docno42

elijahg said:
We know the M1 is an evolution of the Ax iPad chips, it performs very similarly and some of the iPads are very cheap. The M1 is also used in all of Apple's ASi Macs (and now iPad Pro too), so economies of scale will be good. AI has an article about how Apple may be "saving" $2.5bn by using the M1. In other words, making more profit on each iMac thanks to the M1, shafting customers again. 

I dunno where these cheap iPad Pro's are - iPad Pro's that have the equivalent CPU as this iMac are within $100 or so of this iMac.  If anything, by comparison if you think Apple is scalping they are scalping the crap out of iPad Pro users in comparison to this iMac. 

As for the "saving $2.5bn" article I saw that and it's speculative crap.  Nothing new in the Mac universe - nature abhors a vacuum and Apple produces plenty of vacuum for others to fill with their own wild speculation. 

Here's the bottom line - if you like the machine, buy it.  If you don't then don't buy it.  Magically thinking Apple is going to change their M.O. after 40 years shows the defect is with your thinking, not theirs. 

titantiger said:
That's my complaint - not that the entry level isn't the top of the line model, but that the entry level went up in price but down several pretty important areas.  And there isn't even a $1099 model option at all.

Are they really important areas that were dropped?  I notice you left out the dramatic upgrade in the screen - both in size, resolution and image quality.  How many machines at this level would have anything plugged into the ports you are bemoaning as missing?  Hell I have friends with computers less than a dozen feet from their cable modems and they still insist on using Wifi because it's more convenient 

Also what makes you think if they hadn't released this iMac that the old $1099 would remain at $1099?  I dunno if you noticed but during this pandemic prices of electronics have been rising - not just for Apple but on the PC side of things too.  And that's if you can find components to buy 

fastasleep said:

I simply don’t understand the complaints that the cheapest model isn’t the best. It never has been.

Makes about as much sense as people complaining the entry level M1 MacBook Air and Mini weren't also taking out the highest end PC's, therefore what's all the fuss about?

Never mind that Apples new ENTRY LEVEL machines were easily besting well over 3/4's of the existing PCs out there.  

People who only ever see the glass as half empty are so tedious.  

titantiger said:
But I am the customer for it.  I've owned three iMacs since 2002. 

If a year from now this is the only Apple Silicon Mac they have produced then you win.

Until then, your hysteria is overrated. This is *an* iMac.  Obviously not the one for you.  Or for me either.  I was hoping to see at 27" replacement, but this obviously isn't it so we both get to wait some more.  How will we ever survive the suspense.  

It is a serious upgrade for the former 21" though - and the return of colors is a nice touch I hope they carry over to other new Apple Silicon Macs.  Although I agree with others - a black or space gray in there wouldn't kill them. 

4.5K resolution hints that the 27" replacement might be 6K.  Now that would really be worth waiting for, especially if they bump the size up by an inch too.  My over 40 eyes will always appreciate more physical screen real estate!

gripmediapdx said:

this does not bode well for the larger iMac

Based on what the entry level iMac has?  That's reading a bit much into things, isn't it?  

I mean if they never produced the Mac Pro or an M1 Mac Mini that also has USB A ports then I would share your pessimism, but I think the new Mac Pro and the re-emergence of USB A on the Mac Mini - heck, the release of the MacBook Air without the blasted touch bar too - indicates that today's Apple is at least a little willing to tilt more to the practical side of things.  

Also every pro audio guy/gal I know has DACs over Thunderbolt or USB for their signal path.  Or a Mac Pro full of cards.  No one is using blutooth, and they certainly aren't using a 3.5mm jack (side OR back) for "Pro Audio".