Apple’s Spring Loaded logo…

I’ve seen rumours of a 32″ one, and that’s just silly unless you’re in say a studio type environment where your screen is some way from where you sit. The 27″ screen would just about be useable.

I thought I’d made a terrible, expensive mistake when I first got my 27″ iMac. Screen far too big, no-one can use this comfortably I thought, it’s going to make me feel ill… took me a couple of days to get used to it… wouldn’t go smaller now. Soon after another one appeared next to it 🤣 Feels very limited when I’m at home using my single 27″ screen setup 😃

My first iMac had a 15″ screen. I remember moving to a MacPro and 19″ CRT monitor; wow. So much screen space. Then came a 19″ flat screen, followed by a 21″, then 24″, then a massive 28″ monster. But I found myself trying to move back away from it too much, so downsized to a 24″. Then got a 21.5″ iMac really cheap. I’ve sat in front of 27″ iMacs, but on smaller desks like mine, it’s like the 28″ all over again; I’m pushing my chair back. 24″ seems to be my personal optimal size for a screen. Apple could make an iMac with near enough the same dimensions as the 21.5″ version, but by narrowing the bezel, could fit a larger screen into it. That would be perfect for me. I am revising my little ‘home office’ corner though, so could end up with a larger desk. 32″ would still be way too big though. Some of you lot sit right in the front row in cinemas, I bet.

remember moving to a MacPro and 19″ CRT monitor; wow. So much screen space. Then came a 19″ flat screen, followed by a 21″, then 24″, then a massive 28″ monster. But I found myself trying to move back away from it too much, so downsized to a 24″. Then got a 21.5″ iMac really cheap. I’ve sat in front of 27″ iMacs, but on smaller desks like mine, it’s like the 28″ all over again; I’m pushing my chair back. 24″ seems to be my personal optimal size for a screen. Apple could make an iMac with near enough the same dimensions as the 21.5″ version, but by narrowing the bezel, could fit a larger screen into it. That would be perfect for me. I am revising my little ‘home office’ corner though, so could end up with a larger desk. 32″ would still be way too big though. Some of you lot sit right in the front row in cinemas, I bet.

Depends on what you do as a job though, out DIT station is 4x 24″ monitors. A 48″ screen would be nice but we run it as 2x separate computers for reliability so the next most sensible option would be 2x ultrawide monitor.

But that’s a niche job. But not the only one, photo and video editing both need a high-quality screen, but video editing (to me anyway) feels a lot more comfortable having a big 4k TV as the monitor further away just because there are so many more things competing for screen space. Whereas photo editing I’ll do on a laptop.

That and it’s just less eye-straining sitting further from a big screen than closeup to a small one, and easier to have more people sat around it without viewing angles messing it up.

bridges
Free Member
Nah I sit in front of a 27 in imac every day, 32 in would be great. There’s never been a time when I though, mm wish this screen was smaller!

Depends on how close you are to the screen. I’m less than 2 feet away. 21.5″ is adequate, 24″ would be about spot on I think. Our TV is 32″. And that’s fine (we’re only sat about 8 feet away from it). Sitting close to a large screen requires a lot of head movement. I don’t get the obsession with massive screens. To me, colour accuracy, dynamic range, clarity and resolution are far more important than size.

for all that extra stuff too, aye defo important. but on a bigger screen happy days. 😆

I don’t like dual monitors, fast desktop switching does if I need extra screen, but the bigger the better. even when I’m sitting right in front of the comp. If you’ve got a 4k+ screen, sitting next to it isn’t an issue.

each to their own, i’d have a guess if they don’t go for 3 options, you’ll get a choice of 24 or 32 though, so choice is there.

Yes, I understand that some applications benefit from having more screen space, but then you can only look at one part of the screen at a time. I just feel a bit overwhelmed by massive screens. I use the separate desktops feature if I need to have more than one ‘screen’ for separate apps. I’ve tried having a second physical screen, but you end up with either one screen set off to the side, which becomes uncomfortable for me (I don’t have the space to have a big wheelie chair to move around), or two side by side, so again, ergonomics is compromised. To be able to just swipe left and right to bring up the other desktops, that’s marvellous. I often also screen share with another machine, and just having the one screen to do it all on, is great. Saves on physical space, expense and energy usage. Mission Control, that’s what it’s called. I don’t do much video or audio, but I get that having big screens is good for timelines and multiple tracks etc. But I’m talking more about the average user; people just don’t need massive screens. More materials used, more energy used to run them, more packaging and shipping costs, etc. Less is more.

I imagine some of you lot are like this:

Just made the switch from 22″ 1080 monitor to 32″ 4k. It’s completely fine, and my nose is about 650mm from the screen. I wear varifocals though, so I’m well used to more head movement so I can see through the right part of my specs, even when no screen is involved. The difference in certain applications is game changing, think about looking at a bit of map on your phone vs spreading out an OS map on your table.

Why do some people just have to have a dig at others, simply for choosing something different to themselves? You don’t get called a ‘Ford nerd’ or a ‘Heinz nerd’ etc, simply for favouring one brand over another. So much hate.

If it helps you deal with my use of “Apple nerd” – be assured I self identify in that category. Agree with above – “fanboi” is tedious, nerd = affectionate

Been a user since 1990, current addiction level;

(Plus five Homepods and an Apple TV)

Wish Apple would go back to how they were around 2010. Proper desktop Mac Pros that you could upgrade easily.

Why does the current Mac Pro not fit that description? You can fit just about anything internally in that monster…

https://www.apple.com/uk/mac-pro/

Proper desktop Mac Pros that you could upgrade easily.

you can still get them! Although not been updated for a couple of years now… I’ve been tracking them on the refurb site, though I suspect the new M1 iMac will probably exceed them performance wise for a lot less money, so I’m not going to buy one! M1 Mac Pros are expected by the end of 2022.

Wish Apple would go back to how they were around 2010. Proper desktop Mac Pros that you could upgrade easily.

I had one (still have it actually). All the lights in the local area would dim, when I turned it on. Uses silly amounts of power compared to today’s machines. Mind you; you can install many HDD/SDDs, double optical disc drives, multiple graphics cards, all sorts, in it. Very powerful machines though. Not sure I’d want the equivalent now though, as things have changed and you don’t need such power to run apps these days. I did like the ‘dustbin’ versions; all stupidly expensive proprietary bits, but much smaller footprint, and looked like nothing else. The new ones, I don’t like so much. Huge.

Ah didn’t realise they already went back to the old design. I never liked the dustbin design with very limited internal expandability.

Where as, like bridges, I much preferred the sleek “dustbin” design… but obviously would never buy one as the cost was insane. Rack mount version of the current Mac Pro is a right practical beast… of you need too much of everything, there’s nothing to beat it really. There’s probably two different models they need… a sleek desktop for pairing with multiple huge screens in studio setups, and in addition something that’s approaching mini fridge proportions for render farms and studio servers… you can’t really please both type of customer with one physical design.

New Mac Pro the cheese grater.

Anyone remember the G4 Cube? Fantastic concept, failed as a genuinely useable machine though. Overheating was a significant issue. But it did show that a powerful computer needn’t be a massive box. I’m not the kind of customer a current MacPro is aimed at; that seems to be for serious high-end video/audio/3D graphics type work. A proper number cruncher. Having one of those would be like having a Bugatti Chiron, and only using it to get to the shops. To be honest, my MacPro was always massively overpowered for my own needs, but the iMacs at that time weren’t great really. The iMac line has evolved massively though, so perfect for someone like me.

you can’t really please both type of customer with one physical design.

The MacMini is a fantastic format; just needs to be a bit more powerful to really appeal to someone like myself. It’s not up to an iMac in terms of spec; perhaps a MacMini that is all the iMac is, minus the screen (therefore offering greater options regarding displays etc) would be a great product. Or not.

I don’t like dual monitors, fast desktop switching does if I need extra screen, but the bigger the better.

I prefer dual monitors – the laptop + a proper monitor used as the main screen. I set the laptop off to the side with the email / messaging stuff, and do all my work on the main screen. It’s also good if you need to have a document open to refer to it, while working on something else.

The MacMini is a fantastic format; just needs to be a bit more powerful to really appeal to someone like myself. It’s not up to an iMac in terms of spec; perhaps a MacMini that is all the iMac is, minus the screen (therefore offering greater options regarding displays etc) would be a great product. Or not.

Have you looked at the performance of the new Mini using Apple silicon? I think you might be interested.
https://www.pocket-lint.com/laptops/reviews/apple/155424-apple-mac-mini-m1-review

Has anyone seen the event?

I’d like a colourful iMac – they look cool. Actually I’d prefer a Blue Macbook, I guess they’ll come soon. The tiles look good but I don’t actually know what I would do with them, and they’re kind of expensive for possibly novelty things.

Interesting that they’re calling everything ‘M1’, including the iPad (which is traditionally X14 or whatever). Clearly they’re proud of their recent success.

Watched it earlier and whilst the new iMac looks very nice and is undoubtably “better” than my current iMac I’ll be sticking with my 2020 27″ 3.3ghz 1tb i5, its massively more than I need for browsing online and YouTube etc, same with my 2018 iPad Pro. Ive no need for airtags but I can see they’d be useful for some folks.

No new iPad mini then.

Nice set of announcements, interested in the ad-free podcasts as I listen to loads now, hopefully they bundle it into the Apple One package.

The tiles look good but I don’t actually know what I would do with them, and they’re kind of expensive for possibly novelty things.

definitely most excited for Air Tags. they’re actually as cheap as the other premium options (tile etc) but better, at least if you have UWB tech in your phone. Wallet & keys are the obvious (misplaced my spare set of van keys for 6 months once!) but there are loads of uses, especially when you factor in home automation. Automatic alert on my watch if I start to cycle home from work without my keys? (Done that before 😭). Cheap, easy to hide tracker for vehicle/bike. Going to stick one to the telly remote, always losing that 🤣🤣

No new iPad mini then.

They don’t care about them. They’re a handy size, but the silly big phones are their product for that market now. A shame really.

Would an air tag work as a bike tracker if yo could find somewhere to conceal it?

Superficial
Free Member

Interesting that they’re calling everything ‘M1’, including the iPad (which is traditionally X14 or whatever). Clearly they’re proud of their recent success.

All about convergence init.

You can’t read a book in a more natural aspect ratio on a phone though.

I was really hoping a new mini would come out as it’s my wife’s birthday soon and I didn’t buy the v5 last year as there were rumours that the V6 was coming 🤦

The mini is a really handy size for travel etc. I’m surprised it’s not more popular at Apple HQ

The mini is a great size for out and about. Too close to their devices that they make more money on though, I suspect. The forgotten child of the range.

It’s tempting to buy a v5. Her current one is an original from 2013 and has been quite tired for a couple of years

tbh probably still plenty to come, just gave out one size on most at the minute, probably be a macbook pro 16, so I’d imagine there will be other sizes, imac pro will be bigger you’d guess and mac pro to come too.

You wonder if they’ll have an m2 chip for the higher up models or maybe like a 16 core m1 or something silly..

You wonder if they’ll have an m2 chip for the higher up models or maybe like a 16 core m1 or something silly..

I’d be very surprised if that wasn’t the case!

definitely most excited for Air Tags. they’re actually as cheap as the other premium options (tile etc) but better, at least if you have UWB tech in your phone. Wallet & keys are the obvious (misplaced my spare set of van keys for 6 months once!) but there are loads of uses, especially when you factor in home automation. Automatic alert on my watch if I start to cycle home from work without my keys? (Done that before 😭). Cheap, easy to hide tracker for vehicle/bike. Going to stick one to the telly remote, always losing that 🤣🤣

I like the idea of Air Tags. I have a couple of Tiles and I like being able to find my keys, and also I put one in my bag that I check in – at least in the old days when air travel was allowed. I’m wondering juist how much better Air Tags are, in practice? Also – they are just round things so I don’t see how to attach them to anything unless you buy a key-fob type thing, which doubles the price?

They are genuinely describing it as “magical”.

*retches*

Completely forgot about this event, only remembered when my Google had an article on it this morning. 24″ iMac!!! Thank you Apple! And so colourful too! I really like them. So thin! I’m wondering if they’ll come with a detachable stand, and if wall mounting is possible (answer: yes!). Colour co-ordinated keyboard, mouse and cables! Bit concerned about the apparent ‘unified memory’, ie, not user configurable, so have to wait to see how much Apple will gouge people on the price of upgrading that, but for my use, I doubt much more than the base spec will be necessary anyway; I’m not rendering huge 3D projects, or encoding loads of high def video etc. No headphone socket is annoying; I regularly use my headphones connected via a lead, because it’s easier than faffing with switching on the bluetooth etc. Best of all, the prices don’t seem to be horrific. Previously, I’d budgeted over £3000 for a 27″ intel model with upgrades, but it looks like I might be happy with a significantly lower outlay. I’ll wait a bit, and see what else might appear (and for major issues to appear, if any), but for now, this looks ideal for my needs.

Airtags? Meh.

I have a 27in iMac. It’s about 3 years old. Been fantastic esp WFH all the time. Also have a cheap second monitor.

The new 24s do look fantastic. I don’t need the power of one, but I can see me repurposing this one for another family member 🙂

Don’t get the same ‘want’ vibe for the iPad tho. We share one from about 3 years ago. Not sure I’d want to replace my macbook with the latest one. Just can’t see the benefit esp considering the cost.

I’ve had Tiles before (essential if you have young kids that like to “borrow” keys) so an Apple version with replaceable battery is an easy sell to me. Always seemed unlikely that if I lost something outside home it was unlikely that another Tile user would happen to pass by – if it’s anyone with an iPhone now then a much better prospect.

Just like Apple Watch straps, there’ll be clones of the keyring/bag-tag things on aliexpress for a couple of quid within days.

edit: already there, hundreds to choose from!

8gb is beyond a joke in 2021 BUT apple’s clever engineering means that actually it acts more like 16gb (or much more…) for normal tasks. Very heavy duty tasks that muller RAM need more ram, but multi tasking (100 tabs, and say 10 normal apps running) the M1 8gb will be completely fine

Also it does have a headphone port, on the side. It’s too thin to have one on the back (the computer is 11mm thick, and minijack is 14.mm long……)

Also – they are just round things so I don’t see how to attach them to anything unless you buy a key-fob type thing, which doubles the price?

yep, bit annoying but 3d printer FTW again 🤣 or give it a few weeks and cheapo rubbery fobs etc will be all over eBay for a few quid.

Would an air tag work as a bike tracker if yo could find somewhere to conceal it?

crudely yes, but i believe anyone with an nfc enabled phone is able to scan one and read its ID. So if a thief suspected there was a tag they could methodically scan likely hiding places and remove it. Presumably, your hiding places would be limited by needing to be RF transparent? and you’d need to be able to access it yourself to replace/recharge the battery.

So the new iMac is out, but I haven’t yet seen any ‘independent’ reviews, teardowns etc. Apple stating deliver in a few weeks, but I do hope there’s some more info out there soon. 512Gb 16GbRAM version £1849, which is considerably less than the £3k+ I’d expected to spend on the 27″ older version. Got the inevitable jitters over ‘what else will Apple bring out soon’, but I think the 24″ is perfect for me really. Going to pop into an Apple store soon, to try and see one ‘in the flesh’ as it were. I think it’s appointments only at the moment. And does anyone know if you can do the educational discount thing in store or is it only online? I’ll use my nephew to get a few quid (10%, and Apple care is considerably less?) off. But then Apple tend to do special offers to students in August…

Was also looking for reviews… I’m sure I ordered my daughters air on-line with her uni discount, Was a while ago tho. I’d rather go to the big store in Brum, pick daughter up from Uni and do it all face to face (mask to mask?). She’s home this weekend so I might pop in next week when I drop her off…

EDIT: forgot to add, was looking at a similar spec, slightly worried about 512 disc since I have a TB currently but it’s all backed up onto cloud/google/local little NAS bay so less of an issue than it used to be