Path: csiph.com!fu-berlin.de!uni-berlin.de!individual.net!not-for-mail From: dgb (David) Newsgroups: alt.computer.workshop,comp.sys.mac.misc,comp.sys.mac.system Subject: Re: [NEWS] Apple releases M3 MacBook Air models Date: 6 Mar 2024 21:20:12 GMT Lines: 98 Message-ID: References: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=fixed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit X-Trace: individual.net or691D4lsErHUVc2+A2EWA0fWv4+E0HdazNE57yadHKUNMmoJW Cancel-Lock: sha1:AFKDO70/4zGeiP4PX21ysatqdHE= sha256:aWN3H5cGXN3ePSEE3Hd2QNrQfSjhPjqzeiz4Yxm3srQ= User-Agent: Usenapp for MacOS X-Usenapp: v1.27.2/l - Full License Xref: csiph.com comp.sys.mac.misc:9116 comp.sys.mac.system:143484 On 6 Mar 2024 at 20:55:46 GMT, "Your Name" wrote: > On 2024-03-06 08:07:38 +0000, dgb (David) said: >> On 6 Mar 2024 at 04:45:43 GMT, "Your Name" wrote: >>> On 2024-03-05 22:07:29 +0000, dgb (David) said: >>>> On 5 Mar 2024 at 21:17:11 GMT, "Alan Browne" wrote: >>>>> On 2024-03-05 15:42, dgb (David) wrote: >>>>>> On 5 Mar 2024 at 19:52:40 GMT, "Alan Browne" wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Since I have an M3 iMac and it uses more memory for the same load of >>>>>>> apps compared to my i7 iMac, my understanding of it exceeds yours on >>>>>>> this - as it does on most subjects. >>>>>> >>>>>> I have 27 inch iMac. I've looked and played with a new M3 iMac in our >>>>>> local Apple Store. >>>>>> >>>>>> When you have each one of them there in front of you, regardless of the >>>>>> technicalities, which screen do you prefer to be sitting in front of? >>>>>> How does each make you /feel/ please? >>>>> >>>>> Hard to answer. >>>>> >>>>> The resolution quality of the M3 iMac is to the point where pixels >>>>> cannot be resolved with the naked eye. It is magnificently crisp and >>>>> contrast perfect at the default setting of 2240 x 1260. All fonts look >>>>> perfectly smooth. Very easy on the eyes. >>>>> >>>>> It is usable at 2560 x 1440, but only if the screen is pretty close (at >>>>> least with my eyes - I don't need glasses to read, but this rez on the >>>>> 24" iMac is just a little too tight (unless I would increase font sizes >>>>> which would be pretty much a return to the other resolution)). This is >>>>> likely more a personal thing so YMMV. >>>>> >>>>> 4480 x 2520 is not usable, really. Again one could blow up the font >>>>> sizes for reading - but not much point to it. Perhaps in some graphics >>>>> usages and workflow this would be a useful resolution. >>>>> >>>>> I would have preferred 27". On the i7 iMac 27", 2560x1440 and it's very >>>>> nice. Lean in and you can see pixels. Lean in mind you. It's a very >>>>> nice display on that old 2012 iMac (not Retina). For all non-video >>>>> work, the 2012 iMac suited my needs just fine. >>>>> >>>>> Still a killer processor. But. >>>>> >>>>> When editing/rendering 1080p video of any length, it is too tedious. >>>>> Such on the M3 iMac is a whiz. (Though I still wish it was a higher >>>>> spec in number of cores). As a benchmark, it is almost 3x faster to >>>>> Handbrake a video on the M3 v. the i7 iMac (2012). >>>>> >>>>> At some point I will gut the 27" of everything but the power supply and >>>>> display panel and add an adaptor to turn it into an HDMI or DisplayPort >>>>> display. >>>>> >>>>> So in the end one makes adjustments to "real estate" on the screen, >>>>> sizing of App windows, what goes to the side display (which I've changed >>>>> to a Samsung 27" that I normally use for home lab use (Rasp Pi >>>>> development). It's so wide, that I only use the right 60% of it when >>>>> using this iMac M3). >>>> >>>> Thank you so much for all the interesting detail, Alan. >>>> >>>> My own is a 2017 iMac with a Retina display and I really don't want to >>>> change it. However, I'm using macOS Ventura 13.6.4 and cannot move on >>>> to Sonoma. I'm living in the hope that Apple may one day provide >>>> another 27 inch desktop computer before this one dies! I'm also using >>>> an old 24 inch iMac to run Linux Mint and it does this quite well. I'm >>>> impressed with your intention to repurpose your old iMac! Good for you! >>>> :-) >>>> >>>> (ACW added for info to others) >>> >>> The current reports say Apple are not planning on making a new 27in >>> iMac or iMac Pro any time soon. There are dubious rumours that pop up >>> from time to time, including going to 32in iMac. >> >> That is my understanding too. >> >>> You could of course buy a Mac Mini or Mac Studio and add whatever >>> screen size you want. Not an "all-in-one", but depending on the >>> screen's base or using a display stand, it can almost be. >> >> My Professor friend has done exactly that! >> The Studio Display is just wonderful - but expensive! >> With iCloud storage being relatively cheap, there's no (apparent) need to have >> lots of on-board storage nowadays. > > You can buy a build-to-order Mac Mini or Mac Studio with up to 8TB > internal storage from the Apple Store or a reseller ... if your bank > account can stand it. Ha! Understood. :-) > Long gone are the good old days of easily being able to add RAM or > change drives or graphics cards in a Mac. It not even possible in the > so-called "Mac Pro tower", making that just another pointless Mac > model. :-( Thank you for emphasising that. Many folk get caught out by this.