What are the chances of seeing a 27" iMac again?

[SuperMiguel]

Looking to buy an iMac for my Dad (he only uses it for browsing the internet) and went to a local bestbuy and saw new 27" iMac (https://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-...mory-512gb-ssd-silver/5999006.p?skuId=5999006) which i understand is discontinued now, but they are giving a good discount on it, the other option would be the new iMacs 24" with M1 CPU.

He really liked the screen size of the 27" but the sales person insisted that the 24" M1 CPU is a million times better than the i5 on the 27". But again he only uses it for internet browsing so not sure how much it will matter.

So i guess my options atm are:

• Buy the 27" iMac at local bestbuy with older i5 CPU
• Buy the 24" iMac with M1 CPU
• Wait for soon release and hope they add the 27" back to the lineup (but im guessing it will be base $1.8k) and not sure how much better experience he will have with the M3 CPU vs i5 for browsing the internet)

Thanks all!!

 

[Rich B22]

From all reports I've seen, it doesn't seem like Apple has any plans for a new 27" iMac, but if it does, it would probably be a Pro version in the multiple thousands of dollars.
If he's only using it for internet browsing, why not just find a used M1 Mini, or even M2 and get separate peripherals (Monitor, Mouse and Keyboard), if he doesn't already have those. You can save a lot of money and have a machine that's more than adequate for his needs. There are even mounts for the back of the monitor, so he would save space, not have wires draped around and give a pseudo iMac experience.
I did that for my wife last year (without the mount) and it is more than capable for her, who uses hers similarly to your Dad.

 

[Ceecephous]

Just buy him the m1 one.

 

[rpmurray]

People in the MacRumors forums keep telling me that the Mac Studio and Studio Display is a direct replacement for an iMac 27 inch, so you could go with that. Too bad it costs a crap-ton more.

 

[Basic75]

People in the MacRumors forums keep telling me that the Mac Studio and Studio Display is a direct replacement for an iMac 27 inch, so you could go with that. Too bad it costs a crap-ton more.

For this use case there is no reason to get a Mac Studio and Studio Display. An M1 or M2 Mac mini and a cheaper 27" display should be sufficient.

There are many 27" displays, from 1440p where everything will have the "normal" size at native resolution but not be super sharp, over 2160p that would work well with "looks like 1080p" if he wants everything to be larger than normal, or can be used in "looks like 1440p" if you don't mind the non-pixel-perfect indirect rendering, to full "retina" 2880p which is expensive and there are only like 3 to choose from including the Apple Studio Display.

 

[jwyoung]

Possible issue with the discontinued 27" iMac is that the operating system will no longer be supported or upgradable at some point. That's what happed to my 2013 27" iMac. So I bought a Mac Mini (M1) and 27" Dell monitor. But I've had problems with that combination, making me miss the highly integrated iMac. For example, I had to buy separate speakers and web camera, plus mouse and keyboard. So, unless your dad is very comfortable with the technology, I'd recommend you go with the 24" iMac. I bought one for my wife and she loves it.

 

[macguru9999]

you could buy a second hand 2019 imac 27 and fit an ssd instead of the spinner... but thats not really what you wanted to do.

 

[colodane]

Definitely do NOT buy the 27 inch iMac at Best Buy until you carefully check the actual configuration. It is very likely that it is a base model, possibly with a fusion drive. Don't even consider it it unless it has at least 512 GB Solid State storage.
The newer 24 inch should be more up-to-date.

 

[coffeemilktea]

If he really only uses it to browse the Internet, you'd be perfectly fine with an entry-level M1 iMac, which would get supported far longer than the old 27-inch models.

(alternatively, you could buy him an M2 MacBook Air and hook it up to a 4K monitor so he'll still get a big display and get the latest hardware which will last even longer)

 

[Fishrrman]

DON'T buy him the 24" iMac.

He'd probably do better with an m2 Mini and a decent 27" 4k display.

If all he does is browse the net, then I reckon 8gb of RAM should be fine.
The base Mini comes with 256gb of SSD, it's up to you and him whether you need more.

For a display, there are many 4k's out there.
Don't buy "the cheapest", but you don't have to spend big $$$, either.

A friend had good luck pairing a Dell S2722QC with an m2 Mini. You do have to pay attention as to how you configure a 4k display with the Mini, to avoid the "flickering issue" that some users have experienced.

REASON WHY a 27" 4k may be best for your dad:
Old eyes.
The 27" set to default resolution on the Mac ("looks like 1080p") will yield text "large enough" to be easy to read.
The 4k (in which each simulated pixel is actually 4 pixels) will make text as sharp as it can be.

If your dad was in the military, be aware that he can get a veteran's discount from Apple -- 10%.

 

[Dc2006ster]

We have both a 5K 27” iMac and a new M1 24” iMac in our house. It is true that the 24” is a decidedly more capable machine but your Dad’s use case, like my wife’s, a 5K 27 would be more than adequate and he might appreciate having the larger screen so he can enlarge text on websites, emails etc..she used a 2014 Mac mini until this year and not being able to use the latest OS was not problem. The 27 will be fine for many years. If the 27 is 5k comes with a SSD, not a fusion, and is a good price, I would be very tempted to go with it.

 

[ignatius345]

He really liked the screen size of the 27" but the sales person insisted that the 24" M1 CPU is a million times better than the i5 on the 27". But again he only uses it for internet browsing so not sure how much it will matter.

Buy him the 24", let him use it for that 2 week return window. My hunch is that he'll still find it plenty large enough. If he still hates it return it, get your money back and you're out nothing except a little time.

I did the same step down when the M1 came out and I upgraded my old 2014 5K iMac. Subjectively, it felt like going from a king sized bed to a queen: you can't quite spread out as much, but it's still fairly spacious. The display is of comparable quality to the old 27" display (AKA, full retina sharpness), and most importantly it's paired with a nice zippy M1 Mac inside.

Buy an Intel iMac and you're just counting the days until it's no longer supported. Waiting on another ~27" could be a mug's game.

Also, a 4K display at 27" comes with a big compromise in pixel density. 4K ≠ 5K.

 

[Adelphos33]

Two options here

24” iMac

Mac Mini + 27” Studio Display

There isn’t a real benefit in buying a 27 intel IMac today

 

[Algr]

Too bad it costs a crap-ton more.

True. The Studio Display in particular costs more than a 27" intel Mac with the same monitor built in! It is ridiculous. For half the price I got a 42" 4k TV and am happy with it. I'm using a Studio, but this would work with a Mac Mini. I use it for lots of windows open at once, but my friend does the same thing at sets it to make everything big.

 

[AL2TEACH]

he only uses it for internet browsing so not sure how much it will matter.

If it was me, I would go for the linked model. He likes the size, it has enough storage, it's a 2020 model and unless Apple screws everyone with that model, it should be able to get upgrades(if needed). You can expand the ram if needed, you can't on the 24' and it has more storage than the 24'. I would go for the linked model at Best Buy.

 

[bobcomer]

Possible issue with the discontinued 27" iMac is that the operating system will no longer be supported or upgradable at some point.

That goes for any machine apple makes! The iMac 27" is closer to that point of course, but they all will get no updates at some point.

I'd get him the 27" if he liked the screen, it is indeed a very nice screen! I got an i7 one this year...

 

[bobcomer]

There isn’t a real benefit in buying a 27 intel IMac today

Cost. That's a benefit. And x86 compatibility which is why I bought a 27" one recently. It's an i7 and it was cheaper than the studio display itself, much less adding a mac mini!

 

[MacDaddyPanda]

Who is the target demographic of iMacs?

 

[Gudi]

He really liked the screen size of the 27" but the sales person insisted that the 24" M1 CPU is a million times better than the i5 on the 27". But again he only uses it for internet browsing so not sure how much it will matter.

The sales guy is trying hard to keep you from making a huge mistake. Words can not describe how much better (not just faster) the M1 iMac is. 24-inches are perfect for a browsing machine; websites today are optimized for laptop and phone screens. Yes, the larger iMac will make a comeback in the future. But your dad will benefit the most from finding him a good deal on the current 24" iMac right now.

 

[AL2TEACH]

The sales guy is trying hard to keep you from making a huge mistake.

The sales guy is trying to make a sale. His father prefers the 27' iMac.

24-inches are perfect for a browsing machine;

His father, again likes the 27' better than the 24'.

 

[Gudi]

The sales guy is trying to make a sale. His father prefers the 27' iMac.

No, he doesn't. He's talking the customer out of the larger, more expensive (yet discounted) model.
Instead of saying: You like it? Take it. Take it now!

This sales guy does not get a cut from each sale and doesn't give a **** how much money BestBuy makes. He's a hero in disguise as a normal person. Saving people from buying old Macs. 🦸‍♂️ 🖥️ 💸

His father, again likes the 27' better than the 24'.

' = feet
" = inches

Miguel's father likes his son to help with a complicated purchase decision. If screen size was the only thing to consider, he could figure out himself which number is larger. And Miguel also seeks help and wants to hear our take on what the salesman advices. He knows full well that he might twist the truth, but this time he didn't. The M1 iMac really is one million times better.

 

[Cunir]

My reading eyes aren't great and I reluctantly had to swap from an old 27 to a new 24 recently (couldn't afford the 27 studio display), and I found that it's actually okay. I have got used to the smaller screen now.

I used to have two apps open with the split screen all the time, but have found that swiping between full screen windows with the trackpad is quick and easy. It's easier than using a mouse. And if you show him how to use the 'aA' text resizer on safari then it's no problem reading tiny website text. He can have it as giant as he wants.

So it takes a bit of getting used to, but I havent had a problem dropping down to a 24

 

[Gudi]

And if you show him how to use the 'aA' text resizer on safari then it's no problem reading tiny website text.

There is also a minimum text size setting in Safari preferences.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I fully expect an iMac "bigger" (not necessarily 27") will return. However, I suspect it will be labeled PRO and priced like Apple priced the prior incarnation of iMac 27" PRO.

Apple has successfully launched the iMac 27" monitor at the former "starting at" price of the same monitor with all of the iMac computing guts inside. Logically, when they later add those guts back inside, the new (improved?) price will reflect the addition. I approximate that by looking at MBpro pricing and then subtract something for the parts that wouldn't go inside (screen, speakers, camera, etc) since they are already there. My best guess is an iMac "bigger" with a "starting at" $3499.

If Apple really pinched the base configuration and made keyboard and mouse accessories instead of "included" (as it used to be), MAYBE that gets down to $2999. However, I suspect the "nicely configured" versions above the "too little..." specs is probably NORTH of $4K.

In all these threads dreaming of a return of the 27", I suspect a driver of that dream is former (relative) "bargain" pricing. I'm not so sure the market will be as receptive when the new one does arrive at much higher pricing than the traditional level. Again, now that ASD is established at what used to be a whole iMac 27" price, I see no way for iMac 27" or so to return at former price points.

For OPs situation, I mostly agree with post #10: pair a Mini with a third party monitor. If so, I might wait a bit longer for the debut of the Samsung Viewfinity S9 to see what that 5K monitor will cost. If Samsung doesn't demand so much margin, that may be THE best choice to pair with any Mac desktops.

Also consider the LG that was formerly endorsed by Apple themselves by being THE 27" for sale in stores until ASD. Apple fans have dramatically turned on it since ASD launched but it was apparently just fine when Apple was pushing it themselves. It can be had for a LOT less than ASD and performs just as well as it did when Apple was pushing it and thus fans liked it.

#10 is right that a 4K screen will cost a LOT less than the oddball 5K and with some screen config choices, OP can probably find a setting that looks good anyway (try hooking any Mac to any 4K TV and the result is not the "terrible" often spun in support of "5K and only 5K" arguments). If so, a 4K monitor also unchains the choices from 27." For example, perhaps 30" or more... and maybe ultra-wide can come into the consideration?

 

[rpmurray]

Apple has successfully launched the iMac 27" monitor at the former "starting at" price of the same monitor with all of the iMac computing guts inside. Logically, when they later add those guts back inside, the new (improved?) price will reflect the addition. I approximate that by looking at MBpro pricing and then subtract something for the parts that wouldn't go inside (screen, speakers, camera, etc) since they are already there. My best guess is an iMac "bigger" with a "starting at" $3499.

People who say this seem to forget that one of the things driving the high price of the Studio Display is that it includes the guts of a fairly useless pricey iPhone inside. Remove that and replace it with the guts of a real iMac and the price stays about the same as the current Studio Display.