Although the two iMacs drew closer to each other in recent models, they started out as distinct, discrete models. The 24-inch had an inferior screen, less configurability, and no niceties like sockets for internal RAM. Apple pulled up the specs of the 24 to make it more like a smaller 27, but it was clear that the 24 was directed more toward users who want the convenience of an all in one, and the 27 toward users who needed or wanted to BTO it to the max.
I think in general form, yes, they were variations on a theme, but the 24 survives as an M1 machine because it is a unique animal. The 27 (including my lifesaving 2019 that I purchased loaded when my video production needs were heavy in the first pandemic summer) is redundant when the internals of a much better machine are pulled out and boxed up separately, and paired with a better 27 inch monitor with some Mac smarts of its own.
The ports that were sometimes a giant PITA to reach (and for the record that has never felt like an issue with the 24) are now on a movable box, and overall this just makes a giant pile of sense to me.
Makes me wonder what I can get for my 18 month old imac.
There’s still a giant M1 Pro-shaped gap in the desktop machine lineup. While I would potentially be interested in taking a step up from the M1 Mini, the next “step” is big enough to require climbing gear.
Holding a 2TB SSD constant, the M1 Mini (16GB/2TB) is $1700 while the M1 Max Studio (32GB/2TB) is $2600. That’s a $900 window in which there’s basically no Mac desktop solution right now. Add the Studio Display, and there’s no 27" iMac “replacement” between $3300 and $4200.
Well the good news is there are rumors saying we will get an AS replacement for the high-end mini after all. It’s just taking longer — but it will come with M2 Pro.
Interesting. The delivery date on the Studio Display is now out to mid-May, so by that point it might make sense to see if anything shows up at WWDC in early June.
Just to put this out there: noted technology analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is still predicting an iMac Pro for 2023 (along with Mac Pro and an updated Mac mini).
He doesn’t make a prediction about the display size, and I suppose it’s possible that Apple will make the 24” a pro-level machine, but I’d think that if Apple makes a new iMac Pro, it would be a larger display than 24”.
I’m starting to think these “rumors” are getting it wrong. There likely won’t be an iMac Pro or a high-end Mac mini. Perhaps the pro is going into existing kit, rather than we’re getting new “Pro” kit.
Within 12 months there will be an M2 along with more options and Apple will be able to broaden their existing product lines. Perhaps they will then start selling a Pro/Max variant of the 24" iMac and the Mac mini along with more ports (kind of like today the high-end 24" offers a couple more ports than the low-end).
That would encourage upsell, it would cater to more prosumer buyers, and it would still allow Apple to keep to a few simple product lines. I always got the impression Apple actually liked being able to offer a lot of CTO options.
Actually, if the new plan is for the 27” iMac to be replaced with the Studio Display + Mac Mini/ Mac Studio/ forthcoming Mac Pro, that greatly simplifies the build/ configuration options for Apple. Instead of having an inventory of lots of different configurations of big iMacs, they have a few models of the big screens (stand, texture) and a bunch of small boxes where most of the configuration goes on. Just the screen texture choice would multiply the iMac inventory by two.
Well, yeah. Compatibility with the Mac Studio, but does that mean that all features are supported? If you do a product comparison with MacBook Air and iMac, it seems not. This shows keyboard touch id support for the iMac only.
Apple has thrived by focusing on very small product lines and making it easier for potential buyers to make choices. Eliminating Mac clones and reducing the number of Macs in the lineup was one of the very first things Steve Jobs did when he returned to Apple. He also limited focus of models to appeal to specific user segments. Apple also limits the number of flavors of iPhones, iPads, Watches, etc. Having limited product lines insures their products are differentiated not just from the competition, but from Apple’s own inventory.
Dell is currently selling 29 models of desktops. If I were considering a Dell, my eyes would cross from trying to remember which model does what:
@iantidbits.com I compared the Mini, MacBook Pro 14(2021) and the iMac 4-port, and I see the comparison section you posted. I think that it’s stating what comes with the system, not compatibility of any add-on peripherals.
If you scroll down a bit further to Keyboard and Trackpad, it states that Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad listed for the mini as (sold separately). I have a M1 Mini and the Apple store says that the new Magic Keyboard with Touch ID is compatible with it.
I’m on a chat with an Apple specialist right now - I hope to have a definitive answer shortly. The specialist did indicate that whether Touch ID works with the mini (and I assume other models) is a good question…
Just got off chat with the Apple specialist. Took a bit of time to research because the new Magic Keyboard is, well…, new.
The answer he found was that the Touch ID that’s on the new Magic Keyboard is compatible with M1 Macs, including the Mini. And that the Touch ID feature works.
I cross-checked this answer with Apple’s new platform security document. Magic Keyboard with Touch ID - Apple Support
It also states that the Touch ID feature works with any Mac with Apple Silicon.
I expect most people who buy a Mac Studio will be buying a monitor from another company. Apple do have the 4K LG monitor at $700 so a healthy discount from their monitor.
Yes, it does. Oh, and there’s a clue in the name, too " Magic Keyboard with Touch ID for Mac models with Apple silicon" (my emphasis). But holy cow, the price!
And note that there are several 4K displays with quality panels on the market right now even below $700.
I think it’s the folks that would like 5K who are in more trouble. And truthfully, that’s been the case before too. There is little to choose from outside of Apple’s. The Studio is great, but it’s very pricey and you have only very few options to get 5K at a lower price point. 5K suffers from the lack of savings of scale that 4Ks get due to the TV market.
