The iMac is amazing!

[TSE]

People who hate on the iMac don't understand that customers don't want having a mess of cords. We don't want black bezels. We don't want boring gray, space gray, or dark gray.

iMac customers are tasteful. We like color that fits into our interior. We love the 24" screen size. It's perfect for what we need. 4.5k resolution?! Are you kidding me?! That's amazing! Remember the days of 15" screens on our iMacs and how we thought those were huge? Absolutely amazing how far we've come.

And the M4 chip is blazing fast. It's essentially a supercomputer chip in a chassis thinner than a lot of laptops. Studio quality speakers that blast music so loud that my neighbors all hate me. But thats ok. Because I have an iMac. And the iMac is the ultimate companion. It does everything I ask for and just looks so dang good doing it.

Does anyone else feel the same way?

 

[iscat]

I love the design of the iMac. The G3 was such a nice looking machine with tons of color options and it's great to see that the modern Apple Silicon iMac has the same spirit. I'm also happy that Apple has brought the fun color options from the iMac to the MacBook Neo. We need more design like that, both playful and useful!

 

[colodane]

Don't mind hearing your opinion.

However you cross the line when you start using "we" instead of "I" and purport to speak for all iMac owners. There are hundreds of thousands of us. So your opinion counts for a minuscule fraction of Apple's customer base.

Nobody has designated you as our spokesperson.

 

[curnalpanic]

I would like to see a modern take on the iMac G4. However, back in those days displays were small and computers were huge. Now it's the other way around so maybe it would probably be a little top heavy.

 

[jms_uk]

We don't want boring gray, space gray, or dark gray.

iMac customers are tasteful. We like color that fits into our interior.

Thank you for making your taste being the only correct taste!! /s

Does anyone else feel the same way?

Not me, thank you.

 

[TSE]

Don't mind hearing your opinion.

However you cross the line when you start using "we" instead of "I" and purport to speak for all iMac owners. There are hundreds of thousands of us. So your opinion counts for a minuscule fraction of Apple's customer base.

Nobody has designated you as our spokesperson.

Thank you for sharing. I speak for the majority. Not all. But the majority.

I would like to see a modern take on the iMac G4. However, back in those days displays were small and computers were huge. Now it's the other way around so maybe it would probably be a little top heavy.

I agree. The iMac G4 was amazing.

In terms of design:

iMac G4 (2002 - 2004) > Apple Silicon iMac (2021 - present) > iMac G3 (1997 - 2001) > Retina iMacs (2014 - 2020) > Aluminum iMac (2007 - 2013) > iMac G5 (2004 - 2006)

 

[BillyBurke]

Don't mind hearing your opinion.

However you cross the line when you start using "we" instead of "I" and purport to speak for all iMac owners. There are hundreds of thousands of us. So your opinion counts for a minuscule fraction of Apple's customer base.

Nobody has designated you as our spokesperson.

What an absolute weenie thing to say. Nobody appointed you either.

 

[theluggage]

People who hate on the iMac don't understand that customers don't want having a mess of cords. We don't want black bezels. We don't want boring gray, space gray, or dark gray.

The iMac has always been a gorgeous machine for people who wanted an all-in-one. I have some gripes with the design but then I don't want an all-in-one anyway, so that's kinda moot. I want to be able to pick-n-mix displays and update or retain them independently of the computer part.

The problem is, Apple went though a long period, particularly 2014-2018 (when both the Mac Pro trashcan and the Mac Mini were left to stagnate) where it was the only Mac desktop that Apple seemed to be putting any effort into. I ended up buying an iMac in 2017 and although it was a great system it wasn't really what I wanted.

Fortunately, now (current supply hiccups permitting) Apple have a much better range of headless desktop systems in the Mx Minis and Studio.

I'm happy for people who like the iMac - and I can see the appeal - so I'm not going to hate on it as long as I don't have to buy one.

 

[TechRunner]

There's lots to like about the iMac aesthetic, for sure. I've owned two in the past myself. But I'll never buy a 24" desktop no matter how much I appreciate the look of the iMac and the clean desktop experience. And I seriously doubt Apple ever makes anything larger.

 

[theluggage]

And I seriously doubt Apple ever makes anything larger.

Lots of people have asked for a larger "pro" iMac but I don't think anybody can agree on the definition of "larger".

One of Apple's problems with the "pro" market is that they tend to offer one-size-fits-all solutions to "pro" customers with increasingly specialised needs. The 5k display in the iMac was incredible value if that was exactly what you wanted - but choosing a display is not a game of "top trumps" where 5k3k or 6k beats everything else.

Some people want 27" 5k3k displays
Some people want 32" 6k displays
Some people want ultra-wide 5k2k displays
Some people want 2-3 4k displays instead of one expensive one
Some people want proper local dimming (which is still hugely expensive)
Some people want high frame rate - which needs insane GPU bandwidth and makes 5k3k or 6k very expensive/unobtanium so it's a trade off between how much you need HFR vs. how much resolution.
Some people want OLED - others are still not convinced that burn-in has been fixed.
Some people have to get certified reference displays (even if there's a cheaper option that only lacks the certification).
I want (and have) a pair of 3:2 4k+ displays. Highly underrated!
etc.

I think the 24" iMac is a wise choice for Apple that goes back to the original iMac target audience for a general purpose desktop. Above that, they'd have to produce a bewildering array of models each with a niche target market.

 

[Student of Life]

Lots of people have asked for a larger "pro" iMac but I don't think anybody can agree on the definition of "larger".

One of Apple's problems with the "pro" market is that they tend to offer one-size-fits-all solutions to "pro" customers with increasingly specialised needs. The 5k display in the iMac was incredible value if that was exactly what you wanted - but choosing a display is not a game of "top trumps" where 5k3k or 6k beats everything else.

Some people want 27" 5k3k displays
Some people want 32" 6k displays
Some people want ultra-wide 5k2k displays
Some people want 2-3 4k displays instead of one expensive one
Some people want proper local dimming (which is still hugely expensive)
Some people want high frame rate - which needs insane GPU bandwidth and makes 5k3k or 6k very expensive/unobtanium so it's a trade off between how much you need HFR vs. how much resolution.
Some people want OLED - others are still not convinced that burn-in has been fixed.
Some people have to get certified reference displays (even if there's a cheaper option that only lacks the certification).
I want (and have) a pair of 3:2 4k+ displays. Highly underrated!
etc.

I think the 24" iMac is a wise choice for Apple that goes back to the original iMac target audience for a general purpose desktop. Above that, they'd have to produce a bewildering array of models each with a niche target market.

You are making this more complicated than it needs to be. Start with a 27 inch iMac period. How is that so hard?

 

[theluggage]

Start with a 27 inch iMac period. How is that so hard?

The hard bit is knowing whether you've got a market before investing the millions needed to put a new model into production. It's widely known that desktops are a small fraction of Apple's Mac sales - and, since 2020, the potential market for the 27" iMac has been eroded from many directions:

• The 24" iMac is relatively more powerful and has a significantly larger/better screen than the old 21.5 - at the same price - which cuts into the market for 27".
• The Mini/Studio range is a lot better than the lousy choice of headless Mac desktops on offer during the 27" iMac's heyday.
• 27" iMacs used to have faster desktop CPUs and discrete GPUs than you could get in laptops, now they'd be using the same chipsets as MacBook Pros - which makes the MBP more viable as a desktop replacement. Fewer people will be buying desktops for "heavy lifting".
• The Studio Display can be sold to new and existing users of the Mini and Studio (+ existing Pro users) and MacBook users who want a desktop dock. So, a much safer bet than making a 27" iMac.

Apple tend to be their own biggest competitor on products like an iMac - hence the worry that making a new "pro" iMac would come at the expense of the Mini and Studio lines.

 

[Student of Life]

The hard bit is knowing whether you've got a market before investing the millions needed to put a new model into production. It's widely known that desktops are a small fraction of Apple's Mac sales - and, since 2020, the potential market for the 27" iMac has been eroded from many directions:

• The 24" iMac is relatively more powerful and has a significantly larger/better screen than the old 21.5 - at the same price - which cuts into the market for 27".
• The Mini/Studio range is a lot better than the lousy choice of headless Mac desktops on offer during the 27" iMac's heyday.
• 27" iMacs used to have faster desktop CPUs and discrete GPUs than you could get in laptops, now they'd be using the same chipsets as MacBook Pros - which makes the MBP more viable as a desktop replacement. Fewer people will be buying desktops for "heavy lifting".
• The Studio Display can be sold to new and existing users of the Mini and Studio (+ existing Pro users) and MacBook users who want a desktop dock. So, a much safer bet than making a 27" iMac.

Apple tend to be their own biggest competitor on products like an iMac - hence the worry that making a new "pro" iMac would come at the expense of the Mini and Studio lines.

You are searching for any reason at this point. If you want the real reason its that Apple wont make as much money as they would selling the studio + Mac and everything is more expensive now. The irony here is that most people just forgo getting the studio so Apple loses sales, market share and worse visual placement. Before one could see the 27 inch iMac in hotels, small business etc, now honestly the only place i have see the 24 iMac is in a Tesla stores.

It’s not that hard just make the 27 inch iMac. Look at the current line up of Apple products you have a small MacBook Air and then a bigger version. You have a smaller MacBook Pro and then a bigger version screen size wise. Then look at the iMac line up and you have no choice or option to get a bigger screen size. That is a glaring omission.

The people who want a larger iMac could care less about the studio and Mac combo, it is the antithesis to what the iMac is and represents. That’s like saying you should get an android on a Mac webpage. I wouldn’t be surprised if the iMac demographic has the disposable income to pay more but again they wont on a substandard product where screen size is a premium. Think prosumer buyer.

 

[triumvirate]

People who hate on the iMac don't understand that customers don't want having a mess of cords. We don't want black bezels. We don't want boring gray, space gray, or dark gray.

iMac customers are tasteful. We like color that fits into our interior. We love the 24" screen size. It's perfect for what we need. 4.5k resolution?! Are you kidding me?! That's amazing! Remember the days of 15" screens on our iMacs and how we thought those were huge? Absolutely amazing how far we've come.

And the M4 chip is blazing fast. It's essentially a supercomputer chip in a chassis thinner than a lot of laptops. Studio quality speakers that blast music so loud that my neighbors all hate me. But thats ok. Because I have an iMac. And the iMac is the ultimate companion. It does everything I ask for and just looks so dang good doing it.

Does anyone else feel the same way?

My 27” late 2012 iMac (it was silver) has been my favorite Mac thus far. It still works very well minus a few cracks and no more software updates. The RAM is upgradeable which has definitely given it more life.

I couldn’t settle for a 24” screen and the colors mean very little to me with the downgrade in screen size, so I had to leave the iMac life.

The “all in one” large screen is definitely unbeatable for me though.

 

[mansplains]

My main gripe with the iMac was the loss of target display mode over a decade ago. I’d easily buy an old M1 iMac or two for use as a monitor, cheaper than the ASD.

 

[theluggage]

Before one could see the 27 inch iMac in hotels, small business etc, now honestly the only place i have see the 24 iMac is in a Tesla stores.

...well, my anecdotal evidence is just as good as your anecdotal evidence and I don't recall seeing a 27" iMac - or any 27" display - used on a reception desk etc. A 27" display dominates a desk and you wouldn't see who was behind it... Most I've seen use more modest size PCs. Those sort of applications are mostly web-based now so it just needs a dirt-cheap minimal PC running any web browser.

Look at the current line up of Apple products you have a small MacBook Air and then a bigger version. You have a smaller MacBook Pro and then a bigger version screen size wise.

Likely 80-90% of Apples sales are MacBooks - with such greater numbers there's more room to have multiple options. Of course, the other 10-20% are desktops not just iMacs so its already split between iMac, Mini and Studio.

That’s like saying you should get an android on a Mac webpage

Hyperbole much? C.f. two extra cables?
I don't think so.

 

[triumvirate]

Hyperbole much? C.f. two extra cables?
I don't think so.

I’d buy a 27” iMac in a second if it were released.

I’ll never buy the Studio Display & mini combo. Ever. I don’t want it and it’s greedy of Apple to try to push people into spending the extra cash. The extra cables and $ break the deal for me… just like a gimped 24” screen did.

 

[Totally Bored]

I love my 2014 iMac 27" and it still works fine. The problem with it is it isn't supported and pretty much a disaster on the internet I've read. Thankfully I have a MBP M2 for all that and I have a 27" Monitor for it when needed.

I'd like to get a newer Desktop. iMac 24" is a thought but i'm so use to that nice 27" screen. It would be like actually buying a smaller penis, who does that ? I was gonna get a Mac Mini but they all disappeared. 🙁

 

[ClaraStahlbaum]

Thank you for sharing. I speak for the majority. Not all. But the majority.

By sharing your opinion you are only speaking for yourself. You are losing me when you say you speak for other people.

In terms of the Imac, potentially I might lease one when they come out with the M6 Imac.

 

[1st-alex]

I still have my 2019 iMac (21.5", Intel i7) and love the clean all-in-one design. The only downside to it is that the otherwise perfectly fine Retina 4K monitor will be wasted when the rest of the computer is eventually obsolete. Ultimately, the choice for an all-in-one vs. a Mac mini or Studio + monitor comes down to the needs and preferences of each individual user, and not the majority as the OP is claiming.

 

[AL2TEACH]

Does anyone else feel the same way?

I probably would if it was a 27" iMac. I would never get a 24" or a studio(+). When my late 2015, 27" iMac is done, I will have to have some mod done on my Cube 🙂

 

[HiVolt]

People who hate on the iMac don't understand that customers don't want having a mess of cords. We don't want black bezels. We don't want boring gray, space gray, or dark gray.

iMac customers are tasteful. We like color that fits into our interior. We love the 24" screen size. It's perfect for what we need. 4.5k resolution?! Are you kidding me?! That's amazing! Remember the days of 15" screens on our iMacs and how we thought those were huge? Absolutely amazing how far we've come.

And the M4 chip is blazing fast. It's essentially a supercomputer chip in a chassis thinner than a lot of laptops. Studio quality speakers that blast music so loud that my neighbors all hate me. But thats ok. Because I have an iMac. And the iMac is the ultimate companion. It does everything I ask for and just looks so dang good doing it.

Does anyone else feel the same way?

Screen is too small for many. I knew a lot of people with the 27" iMacs, some are still using the Intel ones. I don't know anyone with the Apple Silicon ones. A lot of people went with the Mac Mini route and a non Apple display.

 

[Abydos]

I'm either pragmatic or insensitive, if it works for you - go for it, it if doesn't - buy what does.

 

[boswald]

I miss the all-aluminum iMac Steve Jobs introduced years ago. That was the pinnacle of iMac design to me. He was right; people love aluminum and glass!

 

[Luftkopf]

I'd love to get an iMac. If they bring back Target Display Mode, my next upgrade will probably be an iMac.