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Posted By: jchuzi M1 chip - 11/10/21 03:07 PM
I have been following the news about the M1 chip with great interest. This NYTimes opinion piece, The Chip That Could Transform Computing, should be of interest. My current iMac cannot use Monterey but I am delaying a purchase of a comparable (27") iMac until Apple makes one with the M1 chip. Not only should that be superior to my present setup, but it will postpone the inevitable obsolescence (compared to buying a current Intel iMac).
Posted By: jchuzi Re: M1 chip - 11/10/21 03:46 PM
Here's a further possibility: It may be possible install Monterey on my iMac by following the directions in Mini Monterey Patcher. I'm not brave enough to try this yet since the software is in an inchoate stage. But, this developer already has Patched Sur, which I don't need. At any rate, it's something to keep in mind.
Posted By: joemikeb Re: M1 chip - 11/10/21 05:02 PM
I am surprised you are looking at Monterey this early in its lifespan, but I agree that a 27" iMac with M1 Max or M1 Pro silicon would be an awesome machine but unless you are into serious Audio or Video production work do you really need that kind of power and expense? A current model 24" iMac with an M1 processor and a second matching sized HDMI Monitor would probably save you money and once you try dual monitors you will never want to go back to a single screen. (Or at least that is my experience).

In any case the 27" iMac with Apple silicon should be available early next year assuming there are no further supply chain glitches.
Posted By: jchuzi Re: M1 chip - 11/10/21 05:16 PM
Yes, the 24" iMac is a good alternative, but my wife and I like the 27" screen (and guess who's opinion counts more). Dual monitors are nice but I don't have the desk space. At any rate, I'm willing to spend the money (at 76, with no children as heirs, why not?).
Posted By: Ira L Re: M1 chip - 11/10/21 07:54 PM
I don't know the full answer to what I am proposing, but I do know that the new 24" iMac screen appears to be an edge-to-edge screen; no physical borders like the 27" iMac. It may be the screen real estate is about the same in a borderless 24" as it is in a framed 27". I know that TV size used to be measured diagonally, I just don't know how Apple measures its screens. It might be worth taking a look at the new iMac just to see if 24 = 27. grin Or maybe 24 ≈ 27 is good enough. crazy
Posted By: jchuzi Re: M1 chip - 11/10/21 08:48 PM
Probably, the only way to judge is by physically visiting an Apple store.
Posted By: ryck Re: M1 chip - 11/11/21 03:21 PM
Originally Posted by Ira L
It might be worth taking a look at the new iMac just to see if 24 = 27. grin Or maybe 24 ≈ 27 is good enough. crazy
That's the question on my mind. Like Jon, I am thinking a change now should be to the M1, not another Intel, and I really like what I've read about the 24". At our place the screen real estate question is about spreadsheet space.
Posted By: joemikeb Re: M1 chip - 11/11/21 04:42 PM
Originally Posted by ryck
That's the question on my mind. Like Jon, I am thinking a change now should be to the M1, not another Intel, and I really like what I've read about the 24". At our place the screen real estate question is about spreadsheet space.
Part of my penchant for dual monitors is the ability to have one in landscape orientation and another in portrait. That is very handy for long spreadsheets.

FAIR WARNING

M1 Macs are great and I would not go back to Intel, but they are different and there is a learning curve associated with the changeover that goes beyond adapting to Monterey. That said, I think the 24" iMacs are very attractive and I would probably get one if I weren't so happy with my M1 Mac mini.
Posted By: jchuzi Re: M1 chip - 11/11/21 05:04 PM
Originally Posted by joemikeb
M1 Macs are great and I would not go back to Intel, but they are different and there is a learning curve associated with the changeover that goes beyond adapting to Monterey.
Can you list a few of the different things?
Posted By: joemikeb Re: M1 chip - 11/11/21 05:28 PM
Originally Posted by jchuzi
Originally Posted by joemikeb
M1 Macs are great and I would not go back to Intel, but they are different and there is a learning curve associated with the changeover that goes beyond adapting to Monterey.
Can you list a few of the different things?
At the general user level it would be possible not to notice much difference between Intel and Apple silicon other than the Apple silicon is noticeably faster, runs cooler, uses less power. It is at the trouble-shooting and power use level where the differences really show up. Rather than re-inventing the wheel I refer you to the Eclectic Light's list of articles on M1 Macs. In particular look at the following groups of articles…
  • Setting up and getting started
  • Introductory
  • Rcovery and startup modes
  • Security and firmware
  • External boot disks
  • Time differences
  • Design and performance


Add to that the growing number of Apple Knowledge Base articles that begin with links different sections or other articles for M1 or Intel based Macs.
Posted By: jchuzi Re: M1 chip - 11/11/21 05:59 PM
Thanks, Joe. That's a LOT to digest and I'll have to consult it in detail when I finally get an M1 Mac. I'm looking forward to the process!
Posted By: joemikeb Re: M1 chip - 11/11/21 07:28 PM
I have found The Electic Light Company to be an invaluable source of authoritative Information on M1 Macs, Big Sur, and Monterey as well as an informative source on Art and paintings. (It is the source of my current desktop pictures.) I hope you enjoy it as well.
Posted By: jchuzi Re: M1 chip - 11/11/21 08:23 PM
That site looks really great. I bookmarked it for future perusal. Thanks again! smile
Posted By: ryck Re: M1 chip - 11/14/21 06:30 PM
Originally Posted by Ira L
It might be worth taking a look at the new iMac just to see if 24 = 27. grin Or maybe 24 ≈ 27 is good enough. crazy
I haven't been to an Apple store to check, or been able to find any measurements on-line, but this review has a picture of a 24" and a 27" side-by-side. It would appear there's a fair reduction in screen real estate.
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