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Actually it looks like it requires 512GB of storage or more to get the 32GB option (and iMac doesn't get pro/Max chips) on the 4 Thunderbolt port models.
It goes to 32gb…….
Incorrect, at least according to the MR story on the iMac announcement.

The new iMac comes with a minimum of 16GB of RAM, compared to 8GB for the previous base model, and it can be configured with up to 32GB of RAM and up to 1TB of SSD storage.
Glad they finally able to offer 32 GB RAM finally in a 24" IMac.
You’re all correct! I’m glad to be wrong on this; it opens up another option for me. But now I’ll have to wait for spring if I want the Air. 😩
 
It looks like Apple might cut off all 8gb M1 devices from using all apple intelligence features. Some features might only be available for 16gb models. It definitely sounds like the apple thing to do. You get no love from them buying the base products. Not the end of the world though, there are lots of features they come up with that end up barely used. So the lower end model is pretty good until Mac OS eats up its ram as after all their computers are 16gb minimum, they'll have more incentive to make it use more to push older buyers to upgrade.
 
It is ****ing stupid of course, but to be fair using an external SSD or a NAS is way more practical for a desktop machine than it is for a mobile device. I mean, at least for this machine there are practical and cheap ways around it.

Exactly. I have 16TB external SSD's as NAS that my iPhone, iPads, Mac's and PC's can all access to.

It's also way more efficient in storage this way, as I have only 1 copy of the file on NAS / personal cloud instead of having the same file copied on multiple machines.
 
No mention of a headphone port! But when I look at the rotating view do I see one on the left side?
 
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Cue complaints that it’s not 32.

Cue the perpetual defenders now ripping Apple for "forcing too much RAM" into a computer when- as they have written countless times including throughout 2024: "8GB is plenty for 99% of users."

But I expect crickets... as all that passion rolls with whatever Apple rolls out. Such conviction in support of a point that evaporates as soon as Apple makes a change! Are people writing their own GENUINE opinions or just towing the company line? (rhetorical- we know that one).

This should be a fun period in which Macs that still have 8GB base will see ongoing arguments of how 8GB is plenty for 99% but new Macs released this week with 16GB will NOT see any blasts against Apple for "forcing" too much RAM. In short: where Macs are sold with 8GB, that's ideal for any buyers and Macs sold with 16GB is also ideal for any buyers. :rolleyes:

It reminds me of the time that in the same "big reveal" Apple rolled out an iPad with Retina and another without and Retina was THE reason to upgrade to the former... but the latter didn't need Retina to be a fantastic buy... UNTIL the next year when it too went Retina and then that become THE reason to upgrade that one. It's dazzling how passionate opinions move in lockstep with a corporation's choices.

To all who dreamed of the day that base RAM would finally catch up with the times, enjoy your new iMac. And isn't it also dazzling how the "magical, special" RAM that had long bulleted lists to justify $200 for an addtional 8GB over Amazon prices for quantity 1 at retail 8GB was able to be "thrown in" here while keeping the price the same? I call that TRUE VALUE for customers. How nice to get MORE VALUE for the SAME money. I hope Apple does MORE of THIS going forward.
 
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That one I do kind of agree though.

But to replace the 8GB crowd, the 256GB storage will be its replacement.

It’s not a new complaint though…256 GB has been a problem since the moment Apple chose to charge the market value of 2 TB to add another 256 GB.

Apple could make this complaint go away with user replaceable storage though. Their base configurations are only problematic because Apple over charges on upgrades and blocked third party options from being available. RAM is understandably tied to the CPU, but the SSD isn’t.

I wish people on this forum wouldn’t reflexively defend Apple’s profiteering that comes at comes at their expense (literally). Note it was the defenders that came first in this thread, not any critics.
 
Woohoo! About time. Glad to have 16 be the new minimum. 👏

Any predictions when the next bump will be? 24 or 32? In 2030-2039 or 2040+?

if AI takes off in any sort of meaningful way and demands more power, that will be apple's reasoning.
 
I think I'm going to get one with the 4 TB4 ports. I have the 15" MacBook Air, but just bought it a few weeks ago. I'm going to return it to Best Buy and use my iPad Pro on the go and have the iMac from home.
 
Have they increased the base price vs previous gen or is the 16GB update from 8 the same price?
The M4 iMac $1299 base price is the same as the base M3 iMac when it was introduced. But the cost of memory upgrades is still $200 for each additional 8gb.
 
FINALLY! 16 GB is now the minimum! I can now seriously consider a MacBook Air sometime in the future.
 
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The iMac is not for me, but with 16GB it automatically feels like a far better product. Not hard to believe that Apple originally offered it with only 8G, what is hard to believe is that people bought it. Just as they did the 8GB MacBook Air. Lots and lots of them. Good for Apple.
I still have the base M1 Air. Still does everything I need. I do have desktop PC (AMD/32GB/4070RTX) for gaming. But I do all the family stuff on the Air.
 
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