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New iMac with M4

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Re: New iMac with M4

#401

Post by sorum »

azinman2 wrote: post #142
jfoster wrote: post #76

I could never justify getting an iMac. All the downsides of a laptop & desktop in one; not upgradeable and not portable. Leaves me wondering how many of these Apple actually sell. A Mac Mini with a separate screen feels like it makes far more sense.

Most Mac users seldom upgrade. I read here and myself often use a MacBook for 7+ years. Given screen tech changes alone, I think it makes a lot of sense. I’ve owned an iMac before very happily. I just don’t own one now because they stopped making 27” versions.

What is preventing them from launching a 27" version?

I've been waiting to upgrade our 2017 model in the living room, was hoping the 27" was finally going to come now. Guess Mac Mini is the only route to go...

Re: New iMac with M4

#402

Post by tiltowait »

jollyllama wrote: post #303
simonw wrote: post #144

As someone who mucks around with running LLMs and other large models on my computer the 32GB maximum RAM is a show-stopper for me. I'm on a M2 with 64GB at the moment and I'm already regretting not going for 96 or even 128. I want to be able to run a large model AND other apps at the same time.

Huh, is that a step backwards for them? iMacs from over 6 years ago were upgradeable to 64

The M-series is a little more complicated. The M1 was max 16GB, with the Pro and Max going up to ... 64, I think? The latest models can go higher, but we're still a long ways off from the old Mac Pro's 1.5TB max.

Re: New iMac with M4

#403

Post by acdha »

hatsix wrote: post #195
mullsork wrote: post #124

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Usually get a new monitor and a new PC every 4 or so years. Maybe you're not quite the average consumer that OP has in mind? Maybe you are, I don't know. Either way it's unsustainable and ridiculous that the _average consumer_ would need to replace something after 4 years when it COULD be built to last.

My first LCD monitor is still actively used in our house, about 18 years old now. My mother has gone through several computers, kept the same screen for 15 years. Apple Consumers are not "Average Consumers". Starting at $1300, it's a luxury desktop.

That’s a mid-range desktop at most in a world where people pay more than that for individual components at the high-end, especially when you look at pricing for equivalent quality displays.

The correct criticism of iMacs is that it links two parts with different lifespans. There should be a legal requirement that all-in-one computers have an external connector so that if some other component fails or simply becomes obsolete you can use the perfectly functional display with another system.

Re: New iMac with M4

#404

Post by znpy »

simonw wrote: post #144

As someone who mucks around with running LLMs and other large models on my computer the 32GB maximum RAM is a show-stopper for me. I'm on a M2 with 64GB at the moment and I'm already regretting not going for 96 or even 128. I want to be able to run a large model AND other apps at the same time.

> As someone who mucks around with running LLMs and other large models on my computer the 32GB maximum RAM is a show-stopper for me.

your specific use-case is probably irrelevant to apple.

> I want to be able to run a large model AND other apps at the same time.

you answered yourself... go for a machine with 96 or 128gb ram.

btw for the money you'd be spending (6-7 k$) you might as well rent or buy a dedicated box with 128, 256gb or more ram and all the gpus you need.

Re: New iMac with M4

#405

Post by sroussey »

pmarreck wrote: post #377
simonw wrote: post #144

As someone who mucks around with running LLMs and other large models on my computer the 32GB maximum RAM is a show-stopper for me. I'm on a M2 with 64GB at the moment and I'm already regretting not going for 96 or even 128. I want to be able to run a large model AND other apps at the same time.

Came here to post this. Although I'm looking for an M4 Macbook Pro with 128GB RAM for the same reason. This going to be announced? #OneOfUs #OneOfUs

My guess is Wednesday.

- iMac today, USB accessories

- Mac Mini on Tuesday, likely debut M4 Pro

- MacBooks on Wednesday, debut M4 Max

Now in the “I wish” category (zero percent chance):

- Thursday would be MacStudio with HBM memory for Max and Ultra

- Friday would be macPro with 1 to 4 Ultra in NUMA configuration.

Now I don’t believe those last two.

But I do want to see the X-ray of the max chip to see if it has the UltraFusion part that allowed for combining two chips. It was missing from the M3 Max (and maybe all future odd numbered max chips). If it returns, then we know an Ultra is on the way for sure.

Re: New iMac with M4

#406

Post by square_usual »

baron816 wrote: post #48
minimaxir wrote: post #3

16GB base RAM, they finally did it. They also did move the Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse to USB-C.

Now if only they could figure out how to allow charging the Magic Mouse while it’s being used. I guess that technology is still years away.

The people who like the magic mouse (not me) don't care, and the people who even otherwise would never use a magic mouse get to keep making fun of it. Why would they bother?

Re: New iMac with M4

#407

Post by xyst »

simonw wrote: post #144

As someone who mucks around with running LLMs and other large models on my computer the 32GB maximum RAM is a show-stopper for me. I'm on a M2 with 64GB at the moment and I'm already regretting not going for 96 or even 128. I want to be able to run a large model AND other apps at the same time.

This computer appeals to families that use their computers to browse social media. For grandparents that browse YouTube with reckless abandon. The emphasis on multiple color options is a strong indicator. Even has some “cutesy” appeal for college students to decorate their dorm.

The “Apple Intelligence” branding is nothing more than a selling point. Sure it might run some very small LLM workloads , but don’t expect much especially in the locked down hell known as Apple ecosystem.

This is not meant for heavy workloads.

Re: New iMac with M4

#408

Post by wmf »

slashdave wrote: post #379
dlevine wrote: post #348

I'm surprised they are still shipping these with 256GB of storage base. I had a Macbook with a ~500GB SSD in 2012 (I installed it), and a 500GB spinning disk in like 2008 (also user installed). A 500GB SSD can be had for <$50 these days, and a 1TB for <$100. Still plenty of profit for Apple, even if they bump up the base storage to 512GB and make 1TB a $200 upgrade...

These are not ordinary SSDs, which (via SATA) are dirt slow in comparison.

Ordinary SSDs have been NVMe for years and have similar performance to Apple NVMe SSDs.

Re: New iMac with M4

#409

Post by znpy »

saylisteins wrote: post #282
notatoad wrote: post #230

Earlier quoted context omitted.

i know a few people who have an iMac in their living room like that, with the same logic as the people who still have landlines - the laptops and cell phones get put away when you get home (or stay in the home office), so you can be present with your family. but sometimes you still need a computer for stuff , like controlling the music or quickly looking something up on google. but if it's not your computer, and it's…

It's surreal for me how something so expensive can be thought as "perfect" for this usecase. I'd say in cases like this having a cheap laptop or even a cheap all in one desktop computer is good enough. Why spend $2000 to browse the internet?

> Why spend $2000 to browse the internet?

Not having to manage windows and its bullshit, most likely.

Macs usually require way less maintenance than windows machines. Just install all the upgrades and you're 99% fine.

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