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All-new iMac features the M1 chip

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Re: All-new iMac features the M1 chip

#501

Post by Corrado »

technosmurf wrote: post #415
frereubu wrote: post #237

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can't see what the arrow key layout is on the narrower (non-numeric-keypad) version because a hand is over it. It looks like there's a big key where there would be space above the left / right keys on the most recent one. I've got one of the interim ones where the left / right keys are full size so it's difficult to know where they are by touch, and I'm still irritated by that. I hope they haven't gone back again.

The arrow keys on the smaller model are unfortunately full-sized (like the older Magic Keyboard 2). I created an image gallery where you can see all 3 keyboard layouts shown in the keynote video today: - Magic Keyboard 3 (lock button) - Magic Keyboard 3 (Touch ID) - Magic Keyboard 3 (Touch ID and numeric keys, inverted T layout) https://gist.github.com/spiritphyz/bac975617d513b5b4010a6828...

I guess I'm getting a MK 3 (TouchID + number keys). Too bad they aren't in the store yet. Hopefully they will be available separately!

Re: All-new iMac features the M1 chip

#502

Post by thirdsun »

mort96 wrote: post #235
rrrrrrrrrrrryan wrote: post #193

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think "most" mice and keyboards are USB-A: bluetooth peripherals eclipsed wired peripherals ages ago. Yes, most of the decent new ones charge via USB-C.

So, I was curious if you are correct and the market has changed a lot, or if I'm correct and most peripherals still use USB-A. So I checked out the website of a tech reseller, sorted their keyboards by most sold, and counted the technology used. Before I stopped counting, I found 8 wireless keyboards using bluetooth, 9 wireless keyboards using a USB-A receiver, and 10 wired keyboards using a USB-A cable. It seems lik…

In the context of discussing the port selection of an iMac let's not forget that the device already comes with wireless keyboard and mouse/trackpad. While using your own input devices is an option very few customers will want to make use of it.

Re: All-new iMac features the M1 chip

#503

Post by yarcob »

filiperui wrote: post #432
yarcob wrote: post #318

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This has been the case with iMac models for a couple of years now. It's ridiculous. If you want to upgrade to a more ergonomic setup you need to buy a new computer... (Also, 2m power cable is a bit short for an articulating monitor arm...)

Didn't know that. Ridiculous indeed. I mean, it's one thing with the curved back ones (I kind of get that it would be a bit awkward), but these new ones are similar in shape to their $5000 standalone monitor, which supports both their stand and VESA mounts, I believe.

The $5000 standalone monitor does not have a VESA mount, you have to buy an adaptor.

It's ridiculous, because a VESA mount is literally just 4 holes with M4 thread.

With Apple, everything is secondary to profit.

Re: All-new iMac features the M1 chip

#504

Post by mpweiher »

bombcar wrote: post #279
vmception wrote: post #81

Can someone explain the 8gb obsession (edit: 16gb is possible, but why not more) ? is there a real limitation with this architecture or are they just making a business decision so they can sell multiple models over 2-3 years instead of creating what the market wants immediately

As far as I know there are only three (four?) M1 chips in existence: M1 8GB, M1 16GB, M1 7-core GPU 8GB. There may be an M1 7-core GPU 16GB but I suspect that there is actually only ONE M1 chip (M1 16GB 8-core) and the rest are binned versions.

I have a 16GB Air with 7 GPU cores.

So as the sibling said: CPU is binned (but apparently only for the 7/8 GPU cores), RAM is added separately in the package, not on the die.

Re: All-new iMac features the M1 chip

#505

Post by thirdsun »

easton wrote: post #93
Waterluvian wrote: post #28

The 4 identical ports, 2 with Thunderbolt icons feels like a real swing and a miss at cleaner UX. Is it really that infeasible to just make all identical ports behave identically? My parents have a story about how at age 6 I moved our Apple IIGS into my bedroom. They were more bewildered than angry. The one thing I remember is my older brother saying how because every port was uniquely shaped even a child can set up…

I remember when USB 3 was finalized and they introduced a MacBook Air, Schiller or someone was on stage and said “You’ll notice, unlike other pc manufacturers, we didn’t make our ports blue to signify USB 3 vs USB 2. That’s because every port is USB 3.” (It’s a limitation of the I/O bandwidth on the M1, which makes me wonder why they didn’t wait for a new generation before building desktops with it. Maybe they were a…

> (It’s a limitation of the I/O bandwidth on the M1, which makes me wonder why they didn’t wait for a new generation before building desktops with it. Maybe they were afraid of having no iMacs on the shelf since the old ones were discontinued?)

These are entry-level iMacs and the majority of potential buyers will be fine with the port selection. It's probably not worth delaying an important device like the iMac for such a relatively minor downside. That said, I'm personally waiting for the larger iMac (Pro?) which won't feature such limitations.

Re: All-new iMac features the M1 chip

#506

Post by thirdsun »

filleokus wrote: post #180

I would pay the same price for a monitor in the same case with the M1 replaced for some thunderbolt controller-thing. Really hope Apple will return the more normal end of display offerings, haven't found any alternatives with ""retina"" DPI from other manufacturers (except the LG Fine models...).

Indeed. Plus, I'd like to use an iMac in a dual display setup without one display looking out of place. And needless to say I have neither the budget nor the need for the Pro XDR display.

Re: All-new iMac features the M1 chip

#507

Post by Toutouxc »

pers0n wrote: post #254

$200 for 2 extra ports and ethernet. And to re-enable a GPU core they disabled. 16GB ram limit 512GB storage limit un-upgradable You are better off getting a Mac Mini, its the same performance.

> Mac Mini, its the same performance

So have you noticed the high-quality HiDPI 4.5K display, the wireless keyboard, the six speakers and the webcam that this has over the Mac Mini?

Re: All-new iMac features the M1 chip

#508

Post by jamespetercook »

aylmao wrote: post #418
cptskippy wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Why the chin bar? With a bezel less display you need somewhere to attach post-it notes.

IMO it looks pretty iconic. An all-screen look would've been very very cool, but I don't think this looks bad. Also, I'd imagine with this design the motherboard, cooling and speakers don't overlap the screen. I wouldn't be surprised if it's just much cheaper to manufacture them this way, or if since this is supposed to have a beefier sound system and an M1 configured to run hotter, there were other considerations wi…

I think they’ll remove the chin eventually, but probably need a new (thinner) screen technology first

Re: All-new iMac features the M1 chip

#509

Post by yarcob »

read_if_gay_ wrote: post #434
yarcob wrote: post #284

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, but you might need a longer power cable. Hope you don't mind an extension cord and a weird box dangling somewhere! But at least the computer looks sleeker now!

No, I don't. My current setup requires several power bricks ("weird boxes") for the displays and speakers anyway. The good thing about those is that you can just hide them away, unlike your monitor. And what exactly is the problem with extension cords?

The nice thing about the All-In-One Macs was always how portable they were. The Mac Plus, the Colour Classic, the all-in-one Quadras, and every previous version of the iMac -- just a single box, a standard power cable, a keyboard and a mouse.

It was always a lot easier to move them around than the PC towers everyone else had. Apple even ran an ad once that showed how few cables iMacs had in contrast to a typical PC.

I mean, it's not a huge difference in portability, but it's an Apple product -- people obsess over details like this, and they pay a premium for a product that gets it right.

Also, it's nice that you can hide the external PSU in your setup, but often that's not easily possible. Eg. if you have a minimal setup with a sleek desk, there's just no place to hide the power brick. Or if you bring the computer to the living room to watch a movie... I mean, there's lots of ways to use this computer, and the external PSU is just optimized for one use case.

And it's made even worse by the fact that many people are going to end up having to attach an external hub with an extra power brick since this iMac severly lacks ports.

EDIT: And you can see that Apple doesn't like the PSU since it is conspicuously absent from their marketing page. Even the "What's in the box" picture hides the PSU: https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/imac

They know that (some) people don't like power bricks.

Re: All-new iMac features the M1 chip

#510

Post by arvinsim »

theshrike79 wrote: post #392
driverdan wrote: post #375

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Sometimes their bluetooth earphones won't connect. Macbooks are notorious for having BT issues. I've personally owned two MBPs that have had BT issues and know many friends who have also.

I've personally owned 0 Apple devices with no BT issues, I also have zero friends who have had BT issues. The multiple of anecdote is not data.

But that also applies to the other person.

Going with what you say, no anecdote is data.

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