I think the problem with that has been that hi-resolution 27 or bigger monitors in the 4 or 5K region were almost as expensive as the entire iMac computer is. Apple used to sell a monitor only but for whatever reason (maybe because they didn't sell well?) they stopped doing so years ago. If you can buy a good monitor and a Mac Mini and get a good graphics card or add one on somehow then I would agree, even if its a little more expensive I would go modular instead of all in one iMac. But if you are spending more and getting less of a monitor then the iMac becomes more attractive.
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Reliable Leaker Hints Redesigned Colorful iMac to Debut at 'Spring Loaded' Event
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Great news: it will almost certainly come in black or dark gray, so you can get what you want.
I'm with you in theory, but I also totally understand why people go the iMac route.
Taking the current iMac 5K as an example: if you tally up the cost of sourcing a comparable monitor, CPU, keyboard and mouse, webcam, speakers and mic... it comes in quite a bit more expensive than the iMac, and involves plenty of cables. (I know, probably most people already have a keyboard and mouse kicking around, but you have to include that to make an apples-to-apples comparison).
In a perfect world, you take the hit once of buying it all separately and then as time goes on you take advantage of being able to upgrade each thing on its own timeline. I get that, and I had a Mini once and did that for a while. But it was a lot of clutter and when I was looking at upgrading my monitor to a retina display and my Mini to something that could drive a retina display, well, it was just a whole lot easier and cheaper to buy the iMac 5K.
Now that the iMac is nearing the end of its road, I do wish there was a way to use it as purely a monitor -- and if Apple cared to really cut down on waste and increase the lifespan of its machines, they would've designed it with a way to make this work. I'd buy an M1 Mini immediately and hide it on the back of the iMac. But sadly there isn't, at least not without some serious hacking that I don't think lets you use the speakers or webcam.
I guess if its any consolation, I got a solid 5 years use out of this iMac, and it will probably live on for a bit with whoever I donate it to.
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Well, I think the function keys on the latest MacBook Air don’t match up to the functions on the standalone magic keyboard, so I see them doing a minor update.
I really want a space gray variant of the small keyboard with an actual back light. If the iPad keyboard can have a back light, why not the iMac one?
Ehhh. My 2014 iMac 5K would beg to differ. I had to have the display replaced about 3 years in (still under AppleCare, fortunately) and had to crack it open myself last year to replace the fusion drive which was on the very edge of total failure. I bought it as a refurbished unit in 2015 and while it definitely runs ok, I'd be hard pressed to imagine that still being true in 2025.
Recycling also takes energy. Choice is good but does apple really provide you a choice here. People are begging for Apple to release monitors rather than all in one desktop. Based on the comments I have gotten it seems 70-80% people would prefer a separate “Apple” monitor and attach their fully speced Mac mini to it. Of course I am exaggerating the percentage based on a very small population that commented. You are right about choice but I think Apple should provide better ones.
It may come as a shock to you, but other people like other things.
I feel the same way...I would LOVE a colored iMac to replace my 2013 27", but hoping for some deeper, bolder hues. The pastel mockups are a bit too soft and delicate for my tastes. I'll have to see them first, but if these lighter shades do indeed pan out, I'll likely just go with the dark grey one.
I'm seriously so excited for this event. I keep internally hoping they will announce the MBP's (as unlikely as this is in reality) since April of 2016 was the last time they unveiled a redesign and that happens to be 5 years ago this month. Doubtful but damn I can hope!
I’d like to but man that cost. I’ll just wait for the tech to evolve at this point. Mini led etc.
I still have my original 2008 iMac, and it still runs although I haven't been able to upgrade OS or software for ages. I have a 2016 version of the 2015 model, and it is starting to lag when doing a lot of photo editing. I would be interested in a new iMac but it is not absolutely required. I could use my current one as a Plex server or something, I doubt its worth anything as a trade in or selling it myself.
Of course recycling takes energy, but there's a net savings in the big picture. People can buy and use whatever monitor they want with their Mac Mini, so, yes, we have tons of choices!
That’s unlucky. I’ve just swapped my 27” Mid 2011 out for a M1 Mac mini. Faultless, still a great fast machine but not supported by latest OS.
Won't it be funny if Apple just updated the iMac with M1 innards and nothing else? So far Apple hasn't made a new design change + M1 at the same time.
I could understand this for the time and era which was 1998 in an industry of pure beige and need to standout.
But in 2021, its gonna come across tacky and potential to kill the resale value. I don't see anyone wanting to buy a second hand blue, pink, green iMac. These are work tools at the end of the day and you will be staring at the screen more than the stand and back of the screen.
Apple, rethink this idea and don't waste time on chemicals to anodize this. Silver, Space Gray is sufficient for this line of Macs.
But in 2021, its gonna come across tacky and potential to kill the resale value. I don't see anyone wanting to buy a second hand blue, pink, green iMac. These are work tools at the end of the day and you will be staring at the screen more than the stand and back of the screen.
Apple, rethink this idea and don't waste time on chemicals to anodize this. Silver, Space Gray is sufficient for this line of Macs.
The display problem (image retention) was definitely something others on this forum had experienced. The drive issue was due to the SSD portion of the fusion drive being absolutely hammered with read/write cycles. Not sure it was as much "bad luck" as this particular year and configuration.
Yeah, I had a Mini that soldiered on absolutely forever so I know Macs can keep running for a long time. I think this one was the first version of a new design and that didn't help matters. I believe the screen image retention thing was more common in this specific year of iMac. (LOL, and here I am, salivating over the idea of another revision 1 iMac which will/would probably have its own unique issues that get resolved in later revisions...)
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I'd buy it. For all the pearl-clutching about bezels you hear, I honestly don't care. It's a desktop computer -- not like I need to fit it into my bag or something. And honestly, I kind of like having some border to the screen to provide a visual break from what's behind it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Yep. That could actually happen too!!How dare you request adjustment capability for the display height? Apple will tell us they had a team figure out the perfect height for us.
They could also have the audacity to offer it as a config option knowing full well the desire for this and charge sky high just like they did with those beautiful looking wheels on the NMP 7.1. Tim, with the eyes of a hawk and laser beam brains of a bean counter, pounces on opportunities like this to send the profit machine into overdrive.
Hoping Tuesday is surprisingly kind to the wallet.
Has anyone mentioned that introducing an iMac with a newer chip ( I can't imagine it would have the current M1 in it ), alone doesn't make much sense? The obvious thing Apple will be doing with these chips is to introduce line ups, so 14" and 16" Macbook Pros along with an iMac that all use the same chip, slight variations in other components, GPU, RAM etc. Apple are the sole buyer and distributer of their own silicon, so I think there's no doubt we will see the same chip used in multiple devices, at different tiers or use cases, from now on.
I also think it's risky publicity wise to debute an iMac with the M1x then two months later repackage that same chip in the "pro" level Macbook Pros. So IMO we either see all three (if the 14" isn't fantasy), products, or none.
I also think it's risky publicity wise to debute an iMac with the M1x then two months later repackage that same chip in the "pro" level Macbook Pros. So IMO we either see all three (if the 14" isn't fantasy), products, or none.