Costco Members: Apple iMac 24", M1 Chip, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD (2021, various colors)

arpiggies

Apr 24, 2023 9:29 AM

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Joined Apr 2012

arpiggiesApr 24, 2023 9:29 AM

1.4K Comments

Quote from LivelyPen175

:

Ok so I've read that the system uses swap memory once you've used 8gb of RAM. Now this Mac only had 256gb. How does it manage/allocate swap memory? Does it reserve certain amount of memory for that use? How much? I used to have a Linux-based phone that we somehow sped up by reserving some of the external (microSD) memory for use as swap. That portion would not be available for use. It's it the same here? If so this really needs an immediate SSD upgrade...
Honestly I feel old talking about my past gadgets. Haha Nowadays I rarely think about this kinds of stuff.

https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/...ps-so-fast

Hat-Trick

Pro

Apr 24, 2023 12:30 PM

11.1K Comments

Joined Feb 2013

Hat-Trick

Pro

Apr 24, 2023 12:30 PM

11.1K Comments

Quote from arpiggies

:

Meets or beats this system was the challenge.

It's unified memory if you had a clue.

Look at the Passmark CPU and GPU scores. It's a blazing chip and easily matches currently near the top Intel and AMD 16GB systems.

2 years old already and few systems surpass it.

Also, you got a problem with 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C SSD external drive? Be realistic please.

You're the same individual that was opposed to non-removable batteries in cellphones and laptops at one time I suspect.

I know it has unified memory. No need to be rude. Any package anyone would put together for your challenge uses RAM, or are you expecting someone to put together something with memory on a SoC? And also, I did write that the SSD could not be expandable via an "internal slot". I also know that one can use VERY EXPENSIVE TB3/4 drive to expand a system but then who wants drives hanging off their system if they can be put inside? My XPS desktop has 2 8TB drives and 3 NVMe SSD's inside. All can be upgraded with bigger capacity at any time. I would note that two of the SSD's are PCIe V4 and are faster than the SSD's in the iMac and the cost of these ridiculously fast SSD's are at an all time low. For example Apple wants $400 for 1TB. PCIe V4 SSD's that I can install easily myself are well under $100 in Windows world and would be faster than the SSD in this iMac.

Look -- iMac is a great system. I'm not anti-Mac. I've had M1 Mac Mini, and 14 and 16" MBP M1 and 13" MBP. You put out a challenge and cherry-pick all the good specs but leave out what many (not just me) would say are Achilles heels on any Mac system.

I guess my biggest conundrum on this deal is which of the 5 putrid colors of iMac that Costco is selling at this price do I want? Hint: none. That should have been part of your challenge -- under $1000 and yellow, orange, purple or pink.

Last edited by Hat-Trick April 24, 2023 at 06:18 AM.

1

turns2stone

Apr 24, 2023 12:43 PM

4.4K Comments

Joined Feb 2010

turns2stoneApr 24, 2023 12:43 PM

4.4K Comments

Quote from Justdeals1a

:

8 GB RAM and 256 GB hard disk?
Man these specs are like from 10 years ago! and it's on front page and people are buying it for $1000 !!!
No wonder there's hyper inflation.

10 years ago cloud storage wasn't as prevalent, so 256GB can be perfectly fine for a lot of users, today.

Also, this computer will smoke any 8/16GB consumer-grade machine from 2013 when it comes to multitasking (RAM).

Last edited by turns2stone April 24, 2023 at 05:56 AM.

Gn0dz

Apr 24, 2023 1:15 PM

724 Comments

Joined Feb 2010

Gn0dzApr 24, 2023 1:15 PM

724 Comments

I have one of these in my home office for work. I often times wish it was 27" but usually it is fine. The 8GB is lacking once in a while, but that may be because I have some monster Excel files open sometimes. This replaced a Dell Precision 5720 AIO which was also a quality machine which I would still use if it supported macOS

My favorite things about the imac:
-with very few cables, it really is a visually appealing design. The display quality is quite good. Not sure what it is but it is easier to look at than my prior dell 27" 4k.
-I don't know why apple doesn't include FaceID, but touch ID keyboard is really nice too and I use it dozens of times per day not just for logon, but Duo MFA
-2 TB4 and 2 USB-C ports
-I have external speakers, mic, and camera, but the internal ones are actually really good!

I mostly use web apps and MS office. I bought one of these for my mom and she loves it, too.

1

mars_88888

Apr 24, 2023 1:41 PM

1.9K Comments

Joined Sep 2012

mars_88888Apr 24, 2023 1:41 PM

1.9K Comments

60 hertz my eyes.

1

Hat-Trick

Pro

Apr 24, 2023 1:58 PM

11.1K Comments

Joined Feb 2013

Hat-Trick

Pro

Apr 24, 2023 1:58 PM

11.1K Comments

Quote from Hat-Trick

:

Well, if you're making specific requirements to match this iMac, then also say the PC has to have 8GB of unexpandable RAM and 256GB of SSD that cannot be upgraded by using any internal slots and that you'll be stuck with until the end of time. Oh, and the CPU, has to be soldered to the board also, OH, and the case has to be glued shut so there is no entry whatsoever.

Quote from MellowShoe8104

:

1990's mentality…

I agree except that is what Apple is selling in 2023! LMAO

1

masterz13

Apr 24, 2023 2:24 PM

5.2K Comments

Joined Dec 2009

masterz13Apr 24, 2023 2:24 PM

5.2K Comments

As an IT professional, I can tell you these are outdated at this point. Highly recommend the new M2 Mac Minis for $600. Sometimes you can get them for $500. Pair with a 4K monitor and you're golden.

1

3

turns2stone

Apr 24, 2023 3:24 PM

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Joined Feb 2010

turns2stoneApr 24, 2023 3:24 PM

4.4K Comments

Quote from masterz13

:

As an IT professional, I can tell you these are outdated at this point. Highly recommend the new M2 Mac Minis for $600. Sometimes you can get them for $500. Pair with a 4K monitor and you're golden.

An IT Professional would know that the differences between M1 and M2 SOCs are minimal. So 'outdated' is a very weird way to describe the M1 iMac.

5

Hat-Trick

Pro

Apr 24, 2023 3:37 PM

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Joined Feb 2013

Hat-Trick

Pro

Apr 24, 2023 3:37 PM

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Quote from turns2stone

:

An IT Professional would know that the differences between M1 and M2 SOCs are minimal. So 'outdated' is a very weird way to describe the M1 iMac.

M3 is right around the corner at which time M1 will be 2 generations old. As an IT Professional, I would never put myself or client in a box for the next 5 years with an 8GB/256GB computer.

Last edited by Hat-Trick April 24, 2023 at 09:08 AM.

4

NMStormCrow

Apr 24, 2023 4:10 PM

20 Comments

Joined Jan 2020

NMStormCrowApr 24, 2023 4:10 PM

20 Comments

Quote from masterz13

:

As an IT professional, I can tell you these are outdated at this point. Highly recommend the new M2 Mac Minis for $600. Sometimes you can get them for $500. Pair with a 4K monitor and you're golden.

I certainly don't want to knock the M2 Minis, but connecting a 4K monitor to a Mac isn't that simple. Mac OS display scaling isn't as straightforward as other OSes and kind of sucks. With 4K monitors, they oversample the display to 5120x2880 and then scale by default back down to 2560x1440 for a reasonably sized UI. The 24" 4.5K and 27" 5K monitors are designed for this nonsense and look the sharpest, with over 200DPI "Retina", without any additional work. Other monitors, even 4K, can look less than great and have blurry fonts and other faults. Though there are apps that can help deal with this.

https://bjango.com/articles/macex...displays2/

1

AaronA7627

Apr 24, 2023 4:18 PM

586 Comments

Joined Apr 2013

AaronA7627Apr 24, 2023 4:18 PM

586 Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank AaronA7627

Always a treat to see these Apple threads go off the rails. It's really simple… this is a deal thread, the merit of the machine is not the topic. Is it a good deal? Sure, especially considering how much this EXACT item costs elsewhere. Nice find OP

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turns2stone

Apr 24, 2023 4:37 PM

4.4K Comments

Joined Feb 2010

turns2stoneApr 24, 2023 4:37 PM

4.4K Comments

Quote from Hat-Trick

:

M3 is right around the corner at which time M1 will be 2 generations old. As an IT Professional, I would never put myself or client in a box for the next 5 years with an 8GB/256GB computer.

M3 is probably 2024, and no guarantees iMac will get it upon first release.

Your 8/256 comment sounds like someone who has never used one (Apple Silicon) in an enterprise environment. I have/do, and it runs circles around a better spec'd Windows machine.

Hat-Trick

Pro

Apr 24, 2023 4:48 PM

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Joined Feb 2013

Hat-Trick

Pro

Apr 24, 2023 4:48 PM

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Quote from turns2stone

:

M3 is probably 2024, and no guarantees iMac will get it upon first release.

Your 8/256 comment sounds like someone who has never used one (Apple Silicon) in an enterprise environment. I have/do, and it runs circles around a better spec'd Windows machine.

I've had M1 Mac Mini (sold it), M1 Pro 14" (Sold it), M1 Pro 16" (sold it) and currently keep a 13" MBP M1. My 12th gen i7 XPS does exactly what I need it to do with blinding speed. Not sure how poorly (mis)configured your Windows machine was, but to say an 8GB/256GB M1 Mac "runs circles" around my XPS (or any current gen PC) is an exaggeration to say the least.

Hat-Trick

Pro

Apr 24, 2023 4:51 PM

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Joined Feb 2013

Hat-Trick

Pro

Apr 24, 2023 4:51 PM

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Quote from AaronA7627

:

Always a treat to see these Apple threads go off the rails. It's really simple… this is a deal thread, the merit of the machine is not the topic. Is it a good deal? Sure, especially considering how much this EXACT item costs elsewhere. Nice find OP

So that leaves no one posting anything because we're not allowed to say why it isn't a deal for some people? What exactly did you come here hoping to read if the merit of the iMac is not the topic?

Here's a question not (directly) about merit -- why do you think Costco is selling these at almost $500 off? Unpopular colors (notice blue and silver are not on sale)? Base model just not selling and there's a bunch of inventory Apple wants to clear?

Last edited by Hat-Trick April 24, 2023 at 09:53 AM.

Grainy99

Apr 24, 2023 5:16 PM

383 Comments

Joined Jul 2019

Grainy99Apr 24, 2023 5:16 PM

383 Comments

Ridiculous deal. Wanted blue but for $500 more off, no brainer. Perfect setup for spare bedroom and young daughter to start to get familiar with Mac. Bigger screen would have been nice but the thin, sleek design with built in everything at this price point is untouchable. Thanks OP

Costco Members: Apple iMac 24", M1 Chip, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD (2021, various colors)

$1,000

$1,450

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