The recent introduction of the Mac Studio (fave.co/35DIUVL) got me thinking about how strange the final few years of the Intel-based 27-inch iMac were.
When the 27-inch iMac was refreshed in 2020 (fave.co/3uqlcky), we all knew it was the end of the line (fave.co/3j5J6yS). Apple silicon iMacs were coming, but just before Apple shut the door on the old iMac, it got a final revision out the door.
Consider the features of that iMac: an optional nano-texture display and a 3.6GHz 10-core Intel Core i9 processor. Macworld's reviewed iMac configuration cost $4,499-it was clearly aimed at pro users. Now consider that the original iMac, when it was introduced in 1997, was underpowered and cost $1,299 for the general consumer. The evolution of the iMac took a strange turn. What happened?
NO PLACE TO GO
After the Intel transition in 2006, the new Mac Pro (fave.co/3u4f1Gq; formerly Power Mac) seemed to drift further and further away from most users. It eventually reached its apotheosis when it transformed from a perforated metal slab into a cylinder (fave.co/3r2NxPn), becoming an expensive objet d'art with trash-can looks and severe cooling problems. Its ultimate replacement-the current Mac Pro (fave.co/3F3bier)starts at $6,000 and goes way up from there.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Mac 911
Solutions to your most vexing Mac problems.
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8: Great-sounding headphones that support aptX
B&W's new top-of-the-range Bluetooth earbuds sound great and include an innovative smart case that supports aptX technology for high-quality audio-even on Apple devices.
AirPods versus AirPods Pro: How they compare
Don't know whether to buy the AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with ANC, or AirPods Pro 2? Here's how they stack up.
Apple's true hit of 2024 isn't the iPhone 16
Apple's unsung hero of the fall is the AirPods 4.
Ugreen Revodok Pro 210: Decent speeds at a nice price
A hub for users who don't need top performance from their connections.
Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger: Clever and compact
Anker proves that with a clever design, you can also achieve compact dimensions suitable for traveling.
Wombat Willow: A solid typing tool with some quirks
This isn't a keyboard that lets you simply plug in and go-you need to read the manual.
pdfFiller: An overpriced, half-baked PDF editor for macOS
A basic PDF editor that doesn't fulfill its promises and costs too much.
iPHONE 16 & 16 PLUS REVIEW: THE PHONE FOR EVERYONE CREEPS INTO PRO TERRITORY
APPLE'S BEST ALL-AROUND PHONE IS BETTER AND ALL-AROUNDER.
APPLE WATCH SERIES 10 REVIEW: MODEST IMPROVEMENTS TO A PROVEN FORMULA
IF YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR A BIG APPLE WATCH REVAMP, THIS ISN'T IT, BUT IT'S STILL THE BEST SMARTWATCH AROUND.