Performance in the First Week

I’ve spent a little over a week with the M3 iMac, and I have only positive feedback to share. Even as the entry-level model, it has exceeded my expectations, demonstrating the remarkable advancements Apple silicon has achieved in just three years. I've been using it to write blogs on Ulysses and handle my regular email and accounting tasks.

When it comes to audio, I usually rely on desk monitors or AirPods Max, but last week I decided to test the built-in six-speaker array. I was pleasantly surprised by its sound quality. If you prefer a clutter-free workspace yet want decent audio, these speakers deliver quite well.

Additionally, the 1080p FaceTime HD camera has notably improved, even without the Stage Manager feature. It far surpasses the one bundled with the Studio Display, offering better color and less compression. It's now entirely functional, which saves you from investing in a separate webcam. While the built-in microphones may not be studio-quality, they perform admirably during FaceTime calls, with positive feedback from others.

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Pushing the Limits

To test the capabilities of the 8 GB RAM in this iMac, I decided to dive into some basic video editing. I've already installed Adobe's Creative Cloud since those tools are essential for my work. I recorded my weekly newsletter using the iPhone 15 Pro Max in ProRes format, resulting in a hefty 60 GB file that I edited from a Samsung T7 SSD.

Despite the demanding file size, the M3 iMac handled the editing smoothly and quietly—quite impressive for a machine that is often seen as a simple desktop option. Overall, my initial week with the latest iMac has met my expectations and sparked thoughts about the iMac's lifecycle.

Reflecting on 25 Years

The iMac has reached a significant milestone: 25 years since its debut. When Steve Jobs introduced it in 1998, the vision was to create an accessible and user-friendly Mac that was cost-effective.

The original iMac represented a bold departure from the standard beige boxes and floppy disk drives of the time, bringing in vibrant colors, USB ports, and CD-ROMs. Although this was a risky move, it ultimately proved to be a successful one, marking the birth of an icon.

The evolution continued from the G3 to the G4, which featured a dome-shaped base, followed by the G5, which was the first to incorporate Intel processors. By 2007, the now-famous anodized aluminum design emerged, transforming the iMac into a serious workhorse rather than just a playful gadget.

The Professional Era

The iMac peaked in 2017 with the introduction of the Xeon processor-based 27-inch iMac Pro, a powerful machine that served as a great alternative for those who couldn't afford the Mac Pro. However, in today's Apple silicon lineup, there seems to be no place for the iMac Pro or even a larger iMac.

In a recent video discussion, I noted that many Mac users are expressing a desire for a larger iMac, and while I understand the sentiment, I find it unlikely.

For under £700, a powerful Mac mini can be paired with a £1500 Studio Display, creating an excellent desktop setup for just over £2000. Moreover, if you later upgrade from the Mac mini, having the Studio Display already in place makes transitioning to a Mac Studio or even a Mac Pro feasible. While some may argue that these aren't all-in-one Macs, they are incredibly fast and modular solutions that cater to diverse workflows.

Full Circle

The return of vibrant colors to the iMac three years ago signifies a full-circle moment for the brand. The original colorful designs have transitioned into the more professional aesthetic represented by the iMac Pro. Over the years, the iMac has exceeded expectations, but was it ever intended to be a pro-level machine, or did it simply evolve to fill a gap?

The Mac lineup has experienced its share of ups and downs, but currently, we find ourselves in a golden era with options available at every price point. Even my base-level M3 iMac can handle tasks that would have been unimaginable on similarly specced machines just a few years ago.

Given all this, I struggle to envision a new large iMac being introduced. While I believe it will endure, desktop computers are facing challenges in the current market. The trend is leaning towards portability, an area where Apple has excelled with the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, alongside iPads.

I hold onto the hope that Apple retains a bit of sentimentality and allows the iMac legacy to continue for a few more years. This model is profoundly connected to Steve Jobs and has played a crucial role in saving Apple from extinction a quarter-century ago.

Nostalgia for the iMac

It's easy to feel nostalgic about the memorable moments spent with our iMacs, and perhaps even iMac Pros. These machines have become embedded in the culture of Mac users. However, the necessity for an iMac may no longer exist, and distinguishing between need and desire is crucial.

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In this video titled "Here's the Thing about the M3 Macbook Air," we delve into the features and performance of Apple's latest MacBook Air.

Check out "MacBook Air M3 After 1 Week: BETTER Than The MacBook Pro!" to see how the M3 MacBook Air compares to its Pro counterpart after a week of usage.