M4 iMac - does the magic continue, or is it time to move on?

[@DavidLewisTech]

Are you thinking of buying a new M4 iMac - and if so, what will you be using it for and what specs will you choose?

[@HenryJones-u8t]

What many People don't know about Apple - All Apple devices s get 5 Year FREE OS updates. - Each Mac has plenty of FREE software, or download via Appstore - Each Apple device is "out of the box" already up to. date, not like Windows, that FIRST needs updates. Have been a Mac user since 1995.

[@mpetrides]

​@@HenryJones-u8t Actually, Apple OS updates are always free. So, as long as your device is still supported for OS updates, the update will be free. My 2018 iPad Pro is more than 6 years old and it still gets iPad OS updates--and they are free.

[@mpetrides]

@DavidLewisTech, much as I lust after the new green color, which I like better than the green of my 2021 M1 iMac, I ended up deciding portability was a more important criterion. So I just ordered an M4 Pro MacBook Pro instead. And I agree, it's a real shame that I can't use my 24 inch iMac display as an external display for the MBP. Not that I would do it often, but it WOULD be nice to have that option.

[@HenryJones-u8t]

@@mpetrides If your device is supported It could be that unsupported devices, Mac => "Open Core Legacy Patcher" gets updates, but I don't know.

[@mpetrides]

@@HenryJones-u8t Thanks. However, by the time one of my Macs (or iPads) becomes unsupported, I rarely need updates because I have stopped using the device. Apple's updates generally last that long. Even when you can't get the latest version of the OS onto a device, AAPL still is offering update, especially security updates, to relatively recent OS versions. They are much better about this than other vendors.

[@rewanji]

Since Apple insists in not offering a bigger size iMac they could, at least, offer a bundle price for the M4 Mini and Studio Display.

[@DavidLewisTech]

I can see the senes in that. It would be good marketing as well 👍🏼

[@ongjanette]

Yup! Agree! :) 👍

[@techhubwiltsuk]

I just got my wife and kids a M1 green iMac and it performs well and suits all their needs, really enjoying your channel buddy keep it up

[@DavidLewisTech]

Thanks, man - and congrats on your purchase! 👍🏼

[@noelohashirodriguez]

I love my iMac G3, but then it turned obsolete. And no one could use it on Mac OS 9. 😢

[@DavidLewisTech]

I'm almost thinking of picking one of those up just to have that beauty in the background!

[@dcooper2935]

I was so tempted in getting the higher end iMac this year to replace my 2017 Intel iMac. However I love that 27 inch screen so much I ended up with the m4 Mac mini paired with a studio display. The wallet took a big hit(studio display) but it was well worth it and I know I will have this setup for years to come. I do love the colors that the iMac come in and wish the Mac mini would come in an array of similar colors for that pop of fun. Here's to wishful thinking😀 Thank you for another informative video.

[@DavidLewisTech]

It sounds as if you have pretty much the same setup that I have and am working on now! My M4 Pro Mac mini and Studio Display are my daily rig - and my desk looks so good now, too! It's a joy to sit here working on it!

[@mattpacker4372]

how do the speakers compare to lets say the 16inch MacBook Pro?

[@DavidLewisTech]

Very similar, but a little bit better at the low end - I suppose as the iMac has more space inside...they are very listenable though Matt

[@jtd3421]

Voice isolation was GREAT

[@shredder4841]

Studio Display and laptop really is the best setup.

[@DavidLewisTech]

It's a pretty formidable setup, isn't it!

[@JoeSiegler]

I bought an m3 iMac the year before, and quite like it. Mildly annoyed at the M4 coming out so fast, but oh well. The M3 I have I specced up - has 24Gb of Ram and 2TB internal SSD, so I'm good to go for the time being.

[@DavidLewisTech]

Damn, Joe, they are great specs, and I bet that thing flies!

[@JoeSiegler]

@@DavidLewisTech Yeah, it's quite snappy for sure. It replaced an intel i9 27" iMac. I can't lie, the screen size took a little getting used to being smaller at first, but I'm over that. I added a second 5k monitor (an LG model I found on sale), works nicely. I actually have two iMacs on my desk - the above one being my personal one, and a second which is a work only machine. Company I work for is in social media, so that one is a bit more barebones. It's an M1 iMac w/ 256Gb of storage and 16Gb of Ram (upgraded from 8 to 16 when I bought it). Given 98% of the work I do for that company is in Chrome, I don't need much storage. I built myself a 512Gb SSD drive that's velcro-ed to the back of the thing to act as a Time Machine drive - I never see it, so it works out well. I have that because when the M1 was the current iMac, my company instituted policies that said we needed certain security and virus software on our machines to continue to work. I didn't want that shit on my personal Mac, so I went the expensive bought and bought a totally separate iMac (the M1) for work purposes. At the time I still had my intel iMac, which is now replaced with the M3. One thing I don't like about these iMacs is the color accessories. They're great to look at, but.. If they break or you damage them, you can't go into the Apple store and buy them in colors. I've tried - I've done some investigating, but you cannot buy them on their own as accessories in the Apple store, you can only buy them bundled with an iMac. If you want one after the fact, you have to go into the Apple store and file a warranty claim and they'll give you another one in the color you purchased. That's the ONLY way. I really wish you could buy the color accessories on their own. You can't. Not that I've EVER been able to find out. P.S. I tagged you on Twitter about this to show how something looked to me at the end - relative to placement of the "other video" you wanted us to look at.

[@rpdee7344]

1/5/25 I struggled deciding between the 24" iMac and the iMac Mini M4 and ended up with the M4 Mini with 24GB Memory and 512GB of storage, why so. Like you after owning a 21" 2009 Intel iMac and a 2011 iMac Mini Server the M4 offer the best of recent tech for speed, but the price upgrade are way to high. I have owned 3 wireless keyboards similar to what you get with the 24" iMac that either have keys that don't work or completely died, plus where they place the charging port on the mouse suck. My 2009 21" iMac has more features, ports, DVD drive, SD card reader, user upgradeable memory at a far less cost. Now for my needs I need to purchase an External Hub with built in additional storage, adapters and cables to use hardware I already own. So even though the 24" iMac is nice what they removed from it is hard to swallow.

[@DavidLewisTech]

The choice between an iMac and a Mac mini/Studio Display combo is a tough one. Both will perform similarly, and both look neat on the desk. The mini you've chosen, though, is a great spec. As for the I/O on those old iMacs - yeah, they were the days, eh!

[@tcaudiobooks737]

I had a gorgeous blue m1 16 gig model, which was an amazing machine... until the display burnt out and completely failed leaving me with a black screen. Apparently this is a "thing" that happens alot. Those imacs are pretty things, but you're really better off with a mini.

[@DavidLewisTech]

Man, I'm sorry to hear you had that issue! Yeah, the modular setup with the Mac mini and Studio Display makes a lot of sense in the long run 👊🏼

[@ongjanette]

Wow! Really?!? An M1 iMac already with a screen burnout?! What do you use it for if I may ask? Or are their lifespan simply less than the Intel models? It took more than 10 years to burn out my 2012 iMac screen (I bought it pre-owned in 2016) and replaced it with the M3 iMac early last year because the M4 came out too late for me 😥.

[@DavidLewisTech]

Yeah, that's why I commented on it, I've not heard of that problem before...

[@DaveKrans]

I got mine right before Christmas, with 24gb of unified memory and 512ssd. I’m happy with it so far!

[@killit2024]

Please tell us what is the advantage, besides the screen size, in comparison with the MacBook 16" m4 pro 24/512?

[@DavidLewisTech]

Hi Dave - it's great to hear from you. Every time I use the iMac, I love it a little bit more. They are addictive, lovely machines, aren't they!

[@DaveKrans]

@@killit2024 There is no advantage. It just all depends on what you want. I already had a MacBook Air, and needed a new desktop, as my old windows desktop was getting long in the tooth, so I went with the iMac. I’m all Mac now and don’t ever see myself going back to windows again.

[@DaveKrans]

@@DavidLewisTech Yes they are. It replaced an old windows desktop that I had. I still have an M1 MacBook Air that I still currently use as my laptop. I think I might replace that with another MacBook Air, as I like the portability of it. I’ve also considered an iPad of some sort. Thanks for doing your videos, David! I always enjoy watching them!

[@DavidLewisTech]

🙏🏼

[@stevenicoll]

I bought myself a M3/1TB/24GB config last year to replace my 11 year old 2012 iMac. It’s all I need from a desktop. Absolutely perfect. The M4 iMac is even better value at the base end, which is the most popular model. Some people say the iMac is not for power users but what is a power user? I do photoshop work, video editing, run VM’s and everything else in between. The iMac handles what I do with absolute ease. What’s not to love?

[@DavidLewisTech]

Honestly, Steven, you have totally bought into the point I was trying to get across in the video, these iMacs are capable of so much. It sounds as if we carry out many of the same tasks, and these M series iMacs handle it all without breaking sweat!

[@NurmYokai]

"Most ..." When coming from an Intel iMac and wondering what your memory requirements are? Utilities folder > Activity Monitor. At the bottom look at "Memory Used." Your future M-series Mac '''should''' have the same or more memory.

[@DavidLewisTech]

That's a brilliant point!! Thank you for taking the time to comment - I really appreciate it 👊🏼

[@Warped9]

I’d go for an M4 iMac if I hadn’t already picked up an M3 iMac with 16/512. Quite happy so far.

[@DavidLewisTech]

Yup, you still have an amazing machine. If it wasn't for the channel, there is no way I'd have traded my M3 iMac in - quick, quiet and powerful! Great to hear from you.

[@ericwood3709]

The M1 iMac got pretty hot and seemed to slow down while running World of Warcraft, a problem I have not had with M1 and M4 minis, so I traded that M1 iMac in for an M4 mini. Picked up a cheap but decent 4k display to go with it and I'm happy as a clam. These iMacs are more for looks than functionality if heat is going to be that much of an issue. Maybe it's because they're squeezing the CPU and display into such a restrictive enclosure, since both produce heat.

[@DavidLewisTech]

Hi, Eric. I don't game, so I can't speak to that, but I do love the phrase 'happy as a clam'! ~That's a new one on me!

[@ericwood3709]

@@DavidLewisTech Apart from the overheating (I installed a utility that let me crank up the fans manually, which did make it a little noisy, unfortunately), it was a nice system overall, long as you don't mind having to get rid of a perfectly good 4.5k display in order to upgrade from it.

[@DavidLewisTech]

I think we'd all love to see the Target Display feature bought back, wouldn't we Eric

[@ericwood3709]

@@DavidLewisTech It wouldn't hurt. Apart from that, I say just make the iMac a little wider again and make room for better cooling and, perhaps, other features. I/O is also pretty limited thanks in part to that design. I guess they couldn't even incorporate an RJ-45 for Ethernet, hence the connector being placed in the power supply brick instead. This company makes some really odd design choices at times.

[@Treborray]

im so tempted to buy one

[@DavidLewisTech]

...do it! Treat yourself! And this green looks stunning in real life! Let me know what you end up getting...🙏🏼

[@daveac]

The voice isolation worked - but I thought your voice sounded 'thinner' once it was activated' Cheers!

[@DavidLewisTech]

Yeah - me too. It also compressed it quite heavily. I needed to add some gain in post to equal it up. Thanks for commenting

[@soulsirius]

An iMac pro will come, i am guessing. A 27 inch screen, chip options probably will be M4 pro and M4 max. No color options, single color, my guess is space gray or something like that.

[@DavidLewisTech]

I reckon they have that option covered with the Mac Studio/Studio Display combo. All that said, an all-in-one iMac Pro would be a gorgeous thing to sit on your desk, wouldn't it!

[@View2Views]

This contribution feels entirely like an Apple advertisement..........And I have an iMac M4!

[@DavidLewisTech]

Despite all the information in it and explaining how it can be best used and who it's for...

[@Tiocfaidh_mo_lá]

@@DavidLewisTech Sorry but all I heard was the original keynote only in an English accent… you know what you did mate. - People throwing colourful props into a room and calling it a "studio" only to regurgitate new item's sale speak is not what is needed on KZbin

[@froschfreak1699]

Is it really possible not to find the right Mac in Apples lineup??? 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@DavidLewisTech]

I've said it before, but I think we are living in a golden age of Apple, and I completely agree with you! 👊🏼

[@Royaleoake]

My first Macintosh was actually a G3 Powerbook Lombard, which was OK. Ironically enough the 2012 Macbook Pro had enough hardware issues that I refused to buy another Mac laptop ever since and just used iPad Pros for my everyday computing needs. I’m actually looking at an M4 machine to supplement it though and replace my aging Dell Ultrasharp from 2014. So either I get the new iMac or a Mac Mini with the Studio Display, or maybe even try the M4 Macbook (Air/Pro) again. I’m not sure yet.

[@DavidLewisTech]

Hi, you won't go wrong with either, and they'll probably end up costing about the same. Suffice to say that M4 silicon is the real deal!

[@flappospammo]

Does it come in black ? Asking for my mate Batman

[@DavidLewisTech]

Oof! That would look so cool!! Tim - can we have a black iMac, please!

[@conalhendry]

I have a question for you David, and it isn't iMac related unfortunately. It is about Apple Watch, Do you have one? I'm in the market for one and cannot decide what to go for 😅

[@DavidLewisTech]

Hey Conal - yes, I wear an Apple Watch 8 daily. It's one of those things that will creep up on you. The reminders to stand and get away from the desk, for instance, are tiny but invaluable. It has made a difference to my lifestyle in several small but meaningful ways, and I would swap for an Ultra in a heartbeat!

[@conalhendry]

@ Thqnks for the answer, good to know. I think I'll see if my mobile provider does the ultra, that extended battery life would be great.

[@DavidLewisTech]

....you cruel man - I'll have Ultra-envy!! 😎

[@john_hind]

Really hard to see the point of this launching after the Mini shrink! Apple should have launched a new display with a docking location for the Mini on the monitor stand. And while I'm giving Apple free product design advice, the time has come to make the camera a separate wireless peripheral, both on the studio displays and particularly on the iPad. Make it like the Pen: attaches with magnets, charges wirelessly, connects by bluetooth, sold separately. One camera with two attachment orientations then does for selfie and main, plus it can also be used detached with a tripod or gimbal accessory. Most of all, allows deletion of the camera bump and screen cutouts restoring Jobs' original vision of the pure rectangular slate with a screen. Maybe with this philosophy we can get back to separately replaceable components, reducing e-waste and cost and giving more customer flexibility.

[@DavidLewisTech]

John - you are nothing short of a genius! What brilliant design ideas! If you are not a designer by trade, you ought to be! Great input, thank you! 🙏🏼

[@john_hind]

@@DavidLewisTech Thanks! I'll use that reference when I apply to be the new Jonny Ives!😉

[@DavidLewisTech]

...cut me on the pay slip now won't you 👍🏼

[@akin242002]

It was time to move on once the M2 Mac Mini was released. With the M4 Mac Mini, it got left in the dust for kids or technology illiterate grandparents.

[@DavidLewisTech]

In retrospect, it shows that the M3 chip was a filler! Whatever device I've used with M4 inside - the iPad or Mac minis, the results have been fantastic!

[@HenryJones-u8t]

What many People don't know about Apple - All Apple devices s get 5 Year FREE OS updates. - Each Mac has plenty of FREE software, or download via Appstore - Each Apple device is "out of the box" already up to. date, not like Windows, that FIRST needs updates. Have been a Mac user since 1995.

[@DavidLewisTech]

...and it's these small, tiny, almost invisible things that make working on a Mac such a dream isn't Henry

[@mendodsoregonbackroads6632]

Running my business on the M1 version thing in 16GB/1TB spec. It's been the best computer I've ever owned, better than the M2 MacBook Air I'm typing this on . I've had computers since Windows 95 launched so there's been too many to count over the years, but definitely my all time favorite computer. A 27" size would be nice, but the 24" is not really a problem. I made an adjustment to the resolution and it has all the desktop real estate I need. I too think this is a fantastic value, even speced up a bit. I looked at the competition and nobody makes anything like this. Not that I was going to run windows, but even the hardware on the windows all in ones fall behind compared to the iMac.

[@DavidLewisTech]

The love for iMacs continues, and I LOVE it! I am such a massive fan of the iMac. Pretty, compact, powerful and great value. Hell, I'd almost buy it for the display alone! Thanks for watching and commenting ✌🏼

[@itslightanddark]

I am annoyed people who gate keep whether something is good or not based on arbitrary preferences which they can’t imagine anyone having good reason to not share.

[@pete1927]

Pull back the skin on a 32" M4 Mac would be so much better. I regret the day I let my 27" Mac go! Apples perspective won't go there when they are hawking a 27' monitor almost close in price to the entry level 27' Mac!

[@DavidLewisTech]

Yup, as you saw in the video, nothing will make me part from my 2015 27-inch iMac! A dream machine!

[@mpetrides]

I’m not sure it’s fair to say that “the Studio Display is basically an iMac display.” The resolution of the iMac display is 4.5 K, whereas the Studio Display is 5K. Soooo, while the iMac display is excellent, the Studio Display isn't just larger, it also has better resolution. The big question then become, does the difference in resolution matter in everyday use? Probably not. I've got an M1 iMac that’s been relegated to serve with my printer and my scanner and an M1 Max Mac Studio driving a Studio Display that is my primary desktop setup. When I go from the Studio Display to the iMac, I'm not usually aware of a difference between the two displays.

[@DavidLewisTech]

Hi ya - sorry, yeah, I didn't make myself clear there, I meant the 27-inch iMac I have... But like you, in everyday use, if I switch between the iMac and Studio Display, I don't immediately notice between the two - but you know we'll be held to task after admitting that, don't you!

[@mpetrides]

@@DavidLewisTech Indeed, from everything I hear the display panel in the Studio Display is identical to (or nearly identical to) the one in your 27 inch iMac. As for people disagreeing that, in real world use, the 24 inch iMac screen looks very similar to that of the Studio Display, I would posit that is because the pixel density is identical (218 ppi). Most of the uses I have for my Studio Display center around text and pixel density is the most important defining factor in text readability. And, to the nay sayers, YES, I definitely CAN see the difference in text readability between a 4K screen and the displays in the 24 inch iMac and the Studio Display. In either case, Apple Displays are nonpareil.

[@Gr1ff1D0]

I will not buy another iMac. I have opted for a display and an M4 mini. That way my next upgrade (more than 5 years away) will just be a new M9 mini or similar. The Apple Studio Display will be with me for a long time.

[@DavidLewisTech]

I've made a few videos about the Studio Display. I honestly wouldn't be without it 👍🏼

[@WillHpowers95]

the screen is too small

[@DavidLewisTech]

I've honestly not found it to be that much of an issue. I guess it's workflow dependant

[@FFL3001]

Display is too small, that's all.

[@DavidLewisTech]

I've honestly not found that too much of a problem - I guess it'll depend what you are doing on it

[@FFL3001]

@@DavidLewisTech Well, the reason they're doing it this way is the annoying bit. They realize that most professionals can get by with a 27" iMac. But they are less price sensitive than private customers. So while a private customer might wanna pick a high quality 3rd party monitor for their mac mini, professionals working for a larger company will go for either a mac mini with a Studio Display or even an expensive Apple Studio with an ultra expensive Pro Display XDR.

[@DavidLewisTech]

Yeah, I think you are on to something there! I've seen that Pro Display in-store, and as much as it's fairly old-tech now. I would love to work one one! If only a sponsor would drop me £6000! 😄

[@ML-jk3sz]

If Apple had half a brain since they decided to go smaller (terrible idea), if they would make a 30 or 32 inch iMac, it would FLY off the shelves! Lose the stupid chin on the monitor and make it slim like the studio display and its a total winner.

[@DavidLewisTech]

I wonder if secretly a 32" monitor may be something they'd consider...I do love working on my Studio Display though - one of my best purchases

[@JeffreyBodenstein]

Until it comes in a 32+ inch version it is crap

[@davidjacobs6244]

Size doesn’t matter.

[@akin242002]

Can't go back to anything below 27-inch monitor for my home. Work might limit me to a 24-inch monitor, but not at my home.

[@davidjacobs6244]

@@JeffreyBodenstein Apple will never go as high as 32” with an iMac 🖥️ despite the rumours that keep saying they will this year.Also,they have already said that they have no plans to make another 27” so it’s 24” or nothing.

[@DavidLewisTech]

I think that's a bit harsh, no? They are fantastic, quick, powerful Macs that will handle pretty much everything that most people can throw at it. The Retina display may only be 24 inches, but it is a damned beautiful display!

[@DavidLewisTech]

I do notice the difference between my Studio Display and the iMac, but that could be because of the kind of work I do on it...

[@Gr1ff1D0]

I will not buy another iMac. I have opted for a display and an M4 mini. That way my next upgrade (more than 5 years away) will just be a new M9 mini or similar. The Apple Studio Display will be with me for a long time. I like 27” too much to go back to 24”.