iMac M1 24"

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One thing to be wary of is that the 24" has limited RAM - 8 or 16 GB unified, whereas the 27" can go up to 128gb and the 24" is similarly limited on storage and is not user upgradable. I went with a 20", 2 yers ago, down from a 27" and while I can deal with the smaller real estate, the problem I have is the restricted RAM and storage, which can't be adjusted after purchase. The 27" is user configurable after purchase , the 24" is not, you are stuck with what you purchased. I found that the OS used a lot of storage on stuff I can't get rid of and 1 TB has been very confining. I run Apple Photos, One1 and Lightroom all from external drives as not enough space. The 27" gives an option to upgrade if you need it later.
 
Neither Apple UK nor apple Canada are selling a 27” with the M1 chip. I checked both just now, and they still have the intel chip.

We have a 21” iMac 4K and it’s not noticeable how much smaller it is compared to my 27” 5k….so I doubt the 24” will be an issue. Me? I’ll wait for a 27” M1 … I use NX Stufio and it’s terribly slow.
 
Yeah it's a bit limited on options. Just one small correction to storage, they do offer a 2TB SSD now.
Yeah, I thought about the 2TB drive, but honestly for the $400 they charge I can get a much larger external drive than the extra 1TB and I have no problems running external drives now. Also, my 2016 MacBook Pro has a 512GB drive and its not even full. I just store lots of stuff in the cloud and on externals so I don't think a 1 TB drive is going to limit me.
 
One thing to be wary of is that the 24" has limited RAM - 8 or 16 GB unified, whereas the 27" can go up to 128gb and the 24" is similarly limited on storage and is not user upgradable. I went with a 20", 2 yers ago, down from a 27" and while I can deal with the smaller real estate, the problem I have is the restricted RAM and storage, which can't be adjusted after purchase. The 27" is user configurable after purchase , the 24" is not, you are stuck with what you purchased. I found that the OS used a lot of storage on stuff I can't get rid of and 1 TB has been very confining. I run Apple Photos, One1 and Lightroom all from external drives as not enough space. The 27" gives an option to upgrade if you need it later.

Yeah, I almost just went with an older (2019) 27" spec'd out to the max (from OWC) as a stop gap until the second gen. of a 27" came out. I may regret not doing that in the end, but I went ahead and ordered the 24" today.
 
One thing to be wary of is that the 24" has limited RAM - 8 or 16 GB unified, whereas the 27" can go up to 128gb and the 24" is similarly limited on storage and is not user upgradable. I went with a 20", 2 yers ago, down from a 27" and while I can deal with the smaller real estate, the problem I have is the restricted RAM and storage, which can't be adjusted after purchase. The 27" is user configurable after purchase , the 24" is not, you are stuck with what you purchased. I found that the OS used a lot of storage on stuff I can't get rid of and 1 TB has been very confining. I run Apple Photos, One1 and Lightroom all from external drives as not enough space. The 27" gives an option to upgrade if you need it later.
The unified memory is much faster and behaves differently than old style memory. Many claim that it is the equivalent of double the old style, so 8GB acts like 16GB and 16GB like 32GB. I went with 16GB and am really happy with it, but I didn’t need 128GB before.
 
Hey everyone! I've been watching the discussions on the various new Mac options for post processing. I need a desktop and most of the discussions I've seen are relative to the MacBook Pros. Who is running the M1 Desktop? I'm curious about the 24" monitor as I have a 27" right now. Do you miss the extra real estate? Also, how did you configure it?

I know a 27" is coming, but I kind of need one about a year ago so I really need to decide if I'm buying the new 24" M1 or a 2020 version of the Core i9 or something.

Thanks for the input.
I have the 13" MacBook Pro M1 with 16GB memory and 1 TB SSD. This is light enough for travelling. It is connected to a 32" 4K BenQ monitor. Both screens are calibrated using Datacolor SpyderXElite. I am happy with this setup as a home computer and as a travel laptop. You might choose the newer 14" laptops though.
 
...I would honestly prefer the front bezel be matte black for several reasons but it should be ok. I have never personally been a fan of the silver either but after a decade I guess it has worked out alright. lol

That can be remedied with gaffer's tape or paper. IMO, static cling film is a better option if you can find it in matte black. And if you can't find it in matte, you might be able to find a plastic paint that would render it so.
 
Dumb question? I have seen people say different things about calibrating apple displays. I'm curious, How far out of spec was your macbook Pro?
My main problems personally is I have everything cranked up on brightness and sometimes forget to tune it down for editing. This gives me erratic results which are easy to identify later. but I don't really know what I'm doing so I have that going for me...lol
Both the laptop and BenQ were ok out-of-the-box, but better after calibrating. I use Datacolor SpyderCheckr, which creates Lightroom presets to tweak the HSL sliders so the colours are consistent. I have presets for each camera body / lens combination. With SpyderXElite, the screen colours are calibrated, and the brightness of the 2 screens match. If you print pics, you also want to calibrate your printer so the prints match your monitor.
 
Hey everyone! I've been watching the discussions on the various new Mac options for post processing. I need a desktop and most of the discussions I've seen are relative to the MacBook Pros. Who is running the M1 Desktop? I'm curious about the 24" monitor as I have a 27" right now. Do you miss the extra real estate? Also, how did you configure it?

I know a 27" is coming, but I kind of need one about a year ago so I really need to decide if I'm buying the new 24" M1 or a 2020 version of the Core i9 or something.

Thanks for the input.
You dilemma was exactly the same as mine. I had an 8 year old 27" iMac and couldn't download the latest operating system. I was also concerned the computer could malfunction being so old and then I'd be stuck without one. So I ordered the M1 24 " (took about 6 weeks in June/July in Canada) and loved it from the beginning. Frankly I quickly forgot about it being smaller because everything is scaled down so I can get everything on the screen like I did with the 27". The improvement in the screen quality was astounding especially noticeable in my photos. I have no regrets at not waiting for the 27 or 30" and I'm sure I won't when I see the prices. The 24" costs enough especially with 2TB SSD!
 
You dilemma was exactly the same as mine. I had an 8 year old 27" iMac and couldn't download the latest operating system. I was also concerned the computer could malfunction being so old and then I'd be stuck without one. So I ordered the M1 24 " (took about 6 weeks in June/July in Canada) and loved it from the beginning. Frankly I quickly forgot about it being smaller because everything is scaled down so I can get everything on the screen like I did with the 27". The improvement in the screen quality was astounding especially noticeable in my photos. I have no regrets at not waiting for the 27 or 30" and I'm sure I won't when I see the prices. The 24" costs enough especially with 2TB SSD!
Mine is ordered. It is supposed to arrive at my local Apple store in 2 weeks. It'll be nice to have an updated desktop finally. I didn't go with the 2TD ssd, I got the 1TB instead... I'll use an external 5TB SSD I already have for the extra storage.
 
It was just on google. Here is one random search. I have no idea how well it works or quailty but it seems like a good idea


I don't think that hood would fit. The design has changed significantly since the '07-'09 model. I don't see one anywhere for the new M1, but I imagine they will eventually be available.
 
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Yeah, that M1 Pro chip (whatever that means) is crazy expensive on the 16". I'd wait and buy a Mac Pro tower before I did that, but I don't need that much horse power.
She didn't either but she needed the 16" screen. There are 2 chips, the M1Pro and the M1Max. The Max is the one that is super expensive. The M1Pro is just expensive. :). We got her the one that was the middle cost. However, she will never use 1/3 of that much processing power but in my testing it and setting up her new computer it is crazy fast.
 
She didn't either but she needed the 16" screen. There are 2 chips, the M1Pro and the M1Max. The Max is the one that is super expensive. The M1Pro is just expensive. :). We got her the one that was the middle cost. However, she will never use 1/3 of that much processing power but in my testing it and setting up her new computer it is crazy fast.
As long as she is happy, and you got her what she wants for a screen, thats all that matters my friend.
 
1) with the new M1 Mac chip, i was told you cant update the memory as its directly soldered to the mother board............so if your looking at upgrading ??
I suspect this will also apply to the new 27 inch M1, also i belive the screen is only 4k ???? not 5k like the 27 inch.

2) Your choice depends greatly on the level or work and the needs you have, heavy video, multitasking editing etc etc, entertaining, games etc

3) Let me tell you i have been told all my life size dose really matter, if someone says it doesn't they are just being polite LOL,

4) if you are looking for critical colour accuracy and doing lots of real editing the single most important thing is your graphics card and a monitor ei; Eizo etc.

The 5k screen is very good and only in 27 inch as i understand............there are some good run out deals on the pre M1 series in 27 inch.

5) Lap tops are great but they are moody and vary in colour accuracy based on lighting conditions...........they also have limited choices in cards.

What ever you get just go for a premium card.............

For me or serious image editing, accurate production, a top line Eizo with a separate infinite customizable tower and a top grade pro graphics card is the ticket, other than that a 27 inch I Mac with a high end card is a good domestic choice.
 
Hey everyone! I've been watching the discussions on the various new Mac options for post processing. I need a desktop and most of the discussions I've seen are relative to the MacBook Pros. Who is running the M1 Desktop? I'm curious about the 24" monitor as I have a 27" right now. Do you miss the extra real estate? Also, how did you configure it?

I know a 27" is coming, but I kind of need one about a year ago so I really need to decide if I'm buying the new 24" M1 or a 2020 version of the Core i9 or something.

Thanks for the input.
Even the original M1 iMac is faster than all the Intel Macs before it except maybe the higher end iMac Pro or Mac Pro…but definitely any of the Intel laptops or other iMacs. The real problem for me with it is the smaller screen…I'm using a 27 inch 2019 iMac myself and will likely upgrade it when something larger than the 24 comes out. Based on the M1 24 replacing the Intel 21…I won't be surprised if the Intel 27 is replaced by an M1 Pro/Max 30 though. Another option would be something like the M1 Pro/Max laptop…14 or 16 depending on how often it gets carried outside the house…and a monitor…but there is a severe lack of choice in the 5K monitor suitable for editing. The Apple one is nice…but expensive. The LG ones are less nice but cheaper and don't get nearly the almost universal good reviews that the Apple one does…so it might be better to end up with the new iMac when it ships over the pro level Ma mini which will likely ship at the same time, likely early 22 most guesses are pointing at. I think the lower screen would be a severe detriment in PP.

But I agree…don't buy an Intel Mac at this point in time…they're obsolete and dead.
 
The 24 was sitting outside in the rain when we got home. Looks small next to the old 27 but the screen size seems easy on the eyes.
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Thats awesome! Thanks for the side-by-side! Is your old iMac old enough that you can use it as an external monitor? I don't think you can do that on the newer ones (like maybe 2016 and later?), at least not easily, which is to bad.
 
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1) with the new M1 Mac chip, i was told you cant update the memory as its directly soldered to the mother board............so if your looking at upgrading ??
I suspect this will also apply to the new 27 inch M1, also i belive the screen is only 4k ???? not 5k like the 27 inch.
You can't upgrade the memory on an M1 because it is *on the same chip as every thing else*. Which is a good part of why the M1 is so fast - you have much wider and faster channels to transfer data than you have in a standard DDR DIMM. But you can't plug new things into a chip :)
 
The 24 was sitting outside in the rain when we got home. Looks small next to the old 27 but the screen size seems easy on the eyes.
View attachment 28745
Mine showed up yesterday. It's all set up and ready to process! (sorry about the reflections on the sheep... I must be a pee-poor photographer top let that slide, lol)

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