I was waiting & waiting for a new 27” iMac forever. I was on my 2nd one. When the new 24” first came out I thought that it was too small. So I waited & waited some more and last year I finally got a 16” MacBook Pro.
Whilst I’m sure that the conclusion of the video is the logical outcome, I’ve just returned a £549 refurbished 2023 Mac mini M2 and bought a 2021 iMac 24 for £1,200. Let me explain. First I was unable to find a suitable monitor whose definition was even close to the iMac screen without spending £400 or £500 and even then there was apparently all sorts of complex scaling involved, which is well beyond my level of understanding. Second, I didn’t have a keyboard so needed to buy one- more expense. Third I like the simplicity of having speakers, microphone, camera etc all integrated. Third it’s beautiful. But why not wait a few months? Well, I like the integration with my other Apple devices, iPhone 13 and iPad, both of which are also 2 year old designs. But the real reason was personal. I’m 65 and after years of being in the peak of good health and never needing a doctor, I was rushed into hospital a month ago for an emergency operation which has left me with lasting issues. Put simply I finally realised that I’m mortal and so time has become a key factor. There’s no reason to think I won’t last for years to come, but the idea of putting off things for months for something better in the future is no longer as attractive as it once was. Plus I just wanted something lovely to make me feel good. As I said to start with, the conclusions of the video are entirely logical, but under some circumstances emotion trumps them.
I agree...I have heard the same rumor about the M3 chip in the next updated iMac. Just keep the same bright, bold colors...But Mark, after 2 years with my 24 inch M1 I'm still very happy with its performance...it has stayed fast and powerful with the full 16GB Ram and 1 TB storage...
Only tech reviewers could actually think the M1 chip is getting long in the tooth. In the real world it is still ideal for 95% of tasks iMac users would want it to do.
I bought my m1 imac when it came out. It still works like a charm and I can do all my video and photo editing with it. ( I have 16gb ram and 512gb storage). And that screen--woah! it so nice to sit at a proper desk station and work at it.👌
I actually bought the M1 iMac in January. 🤪 But I think it probably matters why. I wasn't looking for performance (I already have an M1Pro MacBook Pro), what I specifically wanted was something for low-intensity computing that could look good in its place in the living room without making that room look like an office. Same reason yours lived in your kitchen all that time. For that, the M1 iMac is ideal. (Even so I went one-up on the base unit, with the Touch ID keyboard, four ports on the back, and the ethernet on the power brick (as yet unused). Just in case.) At the time I bought it, just before Apple's surprise January "event", I already thought it possible a new iMac was imminent (more imminent than it still seems now), and resolved not to regret it. Precisely because this isn't the machine I use if I'm chasing performance; and in fact I deliberately refrain from installing some stuff on here to stop me doing that kind of work at this computer. Even though I know it could; it's being horribly underutilised. This is the pretty screen that's just the right size in the living room, and if anything I *feared* that they might ruin it by replacing it with a black-rimmed 27" version. I mean, I have a studio display in the back room which I also adore. And a three year old 27" iMac that's a server now, its own lovely (and operational) 5K screen sitting dark and useless in the corner. So I want you to be right about the 27" iMac being dead. But I want you to be wrong about the Mac Studio for the same reason. The Mac Mini & Mac Studio ranges together, with the studio display (or being able to use another display if pixel density doesn't matter to you, or anyway money matters more), is exactly what I've wanted Apple to be doing for years and years. I mean, it's exactly why I had a hackintosh for ages. So I hope you're wrong about the Mac Studio and it's going to stay with us at least until my next refresh. If they keep anywhere close to form the Mac Pro is going to be so over specified and overpriced - whatever form that takes - that it's not going to trouble the Mac Studio's market segment.
I just picked up a Refurbished iMac 24” M1! After slogging around on my mid-2010 iMac and I tell you this is a whole new world of speed and very user friendly. I had to put my old guy to sleep this afternoon. It was sort of sad to watch it having to give up all its “stuff”. but I’m glad I can send it off to be recycled in security.
Does it still have the original hard drive? If so, one thing you can do to really extend the life of that Mac is to get an SSD external hard drive and put the current operating system on it (or whatever is the best version to run with that particular hardware). In 2019 I was looking to replace my 2013 iMac, but at the time all of the "new" ones still had the spinning hard drives. I wanted to wait until the iMacs were revised to have better SSD options. So I followed a RUclips tutorial for how to run my iMac from an external SSD hard drive. It worked great and kept that old iMac running until I was able to buy the M1 version in June 2021.
I wanted to update my 2017 21.5 fusion drive iMac last December, but thought it worth waiting for an M2 iMac, which I mistakingly thought would be released last year. My 2017 was getting very sluggish, but I didn't want to get an M1 iMac as I expected an update sooner rather than later. It has turned out to be later... Thankfully, I found out about the bootable external SSD 'upgrade' for the 2017 which works very well; so for the time being this will be a stop-gap until an M3 iMac is released.
Bought mine a year ago based on your 1 year later video. Very happy with this computer. May sound a bit weird but I like using windows via parallels on it. It’s a great work computer for me That said I agree I wouldn’t buy it today at full price because now it’s nearly 2 years old. At a decent discount I’d still consider it
Mark - please do another Mac Mini M2 Pro video comparing iMovie, FCP, and Davinci Resolve. I know many people who are interested in this comparison and how well the MacMini M2P does in handling the different versions. Thanks and keep up the great work, from Nashville, Tennessee. 👍
They could make the studio display cheaper but no, they decided to over engineer it to the point that the only thing it’s not “revolutionary” is the display itself
I'm buying one this month for my study (web browsing, zoom calls etc) - only getting the 8GB RAM version, because it will be more than capable enough. I just like the fantastic display on it really!!!
M3 chips, finally. I still run my 2014 27" iMac -- home-modified with 2 SSDs instead of the HDD-SSD combo, and running MACOS Sonoma thanks to OpenCore Patcher. Still does everything I want. For the wife though, I couldn't resist today's announcement of the M3 24" iMac to replace her old 21" model, and ordered one. Look forward to your review Mark!
"For those with that budget".... is the key sentence. Where I work (graphic designers aplenty) there is no replacement for the 27'' iMac. Entry level Mac Studio and Apple 27'' screen in most basic config is £3500. You could get a really decent iMac 27'' for £1600 - £1800. The company are reticent to shift from £1800 to £3500 per seat for the hardware. I say reticent, they just say no. Designers are not liking going down to a 24'' from a 27'' screen. A replacement for the Intel 27'' is sorely needed still.
i was waiting too long to process a new iMac, needed so much dye to my work......actually every time i buy a maw i have in mind a long time of usage...my last one was a 21,5 iMac i5 2011.....so i can wait a few more years to change me new one ( bought last year in November)...very satisfied with the purchase of the M1 iMac 16gb....
I think that laptops are so powerful its kind of made the desktop redundant for general consumers and low end pros. I have a 2014 iMac and 2015 MacBook Pro. I love my iMac but think I’m going to get a newer laptop and a apple display.
Really appreciate the analysis. have owned the 27 inch Intel powered iMac for almost 10 years so i was in the market for a replacement. I love it that Apple came out with the M3 powered 24 inch iMac in late 2023 as it made the M! version all that more affordable. I just purchased the M1 24 inch iMac for half the price of the same G3 iMac.
Like you I have a lot of M1 related products (7) but the iMac is my favourite of them all. I have also put it in the kitchen by the patio doors and it will be the family computer. I also love the red/pink colour and how it only needs one plug for everything. My only annoyance is unlike my older iMac/Thunderbolt Display it doesn’t provide power to the usb ports when turned off! The M3 is the right way to go but it would be nice to have a Pro version for those who do want it as a main work station.
I think, the reason why Apple is taking so long to update the iMac M1 is, it is not a pro power workhorse. I would call it „A computer for the masses“ I use the M1 iMac every day in the office with the Adobe suite and stuff like excel. Lots of apps and browser tabs open. And a Microsoft remote desktop is also running the whole day. So, this a very capable mashine! Apples biggest problem now is the Mac Pro and I think they are focusing on this now.
Gave up waiting for a new 27 inch iMac so last week got the M2 Pro Mac mini (32GB Ram, 1TB storage) AND the Studio Display. Hello new super powerful iMac!! You very quickly forget it's not actually an iMac and the power is absolutely mind-blowing!
Adding a power brick to a desktop just to make it a little thinner does not make sense and I am seeing a lot of the new 24 iMac's with broken or damaged power ports where the magnetic cord connects to the back of the slab.I was excited when I heard they were bringing back a 24in iMac but I did not know it was going to be an almost all in 1.Thin is fine for notebooks as it has a purpose.I have 2 Mac Mini's with 24 Cinema and 27 thunderbolt display's and 3 iMac's 20 and 21.5 and 27 in use in my office and all I see is the screen but they do have enough weight so they do not get knocked over.I love all my Apple products both vintage and current but Apple is starting to over look the little things that have always made there products top shelf and fun.
With the rumours, i will probably do what i always do with rumours, and not believe anything until the product(s) is/are released Notice i put an s in brackets, as apple could (even if it is unlikely) release 2 sizes of the next iMac (assuming that there will even be a new iMac) (And i just hope that the rumour of a new iMac didn’t come from apple working on a separate 24 inch display) Considering that apple bumped the base price of the 24 inch iMac in the UK from £1249 to £1399 (and all models have gotten £150 more expensive) at the same time the M2 Mac Mini came out, i do wonder what Apple is doing
I was waiting and waiting for the next Apple event. Here comes March here. Still no event. Well about March 3rd I bought an iMac online, somehow they can't transfer it over. So I drive to an Apple store and buy a silver iMac M1 8GB ram, 512GB SSD and I'm all set. I'm not worried and gonna keep it for a long time.
Wow you were right about the M3 in the iMac. Came to watch your video to see how the M1 I n 2023 was holding up because the M3 at least double the speed. Not sure if can do a 24" screen.
For most 'average consumers' there's no difference between a Mac made ten years ago and the very latest edition. If surfing, email, social media and light pro-creative stuff... Macs from over a decade ago have more than enough power. The nefarious reason for the near constant barrage of new iterations is money. Apple cuts the security updates after 5-6 years. ( used to be 7-8 years ) Making your Mac a sitting duck for hackers. Also cutting the software updates after a certain period also strangulates the life out of your current Mac. Therefore you're forced into following Apples 'bread-crumb' hardware updates. It's a cruel game that every company employs...if they can get away with it. Apple sparkles its 'new stuff' to people who love novelty and like children, to the mesmerising tune of the pied piper... they blindly follow along.
Just bought a second iMac 10 days to use in a Master bedroom (16gb, 1 Tb to give it 4+ years of use). The room has a 'green' leaning in it's decoration theme so a green iMac was needed (will they really keep ALL the colors with the M3 update - that is highly questionable, so better safe then sorry). For those USING an iMac...and saying it is not powerful enough well time for those boys to get serious. Great machine and can do anything they need to do. M1 not powerful enough- get real (throwing yours in the trash?). More then powerful enough for the uses the iMac was designed for. I suspect a nuclear device design lab needing Super Computer power is probably not using iMac; nor are poser RUclipsrs (not Mark) who just have to shoot in 8k for talking head unboxing videos that people watch on their phone or 13in laptop screens). But Betty at home using iMovie or iPhotos for her vacation pictures, email, RUclips viewing has more power then she will ever need. For something 'serious' (not really sure what that is) I have a Studio* with Dual 27" Studio Displays. And the iMacs can hang with that set up (except screen space and ports -which is why I bought that set up to sit near my silver 24in iMac) for 95% of what I do. *Mac Mini is great but WTF on port selection. No SD card reader...What the Hell. Mom and Dad user don't need to big Studio box but could seriously use a mini with a SD card reader and that. would be perfect for those stepping up from an iMac. Apple, people hate the dongle crap, what will it take for you to get that concept.
man they should bring back the 27 inch iMac with Pro Motion. The pricing of Apple Studio Display feels like a joke rn. It would be cool if we get a M3 Pro version 24 inch iMac with Pro Motion.
M3 is coming. M1 is a good processor. I knew a programer that could do more with an I3 and run circles around you ! So what can you do with what you have now ?
M1 long in the tooth? its been out for a few years but the core audience for M1 Mac would need nothing more than M1 its an incredible device which will last years and years
Tim Cook already made a statement saying that the 27” iMac Pro is done, they are not making them anymore, if you want that power, you need to buy the Mac Studio (with the studio display) to get that iMac Pro back. With that said, I agree that the iMac is going to the get the pro version of the M3 chip.
Apple should come out with a 24 , 27, 34, 43 inch maybe larger screens as custom orders, more productivity people are using larger screens now not just gamers anymore . They would be leaving money on the table if they don’t offer more.
It is ridiculous that stopped making the larger 27 inch imac and tried to make a push for the lame studio monitor..they could sell both or get rid of the studio monitor and no one would care.. if they make a 27 inch in the new form factor it would sell so well, apple has some weird views on their products sometimes
My issue with the imac is the utter lack of connectivity. I can't connect my Apollo Twin X interface or my Panarama P4 MIDI because there's no ports. The new Thunderbolt 4 apparently doesn't work with thunderbolt 3 stuff and there's no USB connections at all. This thing is useless to me. What a waste of money
I have the M1 Mini and feel no need for a cpu upgrade. I think Apple had to make the M1 a revolutionary upgrade, not an incremental one. Consequently they killed a lot of the need for the future incremental upgrades like the M2 and M3 chips. If you need more power, go for them, but if you don’t then enjoy the M1 ride. I think you may be right about the 27 inch iMac, even though the all in one form factor was one of the most loved Macs of all time. For people who want a clean desktop they are tops. I’m a messy type with a Mini and a monster hub full of cords.
Since I already own one, the question is moot. I am quite happy with. So at this time I don’t have a reason to upgrade. I wait and what the next iMac has.
Hi Mark. This is really relevant to me. I have a late intel 21.5 iMac with 16 GB RAM. I'm a photographer and with enhanced resolution files that can run to 400 mb in Light Room things can get a bit like treacle. When the M2 Pro Mac mini came out I was really excited. Then I priced up a monitor and peripherals. An iMac even with a base level M2 chip would be better value provided a 24 inch screen would be enough. The hot rumours are for an imminent release of an upgraded iMac. If that is all a load of bull I will buy an M1. Sure I'd like more than RAM. But more than enough for my needs. Just less future proofing.
I’d love a new iMac but I want more unified memory. I currently have an M1 Air with 16MB and although it is a fabulous machine, some of the work I do needs more memory. I already have an LG 27” screen, so a 24” iMac with more memory and the option of a Pro chip, would be the perfect machine for me. Fingers crossed. 🙏🏻
I brought this, Now regret the purchase. It has too many issues, unfortunately I didn't knew about the apple care, as I brought it from flipkart in India. Thought it will last for bit longer. No one is taking about the how faulty the device is, Entire board to replaced in first 6 months and by next year horizontal lines on the display. I told apple to replace it while in warranty but they went with the repair instead. It would cost you same amount as the actual device if something goes wrong! say display and anything in the board. Fake certified apple centers in India will make things much worse. You can't upgrade not even the storage , can't trade in, can only be extended to one display. Hope it helps some one to make a better decision.
Thank you, for another excellent comment video. I agree with you, on waiting for a few more months before buying a 24-inch M1 iMac computer but, only until Apple's WWDC in June. If buying in 2023, I would only get either a discounted or refurbished unit (smile...smile).
When the new ones come out, these prices will drop. Wait, unless you need it. I am sad they didnt update the 5k iMac. When I updated my 5k, the the new i9 chips was no longer on the shelf, so I got the top i7, I could. I could not wait due to work and school. Maybe, refurb would have been better. (Subscribed. Thank you for your content.)
I am on the M1 Mac Mini and I love it music production, but I have been thinking about upgrading (I really have no reason other then I like gear) but what should one get ? The Mac Studio Max M1 or the new Mac Mini pro M2 ?? I am ONLY gonna use it for music production!
Hi Mark I need to spend some company money in the next month and am debating between the 24” m1 imac vs 27” intel imac. Have a $2000 budget and have to use it before the end of next month. Thanks so much ! 🙏🏻
I almost purchase one of these but see 24 inch and 258GB and would want a larger screen and bigger storage. Just a question do these have an addition for Storage card or would you say you need to use an external Hard Drive ? My bday is November and I will see if we have any news before then and something new dropping end of year
The older I'm getting the less I game and I've noticed I've slowly been switching to Apple as it just works well together with their other products and I'm tired of trying to fix all the issues I get with windows pc gaming.
I literally just bought that exact computer but its cool cause I have like 2 months to return it & honestly I am coming from a 9 yr old custom pc with a mere intel i5 in it which honestly works fantastic for me I just really want a sexy iMac that is much smaller than a desktop, more quiet, still more powerful and will match my Macbook air :) The new one to come will cost a pretty penny I'm sure if it has the M3 but idc I could use a 3rd Mac computer anyways perhaps!~ :D
I don't think so. I'm sure there will be a revised iMac soon enough - probably, as you say, later this year - but I can't see that it will be fundamentally based on the M3. Reasons? The iMac is the entry-level all-in-one desktop device, and as such needs to be affordable, and I don't think an M3-based computer will be affordable-enough. So I would expect it to be M2-based - that does show good-enough improvements over the M1. I think we're into incremental upgrades for this mass-market computer, and the M2 would be such an upgrade. There might be configurable options that included better processors, and perhaps even the M3 when it's available, but I can't believe that the whole range will be M3-based. And, to be honest, I think you miss the purpose of the standard iMac. It's not really about computing power - Apple have other solutions for people who require that, including, as you point out, the Mac Studio. I've always thought that the iMac is about the convenience of the all-in-one solution and the screen quality. The M1 iMac is the best and cheapest way of getting a 5k (!) display in a convenient package with a fast-enough processor for general computing tasks. I'm sure its replacement will just incrementally improve on that. (Also note that the M1 iMac has three Model Numbers, three EMC numbers, and two Model Identifiers, even though they're all very similar.)
The 24" M1 iMac has enough space for Face-Id cameras and sensors, and Aapple doesn't put them in, nooo they have to shove them in on a tiny display on a Phone.
Dude... M1's are ALL amazing chips and ALL of the M1 product line are so perfectly great right now. M2 are selling like poop because it's better to get a cheaper and slightly less powerful M1. Maybe wait until the next iMac comes out and then buy the M1 version then for a discount. Other than that just buy it. It's M1 its awesome.
I don’t disagree with you. I just think Apple would be really really stupid to release an M3 IMac anytime this year or even the first half of 2024. Why because it’s going to absolutely kill and cannibalise all sales of the new M2 Mac mini’s and all other M2 platforms and it’ll also make all M1 Mac studios obsolete. People will think pfft I’m not buying an old M2 chip computer I’ll get the iMac M3. But then people like me who don’t want an IMac will think sod apple I’m not buying the M2/m2 pro Mac mini etc I’ll wait for the m3 version. So if apple does release an M3 iMac this year their idiots as it’ll destroy sales of well everything that doesn’t have an m3 chip…madness utter madness.
Great thanks. I don't need one since I have an M1 macbook air but I was considering a mac mini maybe in the future but my macbook does not look very nice on my 2k BenQ screens text is blurry and resolution is terrible. I worry the Mac Mini would look the same on these screens. I have a PC setup on them currently and the screens look good but I would eventually like to switch to all mac.
So conflicted about what to go for! I’m in between the IMac or M2 Macbook~ I’m a student & graphic designer so I’m definitely leaning towards the IMac just because of the bigger display.. but the macbook offering portability is also appealing to me ): ! A second opinion on this would be amazing if someone could help me out !
Honestly, if you are able to spend a little more go for a M1 MacBook Pro 14 inch. It comes with more storage and more RAM and 0:02 the chip is still better than the M2. I was in the same position, having the portability and with the hdmi slot on the pro I can easily connect it to a bigger monitor. Has been a life changer.
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What iMac do you want to buy next (irrespective of what Apple actually delivers)?
27 inch like display studio
@@coscraj the studio display size does look awfully tempting to buy over the imac side by side in store, almost bought the imac 😂
Idk cuz I just got a 14" MacBook Pro M2 Max in February
I was waiting & waiting for a new 27” iMac forever. I was on my 2nd one. When the new 24” first came out I thought that it was too small. So I waited & waited some more and last year I finally got a 16” MacBook Pro.
I would still like a new iMac 27” or iMac Pro if they ever come out.
Whilst I’m sure that the conclusion of the video is the logical outcome, I’ve just returned a £549 refurbished 2023 Mac mini M2 and bought a 2021 iMac 24 for £1,200. Let me explain. First I was unable to find a suitable monitor whose definition was even close to the iMac screen without spending £400 or £500 and even then there was apparently all sorts of complex scaling involved, which is well beyond my level of understanding. Second, I didn’t have a keyboard so needed to buy one- more expense. Third I like the simplicity of having speakers, microphone, camera etc all integrated. Third it’s beautiful. But why not wait a few months? Well, I like the integration with my other Apple devices, iPhone 13 and iPad, both of which are also 2 year old designs. But the real reason was personal. I’m 65 and after years of being in the peak of good health and never needing a doctor, I was rushed into hospital a month ago for an emergency operation which has left me with lasting issues. Put simply I finally realised that I’m mortal and so time has become a key factor. There’s no reason to think I won’t last for years to come, but the idea of putting off things for months for something better in the future is no longer as attractive as it once was. Plus I just wanted something lovely to make me feel good. As I said to start with, the conclusions of the video are entirely logical, but under some circumstances emotion trumps them.
I agree...I have heard the same rumor about the M3 chip in the next updated iMac. Just keep the same bright, bold colors...But Mark, after 2 years with my 24 inch M1 I'm still very happy with its performance...it has stayed fast and powerful with the full 16GB Ram and 1 TB storage...
Only tech reviewers could actually think the M1 chip is getting long in the tooth. In the real world it is still ideal for 95% of tasks iMac users would want it to do.
I bought my m1 imac when it came out. It still works like a charm and I can do all my video and photo editing with it. ( I have 16gb ram and 512gb storage).
And that screen--woah! it so nice to sit at a proper desk station and work at it.👌
I actually bought the M1 iMac in January. 🤪
But I think it probably matters why. I wasn't looking for performance (I already have an M1Pro MacBook Pro), what I specifically wanted was something for low-intensity computing that could look good in its place in the living room without making that room look like an office. Same reason yours lived in your kitchen all that time. For that, the M1 iMac is ideal. (Even so I went one-up on the base unit, with the Touch ID keyboard, four ports on the back, and the ethernet on the power brick (as yet unused). Just in case.)
At the time I bought it, just before Apple's surprise January "event", I already thought it possible a new iMac was imminent (more imminent than it still seems now), and resolved not to regret it. Precisely because this isn't the machine I use if I'm chasing performance; and in fact I deliberately refrain from installing some stuff on here to stop me doing that kind of work at this computer. Even though I know it could; it's being horribly underutilised. This is the pretty screen that's just the right size in the living room, and if anything I *feared* that they might ruin it by replacing it with a black-rimmed 27" version.
I mean, I have a studio display in the back room which I also adore. And a three year old 27" iMac that's a server now, its own lovely (and operational) 5K screen sitting dark and useless in the corner.
So I want you to be right about the 27" iMac being dead. But I want you to be wrong about the Mac Studio for the same reason. The Mac Mini & Mac Studio ranges together, with the studio display (or being able to use another display if pixel density doesn't matter to you, or anyway money matters more), is exactly what I've wanted Apple to be doing for years and years. I mean, it's exactly why I had a hackintosh for ages. So I hope you're wrong about the Mac Studio and it's going to stay with us at least until my next refresh. If they keep anywhere close to form the Mac Pro is going to be so over specified and overpriced - whatever form that takes - that it's not going to trouble the Mac Studio's market segment.
I just picked up a Refurbished iMac 24” M1! After slogging around on my mid-2010 iMac and I tell you this is a whole new world of speed and very user friendly. I had to put my old guy to sleep this afternoon. It was sort of sad to watch it having to give up all its “stuff”. but I’m glad I can send it off to be recycled in security.
I bought a 2012 model last month for £200, more than happy with it and amazed how fast it is for an eleven year old machine!
Does it still have the original hard drive? If so, one thing you can do to really extend the life of that Mac is to get an SSD external hard drive and put the current operating system on it (or whatever is the best version to run with that particular hardware). In 2019 I was looking to replace my 2013 iMac, but at the time all of the "new" ones still had the spinning hard drives. I wanted to wait until the iMacs were revised to have better SSD options. So I followed a RUclips tutorial for how to run my iMac from an external SSD hard drive. It worked great and kept that old iMac running until I was able to buy the M1 version in June 2021.
I wanted to update my 2017 21.5 fusion drive iMac last December, but thought it worth waiting for an M2 iMac, which I mistakingly thought would be released last year. My 2017 was getting very sluggish, but I didn't want to get an M1 iMac as I expected an update sooner rather than later. It has turned out to be later... Thankfully, I found out about the bootable external SSD 'upgrade' for the 2017 which works very well; so for the time being this will be a stop-gap until an M3 iMac is released.
Bought mine a year ago based on your 1 year later video. Very happy with this computer. May sound a bit weird but I like using windows via parallels on it. It’s a great work computer for me
That said I agree I wouldn’t buy it today at full price because now it’s nearly 2 years old. At a decent discount I’d still consider it
Glad you're happy - it's a great machine!
Mark - please do another Mac Mini M2 Pro video comparing iMovie, FCP, and Davinci Resolve. I know many people who are interested in this comparison and how well the MacMini M2P does in handling the different versions. Thanks and keep up the great work, from Nashville, Tennessee. 👍
Currently have a 27" iMac for 10 years. Would love a new 27" or 32 "iMac with M3 chip. Always difficult to revert back to a smaller screen
getting an imac in a few months, getting an 11” ipad pro now, getting a desk top over a laptop for my main computer
I think their line up with be; Base, M1. Middle, M2. Top, low-end M3.
They’ll drop the starting price by £99 too.
I Got Mine In Pink/Red & I Still Enjoy My iMac,I Have The @021 12.9 iPad Pro Too,So Yes Its Worth Every Dime💖💖💖💖
I still got iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2010). Should I take advantage of discounted M1 or go with M3?
The same question I asked myself before buying M1 MacBook Air, weeks before the launch of M2 MacBook Air.
Great video Mark. I have an iMac from late 2009 :) but am not in a hurry to replace it so will take your advice and wait.
Even though I've enjoyed my Intel-based 27" iMac since 2018, I'd like to see a M2 version of it this year (?).
They could make the studio display cheaper but no, they decided to over engineer it to the point that the only thing it’s not “revolutionary” is the display itself
If someone is buying Studio Display with only 60 hz in 2023, for round about 1600€… this person is lost
I'm buying one this month for my study (web browsing, zoom calls etc) - only getting the 8GB RAM version, because it will be more than capable enough. I just like the fantastic display on it really!!!
I may do the same thing... I just wish Apple offered it with a 27" screen. I'm certain it would sell well.
M3 chips, finally. I still run my 2014 27" iMac -- home-modified with 2 SSDs instead of the HDD-SSD combo, and running MACOS Sonoma thanks to OpenCore Patcher. Still does everything I want. For the wife though, I couldn't resist today's announcement of the M3 24" iMac to replace her old 21" model, and ordered one. Look forward to your review Mark!
"For those with that budget".... is the key sentence. Where I work (graphic designers aplenty) there is no replacement for the 27'' iMac. Entry level Mac Studio and Apple 27'' screen in most basic config is £3500. You could get a really decent iMac 27'' for £1600 - £1800. The company are reticent to shift from £1800 to £3500 per seat for the hardware. I say reticent, they just say no. Designers are not liking going down to a 24'' from a 27'' screen. A replacement for the Intel 27'' is sorely needed still.
i was waiting too long to process a new iMac, needed so much dye to my work......actually every time i buy a maw i have in mind a long time of usage...my last one was a 21,5 iMac i5 2011.....so i can wait a few more years to change me new one ( bought last year in November)...very satisfied with the purchase of the M1 iMac 16gb....
I think that laptops are so powerful its kind of made the desktop redundant for general consumers and low end pros. I have a 2014 iMac and 2015 MacBook Pro. I love my iMac but think I’m going to get a newer laptop and a apple display.
I’m on a 2011 iMac 21.5 base with 1tb spinner hd and 4mb ram. Runs slow but still going strong. I’ll be getting the new M3.
Really appreciate the analysis. have owned the 27 inch Intel powered iMac for almost 10 years so i was in the market for a replacement. I love it that Apple came out with the M3 powered 24 inch iMac in late 2023 as it made the M! version all that more affordable. I just purchased the M1 24 inch iMac for half the price of the same G3 iMac.
Like you I have a lot of M1 related products (7) but the iMac is my favourite of them all. I have also put it in the kitchen by the patio doors and it will be the family computer. I also love the red/pink colour and how it only needs one plug for everything. My only annoyance is unlike my older iMac/Thunderbolt Display it doesn’t provide power to the usb ports when turned off! The M3 is the right way to go but it would be nice to have a Pro version for those who do want it as a main work station.
i feel like this is just the “budget” imac, they don’t update them as often
Buy ? Sure. Fast machine....beautiful display and overall aesthetics . Any M1 iMac under 800 USD in the re-sale market seems to be a pretty good deal
I think, the reason why Apple is taking so long to update the iMac M1 is, it is not a pro power workhorse. I would call it „A computer for the masses“
I use the M1 iMac every day in the office with the Adobe suite and stuff like excel. Lots of apps and browser tabs open. And a Microsoft remote desktop is also running the whole day.
So, this a very capable mashine!
Apples biggest problem now is the Mac Pro and I think they are focusing on this now.
"the M1 in this iMac is getting a bit long in the tooth" - I chuckled as you said this, watching on my 21.5" 2011 iMac with OCLP.
Really looking forward to these updates. Hope they keep the Vesa mount option too.
Gave up waiting for a new 27 inch iMac so last week got the M2 Pro Mac mini (32GB Ram, 1TB storage) AND the Studio Display. Hello new super powerful iMac!! You very quickly forget it's not actually an iMac and the power is absolutely mind-blowing!
Adding a power brick to a desktop just to make it a little thinner does not make sense and I am seeing a lot of the new 24 iMac's with broken or damaged power ports where the magnetic cord connects to the back of the slab.I was excited when I heard they were bringing back a 24in iMac but I did not know it was going to be an almost all in 1.Thin is fine for notebooks as it has a purpose.I have 2 Mac Mini's with 24 Cinema and 27 thunderbolt display's and 3 iMac's 20 and 21.5 and 27 in use in my office and all I see is the screen but they do have enough weight so they do not get knocked over.I love all my Apple products both vintage and current but Apple is starting to over look the little things that have always made there products top shelf and fun.
With the rumours, i will probably do what i always do with rumours, and not believe anything until the product(s) is/are released
Notice i put an s in brackets, as apple could (even if it is unlikely) release 2 sizes of the next iMac (assuming that there will even be a new iMac)
(And i just hope that the rumour of a new iMac didn’t come from apple working on a separate 24 inch display)
Considering that apple bumped the base price of the 24 inch iMac in the UK from £1249 to £1399 (and all models have gotten £150 more expensive) at the same time the M2 Mac Mini came out, i do wonder what Apple is doing
Thx 4 the info brother. Youre the man.
A Mac mini plus a monitor always equals a better solution.
I was waiting and waiting for the next Apple event. Here comes March here. Still no event. Well about March 3rd I bought an iMac online, somehow they can't transfer it over. So I drive to an Apple store and buy a silver iMac M1 8GB ram, 512GB SSD and I'm all set. I'm not worried and gonna keep it for a long time.
Wow you were right about the M3 in the iMac. Came to watch your video to see how the M1 I n 2023 was holding up because the M3 at least double the speed. Not sure if can do a 24" screen.
had my m1 mini since they came out and no issues at all so far and planning to get 3 or more years or more out of it!!
just bought for 700€ upgrade version, think good deal
I would not buy an imac when I can by a mini for instance and velcro to an existing monitor I have. But that's me.
Lol, literally the question I typed into google today ;) great timing
And, clearly, my SEO game is on point ;)
For most 'average consumers' there's no difference between a Mac made ten years ago and the very latest edition.
If surfing, email, social media and light pro-creative stuff... Macs from over a decade ago have more than enough power.
The nefarious reason for the near constant barrage of new iterations is money.
Apple cuts the security updates after 5-6 years. ( used to be 7-8 years ) Making your Mac a sitting duck for hackers.
Also cutting the software updates after a certain period also strangulates the life out of your current Mac.
Therefore you're forced into following Apples 'bread-crumb' hardware updates.
It's a cruel game that every company employs...if they can get away with it.
Apple sparkles its 'new stuff' to people who love novelty and like children,
to the mesmerising tune of the pied piper... they blindly follow along.
Just bought a second iMac 10 days to use in a Master bedroom (16gb, 1 Tb to give it 4+ years of use). The room has a 'green' leaning in it's decoration theme so a green iMac was needed (will they really keep ALL the colors with the M3 update - that is highly questionable, so better safe then sorry). For those USING an iMac...and saying it is not powerful enough well time for those boys to get serious. Great machine and can do anything they need to do. M1 not powerful enough- get real (throwing yours in the trash?). More then powerful enough for the uses the iMac was designed for. I suspect a nuclear device design lab needing Super Computer power is probably not using iMac; nor are poser RUclipsrs (not Mark) who just have to shoot in 8k for talking head unboxing videos that people watch on their phone or 13in laptop screens). But Betty at home using iMovie or iPhotos for her vacation pictures, email, RUclips viewing has more power then she will ever need. For something 'serious' (not really sure what that is) I have a Studio* with Dual 27" Studio Displays. And the iMacs can hang with that set up (except screen space and ports -which is why I bought that set up to sit near my silver 24in iMac) for 95% of what I do. *Mac Mini is great but WTF on port selection. No SD card reader...What the Hell. Mom and Dad user don't need to big Studio box but could seriously use a mini with a SD card reader and that. would be perfect for those stepping up from an iMac. Apple, people hate the dongle crap, what will it take for you to get that concept.
man they should bring back the 27 inch iMac with Pro Motion. The pricing of Apple Studio Display feels like a joke rn. It would be cool if we get a M3 Pro version 24 inch iMac with Pro Motion.
M3 is coming. M1 is a good processor. I knew a programer that could do more with an I3 and run circles around you ! So what can you do with what you have now ?
M1 long in the tooth? its been out for a few years but the core audience for M1 Mac would need nothing more than M1 its an incredible device which will last years and years
It’s only one generation behind atm so it may not be so bad depending on what your getting it for
Wish Apple would make the stands height adjustable and not charge an arm and a leg for the stand as they do on the studio monitor.
I love mine mate after your recommendation thanks for that great video as well👏😎
Tim Cook already made a statement saying that the 27” iMac Pro is done, they are not making them anymore, if you want that power, you need to buy the Mac Studio (with the studio display) to get that iMac Pro back. With that said, I agree that the iMac is going to the get the pro version of the M3 chip.
Apple should come out with a 24 , 27, 34, 43 inch maybe larger screens as custom orders, more productivity people are using larger screens now not just gamers anymore . They would be leaving money on the table if they don’t offer more.
An iMac M3 Pro would be smashing! 😍
Just picked one up for 800 at Best Buy. Seems like a no-brainer
Hello! Between the MacMini with the M2 Pro chip and the MacStudio with the M1 Max chip, which one do you recommend? Thanks in advance
It is ridiculous that stopped making the larger 27 inch imac and tried to make a push for the lame studio monitor..they could sell both or get rid of the studio monitor and no one would care.. if they make a 27 inch in the new form factor it would sell so well, apple has some weird views on their products sometimes
My issue with the imac is the utter lack of connectivity. I can't connect my Apollo Twin X interface or my Panarama P4 MIDI because there's no ports. The new Thunderbolt 4 apparently doesn't work with thunderbolt 3 stuff and there's no USB connections at all. This thing is useless to me. What a waste of money
Where is the bigger display?
Great work Mark. Keep it up
Thank you!
The M3 chip is worth waiting for now its autumn 2023... The 27 Studio display has always been available... Did U drop the plot ??
I have the M1 Mini and feel no need for a cpu upgrade. I think Apple had to make the M1 a revolutionary upgrade, not an incremental one. Consequently they killed a lot of the need for the future incremental upgrades like the M2 and M3 chips. If you need more power, go for them, but if you don’t then enjoy the M1 ride. I think you may be right about the 27 inch iMac, even though the all in one form factor was one of the most loved Macs of all time. For people who want a clean desktop they are tops. I’m a messy type with a Mini and a monster hub full of cords.
Since I already own one, the question is moot. I am quite happy with. So at this time I don’t have a reason to upgrade. I wait and what the next iMac has.
Hi Mark. This is really relevant to me. I have a late intel 21.5 iMac with 16 GB RAM. I'm a photographer and with enhanced resolution files that can run to 400 mb in Light Room things can get a bit like treacle.
When the M2 Pro Mac mini came out I was really excited. Then I priced up a monitor and peripherals. An iMac even with a base level M2 chip would be better value provided a 24 inch screen would be enough.
The hot rumours are for an imminent release of an upgraded iMac.
If that is all a load of bull I will buy an M1. Sure I'd like more than RAM.
But more than enough for my needs. Just less future proofing.
oh hii mark
Pound-for-pound M2 Mac mini.
But when you add in a great display, how does that measure out?
Depends which display you go for!
I’d love a new iMac but I want more unified memory. I currently have an M1 Air with 16MB and although it is a fabulous machine, some of the work I do needs more memory. I already have an LG 27” screen, so a 24” iMac with more memory and the option of a Pro chip, would be the perfect machine for me. Fingers crossed. 🙏🏻
I will get one when it comes with the M3.
I brought this, Now regret the purchase. It has too many issues, unfortunately I didn't knew about the apple care, as I brought it from flipkart in India. Thought it will last for bit longer. No one is taking about the how faulty the device is, Entire board to replaced in first 6 months and by next year horizontal lines on the display. I told apple to replace it while in warranty but they went with the repair instead. It would cost you same amount as the actual device if something goes wrong! say display and anything in the board. Fake certified apple centers in India will make things much worse. You can't upgrade not even the storage , can't trade in, can only be extended to one display. Hope it helps some one to make a better decision.
Thank you, for another excellent comment video. I agree with you, on waiting for a few more months before buying a 24-inch M1 iMac computer but, only until Apple's WWDC in June. If buying in 2023, I would only get either a discounted or refurbished unit (smile...smile).
Thank you for this video - I literally had the iMac in my cart and watched this before checking out!! Much appreciate!
When the new ones come out, these prices will drop. Wait, unless you need it. I am sad they didnt update the 5k iMac. When I updated my 5k, the the new i9 chips was no longer on the shelf, so I got the top i7, I could. I could not wait due to work and school. Maybe, refurb would have been better. (Subscribed. Thank you for your content.)
I am on the M1 Mac Mini and I love it music production, but I have been thinking about upgrading (I really have no reason other then I like gear) but what should one get ? The Mac Studio Max M1 or the new Mac Mini pro M2 ?? I am ONLY gonna use it for music production!
Hi Mark I need to spend some company money in the next month and am debating between the 24” m1 imac vs 27” intel imac. Have a $2000 budget and have to use it before the end of next month. Thanks so much ! 🙏🏻
Get the 24-inch mate - the 27 is pretty much end of line 👍
Binned/unbinned❓
I almost purchase one of these but see 24 inch and 258GB and would want a larger screen and bigger storage. Just a question do these have an addition for Storage card or would you say you need to use an external Hard Drive ? My bday is November and I will see if we have any news before then and something new dropping end of year
I'm hoping to get an M1 iMac after the M2 / M3 iMac has released
I love how the iMac is so mobile… it literally goes all over the home for use.
M3 pro iMac sounds great
Funny, in the apple store few years back the specialist was pushing the 21.5 imac over the 27 saying it was best option
I’m looking at buying one 8core 8gb 1 Tb are u saying not worth it
The older I'm getting the less I game and I've noticed I've slowly been switching to Apple as it just works well together with their other products and I'm tired of trying to fix all the issues I get with windows pc gaming.
Hopefully the next one is 27 or 32" that's the only way I'd get one.
I literally just bought that exact computer but its cool cause I have like 2 months to return it & honestly I am coming from a 9 yr old custom pc with a mere intel i5 in it which honestly works fantastic for me I just really want a sexy iMac that is much smaller than a desktop, more quiet, still more powerful and will match my Macbook air :) The new one to come will cost a pretty penny I'm sure if it has the M3 but idc I could use a 3rd Mac computer anyways perhaps!~ :D
Are you going to switch from the M1 iMac the Samsung Ultra 23? 😊
Already done it mate.
I don't think so. I'm sure there will be a revised iMac soon enough - probably, as you say, later this year - but I can't see that it will be fundamentally based on the M3. Reasons? The iMac is the entry-level all-in-one desktop device, and as such needs to be affordable, and I don't think an M3-based computer will be affordable-enough. So I would expect it to be M2-based - that does show good-enough improvements over the M1. I think we're into incremental upgrades for this mass-market computer, and the M2 would be such an upgrade. There might be configurable options that included better processors, and perhaps even the M3 when it's available, but I can't believe that the whole range will be M3-based.
And, to be honest, I think you miss the purpose of the standard iMac. It's not really about computing power - Apple have other solutions for people who require that, including, as you point out, the Mac Studio. I've always thought that the iMac is about the convenience of the all-in-one solution and the screen quality. The M1 iMac is the best and cheapest way of getting a 5k (!) display in a convenient package with a fast-enough processor for general computing tasks. I'm sure its replacement will just incrementally improve on that.
(Also note that the M1 iMac has three Model Numbers, three EMC numbers, and two Model Identifiers, even though they're all very similar.)
The 24" M1 iMac has enough space for Face-Id cameras and sensors, and Aapple doesn't put them in, nooo they have to shove them in on a tiny display on a Phone.
The new one will cost around £1500 minimum. U can pick up a used m1 for around 700-800 so you shd get the m1
The memory and storage blows on the 24" I-Mac
As much a I would LOVE the 24' iMac I'm still waiting to see the new MacBook Airs!
Dude... M1's are ALL amazing chips and ALL of the M1 product line are so perfectly great right now. M2 are selling like poop because it's better to get a cheaper and slightly less powerful M1. Maybe wait until the next iMac comes out and then buy the M1 version then for a discount. Other than that just buy it. It's M1 its awesome.
If the air hadn’t gotten the refresh with the M2 model I would’ve gotten the M1 based off performance only.
I don’t disagree with you. I just think Apple would be really really stupid to release an M3 IMac anytime this year or even the first half of 2024. Why because it’s going to absolutely kill and cannibalise all sales of the new M2 Mac mini’s and all other M2 platforms and it’ll also make all M1 Mac studios obsolete. People will think pfft I’m not buying an old M2 chip computer I’ll get the iMac M3. But then people like me who don’t want an IMac will think sod apple I’m not buying the M2/m2 pro Mac mini etc I’ll wait for the m3 version. So if apple does release an M3 iMac this year their idiots as it’ll destroy sales of well everything that doesn’t have an m3 chip…madness utter madness.
Great video. Just subbed. Do you think the new iMac will come with a 24 inch screen as well?
Welcome onboard! I think that’s pretty much guaranteed!
Thanks! Sounds great. Waiting on it now
Can't wait til the newer version of this iMac.
I'd be happy with a 4.5K 27" iMac...
Most consumers cannot afford the Apple Studio Display.
Looking forward to purchasing the updated m3 iMac. Especially if it has the m3 pro chip. Love all in one desktops
Scary fast event coming today, most likely a M3 iMac.
No.
Great thanks. I don't need one since I have an M1 macbook air but I was considering a mac mini maybe in the future but my macbook does not look very nice on my 2k BenQ screens text is blurry and resolution is terrible. I worry the Mac Mini would look the same on these screens. I have a PC setup on them currently and the screens look good but I would eventually like to switch to all mac.
I just want thin bezels all around
So conflicted about what to go for! I’m in between the IMac or M2 Macbook~ I’m a student & graphic designer so I’m definitely leaning towards the IMac just because of the bigger display.. but the macbook offering portability is also appealing to me ): ! A second opinion on this would be amazing if someone could help me out !
Honestly, if you are able to spend a little more go for a M1 MacBook Pro 14 inch. It comes with more storage and more RAM and 0:02 the chip is still better than the M2. I was in the same position, having the portability and with the hdmi slot on the pro I can easily connect it to a bigger monitor. Has been a life changer.