This week, during perhaps the shortest Apple event in history, the 24-inch M1 iMac was replaced with an M3 processor.
But there’s something missing, folks. Where is the big iMac display?
For nearly 20 years, the IMAX has had two active models: a small and a large.
When the first iMacs came with flat panels in 2002, Apple introduced a 15-inch and a 17-inch model. This dynamic pairing of 15- and 17-inch displays lasted until November 2003, when Apple upped its game (and its display size), offering 17-inch and 20-inch displays on the new generation of iMacs for that time.
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17- and 20-inch models were produced until 2006. That year, Apple began offering three iMac screen sizes: 17-inch, 20-inch and 24-inch. During this period, Apple also changed processor platforms, moving from the PowerPC platform to the Intel platform earlier that year.
iMacs were sold in 20-inch and 24-inch models until April 2009. In October of that year, Apple jumped up to 21.5-inch and 27-inch models. This form factor survived for a full decade, with the latest 21.5- and 27-inch iMacs introduced in 2019. During this time, display resolutions have jumped; While the screen sizes remained the same, the 21.5-inch model is rocking a 4K display and the 27-inch model is packing a full 5K screen.
It should be noted that the short-lived iMac Pro, which Apple sold from June 2017 to March 2021, used the same 27-inch form factor as the non-Pro iMac.
And then, in May 2021, Apple introduced its 24-inch Apple Silicon M1-based iMac. One could argue that this model – 24 inches – was positioned squarely between the 21.5-inch display and the 27-inch display and should suit everyone.
Apple Silicon Generation
However, there were users who wanted a bigger and better display. Apple has shipped iMacs in two display sizes for nearly 20 years, and users can expect to see a 27-inch M1 or perhaps something better, such as a 32-inch or 38-inch display.
But it didn’t happen. Worse, after Apple updated most of its line to M2 processors last year, the 24-inch iMac hasn’t made the jump.
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And then, this week, Apple announced its M3 chip lineup in what was probably the shortest Apple event in history.
With that lineup, Apple replaced the M2 MacBook Pro with the M3 model. Apple has replaced the 24-inch M1 iMac with an M3 processor.
Something is not right
It’s nice that Apple has upgraded the iMac, but it’s a bit of a head-scratcher. First, the iMac is only available with the base M3 processor. There is no sign of M3 Pro or M3 Max. If Apple can fit a Pro or Max chip inside a MacBook Pro, surely it can fit inside an iMac.
Quinn Nelson, host Snazzy Labs YouTube Channel, competitor That’s in short supply for high-end chips, as Apple is using TSMC’s 3 nanometer process Which has less than ideal yield. Perhaps Apple is only releasing iMacs with base M3 processors to accommodate demand.
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And, ahem, where is the larger display?
Do you need a bigger display?
Give me that answer. you always A larger display is required. No matter how big your display is, you need more screen real estate. At least I do. above question should Read, “Do you need bigger? iMac display?”
And that is controversial.
My last iMac was a 27-inch Intel model that I bought in 2013. The display became obsolete long before the computer. But I found that I had to plug the display around because it was the computer. When I retired it, the system had spent two years facing off, providing some server functionality. It was face down so it would take up as little space as possible given my available rack room.
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I, and many other users, prefer to separate the computer from the display. This allows you to reconfigure displays, add new screens, hang from display arms, and otherwise change the workspace over time. We, for example, have two Mac Minis hanging from a big-screen TV in our conference area.
I have a 38-inch LG Display, an older Apple Studio Display, a TCL Roku TV, and a Westinghouse Curved Display. My main work computer is now Mac Studio, and it has a 30-inch 4K display attached to the end of a three-foot monitor arm, so I can move it wherever I need to.
You can’t even really make that price a win with the iMac. The base M3 24-inch iMac with a 4.5K display costs $1,299. While we don’t have the M3 Mac Mini yet, the base M2 Mac Mini is $599 A nice LG 4k 27-inch(!) display for $369 From Amazon. That’s $968. That leaves $331 in savings, enough to get a mouse and a keyboard – even a mouse that doesn’t have Apple’s ridiculous bottom charging port.
At the high end, you could go all out. You could take one 27-inch 5K Apple Studio Display Go for $1,599 or more $4,999 Pro XDR Display. (Add a $1,000 if you want it standing on your desk — seriously.) Those of you who need an XDR display know who you are; And for your needs, it’s actually a pretty good deal. For the rest of us, Studio Display is fine.
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If you want to save a few bucks and get a 27-inch 5K display, LG has a Nice model Just under $1,000. You can even get a 24-inch model for a few hundred bucks less.
The point is, if you use one Mac mini or a McStudioOr even hang off a display of yours MacBook Pro or MacBook Airyou can get This is a wonderful animal. We are talking about one thing 5K LG Ultrawide That’s 40 inches of pure screen real estate, all for $1,578. And yes, this is What I want for Christmas (although, at 26 pounds, my monitor arm is a little too heavy).
What is the bottom line for buyers?
There are two thoughts to keep in mind. First, Apple has shipped two screen sizes for iMacs for nearly 20 years, and it’s annoying that the company isn’t doing that anymore. Second, if you want a larger screen, the flexibility of using a separate computer and monitor may mean there’s no reason for a second iMac size.
Either of these choices is perfectly valid depending on your work style. Just remember: if you go with Camp Standalone, you’ll have more choices in the future; When you buy an iMac, you get that iMac. duration
What do you think? Are you in camp 27-inch iMac? Or are you in the standalone monitor camp? Let us know in the comments below.