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iMac Apple

Apple Introduces M1 Chip-Powered iMac (techcrunch.com) 182

Posted by msmash from the new-Apple-products dept.
Apple has finally given the world a dramatic new iMac redesign, aimed at the company's long-standing goal of "making the computer disappear." From a report: Naturally, the latest version of the 24-inch all-in-one desktop is built around the company's new proprietary M1 chips. The screen sports a 4.5K Retina Display, coupled with a 1080p camera -- a first for the Mac line, and a sign the company is taking both audio and video more seriously as these products are serving as a kind of life line for the work from home crowd. True Tone is, naturally, on board for better color balance, and sound have been improved with six-speaker setup.

The new devices are significantly thinner -- with overall volume reduced by half, according to the company. The rear is also flat, instead of curved. All told, the company says it's up to 85% faster than the last model, coupled with a GPU that's up to twice as fast and 3x the machine learning. Around back are two Thunderbolt ports and a new magnetic power adapter that also delivers Ethernet. The system comes in seven colors. It starts at $1,299.
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Apple Introduces M1 Chip-Powered iMac More

Apple Introduces M1 Chip-Powered iMac

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  • Making the computer disappear. Right into Siri.

  • No 10G e-net 8GB unified memory 256GB storage (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Joe_Dragon ( 2206452 ) on Tuesday April 20, 2021 @02:09PM (#61294598)

    No 10G e-net 8GB unified memory 256GB storage at that price what an rip
    and the upgrades??
    $1,599.00 for only 8GB system + video ram and only 512GB storage??

    Based on the mini say $180 to upgrade to 16GB ram? and maybe 32GB at $499-599?
    $180 to upgrade from 512 to 1TB storage? makeing it cost $360 for 1TB?? that you can't upgrade on your own?

    High end PCIe 4.0 1TB ssds are $200 what is apple doing having it be X2 that price?

    • Re:No 10G e-net 8GB unified memory 256GB storage (Score:5, Informative)

      by phalse phace ( 454635 ) on Tuesday April 20, 2021 @02:13PM (#61294608)

      High end PCIe 4.0 1TB ssds are $200 what is apple doing having it be X2 that price?

      Increasing their profit margins.

    • Look at the picture.

      They took a macbook pro, took out the system board, put it into a monitor, and are selling it as an iMac.

      What really surprises is the power cable/ethernet combo, because those clearly have so much in common. I guess Apple just really wanted in on Japan's $120 power cable market.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by Malc ( 1751 )

        What really surprises is the power cable/ethernet combo, because those clearly have so much in common.

        Is it not power and ethernet over USB-C? It actually sounds like a good idea and reduces the cables from the wall to the desk.

    • Re:No 10G e-net 8GB unified memory 256GB storage (Score:5, Informative)

      by fred6666 ( 4718031 ) on Tuesday April 20, 2021 @02:22PM (#61294642)

      You must be new here. Apple is always overpriced. Especially it's iMac line.
      Most iMac buyers would be far better off with a real desktop. No reason to change the monitor and the computer together. It's a dumb financial and environmental move.

      • Well, the previous iMac Pros weren't too bad.

        The beefed up ones made for decent little Davinci Resolve video editors.

        All around decent for media work.

        • Re: (Score:3)

          by vux984 ( 928602 )

          It still doesn't justify bundling the computer into the screen. Want to add a 2nd matched screen to an imac pro, you can't.

          The cpu/motherboard dies -- you've got a very nice screen that's an expensive paper weight.

      • It's a dumb financial and environmental move.

        The 13" lower-end MBP I purchased in 2013 is still chugging along fine. That was one of the best financial moves I ever made w/ respect to a computer purchase.

        Environmentally it's no worse than buying a laptop, or a phone, or tablet or any other devices with a built in screen / low repairability... which is almost any device these days, except a custom built PC. So reasonable point, but not a knock on Apple specifically.

        • An iMac is not replacing a laptop, phone or tablet. It's a desktop.
          The thing is when you purchase an iMac, you could have got a real desktop (separate monitor / computer) instead. Which is much better for the environment.

      • Re: (Score:3)

        by Jzanu ( 668651 )
        This design is called all-in-one, and it is an offering from most large PC firms. It is a compact option that is easily moved, avoids the mess of most cables, and saves considerable weight by consolidating the outer casing of the major components. In terms of electronic lifespan, it is entirely possible to design the monitor lifespan to match that of the other components so that by the time one fails the rest are nearly there. There is less waste involved than you think.

        • Re:No 10G e-net 8GB unified memory 256GB storage (Score:4, Informative)

          by fred6666 ( 4718031 ) on Tuesday April 20, 2021 @04:06PM (#61295016)

          This design is called all-in-one, and it is an offering from most large PC firms.

          I know, but most don't sell. Except the iMac. Historically, it's because the Mac mini was not powerful enough and the Mac Pro too expensive. So a lot of people settled for the iMac, even though they never asked for an all-in-one. It's always been a bad choice for most uses cases, and still is.

          It is a compact option that is easily moved, avoids the mess of most cables, and saves considerable weight by consolidating the outer casing of the major components.

          I've never seen someone move an iMac. It's meant to sit on a desk and remain there. Just like I'm not moving my monitor or my TV around the house.
          You save at most two cables (monitor power and signal). The computer and most cables can be hidden under the desk if you prefer. They also sell some VESA mount computers that can be attached behind the monitor and most cables would be hidden there.

          Of course it's small, but almost can't be repaired or upgraded. I prefer a real desktop tower for that reason, but even a Mac mini would be a much better choice.

          In terms of electronic lifespan, it is entirely possible to design the monitor lifespan to match that of the other components so that by the time one fails the rest are nearly there. There is less waste involved than you think.

          Of course both can have the same MTBF. Statistically, one will break and not the other. It's possible the computer breaks after 4 years and the monitor after 15, even if both have the same 5 years MTBF.
          It's still waste to replace both at the same time since the chance they both fail at the same time is very low. Also, people tend to upgrade their PC faster than their monitor, although this is becoming less true.
          I don't plan to upgrade my monitor for at least 10 years. Not sure I will hold that long with my PC, but maybe.

          It's also a very bad choice to be forced to choose a monitor along with the computer. I chose a 32" monitor. Where is the iMac that would suit me?

        • In terms of electronic lifespan, it is entirely possible to design the monitor lifespan to match that of the other components so that by the time one fails the rest are nearly there.

          But the monitor in my iMac is perfectly fine, yes they could have reduced it's lifespan to match the other components but why would introducing that level of planned obsolescence be a good thing?

      • It's a dumb financial and environmental move.

        I’m pretty sure Apple wouldn’t do anything to harm the environment. They even accept your used equipment, FOR FREE, and they stopped including chargers in iPhones because they love the environment so very, very much.

      • Re: (Score:3)

        by martinX ( 672498 )

        I'm still using a 2013 27" iMac as my daily video editor. The monitor is still great and the ageing hardware is still able to do the same job it started doing 8 years ago. The boss considers it value for money.

    • What other company sells a desktop with built in 10gb ethernet?

    • No 10G e-net 8GB unified memory 256GB storage at that price what an rip.

      Speaking of 10G e-net, their factory upgrade pricing structure has been that way for almost as long as people have been waiting to justify a 4K HDTV with a public broadcast.

    • No 10G e-net 8GB unified memory 256GB storage at that price what an rip

      It's the same core components as the iPad Pro, the Mac Mini and the Macbook Pro. Of course it's not upgradeable so it's yet another e-waste problem. I've got a 27" iMac from 2013, the display is great but using it with a PC means the iMac has to be on and every time you need to have a keyboard plugged in to it so you can switch it to target display mode, bit of a mess.

    • The 8GB of ram is really baffling... if there's truly no upgrade option, this first revision of Apple Silicon iMac is immediately a no-go for our work computers.

  • why so thin in an desktop? and no Ethernet + usb A build in. No wait that's an $29 dongle each

  • Where's the M1X? (Score:3)

    by battingly ( 5065477 ) on Tuesday April 20, 2021 @02:15PM (#61294614)
    It still has the same cpu as the first products announced last year? Pro users are holding off buying, waiting for an upgraded cpu.

  • Thin for no reason. (Score:3)

    by jellomizer ( 103300 ) on Tuesday April 20, 2021 @02:17PM (#61294618)

    A laptop you want thin and light, because you have to travel with it. The same with your phone. but for the iMac, it doesn't need to be much thinner than its standup base. The First Intel iMac (and the iMac G5) really was thin enough for its practicality. This new one isn't saving any usable space, and you don't have any room for upgrades.

  • It sounds like a very nice machine. I sure would love to get one, but they will only be available from next month or the month after.

  • "the company's long-standing goal of "making the computer disappear."

    That plastic box full of keys is still called a keyboard.

    That funny looking small hand-sized object, is still called a mouse. Even if it no longer has a tail.

    And no matter what kind of CPU is inside, that metal box full of computer parts, running a computer OS, is still called a fucking computer.

    The only thing disappearing here, is logic.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by JackAxe ( 689361 )
      "...that metal box full of computer parts, running a computer OS..." Out of context, this can be used to describe a modern refrigerator. :)

      • "...that metal box full of computer parts, running a computer OS..." Out of context, this can be used to describe a modern refrigerator. :)

        (Me) "OK, fine. If the main function is surfing the web..."

        (You) "Oh, you mean like a tablet?"

        (Me) "OK, fine. If one of the main features is the ability to install apps..."

        (You) "Oh, you mean like my TV?"

        (Me) "Fuck it. Point taken.."

    • When I think of a computer, I think of something that has components that can be upgraded or replaced by the user. In that sense, Apple has succeeded in making the computer disappear, or at least transformed it into an appliance. At the same time, they've also made it disappear from the list of the devices I would consider buying.

      • When I think of a computer, I think of something that has components that can be upgraded or replaced by the user. In that sense, Apple has succeeded in making the computer disappear, or at least transformed it into an appliance. At the same time, they've also made it disappear from the list of the devices I would consider buying.

        Damn, you're right. I stand corrected. That's actually one hell of a disappearing act.

        Breaking it down even further though, Apple doesn't actually sell computers. They sell incredibly popular fashion statements that happen to have some tech inside. Remove the popularity, and they would be out of business faster than Supreme competing with Amazon Basics.

    • Yes, but actually: No.

      A computer is an universal information processing machine, programmable by the user, to automate his (information processing) work away.

      That means if you are not the one with full acccess, it might e a computer to the one who does (like Apple), but it sure as ell its't for you.
      Do the test: Try to find a useful definition for "computer" that includes an iDevice (which Macs now become) , that still fits the above, without becoming too useless to he a word. ("Cloud" is such a useless word

  • I find it kind of a sad thing how they keep improving the performance but making the whole package smaller. I want to see the iMac in the original form factor with ALL of the computing power that you can fit into that form factor using modern components. But Apple will never build that machine.

  • I like the POE (power over Ethernet) and the M1 chip set. Nice to see the return of the magnet connected power cord. Not sure why they ever went away from that. I have it on my old Mac-book and think it's brilliant. The display looks to be really nice. The M1 seems to perform really well with apps that are architected for it but otherwise you are running through emulation and it's going to be quite a bit slower. To be fair, that should get better over time.

    However...

    1080p webcam? Seriously? It took them thi

    • It’s not a computer for me, but I guess it will work for a lot of people. I’ve gone from a 27” iMac to 2x31” monitors and would not go back. It seems like a pretty good design in the details, especially if you go with a VESA mount version... but short-changing on RAM and SSD is just silly. I’m also curious how people would (gracefully) use two monitors, but I guess that isn’t a new issue.

      • Yeah two monitors is the way to go. Adding a second monitor to an iMac would just ruin the esthetics. The whole design just screams form over function. Personally I don't think the iMac is really designed for the power user. Most people I know in that category are using two, or more, monitors.

    • 256GB SSD? That is way too small and the upgrade prices from Apple are absurd. It should be 1GB at this price point.
      8GB of memory that tops out at 16GB? Should be 16GB standard and topping out at 64GB.
      N

      I have an M1 MacBook Air, which was purchased by my employer. I do like it; however - if I were buying a Mac for myself (desktop OR laptop), I'd definitely wait until they they address the significant shortcomings of the rev 1 SoC. You hit a couple of them, but there's also the issue with it only handing one external display (unless you use some totally ghetto third-party solution).

      This new iMac design seems like a significant step back in many ways when compared to the previous iMacs. The biggest ones seem

    • I like the POE (power over Ethernet) and the M1 chip set. Nice to see the return of the magnet connected power cord. Not sure why they ever went away from that. I have it on my old Mac-book and think it's brilliant.

      Wouldn't that be EOP (Ethernet over power)? :-P

      Completely agree about the magnet connected power cord. That's most exciting thing for me--if they're bringing it back for the iMac, maybe the Macbook/Macbook pro are next!

      • "Wouldn't that be EOP (Ethernet over power)? :-P" - I stand corrected. That's what I get for trying to multi-task :-)

        "Completely agree about the magnet connected power cord. That's most exciting thing for me--if they're bringing it back for the iMac, maybe the Macbook/Macbook pro are next!" - It's such a simple yet brilliant design. I don't know why it didn't catch on with all laptops. Those are the sort of innovations that I miss from Apple. At some point they sort of lost their way and it all became about

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by EvilSS ( 557649 )

      1080p webcam? Seriously? It took them this long to get a proper webcam. Comparable computers at a 1/3 of the price have had that for years.

      OK, we need you and this guy to fight it out and figure out why we are outraged that they put in a 1080p webcam: https://apple.slashdot.org/com... [slashdot.org]

  • I have a 2017 MacBook Pro with 16 GB. When I run it with Parallels for Windows 10 development, it bogs down.

    My 2009 iMac maxed out at 8 GB and hasnâ(TM)t been OS upgradable sine 2017. It sits in my closet now.

    16 GB is fine for native apps and most development. But, my next machine better have a 32 or 64GB model or a waste of money.

  • Apple customers love them & no one else matter (Score:3)

    by couchslug ( 175151 ) on Tuesday April 20, 2021 @03:34PM (#61294924)

    Apple is immensely profitable because they understand who they do NOT have to care about. Selling art objects to people who tolerate but do not really like the idea of a machine vs an object that's beautiful.

    I find this amusing because their detractors have no reason to care what they do. I don't buy their ecosystem as my machines exist to serve me but what sells vs. what I'd prefer more of in the marketplace are utterly different.

    BTW the cost is also irrelevant because anyone making enough money to need professional tools can easily afford them. If you're any good at what you do a few thousand dollars is background noise. If you aren't then stick to toys you can afford.

    • Pretty much the bulk of my life’s savings is in Apple stock, and I have been Apple-only for a long time. Not so much any more...

      Apple does need to be careful that they aren’t alienating loyal customers at a faster rate than they are attracting new ones.

      • Apple does need to be careful that they aren’t alienating loyal customers at a faster rate than they are attracting new ones.

        Who do you think they're alienating now? I ask honestly--I had thought that for several years Apple WAS alienating me (butterfly keyboards, removal of magsafe, removal of Esc key+function keys, etc.), but they really do seemed to have listened to user feedback and gone back on some of their decisions. Unprecedented!

        • Happy Jony Ive is gone for sure... but a 24” all-in-one sounds too much like halfway between 21” (great for small desks/workspaces) and 27” (nice single-monitor setup, at least a few years ago). What they seem to have missed is that there are plenty of cheap, good 31” monitors now that offer ~60% more working space than a 24”, and can easily be doubled-up. I think a “better” mac mini would have been a more interesting product, but barring that they needed a better

  • Webcams are mostly used for video conferencing, where streams are (and should be) downsampled to something like 240p to avoid saturating the entire internet with crap. Anyone doing serious video uses an external camera, so what's the point of increasing the pixel count of a webcam?

    • A good 1080p stream is barely 500kb/s. You can always down sample your camera if you feel guilty.

    • Saturate? Are you running IP over pigeon over there or what?

      Kill those crap live streams (as in: Twitch, YouTube etc) and you've done much more to improve the world.

    • Anyone doing serious video uses an external camera, so what's the point of increasing the pixel count of a webcam?

      One of the first statements I typically see in any review of any new Apple product has been some variation of "what the heck is with the 720p webcam? There's no excuse for that, Apple, in the year ####".

      As silly as that is, people do read those reviews and are impacted by them.

    • I’ll go the opposite extreme— why only 1080p? I’d love a 1440p or 4k camera that can easily be cropped down to 1080p. When leading a video conference the better the image the more engagement you have it seems.

  • So much for anyone saying they aren't turing all their things into locked-down gadgets, no matter the screen size.

    It's officially not a Personal Computer anymore. Now in actual reality, not just in Apple's propaganda.

    But the subject of my comment is what actual indiviuals will be doing then, if they didn't already. And the EU's legislation is also moving in the exact opposite direction.
    Always remember: This time, their savior isn't coming back to save the MBAs.

  • How am I supposed to run this thing and have 500 Chrome tabs open?

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