip enabling features including center stage, spatial audio and 'Hey, Siri' (but...the monitor is generally hooked to a Mac, which is often hooked to speakers...).
I'm not saying the ASD is the wrong product, just that it's not right for everybody and it's price-prohibitive for many. Just because you sell a $1,600 monitor doesn't mean you can't sell a $700 one. I'm aware Apple isn't all things to all people like the Windows PC world, but this isn't a huge 'ask.'
Why do all Apple displays need this motherboard?
Are any of you factoring Apple Intelligence into your RAM need projections? It's my understanding which iPhones are expected to use some features depends at least in part on how much RAM they have. For some time on Macs, the impression I've gotten was 8 gig is okay for mainstream use but behind-the-scenes puts more file swap wear on your SSD, 16 gig is a nice spot for mainstream users with some future proofing for the next few years, and 32+ gives non-professionals a lot of headroom.
Does Apple Intelligence change your views on that?
Does Apple Intelligence change your views on that?
I have the M1 MBP and I still love it after all these years later. Prior to buying it, I had plans to get the M3 MBP and upgrade every other year, but performance is still very good for me. My only regret is getting 16GB memory and not the next larger size.
Maybe I’ll do it when the M5 MBP comes out. We’ll see. If not, then I may just pick up a M5 mini if one does get released.
Maybe I’ll do it when the M5 MBP comes out. We’ll see. If not, then I may just pick up a M5 mini if one does get released.
There can well be a market for a product that doesn't yet exist, the point being that people who want the shrunken Mini are a different group than the people who want the M4 mini in its current package and keeping a couple of the USB-A ports. It's not that much different than the iMac fans preferring a All-In-One over an Apple Studio Display and a Mac Mini or Mac Studio. Much better to give people what they want than what you think they should have.
If you believe the rumors, the Pro line is min 16GB, so one could have some hope.
And why would you go on and remind us such grim memories? Minuszero, are tou trying to freeze my hopes?
On this sunny day, the temperature is expected to climb up to 17 degrees where I live, wich is amazingly warm for this season, and you come to us brandishing this dreadful cloud of despair you just ripped from a forgotten past?
Be Cassandra, I’ll be Didymus.
sounds too good to be true but would love to be proven wrong
Why are you asking ME about what Apple has already chosen to DO?? All Apple displays already have an A-series chip in them, from the then-current iPad Air. The current iPad Air has a Mac-level chip, so should any new displays.
Your argument that Apple has chosen to go a bit overboard with CPU power in their displays should be with them, and rather misses my point: they’ve already said “our displays need this level of chip that costs this much”, all I’m saying is “OK, you set the ground rules, Apple, now don’t go chosing profits over innovation in newer devices.”
Your statement above is what I was responding to, the assertion Apple should never (ever) again sell a 'dumb' (presumably without its own microprocessor? Or did you mean a less powerful one than you think they should use? Does the A13 Bionic make the ASD a dumb display?) display.
You did say 'should never again,' referring to the future and what you think they should do, not just what they've chosen to do now. So I take it you're saying Apple has committed to only making displays with independent processors.
They don't need that level of chip just for it to be a display. It's the extra 'bells and whistles' that might need it, and there's a market for people who appreciate those...and for people who don't. I'd like to see them also offer a lower cost display minus the bells and whistles for those who don't. There aren't a lot of 27" 5K options (and with Samsung I think it's matte, take it or leave it). After all these years people continue to praise their old 27" iMac screens.
I'd like to better understand your idea. Let's say the Apple Studio Display in its current form has set a present standard. You said Apple should never again release a 'dumb' display. Perhaps instead of 'without its own powerful internal processor,' you were asserting the old A13 Bionic chip is underpowered today so you think it needs an M4?
If that's true, let's say a 2nd generation ASD comes out with an M4 as you desire. What do you think the M4 chip should enable it to do that it either can't do now or that isn't limited by the processor?