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New iMac with M4

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Re: New iMac with M4

#411

Post by mark_l_watson »

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.

For many use cases you are correct. That said, I bought a 32G M2 Mac mini in January, and mostly using Ollama, I use local LLMs for many useful local apps and many experiments. I augment running local models with Colab Pro, Grok APIs, OpenAI APIs, etc.

Re: New iMac with M4

#412

Post by [deleted] »

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.

[deleted]

Re: New iMac with M4

#413

Post by mjlee »

jwells89 wrote: post #334
graeme wrote: post #138

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The iMacs very much aren't their main seller. A couple of key demographics use it though: * Families with a shared computer in a common room. Super simple to setup, no fiddling, low price. In the video Apple showcased this use case. My parents have an M3 imac and it works great. They had their last iMac for ten years. * Businesses buy these for reception areas and customers see the Apple logo on the back. Easy soluti…

Low number of cables has also been one of the points of appeal for the iMac, to the point that it was a focal point of marketing for the original model. For the average person's setup the current model only needs a power cable.

It's an optional extra (of course), but you can plug an ethernet cable in to the power adapter and deliver power + network over the same cable.

Re: New iMac with M4

#414

Post by lokar »

coryfklein wrote: post #324
graeme wrote: post #138

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The iMacs very much aren't their main seller. A couple of key demographics use it though: * Families with a shared computer in a common room. Super simple to setup, no fiddling, low price. In the video Apple showcased this use case. My parents have an M3 imac and it works great. They had their last iMac for ten years. * Businesses buy these for reception areas and customers see the Apple logo on the back. Easy soluti…

I love the iMac as the main driver for my family of 5 * We want a dedicated space in the house for a family computer, so portability is no concern * It has a very small footprint * It looks the most like "furniture" out of all the options I've seen; pretty color & form factor, and no mess of cables. If you're male, think "wife approval factor". * It does everything the family needs from it; runs Steam, documents, spr…

Same here. I provide tech support to my father, on the condition that I pick the hardware, always an iMac

Re: New iMac with M4

#415

Post by vehemenz »

bearjaws wrote: post #5
bradfitz wrote: post #2

I still miss the 27" iMacs. They were such a great form factor.

27" is really the best screen size for productivity. Easily can find 1440p or 4k 27" monitors to pair, and they have come down a lot in price.

I tend to agree but more because the market has settled on it. One thing about screen size is that it's easier to achieve an effective screen size with a smaller screen (by moving it slightly forward) than it is to do the reverse. So a 24" screen will work in more environments, e.g., smaller desks, than a 27" will. A dual screen setup with two 24's will require less neck movement.

Of course, the market has also decided that decent aspect ratios aren't worth doing either. If there were 3:2, 4:3, or 5:4 options—more versatile for productivity—we'd probably settle on something between 21" and 24".

Re: New iMac with M4

#416

Post by kgwgk »

jprd wrote: post #235

I love the innovation Apple has brought with their investment in ARM. That said, I can't imagine buying a computer in the 21st century that can't be opened and upgraded, especially with a price premium attached. I just don't get it. I am in no way trying to be combative, but I'd love to hear a counterpoint that makes sense for these machines.

> I can't imagine buying a computer in the 21st century that can't be opened and upgraded

Because opening and upgrading computers is a 21st century thing and not a 20th century thing? I'd say it's the other way around!

Re: New iMac with M4

#417

Post by stogot »

015a wrote: post #214
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.

We should do a "Most HackerNews HackerNews Comment Of The Year" award each year; in homage to the O.G. [1]. I'd like to nominate this comment. [1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9224

This isn’t even a comparable or relevant comparison.

Re: New iMac with M4

#418

Post by pazimzadeh »

2.1x faster than M1, but they tested an M4 with 32 Gb vs. an M1 with 16Gb. Sad to see this kind of comparison. I guess in "performance-per-"dollar it still stands since they just doubled the baseline RAM levels.

Re: New iMac with M4

#419

Post by znpy »

sorum wrote: post #401
azinman2 wrote: post #142

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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...

> What is preventing them from launching a 27" version?

most likely they (apple) think that would eat into some other market segment. for a 27" station they probably want you to get a mac mini with a studio display. apple is known for "gently (but firmly) nudging" you towards the more expensive options.

Re: New iMac with M4

#420

Post by andrewmcwatters »

robotresearcher wrote: post #337
andrewmcwatters wrote: post #238

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I will never purchase the Studio Display on principle. It's an idiot product.

It’s really nice! Expensive, but it looks great and the 5K panel is beautiful. Speakers are good for a display, webcam is meh. It’s much better looking than the LG ultrafine 5K, slightly more functional, and costs more. What’s the idiot part? Price?

There's an entire computer in the monitor that you can't use.
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